MSc Environmental Governance and Adaptation to Climate Change

The MSc Environmental Governance and Adaptation to Climate Change (EGACC) is a full-time, two-year postgraduate programme offered by the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu, Estonia. The programme is taught entirely in English and is designed for students interested in addressing the social, environmental, and economic challenges associated with climate change and the rapidly changing global environment.

The programme covers a broad interdisciplinary range of subjects, including environmental policies and legislation, environmental sciences, climate change, information technology, waste management, water shortage, global warming, sustainability, and environmental management. Its purpose is to develop environmental specialists who can identify and address complex environmental problems and create solutions that can be communicated effectively to governments, businesses, industries, organisations, and individuals.

Programme Focus

EGACC provides students with knowledge and skills for understanding and responding to major environmental and climate-related challenges. The programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical learning and provides opportunities to apply what students learn to real-world sustainability and environmental management situations.

Students develop the ability to work with people from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds and to communicate effectively when addressing common environmental challenges. The programme also provides opportunities to interact with professionals and mentors and to develop practical and interdisciplinary skills relevant to environmental management.

Programme Structure

The EGACC curriculum is organised into four major blocks:

• Fundamental courses: These provide the core knowledge and skills required by environmental governance specialists.
• Specialisation courses: Students can focus on a narrower area of interest, including climate, atmospheric processes and remote sensing; ecotechnology, water management and treatment; or circular economy and waste recovery.
• Elective speciality courses: These broaden students’ interdisciplinary knowledge and provide a practical and application-based approach to learning.
• Optional courses: These support personal development and allow students to broaden their knowledge according to their educational goals and personal or professional interests.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized and accredited university. To qualify for studies at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, applicants must have achieved at least 60% of the highest possible CGPA during their previous studies.

Entry qualification documents are accepted in English or Estonian. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form through Dream Apply, certified copies of their secondary education certificate and Bachelor’s degree diploma, together with the Transcript of Records or Diploma Supplement. Where required, documents must be officially translated into English.

Applicants must also provide proof of English language proficiency at B2 level, a copy of the passport page containing their personal details, and confirmation of application fee payment where applicable.

English Language Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at B2 level. The university specifies acceptable English language tests and exemption categories through its English language requirements.

Motivation Letter

A motivation letter is mandatory as part of the application. Applicants are expected to explain why they are suitable candidates, why they have chosen the Environmental Governance and Adaptation to Climate Change programme, what they expect to gain from their studies, how their educational or professional background supports their study goals, and how they see their future in the field of environmental governance and adaptation to climate change.

Admission Test and Interview

The programme has a mandatory written admission test and oral interview.

The written assignment is conducted online, with information sent to applicants by email. The written test consists of open questions covering environmental sciences, global environmental problems, and climate change. It evaluates applicants’ written skills and their knowledge of environmental sciences and adaptation to climate change.

Applicants must achieve at least 60% in the written part to qualify for the oral interview.

The oral component is conducted as an interview, usually through the BigBlueButton video-call platform. During the interview, applicants may be asked additional questions related to the written test as well as general questions concerning their academic goals and motivation. Applicants are required to have their passport available during the interview.

A total of 10 admission points can be awarded: 5 points for the written part and 5 points for the interview.

Tuition and Application Fee

The tuition fee for the programme is €5,600 per year. The application fee is €100 per applicant, payable once. The application fee allows an applicant to apply for up to two programmes, while at PhD level it applies to one programme only. The application fee is non-refundable, and the application is reviewed only after the university has received the required fee.

Applicants who have completed their previous study level in Estonia or who have Estonian citizenship are exempt from the application fee.

Scholarships

The source states that there are 5 targeted scholarships for candidates with Estonian citizenship, 1 for a candidate with EU citizenship, and 2 for candidates with Ukrainian citizenship.

A targeted scholarship provides a tuition-fee-free study place, but it does not include additional funding for living expenses or travel. Further scholarship information is available through the university’s information for English-taught programmes.

Study Experience

The programme is international and brings together students from different countries and cultural backgrounds. Students have opportunities to collaborate with like-minded people, develop communication skills, and work together on creative approaches to common environmental problems.

The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical and application-oriented learning. Students can gain exposure to sustainability and environmental management practices while developing skills relevant to interdisciplinary environmental challenges.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the EGACC MSc programme can pursue career opportunities across a broad range of sustainable economy and environment-related fields worldwide. Potential employment areas mentioned by the university include government, industry, EU bodies, and NGOs.

Graduates may also pursue careers in international organisations such as the World Bank and OECD. Other possibilities include becoming an entrepreneur or continuing into PhD studies and pursuing an academic career.

Programme Information

The programme is based at the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu, Estonia, has a nominal duration of 2 years, and awards an MSc degree. The study language is English, and the programme is classified as postgraduate and full-time.

The source states that the application period has ended, while studies are scheduled to commence on 1 September.