The Doctoral Program in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy provides a unique opportunity to pursue fundamental and applied research to address some of the most urgent environmental challenges in the world. Our graduates emerge from the Program with a broad understanding of diverse approaches to environmental problems, extensive practical research experience, professional networks and analytical and practical thinking skills with a commitment and capacity to addressing environmental challenges.
Supervisors
Please check our faculty profiles. While we make sure that accepted students are allocated to the best supervisors, in 2025/26 the following members will be available for a possible new supervision: Guntra Aistara, Viktor Lagutov, Michael LaBelle, Laszlo Pinter, Anke Schaffartzik, Diana Urge-Vorsatz.
Entry Requirements
Applicants for the Doctoral Program are required to possess a Master's degree or equivalent in an environment-related field, such as natural or social sciences, engineering, economics, law or management. They must also meet the relevant language proficiency and CEU admissions requirements. The Department's admission criteria include intellectual excellence and the potential for making original contributions to knowledge in the field through rigorous research. Further information and advice about entry into the PhD program is available here.
Please note that, in addition to standard CEU admissions requirements, the department requires applicants to submit
- a (max 2,000 word) research proposal (excluding reference list or tables)
- as well as a statement of purpose (max 500 words). In your statement of purpose it is advisable to name the potential supervisor.
This is an important part of the selection process, since we use it to form a judgement both about the applicant's ability to conduct PhD-level research and about his/her fit with the department's research profile; applicants are therefore encouraged to pay particular attention to this element of their application package.
Language test types & minimum test scores required
| Test Type | Minimum Overall/Total Score Required |
|
TOEFL (Internet-based; not older than two years at the time of application) |
100 |
| TOEFL (Paper-based; not older than two years at the time of application) | 600 |
|
IELTS (Academic; not older than two years at the time of application) |
7 |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic; not older than five years at the time of application) | 76 |
| Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (not older than five years at the time of application) | 190 |
| Euroexam Academic (not older than two years at the time of application) | Pass with distinction |
| Duolingo English Test (not older than one year at the time of application) |
130 |
If your first language is English, you will normally be exempted from this requirement. You may also be exempted if you have obtained a Bachelor's or a Master's degree taught exclusively in English. Please upload an official letter from your university or college, confirming that your bachelor’s or master’s program was taught entirely in English in case it is not clearly stated in your transcript.
If you have any questions about our English proficiency requirements, please go here.
All application materials must be submitted with the online application form of CEU. Materials sent by postal mail, electronic mail or fax are not considered.