# Geographies of Global Change and Sustainability Transformations (Master)

**Source**: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/geographies-of-global-change-and-sustainability-transformations-master/
**Parent**: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/degree-programmes-in-foreign-languages/

© Matthias Meschik

The bilingual and internationally oriented Master's programme ‘Geographies of Global Change and Sustainability Transformations’ at the University of Vienna trains graduates to analyse and reflect on global challenges and sustainability transformations from a spatial perspective. It teaches social science methods and promotes the development of context-appropriate, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary solutions.

The focus is on national and international perspectives on:

- Causes and consequences of global change
- Social, spatial and environmental challenges in sustainability transformations
- Practical applications and implementation possibilities of spatial science research

The programme combines thematic specialisations with a regional focus and promotes systemic thinking. It integrates approaches such as scenario building, living labs, citizen science and evidence-based policy advice.

Students specialise in the areas of migration and population dynamics, spatiaplanning, socioeconomic transformations or urban studies. They acquire methodological and technical skills to analyse the dynamics of global change in a scale-dependent, relational and participatory manner and to help shape current spatio-temporal processes.

### Master of Science

Degree Programme Code: 066 857

4 semesters / 120 ECTS credits

Language: [German](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/german-language-proficiency/) and [English](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/degree-programmes-in-foreign-languages/#c152670)

NO entrance examination

[Curriculum](https://ssc-geo-astronomie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_spl29/Studium/Master/2024_2025_162_MA_Geographies_of_Global_Change_EN.pdf) (in English - unofficial)

[Curriculum](https://mtbl.univie.ac.at/storage/media/mtbl02/2024_2025/2024_2025_162.pdf) (in German - legally binding)

### Facts & Figures

- Students: **n.a.**
- Graduates in the last academic year: **n.a.**
- Number of semesters needed for graduation (median): **n.a.**

*Data updated on: 26**.11.2025*

[Information about presentation & calculation](https://backend.univie.ac.at/index.php?id=157848&L=2&id=157848)

*\*[Click here for further information on statistical data in the field of teaching and learning. (in German)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/studienangebot/warum-hier-studieren/statistische-daten-zum-studienbetrieb/)*

### Admission Procedure

[Information about the admission procedure](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/master-programmes/geographies-of-global-change-and-sustainability-transformations/)

[English language requirements](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/degree-programmes-in-foreign-languages/#c152670)

### Information on Previous Studies:

In any case eligible degree programmes at the University of Vienna:

- [Geography (Bachelor)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/bachelordiploma-programmes/geography-bachelor-with-osa/)
- [Teacher Education TS Geography and Economic Education (Bachelor)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/teacher-education-programme/geography-and-economic-education-teaching-subject/)
- [Master Access Guide](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/master-access-guide/)

### Getting started

[Orientation course](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/geographies-of-global-change-and-sustainability-transformations-master/)

[Orientation in the first semester](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/study-organisation/)

[Semester planning](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/semester-planning/)

### Getting Informed

[StudiesServiceCenter (SSC) Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/pvz_sub.html?id=503)

[Students' Representatives Geography](https://www.stvgeographie.at/)

## Study Programme

The master's programme consists of the following modules:

- Compulsory module Human Geography (10 ECTS)
- Compulsory module Geography Pool (10 ECTS)
- Alternative compulsory module group - Basics Specialisations (5 ECTS) and Specialisations (30 ECTS):
  - Migration and Population Dynamics
  - Spatial Planning
  - Socioeconomic Transformations
  - Urban Studies
- Compulsory module Individual Specialisation (25 ECTS)
- Compulsory module Master's Thesis seminars (5 ECTS)
- Master's Thesis (23 ECTS) and
- Defensio (2 ECTS)

### Five Concepts

which you will deal with during your studies:

- Earth Surface Dynamics
- Global Change
- Population Dynamics
- Geomorphology
- Assessment of natural hazards

... and many more.

## Overview of the programme structure & topics

Here you find the current offer of courses for this programme to gain better insight into the topics and structure. For more information please click on the respective level.

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## After Graduation

Our aim is to prepare our students as well as possible for their potential career fields. This is also supported by individual specialisation options.

The complexity of the spatiotemporal consideration of global change and sustainability transformations in geography is reflected in the range of professional activities of our graduates. These include:

- Research and development
- Administration and public service (international, national, regional and local)
- International development work
- Regional development agencies
- Funding institutions and NGOs with sustainability and training agendas
- Engineering, planning and consulting firms

### Continuing after Graduation

- [Center for Doctoral Studies - everything about doctorcal/PhD programmes at the University of Vienna\](http://doktorat.univie.ac.at/en/)
- [Alumni of the University of Vienna](https://www.alumni.ac.at/)
- [Postgraduate Center - postgraduate programmes at the University of Vienna\](http://www.postgraduatecenter.at/en)
- [Uniport - career service of the University of Vienna](https://www.uniport.at/uniport-fuer-studierende)

### Graduates' Perspective on the Degree Programme

[#### Career entry & paths](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/en/analyses/graduate-tracking/)

### Graduates ...

- find employment within 2 months after graduation on average.
- earn an average of € 2,846 (women) and € 3,143 (men) gross per month within three years after graduation.
- work full time at a percentage of 81% (women) and 84% (men) within three years after graduation.

\*You can find further information on career entry and career paths in the tracking of graduates "[MA Geography](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/d_qualitaetssicherung/Dateidownloads/AbsolventInnentracking/2023/englisch/UA_F1_2023_MA_Geography_en.pdf)".

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