Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability – 2026

Academic calendar

The programme is organised in 2 semesters of approximately 5 months per academic year. A detailed academic calendar will be published for each cohort on the internal student information portal.

Year 1	Phase 1	First week of September – end January
Year 1	Phase 2	First week of February – end June
Year 2	Phase 3	First week of September – end January
Year 2	Phase 4	First week of February – end June

ENROLMENT AND REGISTRATION

This information is specific to the 2025 admission year, and it will be updated shortly for 2026.

To register in the Master’s programme Global Challenges for Sustainability (120 ECTS), applicants must meet all the requirements and conditions stated in the CHARM-EU Admissions Rules and Regulations and in the Enrolment Rules and Regulations of the Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability.

All students will be enrolled and considered for administrative purposes as full-time students in each of the participating universities (UB, TCD, UU, ELTE, UM, AAU, JMU, HRW and UiB) and in the first instance in the Universitat de Barcelona (UB), as coordinator and legal representative for CHARM-EU

The enrolment in the Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability is online and by academic year:

1st academic year (2 semesters, 60 ECTS): Phase 1 (30 ECTS) and Phase 2 (30 ECTS)
2nd academic year (2 semesters, 60 ECTS): Phase 3 (30 ECTS) and Phase 4 (30 ECTS)

Enrolment timeline

Candidates should register as soon as they have the necessary documents to prove they meet the requirements, so they can complete their enrolment according to the timeline below:

*Main period ()**	Second half of May	Tuition fee payment 2^nd/3^rd week of July
Extraordinary periods	Second/third week of July	Tuition fee payment 2^nd/3^rd week of July
Extraordinary periods	Last week of August	Tuition fee payment last week in August

(*) For all students who can prove the fulfilment of the admission requirements in May.

The specific dates and slots for enrolment will be communicated to the candidates by email.

Required documents for registration and enrolment

After being admitted and once the reservation fee is paid, students must submit the final enrolment documents legally required to access the master’s programme before the deadline established.

Candidates who enrol on the 1^st academic year of the master’s must have submitted the following documentation before enrolment:

Valid ID/Passport and, if applicable, permanent residence permit (scanned copy). Preferably valid for the whole duration of the master’s.
Certified copy of the degree diploma and the academic transcript (bachelor’s or master’s) that was submitted as part of the master’s application.
Bachelor’s degree simple copy (in case the student has applied for the Master’s with a different degree than a bachelor’s).
English language certificate LEVEL C1 in all skills or a document proving the cause of exemption. (referred to in the Admission Rules and Regulations).
Civil liability insurance certificate valid for the academic year.
Health insurance certificate or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
French students: national service situation certificate (attestation JDC ou JAPD).
Depending on the final allocation of the student, other documents could be required.

Translations:

Academic documents are required in any of the CHARM-EU universities’ official languages in the universities participating in the master’s (Catalan, Spanish, English, Dutch, Hungarian, French, Swedish, Finnish, German and Norwegian). In case the academic documents are not issued in one of these languages, they must be translated by a sworn translator into English before enrolment.

Legalisations:

For certified copies of diplomas and academic transcripts from EU/EEA countries or signatories of a bilateral agreement with the European Union, legalisation is not required. However, the documents provided must be official and issued by the competent authorities, in accordance with the legal system of the country concerned.

Legislation is required for academic documents issued by institutions outside of the EU/EEA countries.

See and download more detailed information about the documents to be submitted.

Important remarks

Successful enrolment is conditional upon all documents being correctly submitted and checked for validity, the fulfilment of all regulatory requirements and the full and timely payment of the fees.
Please see and download the Enrolment Rules and Regulations of the Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability (120 ECTS) – Academic year 2025-2026.
The CHARM-EU Joint Virtual Administrative Office (JVAO) will help you throughout the entire process. For any additional information or any doubts, please contact them.

Our Campuses

Åbo/Turku – AAU

Åbo (Turku) is Finland’s oldest city, blending a strong academic heritage with a lively modern student culture. Being well connected to Helsinki, Stockholm, and the Åland Islands, it’s easy to reach and explore. With several higher education institutions located close together, Åbo is compact and centrally organized and home to about 194,000 residents and over 40,000 students. Åbo Akademi University is the Swedish-speaking multidisciplinary university in Finland, committed to openness, sustainability, and high-quality research and education.

Useful link: Resources for international students at ÅAU

Barcelona – UB

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is an open, young, vibrant, and creative city. Shaped by the diverse backgrounds and identities of its people, Barcelona stands out as a truly cosmopolitan and intercultural city. At the heart of this dynamic environment lies the University of Barcelona, founded in 1450 and one of Spain’s oldest and most renowned institutions. Integrated throughout the city, its various campuses offer students an immersive experience of Barcelona’s neighbourhoods, streets, and daily life. The University embraces a broad spectrum of disciplines, making it a central pillar of knowledge and cultural exchange within the city it calls home.

