Germany: International Joint MSc Programme “Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security”

The United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and the Department of Geography of the University of Bonn (GIUB) are pleased to announce the call for applications for the International Joint MSc Programme “Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security.”

The main purpose of the 2-year Master of Science programme is to provide postgraduate students with detailed knowledge, critical understanding, strategies and the tools required to take an interdisciplinary approach towards environmental risks and human security. The Master's programme content addresses theoretical and methodological debates in geography to better understand the complex emergence of environmental risks and natural hazards and their implications for human-nature relations (vulnerability, resilience, adaptation) and how to deal with them in practice. Jointly organized by the Department of Geography and the United Nations University in Bonn, it provides a unique combination of advanced conceptual and applied engagements with the field of environmental risks and human security in an international context. An internship of at least 8 weeks is a compulsory part of the programme.

Fields of study include:

• Geographical approaches to risk, vulnerability and resilience;
• New approaches to development geography;
• Earth system science
• Qualitative & Quantitative Methods, as well as GIS & Remote Sensing;
• Social-ecological systems, Risk & Technology;
• Risk management and governance, forecast & prediction;

• Disaster management, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and humanitarian response.Since its launch in October 2013, a total of 122 students from 26 different countries have been studying
  within the Master’s programme.The Programme's primary goals are:

• Theoretical and methodological expertise in the field of environmental risks and human security

• combined with practical experiences;

• Strong focus on developing countries/ Global South;

• Intercultural and interdisciplinary learning environment;

• Possibility to engage in ongoing research projects at both institutions;

• Close cooperation with the UN system & international organizations.

The Master programme offers great visibility and exposure to international organizations, federal
agencies, academic and non-academic research organizations, as well as private companies and
corporations involved in disaster risk reduction and preparedness, humanitarian aid, international
relations, research on climate change, food security, spatial planning, and policy. Future career options
may arise in all of these thematic fields depending on individual preferences and career goals.

Applications are accepted during the application period from November 2, 2017 to January 15, 2018.
Please compile the documents for your individual application as outlined on our website - section
APPLICATIONS or FAQ - in a single PDF file and send it via email to master-georisk@ehs.unu.edu
Complete applications must be received by January 15th, 2018, 23:59 CET (Central European Time) in
Bonn, Germany. Incomplete applications will not be considered

Applicants must possess a first, higher education qualification (Bachelor’s Degree) in Geography or a related / comparable professionally certified study programme. Out of all higher education qualifications earned (Bachelor’s, Master’s, additional academic coursework, etc.) applicants must have accumulated at least 100 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) within courses related to the three following areas:

1. Human Geography and Social Sciences with a focus on spatial patterns, society, development;
2. Science methodology and empirical research methods;
3. Physical Geography, Geosciences and Environmental Sciences with a focus on Earth System Science.

Application procedures and deadlines can be found at the following link:

http://ehs.unu.edu/education/masters/international-joint-msc-programme-geography-of-environmental-risks-and-human-security.html#overview.

Regarding language proficiency, all applicants that are not native speakers of English should present an English language certificate. Candidates from a multilingual country that can prove that the majority of their prior education was conducted in English as well as German candidates that acquired English language skills on the level “Leistungskurs Abitur” are exempted from the rule. Please refer to the FAQ in this link for more details about certificates and scores.

http://ehs.unu.edu/education/masters/international-joint-msc-programme-geography-of-environmental-risks-and-human-security.html#requirements

We are also pleased to announce that starting from the October 2017 intake, we will be in a position to offer a limited number of scholarships to international students. Please check the following website for current information about the scholarship process, you can get further details from our website too:

https://www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?detail=10000008