- Degree
- Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.)
- Admission restriction
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No
- Application deadline
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28 April 2026 – 27 July 2026
Studying climate protection and climate adaptation at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences
The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time. It not only jeopardises the livelihood of countless plants and creatures, but also that of humans themselves. The driving processes of global warming are clear, but despite growing scientific knowledge, the serious consequences have not yet been fully recognised by society, even though the need for action is extremely great. Therefore, not only climate protection, but also climate adaptation is required for a future- and solution-orientated development in ecology and economy.
On the Climate Protection and Adaptation degree programme, you will first learn to understand the global climate system and the processes and interactions between the living and non-living environment on our planet. You will deal with challenges and interrelationships as well as the corresponding levers. The aim is to develop climate strategies and solutions with which climate neutrality can be achieved in the future.
Climate protection and climate adaptation - the two components of the degree programme title - are essential measures for preserving our livelihoods:
- Climate protection: Meeting the 1.5-degree target from the Paris Climate Agreement defines a key milestone in shaping a sustainable society. Climate protection strategies must be developed for all conceivable areas in order to drastically reduceCO2 emissions.
- Climate adaptation: As the consequences of climate change are already being felt, measures must be taken to adapt to these changes. This includes, for example, the construction of flood defences along our rivers or higher dykes due to rising sea levels.
What you can expect from the Climate Protection and Climate Adaptation degree programme
Climate protection and climate adaptation are complex challenges that affect all areas of our lives. The multidisciplinary approach of the degree programme conveys content from five departments:
- Landscape Architecture
- Sustainable Agriculture and Energy Systems
- Environmental Engineering
- Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition
- Forestry & Forest Management.
You will deepen your knowledge of these subjects on the Bachelor's degree programme in Climate Protection & Adaptation:
- Overall climate system & causes of climate change
- Measures in climate protection & climate adaptation:
- Resource management
- Renewable energies
- Climate policy & climate law
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation in land use systems (specialisation 1)
- Climate protection and climate adaptation in municipalities and administration (specialisation 2)
- Transformation processes
- Methodology, IT skills & scientific work
- Possibility to transfer to the „Management of Renewable Energies“ degree programme if you are interested in this subject area in depth
How the Climate Protection & Climate Adaptation degree programme is structured
The Climate Protection and Climate Adaptation degree programme comprises seven semesters.
In the third and fourth semesters, you can choose one of two specialisations: Climate Protection and Climate Adaptation in Land Use Systems or Climate Protection and Climate Adaptation in Municipalities and Administration. Alternatively, you can switch to the „Management of Renewable Energies“ degree programme.
An internship semester takes place in the fifth semester, in which you will underpin the knowledge you have gained up to that point with practical experience outside the University of applied sciences and get to know future employers. In the sixth and seventh semesters, all students on the Bachelor's degree programme come together again to work on interdisciplinary approaches to climate protection and climate adaptation.
You will receive your Bachelor of Science with the final Bachelor's thesis. The programme always starts in the winter semester on 1 October each year.
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1st semester
Module
ECTS
Meteorology, Climatology, Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Hygiene 5 Climate Change 5 Fundamentals of methodology, statistics and IT I 5 Fields of work, planning and authorisation procedures 5
Biotic resource management (living environment) 5 Renewable energies 5 -
2nd semester
Module
ECTS
Politics and Law 5 Fundamentals of Methodology, Statistics and IT II 5 Environmental and resource economics 5 Abiotic resource management (inanimate environment) 5
Ecosystem science 5 Elective module 6 -
3rd semester - specialisation A
Module
ECTS
Water Resource Management I 5 Biodiversity Management I 5 Land Use I - Focus on Agriculture 5 Land use II - focus on forest 5
Scientific and planning principles 5 Project work 5 -
3rd semester - specialisation B
Module
ECTS
Biophysical Parameters in Urban Areas and Urban Water Management 5 Energy flows in cities; buildings, transport 5 Governance and climate protection 5 Overview of climate-friendly measures 5
Project work 10 -
4th semester - specialisation A
Module
ECTS
Water Resource Management II 5 Biodiversity Management II 5 Carbon Farming 5 Urban Forest Management 5 Project work 10 -
4th semester - specialisation B
Module
ECTS
City as a social space 5 Assessment and monitoring of climate protection and climate adaptation measures 5 Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning 5 Planning and building regulations law 5 Project work 10 -
5th semester
Module
ECTS
Practical time 25 Practical seminar 5 -
6th semester
Module
ECTS
Climate Justice and Climate Policy (International) 5 Social change 5 Project work 5 Elective modules 5 -
7th semester
Module
ECTS
Economic innovation and technology development 5 Scientific Work / Knowledge Society 5 Elective modules 6 Bachelor's seminar and thesis 14
Study Climate Protection & Climate Adaptation: Career, jobs & tasks
You don't just want to talk about climate change, but actively implement solutions as an agent of change?
A degree programme in Climate Protection & Adaptation will open up a wide range of career opportunities in the environmental sector, e.g. in climate protection management, climate adaptation, sustainability management or renewable energy project development. You will combine scientific and planning expertise with practical skills based on the latest scientific findings - a profile that is in high demand in administration, business and society.
These fields of activity are open to you:
Climate protection management in municipalities and authorities
- You will develop climate protection concepts and coordinate measures for the heat transition, sustainable mobility, climate-friendly nutrition or the expansion of renewable energy
- You will develop and coordinate climate protection funding programmes, support application processes as well as technical and financial implementation and take on monitoring and evaluation tasks
Sustainability management in companies
- You analyse CO₂ emissions and resource consumption and develop strategies to reduce emissions
- You implement energy and resource efficiency measures
- You prepare sustainability and ESG reports
Planning and implementing climate adaptation
- You develop concepts such as greening, unsealing or sponge cities and assess risks such as heat, drought or heavy rainfall
- You plan climate-resilient and climate-friendly infrastructure and support projects in urban development and water management, for example
Renewable energies and project development
- You plan and assess energy plants, analyse locations and environmental impacts and accompany approval procedures
- You coordinate projects with local authorities and companies
Consultancy, communication and climate strategies
- You develop strategies for organisations and support transformation processes
- You design communication and education programmes and advise various target groups from administration, business and civil society
Associations, NGOs and the public sector
- You analyse political and technical developments, prepare studies and position papers and contribute to the strategic implementation of climate goals in programmes and measures
- You will coordinate networks between administration, politics, science and civil society and support the exchange on the implementation of climate protection and adaptation measures
Prospects after graduation
The demand for specialists in climate protection, climate adaptation and sustainability is constantly growing. Your degree will open up stable long-term career prospects in a socially central field of work.
Study climate protection & climate adaptation: Why the HSWT is the right choice
Sustainable career opportunities
Lots of practical content and the practical semester allow you to apply what you have learnt directly. The practical courses prepare you for a sought-after professional field in which you can initiate relevant changes for our future.
Study green
As a green University of applied sciences, sustainability and climate protection are top priorities in all areas of the HSWT. By choosing a specialisation, you can still set your own personal focus during your studies.
Study in nature
Study on a familiar and natural campus with a national reputation. You will quickly find your way around the Weihenstephan campus and your study town of Freising: City and countryside, student life and nature are close together here.
Want insider knowledge and tips? Then ask our study programme ambassador!
Requirements for the Climate Protection and Adaptation degree programme
There are no admission restrictions for the Climate Protection and Climate Adaptation degree programme at the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf in the sense of an NC (Numerus Clausus). It is not a requirement to complete a Preliminary work placement.