Useful links: Life at UB (https://web.ub.edu/en/life-ub)

Bergen – UiB

Study in the heart of the city: The University of Bergen’s main campus is located in the city centre. At UiB, you are within immediate reach of study halls, grocery stores, cafés, nightlife, cultural offerings, and everything else Bergen has to offer. If you need to get around Bergen, there is an excellent public transport system, with frequent light rail and bus services. Students also get discounts on tickets.
Bergen is a cultural city with plenty to do. The student cultural centre Kvarteret hosts concerts, debates, film screenings, quizzes, and revues. Hulen is Northern Europe’s oldest rock club, run by volunteer students. Additionally, there are many student organisations, academic committees, and student associations at UiB. These are great places to meet new people, be social, and engage in activities you enjoy.

Useful links: About UiB | University of Bergen

Budapest – ELTE

Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is centrally located in the heart of the country. With about 1.7 million inhabitants, Budapest provides an enjoyable and vibrant atmosphere for international students during their studies. The large number of sights to visit, vibrant cultural life, reasonable living costs, well-developed and easy-to-use public transport network, and high-level safety make Budapest popular among international students.  Many of the city’s sights, including the Buda Castle District and the Banks of the Danube, are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Useful link: https://www.elte.hu/en/prospective-students

Dublin – TCD

The Trinity College campus is located in the heart of one of the safest cities in the world. Like other capital cities, Dublin offers great amenities, lots of job opportunities, a thriving social scene, and a cosmopolitan environment. There are a whole host of reasons to live in Dublin, but surprisingly, much of its strength comes from its compact size. Dublin is relatively small, low-rise rise and is home to just under 1.5 million people. As a result, the city is easy to navigate, and many of its residents get from A to B on foot or by bike. The mountains and coast surrounding Dublin also offer a quick escape into nature. Many hiking routes and swimming spots are accessible by public transport and provide locals with a break away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Useful links: Postgraduate – Study – Trinity College Dublin & Clubs & Societies – TCD

Montpellier – UM

The University of Montpellier’s roots go back to the 13th century. It is deeply embedded in the life of the city of Montpellier and brings together an extensive community of knowledge from science, technology, medicine and environmental sciences to educational sciences, economics, management, law and political science.
Being the biggest higher education institution in Montpellier, UM and its students shape the life of this vibrant city of about 300,000 inhabitants located in the South of France, right nearby the Mediterranean Sea. Elected “best student city” in 2023/24 by “l’Etudiant”, one of the leading French student magazines. It boasts a total of around 70,000 university students, which shapes the cultural and social life of the city. A mild climate, rich historical heritage, and cultural diversity due to the proximity to Africa and nearby European countries make Montpellier an enjoyable place to live in.

Useful link: https://www.umontpellier.fr/en/international/etudier-a-letranger/venir-etudier-a-luniversite-de-montpellier

Mülheim an der Ruhr – HRW

The University of Applied Sciences (HRW), with campuses in Mülheim and Bottrop, offers practice-oriented degree programs in engineering, natural sciences, computer science, and business. Founded in 2009, HRW focuses on innovation, sustainability, and industry collaboration. The Mülheim campus, home to CHARM students, provides modern facilities, collaborative learning spaces, and a supportive, international environment where students can thrive academically and personally. Mülheim an der Ruhr, located in the Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a well-connected city known for its industrial heritage, innovation, and natural charm. With around 170,000 residents, it offers a balance of urban life and green spaces along the Ruhr River, especially in the southern areas. Known as the “City on the River,” Mülheim features a vibrant cultural scene, museums, theatres, and a growing reputation for research and education.

Studying at HRW

Utrecht

Utrecht is a lively student city in the heart of the Netherlands. Utrecht is a beautiful and inspiring urban setting that nurtures talent and creativity. It’s a dynamic, growing city that is characterised by a personal, human scale and offers myriad opportunities to those ready to grasp them. Last, but not least, Utrecht is an intelligent city that uses innovation and sustainability to meet new challenges and achieve its ambitions.  

Utrecht University and the city of Utrecht offer a lively environment where students can study and live. The city has a bustling student community made up of many different student organisations and societies.  

Useful links: Arriving and living in Utrecht. Read about Utrecht University

Würzburg

Würzburg is a lively Bavarian university city with 130,000 residents and over 35,000 students. It’s known for its welcoming student scene, rich history, and wine culture. Sanderstraße, the city centre, and the river offer many affordable bars, cafés, and events, while landmarks like the Residence and Marienberg Fortress highlight its historic charm.

Public transport is well organised, and the semester ticket allows students to travel freely in the city. Würzburg’s central location also provides quick connections to Frankfurt, Nuremberg, and Munich. Whether you’re into culture, nature, or nightlife, Würzburg offers a great balance of study and lifestyle.