The Joint Degree program can provide distinctive intellectual training for students, through developing a curriculum shared by HU and the partner university, by means of academic supervision involving close collaboration with faculty members from both HU and partner university.

In addition, from following the two-year curriculum, including study abroad for one year, students can develop a broad perspective, multi-view thinking and skills, to cope with various issues, through joint collaboration with other students who have different cultures and various backgrounds.

Our program offers a two-year master's course in collaboration with the Leipzig University (LU) and students study at both HU and LU for one year each. Graduates are awarded a Master’s degree (Master of Science), which is jointly awarded by both universities. The admission quota is two students, who chose HU and LU as their entrance (home) university, respectively.

Our program emphasizes Sustainable Development and aims to train the students, as follows.

Students who possess ability to conduct research and engage in practice based on the fundamental principles of sustainable development in environmental studies, through science and engineering approaches, in order to resolve the pressing regional and global issues related to the SDGs, especially the environmentally-driven development issues caused by the rapid urbanization of developing countries, and those who have excellent collaboration and communication skills and exhibit competitive capability for employment in the international labor market of universities, research institutions, governments and international organizations, the private sectors, and NGO, etc.

Students who possess ability to conduct research and engage in practice based on the fundamental principles of sustainable development in environmental studies, through science and engineering approaches, in order to resolve the pressing regional and global issues related to the SDGs, especially the environmentally-driven development issues caused by the rapid urbanization of developing countries, and those who have excellent collaboration and communication skills and exhibit competitive capability for employment in the international labor market of universities, research institutions, governments and international organizations, the private sectors, and NGO, etc.

(1) Diploma Policy

This program will award the degree Master of Science to the student who has acquired the capabilities described below, has earned the required credits defined for the education course, and has passed the master's thesis examination and the final examination:

1. The ability to understand scientific way of thinking and methods required for the autonomous conduct of research activities and the capacity for decision making based on vasrious types of evidence;
2. Skills required for active work in society, such as writing, discussion, conflict intervention, cooperation, planning, and management;
3. Communication skills required for cooperating with people of different backgrounds, with the aim of developing intercultural competency while fostering the understanding of differences in viewpoints between Europe and Asia;
4. The ability to select and use both appropriate knowledge and scientific approaches, as well as interdisciplinary research methods, to address complex issues;
5. The ability to understand the natural, social, and economic aspects of the concept of sustainable development and their complex interrelations;
6. Research and practical skills required for contributing to solving global problems and achieving SDGs, based on the fundamental principles of sustainable development in environmental studies.

(2) Curriculum Policy

To enable students to achieve the targets that are defined in the diploma policy, this program organizes and executes the education curriculum according to the following guidelines:

1. Basic Subjects are provided to allow students to develop capabilities required for studies regarding sustainable development, such as the capacity for thinking based on a generalized viewpoint and the fundamental ability to explore sustainable development from various points of view.
2. Specialization Subjects are provided to deepen understanding of basic theories, techniques, and also applied cases and methods regarding technologies for realizing environmentally sustainable development.
3. Bringing together the various scientific approaches studied up to now, Integration Subjects are provided to deepen students' understanding of sustainable development and to enhance practical skills, as well as to encourage students to explore their research field more deeply, develop their career after graduation and enhance their intellectual curiosity.
4. Master Thesis Classes are provided as a method to acquire the research capabilities and practical skills aimed at the achievement of the SDGs, based on the fundamental principles of sustainable development in environmental studies, in addition to conducting independent research.

In the curriculum described above, teaching and learning will be implemented by utilizing active learning, experiential learning and online classes, depending on the delivery methods of each program, such as lectures, practical skill courses and seminars.
In regards to grading, the standards are clearly outlined in the syllabus, and strict grading is conducted. Thesis defenses will be conducted in accordance with the standards established by Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering.

(3) Admission Policy

In order to resolve the pressing regional and global issues related to the SDGs, especially the environmentally-driven development issues caused by the rapid urbanization of developing countries, the Joint International Master's Programme in Sustainable Development (Hiroshima University – Leipzig University) is designed for fostering human resources with an ability to conduct research and engage in practice based on the fundamental principles of sustainable development in environmental studies and by means of science and engineering approaches, and those with excellent collaboration and communication skills and who exhibit competitive capability for employment in the international labor market of universities, research institutions, governments and international organizations, private sectors, and NGO, etc.

For fostering the above human resources, our program is seeking applicants who possess the following aspirations and motivations and essential academic abilities.

1. Persons who have a certain level of English proficiency and are interested in sustainable development issues, especially global sustainability issues.
2. Persons who are motivated to analyze and evaluate complex processes from an interdisciplinary viewpoint based on the fundamental principles of sustainable development in environmental studies.

In order to admit such individuals, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering selects applicants through a multifaceted and comprehensive evaluation process based on its own Diploma Policy and Curriculum Policy, using oral examination, the submitted documents, and external examinations.

For entry in October 2023, please refer here. [Application Closed]