Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree MESPOM Programme 2026

The Master Degree in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree supported by the Erasmus Mundus programme of the European Commission. 

The MESPOM study programme of 120 ECTS credits lasts 24 months. The fall and winter terms of the first year are hosted by Central European University (CEU, Vienna) and include an introductory module followed by advanced elective courses on contemporary environmental sustainability challenges and cross-cutting competencies. The spring term is hosted by the University of the Aegean (Lesvos, Greece) and includes environmental science courses related to land, water and ecosystems management as well as sustainable tourism. In summer, students take internships supervised by MESPOM faculty and hosted by Associated Partners or other organisations.   

During the fall term of the second year, students study at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at Lund University (Sweden) focusing on Environment, Industry and Products or at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences of the University of Manchester (UK) focusing on Environment and Pollution Control. Students spend the 4th (thesis) term at any of the Consortium partners according to their academic and professional interests. Throughout their studies, MESPOM students specialise in cutting-edge topics such as sustainable energy and climate change, biodiversity and conservation, urban sustainability, sustainable consumption and production, and environmental security and justice.  

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJanuary 7, 2026
• ValueFully Funded
• Study LevelMasters
• SponsorErasmus Mundus
• City to studyManchester
• School to studyUniversity of Manchester
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

Outstanding candidates from all over the world are offered Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) Scholarships.

The scholarship is awarded to the highest-ranked applicants for 24 months for full-time enrolment (120 ECTS credits) as is the master programme duration. 

• The scholarship covers travel, visa, installation and subsistence costs and is calculated on the basis of a monthly unit cost of 1400 Euros/month which corresponds to a maximum scholarship amount of 33 600 Euros (24 months).  
• Additional financial support is available for students with individual needs depending on the level of disability/support needed. 

An EMJM  scholarship  holder  cannot  benefit  from  another  EU  funded  scholarship scheme  to  follow  the  same (or  another)  EMJM  master  course  (for  the  entire period of enrolment in the course). 

Requirements

• Applicants to MESPOM must have earned a first degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent; not less than 3 years of full-time studies) from a recognized university or institution of higher education, or provide documentation indicating that they will earn their first degree from such an institution by the time of enrolling in MESPOM. Their first degree should be in environmental studies or closely related fields. Candidates with first degrees in agricultural studies, social sciences, legal and administrative studies, economics, engineering or natural sciences will also be considered if they show commitment to environmental challenges, usually through voluntary or professional work and on-the-job training. A successful applicant has typically graduated with excellent grades from a recognized university or institution of higher education.
• Please note that admission to the MESPOM program requires a minimum GPA of 3.5. 
• If your GPA is below 3.5, you are not eligible to apply for the program. (Note: The GPA indicated on your application form will be verified during the selection process. Providing false information constitutes a violation of CEU's Code of Ethics and may result in your permanent exclusion from CEU programs.)
• The most relevant GPA achieved during your bachelor's degree (no master’s degree GPA is taken into account) must be entered on a scale of 0.00–4.00 used in the American higher education system. You can use any available tool to convert your grades, such as Scholaro or WES iGPA.

Language Requirements

• Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English. Those applicants whose first language is not English must submit standardized English language test scores, e.g., the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Students taking TOEFL should request a copy of their results to be sent to the CEU Admissions Office. The CEU test code is 0069. Other substitute tests of English language are noted below.

Application Documents

In addition to filling in the on-line application form by the relevant application deadlines, the following documents should be secured.

• Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation assessing their ability to conduct graduate-level work and their potential for a successful academic or professional career. The letters of recommendation must be completed by faculty members, job supervisors, etc., who are most familiar with the applicant's professional and/or academic abilities and character. Referees are requested to complete these letters in English or, if written in another language, to attach a certified English language translation. Normally, submission of the letters is done through the on-line application form: applicants provide contact data of the referees, and the system contacts them by e-mail.

Please note that your referees have 7 days to submit their reference letters following the date of your submission (including beyond Febr 4 if you submit in the last days).

• Academic Records 

  Your application must include a scanned image of your complete official bachelor’s transcript and your bachelor's diploma in English.

• Essay of career goals/Statement (Academic Writing Submission)

Applicants to MESPOM program must submit a max. 350-word essay/statement of career goals and reasons for applying to this program, covering the following:

1. The origins of their interest in environmental issues;
2. How they hope to benefit from the MESPOM programme;
3. What are their future career plans;
4. Their relevant special interests.

• Curriculum vitae or resume

This should include a list of publications, if any.

• Proof of English proficiency

Such proof is an official score report from one of the recognized English language examinations or other formal evidence of English language proficiency as defined by the eligibility criteria. Information about the tests passed or forthcoming should be filled in the on-line application form. If your score report is not sent directly to CEU, you will need to submit an original certificate after your admission.

• E-mail Address

   

  All applicants must have an active email account during the MESPOM admissions process. This account should be checked regularly.

• Proof of residency for selected

   

  Selected applicants will be requested to provide proof of residency.

   

• Academic Records for enrollment

  In order to be able to enroll at CEU, accepted students must submit the following academic documents to the Admissions Office (by electronic mail to [email protected] by the institution that has issued them /copies sent by the students are not accepted/ or in hard copies mailed (or submitted in person) to the Admissions Office at Room A609, Quellenstrasse 51, 1100 Vienna, Austria) by July 31, 2025, the latest. 
  If you wish to retain the original copies, photocopies of the original copies will also be accepted if certified by a notary public or the institution itself (along with official English translations as applicable). 

1. an?official electronic copy of their final Bachelor's?(and, for doctoral programs,?Master's)?transcript?or?Diploma Supplement in English. 

2. an?official electronic copy of the degree certificate or diploma in English unless the transcript contains a statement of the degree obtained with the date of award. A diploma supplement must be accompanied by the diploma. 

Submission of the above document(s) is a precondition of enrollment. 

Application Deadline

January 7, 2026

How To Apply

Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to Erasmus Mundus on sits.ceu.edu to apply

• Central European University manages the formalities of the admission process on behalf of the MESPOM Consortium. All candidates are required to fill in the CEU on-line application form. Please read carefully the instructions and the list of documents to be submitted before filling it in. All MESPOM applicants should meet the CEU General Admission Requirements. 
• MESPOM applicants do not need to pay the CEU application fee, if they do not apply to other programs.
• Applicants, as of 2018, are able to submit two applications and apply for either for the Lund or the Manchester tracks. It is recommended that all applicants gain a good understanding of the difference between the two tracks offered. If an applicant is applying for both mobility tracks (Lund and Manchester), it is important that the applicant explains in her/his statement of purpose which of the two is her/his preferred option!

Inquiries about the admissions process and requests for additional information should be addressed to the CEU Admissions office or by e-mail to [email protected] (not to be used for sending applications and related documents!).

It is also advised to regularly check this website for up-to-date information.

For more information, kindly visit MESPOM scholarship webpage.