PMSCEMSFTT5-2025-6-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Master of Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a first cycle degree in Earth Systems, Science or Engineering or in another area of study which the Board considers as appropriate, provided that the first cycle degree is obtained with a Second Class (Honours) or better classification, or an equivalent classification.

The maximum number of students that can be admitted into the course is 24 students.

If there are more eligible applicants than there are available places, applications shall be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria, agreed to by the Partner Institutions:

relevance of topics, results and final classification of degree - 65% and
statement of intent and motivation for following the Course and letters of recommendation - 35%.

When the above criteria are not sufficient to decide on the selection of applicants, interviews may be held for that purpose.

When held, interviews shall be conducted by an interviewing board appointed by the Board of Studies. The interviewing board may make use of electronic means of communication in order to conduct such interviews.

Applications for this programme are to be submitted through James Madison University. Link available here.

Interested applicants are requested to contact Professor Elisabeth Conrad (elisabeth.conrad@um.edu.mt), UM coordinator of the programme, for guidance on the application process.

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

As a registered student enrolled in this programme, you will spend one semester at the James Madison University campus in Virginia, USA, and one semester at the University of Malta campus, with a third semester spent working on an independent project at a location of your choice.

You will gain technical knowledge to address complex, natural and/or anthropogenic problems that impact the environmental condition with a multi-disciplinary, systems approach. By developing a broad international perspective that is culturally balanced, you will be able to:

Analyse and solve real-world human problems;
Integrate social, political, legal and cultural aspects into technology solutions with systems approach;
Develop a technical skill set that addresses concepts of data measurement and mining, application of Geographical Information Systems, and modelling and simulation of complex systems;
Embrace lifelong learning and creative critical thinking.

By the end of the course, you will be awarded a degree by both institutions.

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students must register for all the elective study-units defined under the chosen respective stream to bring their total for the year to 90 ECTS credits.


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

IES5017	Sustainability, Society and Change	6 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

IES5009	Introduction to Systems Dynamics	6 ECTS
IES5026	Earth Systems	5 ECTS
IES5029	Human-Environment Dynamics	6 ECTS
SCI5003	Analytical Methods and Techniques in Geographic Information Systems	6 ECTS

Elective Stream A: Living resources

IES5031	Biodiversity Conservation 1: Key Concepts	6 ECTS
IES5033	Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems 1: Key Concepts	6 ECTS

Elective Stream B: Technological innovation

IES5035	Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Industrial Systems 1: Key Concepts	6 ECTS
IES5037	Sources and Sinks: Energy, Water and Air 1: Key Concepts	6 ECTS


Semester 2 and Summer Semester
IES5041	Capstone Project	20 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

IES5023	Field Study	5 ECTS
IES5025	Sustainability Policy and Law	6 ECTS
IES5039	Analytical Methods and Techniques in Data Science	6 ECTS

Elective Stream A: Living resources

IES5032	Biodiversity Conservation 2: Applied Science for Management	6 ECTS
IES5034	Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems 2: Small Scale and Urban Contexts	6 ECTS

Elective Stream B: Technological innovation

IES5036	Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Industrial Systems 2: Development and Assessment Techniques	6 ECTS
IES5038	Sources and Sinks: Energy, Water and Air 2: Modelling and Monitoring	6 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the degree of International Master of Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability – M.Sc. (EMS) – under the auspices of the Institute of Earth Systems.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Describe how humanity has changed the functioning of Earth Systems with reference to planetary boundaries;
Use causal loop diagrams and an appropriate narrative to articulate system structure and feedback dynamics;
Discuss how supranational treaties and other legal arrangements affect sustainability and the environment;
Articulate the impacts of the separation of human and environment in the context of contemporary issues from local to global scales;
Outline principles of regenerative agriculture and identify ways in which these can be applied.

Non EU Applicants:

Applicants resident and domiciled in Virginia, USA for a minimum of one year prior to application:
Tuition Fees: US$22,500 + Field-Trip Costs: $2,750
All other applicants:
Tuition Fees: US$23,500 + Field-Trip Costs: $2,750

Students are to apply for the course through James Madison University.
Accomodation can be arranged by the respective Universities

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

As a graduate of this Master course, you will be able to seek employability in a variety of local and international settings. Graduates of the programme have gone on to pursue careers as environment protection officers, project managers, systems engineers, geologists, operations officer, managers, sustainability consultants, and development coordinators, among various other examples.

Every effort has been made to provide information that is current and accurate. However, as the content is being constantly updated, users are advised to verify the details contained in these web pages with the relevant University office or authority before making decisions based on the published information.