Erasmus Mundus in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) 2025-2027

MESPOM prepares students for identifying and implementing solutions to complex environmental challenges, especially in an international context. It offers a comprehensive inter- and multi-disciplinary curriculum in environmental studies that challenges students' ability to integrate theory and practice for systematic analysis, holistic understanding, and management of diverse environmental issues in various social contexts. In addition to their academic work, students develop research, communication and other professional skills, learn to orient themselves in European and worldwide networks of environmental institutions and elaborate relevant career objectives and strategies.

The MESPOM study programme lasts two years. The fall and winter semesters of the first year are spent at Central European University, Budapest (from 2020 Vienna) and the spring semester - at the University of the Aegean, Greece. In summer, students take internships supervised by MESPOM faculty and hosted by Associated Partners or other organisations.  During the first half of the 2nd year students can choose to study at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at Lund University or at the School of Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences of the University of Manchester. The 4th (research) semester may be hosted by any of the Consortium partners, including our North American partners - Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS) (USA) and the University of Saskatchewan(UoS) (Canada). 

All MESPOM graduates receive Master of Science (MSc) degrees from CEU, Lund University, the University of the Aegean, and the University of Manchester. 

MESPOM STUDY PROGRAMME IN A NUTSHELL

The 2-year (120 ECTS credits) MESPOM programme is delivered in English and includes three semesters of taught courses followed by a fourth research semester. 

• Semesters 1 and 2: Central European University in Vienna, Austria (CEU) and University of the Aegean in Lesvos, Greece (UAegean)
• Semester 3: One of two specialized tracks: 1) IIIEE at Lund University in Lund, Sweden (LU) or 2) SEAES at the University of Manchester, in Manchester, U.K. (UoM)
• Semester 4: individual thesis research based at any of the 4 consortium partners. 

Degrees awarded

Students successfully fulfilling all the requirements are awarded the Master of Science degree in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management. The MESPOM degree is a valid national degree in Sweden and the UK. The CEU degree is accredited in Hungary, validated by the University of Manchester. In addition, it is registered in the USA by the New York State Department of Education in the United States. 

The MESPOM degree is a joint degree with four degree certificates: from the University of Lund, University of Manchester, Central European University (Közép-európai Egyetem), and the University of the Aegean cross-referring to each other as well as a set of joint degree award documents. 

At the end of the Masters programme, a successful graduate will be able to:

(KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING)

•  thoroughly understand core concepts and approaches in environmental sciences, policy and management and their relationship to each other;
• demonstrate advanced understanding of several areas* of environmental sciences, policy and management (including awareness of the most important issues, contemporary theories and practices, key uncertainties, and practical complexities and dilemmas);
• understand the process of research and knowledge production in a selected environmental topic (including identifying a suitable problem statement and research questions, relevant academic and professional literature, and appropriate methods);

(SKILLS)

• analyze and critically evaluate contemporary theory and practice in a range of environmental fields;
• contribute to production of professional and academic knowledge and improvement of practice in selected fields of environmental science, policy and management;
• communicate complex environmental knowledge effectively in English both orally and in writing to professional and academic audiences, using appropriate communication standards;
• organize effective independent work in environmental sciences, policy and management; work effectively in multidisciplinary, multicultural groups to solve environmental problems;

(VALUES/ATTITUDES)

• appreciate the role and the value of rigorous scientific inquiry (including inter- and multidisciplinary approaches), sound management practices, and democratic policy-making processes in solving environmental problems, with awareness of the role and the value of culturally appropriate approaches to environmental management in specific societal contexts;
• uphold values that advance a sustainable and open society, self-reflective critical inquiry, research ethics, and environmental and social care;
• appreciate the potential contribution of multidisciplinary and/or multinational networks to meeting environmental and sustainability challenges.