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LMU - Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Environment and Society

M.A. (Master of Arts)
Subjects: Environmental Studies
M.A.
Degree
120
ECTS
EnglishEnglish
English & German
Language
Winter semester: 31 May
Application Deadlines
2 Years (starting: Winter semester)
Duration
Free
Tuition Fees (per semester)
Starting
Winter semester
Application:
directly at the University
Study mode:
On campus

Course Description


The program's core courses and some electives are taught in English. With a few exceptions, most electives are taught in German.

Requirements


Qualification Requirements


Previous Degree

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a range of related disciplines (including anthropology, geography, literature, history, law, political studies, biology, ecology, or other relevant degrees).

Required ECTS credits: 180.

GPA (German System) 2.50
GPA Comment

A grade of at least 2,5 on the German scale (or equivalent).

Language Requirements


The following certificates are recognised as proof of your language proficience.

languageEnglish
CEFR English
min C1
TOEFL iBT
min 95
IELTS
min 7
Cambridge
min C1 Advanced (CAE)
languageGerman
CEFR German
min C1
DSH
min DSH 2
Goethe-Zertifikat
min C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS)
Does the university recognize "other equivalent language certificates"? yes

Additional information:
English language skills can also be proven with the Duolingo test with a score of 120. German language skills can also be proven with a certificate of graduation from a German higher education institution (at least Gymnasium, Fachhochschule, Hochschule), or the Small/Great Language Diploma or ZOP of the Goethe-Institut (until the end of 2011), or the Language Certificate of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the FRG, Level II (4x C1), or the German Language Examination II of the Sprachen- und Dolmetscher-Institut, Munich, or the examination of German as a foreign language with level 4 in all 4 sub-skills. If a level is passed with less than 4 points, the test cannot be recognized.

Application & Admission


Application Deadlines


Application Procedure & Selection


Admission Test/Interview:
None
Application:
directly at the University
Application Fee:
No application fees

Application Documents


The following documents are required as part of the application process:

  1. Fully completed digital application form.
  2. Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum).
  3. Copy of a bachelor's degree (180 ECTS points or equivalent) from programs in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences with significant thematic overlap with the MA "Environment and Society" (for example, but not limited to: environmental studies, literature, cultural studies, history, sociology, anthropology, geography, political sciences, media studies, geology, biology, etc.). Students who have not yet finished their undergraduate studies may apply but can only be accepted on a provisional basis pending the completion of their degree.
  4. Transcript of records showing a grade of at least 2,5 on the German scale (or equivalent)
    • In case the first degree is not yet completed, the transcript of records must show the successful completion of at least 150 ECTS points (or equivalent). The diploma (or equivalent qualifaciton) must subsequently be submitted immediately upon receipt.
    • To determine the grade equivalents for degrees obtained outside of Germany, you can use online guidelines or tools.
  5. Proof of English language proficiency (see language requirements). Please note that the validity of most test results expires after two years. If English is your native language or you completed your first degree in English in an English-speaking country, you may submit a statement explaining why you should be exempt.
  6. Proof of German language proficiency (see language requirements) to be submitted with the application or within a year of admittance into the program at the latest. If you do not yet hold a C1 certificate at the time of application, please submit proof of your current level of German proficiency, including a statement supporting your ability to demonstrate C1 within a year of entry into the program.
  7. An original argumentative essay in English, no longer than 2000 words (excluding bibliography). This essay should not be an overview or a summary of the issue, but an argumentative essay that also points to your personal relation to the picked topic (for example in terms of your personal passions or career goals) and includes why you think an interdisciplinary program such as the MA Environment and Society is the right framework to engage with this issue. The essay should address one of the two following prompts:
    • Coming from your own discipline, discuss a pressing contemporary environmental issue or promising innovation to an environmental challenge and explain what an interdisciplinary perspective to this issue might add. If possible, please pick an issue less overarching than climate change or micro plastics, or focus on a specific aspect or dimension of these large-scale issues rather than discussing them in the broad sense.
    • Choose an environmental issue embedded in a particular place and discuss it from a historical perspective, including its relationship to nature and human society in that context. Examples include but are not limited to toxic pollution in a concrete context, the work of an influential environmentalist, issues of environmental justice relating to a specific event or place, the practice of conservation in a specific region/country, the development of environmental policy in a specific country, etc.
    The essay will be assessed based on:
    • Writing quality and strength of argumentation
    • Proficiency of writing language
    • Demonstrated research ability, including robust academic referencing practices (minimum eight secondary academic sources, correctly and coherently attributed citations)
    • Relevance to environmental concerns
  8. writing sample in English or German demonstrating research ability in an environmentally relevant topic (max. 2000 words). This can be, but does not have to be, from your previous study program.

If you are an international student, you will additionally need to submit an application with the LMU International Office. Please note that deadlines may differ.

Location


1
LMU - Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Further Information


For more information please check the

Course Website