THE APPLICATION PORTAL FOR 2025-26 HAS OPENED!
The Department operates two Masters programs:
The 2-year Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM)
is operated in partnership with three other leading European institutions for environmental research and postgraduate education - Lund University (Sweden), the University of the Aegean (Greece) and the University of Manchester (UK).
See more information at http://mespom.eu
Deadlines for 2025/27:
- February 4, 2025*: DEADLINE for applicants who wish to be considered for Erasmus Mundus funding (EMJM stipend). All applications must be complete with applicable standard test scores, according to MESPOM requirements (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).
Note that the program will only be reviewing applications after the Febr 4th deadline.
- April 15, 2025*: DEADLINE for self-financing applicants for citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA area who require a study visa. (Candidates from visa-sensitive countries are strongly encouraged to apply by February 4, 2025.)
- July 1, 2025*: DEADLINE for late self-financing applicants who need no visa to enter Austria, including citizens and residents of EU/EEA countries. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis (subject to spaces available).
Masters Program in Environmental Sciences & Policy (MESP)
is a one-year Masters degree program. More information is available here.
Deadlines for 2025/26:
- October 15, 2024*: EARLY DEADLINE for applicants from visa-sensitive countries (i.e. countries where it may take up to 12 months to obtain a study residence permit and visa) for both self-financing places and places with CEU financial aid (where available). Early application deadline also for applicants seeking an early decision with no CEU financial aid or wish to apply for external funding. (Applicants will receive a response in December 2024.)
Please note: this deadline does NOT apply to the Erasmus Mundus MESPOM program - February 4, 2025*: DEADLINE for applicants from non-visa-sensitive countries for both self-financing places and places with CEU financial aid (where available).
- April 15, 2025*: DEADLINE for self-financing applicants from non-visa-sensitive countries.
- July 1, 2025*: DEADLINE for late self-financing applicants who need no visa to enter Austria, including citizens and residents of EU/EEA countries. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis (subject to spaces available).
*(23:59 CET, Central European Time)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All applications must be complete with applicable standard test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).
For general admission criteria and processes, please refer to the CEU PU Admissions Policy. Detailed information on admissions for both Masters programs can be found here.
In addition to meeting the general CEU admissions requirements (see Application Checklist), applicants to either of the two Master's programs at the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy must write a statement (maximum 350 words) addressing:
a) the origins of their interest in environmental issues;
b) how they hope to benefit from the program;
c) their future career plans; and
d) their relevant special interests.
Successful candidates will also normally have some work experience in a field related to the environment.
Applicants to both the Masters Programs and MESPOM must have at least a Bachelor's degree. Students accepted on the department's Master's programs normally have first degrees in subjects related to environmental sciences, policy or management such as biology, geography, chemistry, engineering, business administration or economics. Candidates with other first degrees will also be considered if they show a commitment to environmental issues, usually through work experience.
Eligible applicants must have earned a first degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent; not less than 4 years of full-time studies for MESP* or not less than 3 years of full time studies for MESPOM) from a recognized university or institution of higher education (typically GPA 3.5 or above, forMESPOM minimum requirement is 3.5 GPA), or provide documentation indicating that they will earn their first degree from such an institution by the time of enrolling in MESP/MESPOM. Their first degree should be in environmental studies or closely related fields. Candidates with first degrees in agricultural studies, social sciences, legal and administrative studies, economics, engineering or natural sciences will also be considered if they show commitment to environmental challenges, usually through voluntary or professional work and on-the-job training.
*In exceptional cases, applicants with a three-year bachelor’s degree may be allowed admission into one-year master’s programs at CEU. The applicants should be aware that they may not be able to pursue a doctoral degree in the European Higher Education Area if they have accumulated less than 300 ECTS credits in their prior university studies. Applicants wishing to pursue an academic career should choose their master’s program accordingly (two-year master’s in case they completed a three-year bachelor’s degree, and one-year master’s in case they completed a four-year bachelor’s degree). Please refer to necessary background disciplines for exemption at the department as above.
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English. Those applicants whose first language is not English must submit standardized English language test scores, e.g., the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Other substitute tests of English language are noted below.
Minimum Test Scores Required by MESP (for MESPOM please see here)
|
Test Type |
Minimum Score required |
|
TOEFL (Internet-based; not older than two years at the time of application) |
88 |
|
TOEFL (Paper-based; not older than two years at the time of application) |
570 |
|
International English Language Test (IELTS Academic; not older than two years at the time of application) |
6.5 |
|
Pearson Test of English (Academic; not older than five years at the time of application) |
59 |
|
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (not older than five years at the time of application) |
180 |
|
Euroexam Academic (not older than two years at the time of application) |
Pass |
Please note that application to the program from 2022 is available submitting test scores of the following as well:
- Duolingo English Test, min. score 125 (not older than one year at the time of application)
If the applicant’s first language is English, they will normally be exempted from this requirement. An applicant may also be exempted if they have obtained a Bachelor's or a Master's degree taught exclusively in English. Decisions regarding exemptions are at the discretion of the MESP/MESPOM admissions committee.
Each eligible application is assessed against the following selection criteria:
- Academic and intellectual excellence including relevance of the previous degree, previous academic performance, quality of home university, recommendation letters;
- Career promise including previous work or voluntary experience in the field of the environment, quality of the motivation statement, recommendation letters;
- Contribution to course diversity including previous international experience, background, quality of the motivation statement. This criterion is auxiliary and used to promote candidates from different geographic and disciplinary backgrounds in order to ensure the best learning environment. It particularly serves the MESP/MESPOM purpose of increasing access for outstanding students from less privileged backgrounds.
Admission Process and Timeline
December 10, 2024:
First acceptance offers (including financial aid, if awarded) for applications by the Oct 15 deadline are sent out by Admissions office for visa-sensitive candidates (1-year master program/MESP).
January 15, 2025:
Waiting list for visa-sensitive candidates (1-year master program/MESP) expires.
April 30, 2025:
Acceptance offers (including financial aid, if awarded) are sent to succesful applicants (1-year master program/MESP, MESPOM and PhD program).
Candidates who decline the offer for financial reasons (if financial aid award is insufficient) remain on the waiting list for a better offer, should one become available.
May 30, 2025:
Waiting list for visa-required candidates expires.
For self-funding students:
Admissions decisions and acceptance offers are sent till May 30, 2025 for applications meeting the April 15, 2025 deadline or within 3 to 6 weeks after the application has been submitted (last deadline July 1, 2025), latest till July 15, 2025.
Admissions decisions are made by an academic selection committee within the given program on the basis of the candidate's past academic achievement, strength of recommendations, English language competency, intellectual merit, work experience (if applicable), expectations of the program, future plans, and general compatibility with the goals of the academic unit.
Please note: Candidates rejected on formal or academic grounds are notified via the Applicant Portal as soon as the decision has been made. No available decision means having passed the formal review.
Information for Accepted Students (click on the link)
Do I need a visa to Austria?
Information on residence permits.
CHAT WITH STUDENTS AND ALUMNI
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Few useful links
https://mespom.eu/eligibility-requirements, http://www.ceu.edu/admissions/who-can-apply
Introduction to CEU: http://www.ceu.edu/about
CEU Accreditation: http://www.ceu.edu/administration/accreditation
