Master in Sustainable Development, Management and Policy

Master in Sustainable Development, Management and Policy is one of 12 English-taught Sustainable Development programmes at master’s level in the register, offered by 9 institutions. 10 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 727 to EUR 1,453. 7 are at a public university, where EU, EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters.

The MSc in Sustainable Development, Management and Policy at Modul University Vienna is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's taught in English. It takes a multidisciplinary approach, blending economics, management, environmental studies, ethics and political science. The programme is research-driven and applied, with case studies and real-world projects at its core.

What you study

The curriculum covers both the theory and practice of sustainability. In the first year you take courses such as Advanced Data Analysis & Decision Making, Advanced Economics, Environmental Management & Sustainability, Environmental Sciences, Systems & Energy Studies, and Organizational Social Psychology & Leadership. You also study Research Design & Methods in Practice, Principles of Sustainability & Economic Development, Applications of Economics for the Environment, and Public Policy Analysis & Evaluation.

The second year focuses on ecological economics, a master's thesis, and assuring sustainability. You take a Sustainable Metrics Seminar, Ecological Economics, a Master Thesis Seminar, Conflict Management, and enrichment courses. You can also choose a specialisation: Innovation and Experience Design for Tourism, Sustainable Management and Policy, Tourism and Service Management, or Data Science. Alternatively, you can do a customised internship or join the Industry Excellence Program, where you are mentored by a senior manager over two semesters.

How the programme is organised

The programme runs over four semesters. The first year builds your foundation in data analysis, economics, environmental management, social psychology, leadership, sustainability and economic development. You then choose a specialisation, complete an internship, or join the excellence programme. The second year deepens your knowledge with ecological economics and specialised courses, and you complete a master's thesis, which you defend in the final semester. Teaching is research-oriented and applied, with a strong emphasis on case studies and real-world applications. The programme is limited to 30 students, so you work in small groups.

Who it suits

This master's is for students from diverse backgrounds who want to tackle urgent societal, economic and environmental challenges. Suitable bachelor's degrees include environmental sciences, biology, geography, planning, sociology, political science, policy sciences, law, management or economics. If you aspire to continue to PhD studies, the programme provides the research skills and deep understanding of sustainability challenges and policies that you need. It also suits people who want hands-on experience through an internship or the Industry Excellence Program.

Admission, language and next steps

Applications go directly to Modul University Vienna through its application portal. You need a curriculum vitae, a one-page letter of motivation, a bachelor's degree (minimum three years), transcripts, a copy of your passport, a passport-sized photograph, two academic letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency at C1 level. Accepted tests include TOEFL (95 iBT), IELTS (overall 7.0, no sub-score below 6.5), Pearson Academic (76) or Cambridge Advanced Certificate (grade C, minimum 180 points). Native speakers or those who completed a full bachelor's degree in English may be exempt. The admissions committee may request additional evidence. If you lack some prerequisites, you may be given prerequisite courses to complete before the semester starts, possibly online, for an additional fee. The teaching language is English. As a private university, Modul University Vienna sets its own tuition fees; the programme page lists the fee per semester. EU/EEA and Swiss students do not automatically pay no tuition at private universities, so check the fee information on the institution's page.

The program equips students to design and implement sustainable development strategies on various levels, from households to global scales. MU Vienna's strong focus on sustainability provides hands-on learning opportunities, fostering practical experience.This program is an excellent choice for those seeking to embrace a multidisciplinary approach, inviting students from diverse backgrounds to explore sustainability through various lenses, including economics, management, environmental studies, ethics, and political sciences.Through a combination of applied and research-oriented coursework with a case study focus, students learn to bridge research with real-world phenomena, equipping them to actively contribute to pressing sustainability issues and transitions in societal systems.

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here Modul University Vienna. Private institutions set their own application periods, admission procedures and fees, so read them on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: No. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.