- Degree
- Master of Science (M. Sc.)
- Admission restriction
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No
- Application period
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28 April 2026 – 7 June 2026
Study for a Master’s in Climate Change Management – and help to save the world
Climate change is a fundamental challenge facing all life on Earth, with humans and the natural environment under mounting pressure. These findings are alarming and undeniable: the effects of climate change can be felt everywhere. Although scientific knowledge of the scale and dynamics of climate change continues to grow, and its driving forces are well understood, climate change management remains a complex challenge. Interdisciplinary findings are essential to develop climate protection and adaptation strategies for land use and nature conservation management. The Master’s in Climate Change Management focuses on solutions that promote climate protection and adaptation – from operational to landscape levels. The fight to achieve the 1.5°C target set out the Paris Climate Agreement is a global challenge. With this in mind, the programme has an international focus and currently hosts students from four continents. Classes are therefore held in English.
Topics on the Master’s programme in Climate Change Management
The content of the Master’s programme in Climate Change Management at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences is defined by two key terms: mitigation and adaptation.
- Mitigation means relieving or moderating something. In the context of climate change management, it primarily involves reducing emissions and promoting CO2 absorption in ecosystems. Mitigation is central to achieving the 1.5°C international climate target. By studying climate change and environmental protection, you will actively work on mitigation strategies – to drive the fossil fuel phase-out, for example, or to improve the carbon sink potential of land use.
- In the context of climate change, adaptation refers to all measures taken to respond to the consequences of climate change. These include special forms of landscape planning in flood areas, opting for more heat-resistant plant species in afforestation processes and promoting humus build-up in agricultural systems.
Global climate change management encompasses environmental, economic and political aspects – the very same aspects affected by changes in the global climate. The Master’s programme in Climate Change Management teaches you to understand these processes and identify efficient solutions. You should have fundamental knowledge of topics such as ecology and environmental planning, land use, soil science or remote sensing from your Bachelor’s degree. Building on these foundations, the Master’s programme at HSWT will help you become an expert on climate change issues.
This is how the Master Climate Change programme at Weihenstephan is structured
The programme comprises four semesters with a number of practical elements. For students on the Master’s programme in Climate Change Management, the winter semester starts on 1 October.
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1st semester
Modules ECTS Climate Change 5 Soils and Hydrology in a Changing Climate 5 GIS & Remote Sensing 5 Statistics 5 Intercultural Competences and Environmental Democracy 5 Elective: Literature Seminar, Economic Botany, Languages, etc. 5 -
2nd semester
Modules ECTS Mitigation and Adaptation in Forests and Agriculture 5 Landscape Governance and Landuse Planning 5 Peatland Ecology 5 Biodiversity 5 Project 1 - Data Competence for Climate Change Management 5 Climate Conference Weihenstephan 5 -
3rd semester
Modules ECTS Technical Solutions 5 Global Ecosystems 5 Water- and GHG-fluxes 5 Project 2 - Planning Solutions 10 Elective: Literature Seminar, Economic Botany, Languages, etc. 5 -
4th semester: Master's thesis
Modules ECTS Master's thesis - preferably dealing with a topic in the student's home country 30 Master's thesis - defence colloquium
Career prospects with a Master’s in Climate Change Management
Changes in the world’s climate call for specialists capable of contributing their expertise in both political and economic settings. After completing the Master’s programme in Climate Change Management, you will be able to engage with wide-ranging aspects of climate protection and climate change adaptation – a skill that is urgently needed at both regional and local levels. The Master’s programme in Climate Change Management offers a highly relevant, up-to-date and interdisciplinary specialisation and enhancement of Bachelor’s-level study in various fields, affording you a decisive advantage when exploring future career opportunities. You could embark on a career in the following areas:
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Planning offices specialising in climate impact assessments, climate reports and adaptation strategies, etc.
In this field, you will draw on your knowledge of climate technology and international criteria, including to plan carbon footprint calculations and impact mitigation regulations for construction projects, or to establish voluntary offsetting with carbon credits (e.g. peatland restoration) in company processes. And, while growing numbers of cities are targeting climate neutrality, this involves integrating planning solutions into the wider landscape.
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Adapting forests to future climate scenarios
Forest owners and public-sector organisations, such as the Bavarian Forestry Administration (BaySF), face the challenge of developing forests into productive and climate-resilient systems while maintaining the many services they provide to society. If you complete the Master's in Climate Change Management – particularly following a Bachelor’s in Forestry – you will be able to engage with these issues in a private-sector or public-sector career.
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Reducing emissions from degradation and deforestation
Protecting forests worldwide and maintaining carbon storage requires expertise in climate policy, linking sustainable forest management with international sponsorship mechanisms.
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Adapting and developing of the agricultural sector for more climate protection
After securing a climate change Master’s degree, you will be able to provide training in agricultural colleges, offer agricultural advisory services, conduct farm management and examine the development of climate-smart agriculture. You could also explore job opportunities in agricultural administration.
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Research
Graduates with a strong scientific interest have a clear path to research at universities and public-sector research institutes, including at the HSWT Doctoral Centre.
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International labour market
The climate-focused international labour market is growing steadily. International consultancies, institutions and programmes offer job opportunities for climate change management professionals. Prime examples include the GIZ, CIRAD, CIFOR, FAO, UNEP, WMO, the UNFCCC Secretariat, the Mazingira Institute, CATIE and ICIMOD. These institutions address climate change on a number of different spatial and topical scales. Climate change managers can serve in important advisory roles all over the world, thereby contributing to the development and implementation of climate-related policies and programmes.
Key benefits of the Master’s in Climate Change Management at HSWT
Global cooperation
In this international Master’s programme, you will tackle the global challenge of climate change – and forge an international network.
Modern campus
We offer ideal study conditions on our Weihenstephan campus through first-class facilities, interdisciplinary teaching and close links to research.
Motivated students
Whether in group projects or chatting after class, you will immediately notice your classmates’ passion for global climate management.
Master’s in Climate Change Management: Admission requirements
You should submit the following documents when applying for admission to the Master’s programme:
- Evidence of a completed undergraduate degree in the field of land use, environmental sciences or geosciences, for example Arboriculture and Urban Forest Management, Forest Engineering, Green Urban Planning, Climate Protection & Climate Adaptation, Landscape Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Ecological Planning, Agriculture, Management of Renewable Energies or Environmental Protection at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, or an equivalent completed degree.
- The Examining Committee shall decide on the equivalence of the degree programme. A degree programme can be considered equivalent if knowledge amounting to at least 30 EC in at least six separate modules can be demonstrated in the following core areas:
- Land use (forestry, agriculture, urban planning)
- Ecology
- Soil science
- Vegetation and ecosystem science
- Climate and meteorology
- Hydrology
- Renewable energy
- Environmental planning
- Methodological knowledge of GIS and remote sensing
- A relevant work placement of at least 8 weeks’ duration or relevant professional experience may be credited once with up to 10 ECTS credit points
- Proof of English language proficiency at Level B2 (CEFR). You can find information about the recognised certificates on this website.
You should submit your application for the Master’s in Climate Change Management via the HSWT application portal in the application period. Check out our application information page for more information.
Applicants with foreign degree qualifications
- Applicants who completed their undergraduate degree outside of Germany must obtain Preliminary Review Documentation (Vorprüfungsdokumentation – VPD) from uni-assist and, where applicable, an APS to apply for the Master’s degree programme in Climate Change Management.
Please refer to the information for international applicants.
