For professionals and managers who want to further qualify in the field of environment and sustainability, part-time and distance learning courses offer flexible further education opportunities. In this article, I provide an overview of courses that provide practical knowledge in interdisciplinary areas such as development planning, environmental engineering, and water management through distance learning.

Courses Overview

Environmental Sciences - at the University of Hagen

The University of Hagen (a.k.a. FernUni Hagen) is the only state distance learning university in the German-speaking area and is one of the largest universities in Germany. With over 40 years of experience, it offers flexible study opportunities for professionals and individuals interested in pursuing academic education. Currently, around 63,000 students are enrolled. As a university, it also provides the opportunity for doctoral studies.

The part-time distance learning course in Environmental Sciences (Master of Science) at FernUni Hagen is designed for four to eight semesters, depending on the first degree, and comprises up to 120 ECTS. The course is aimed at professionals from business, science, and administration who want to acquire or deepen interdisciplinary knowledge from engineering, natural, legal, social, and economic sciences. A particular strength of the course is the cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology (UMSICHT), which integrates practical contents into the further education program "Infernum" (Interdisciplinary Distance Learning Environmental Sciences). The degree qualifies for doctoral studies.

• Special features: Registration and start of studies are possible at any time. Duration and scope of the program depend on the initial degree.
• Requirements: A completed degree with a scope of 180, 210, or 240 credit points (CP) and at least one year of professional experience after completing the initial degree (this does not have to be in the field of the initial degree).
• Contents: Two modules each can be selected from the areas of legal, social, and economic sciences (e.g. environmental policy and environmental law), natural, and engineering sciences (e.g. waste management & substitutes and land use & environment), an additional module in interdisciplinary cross-cutting topics (e.g. sustainable development, mobility and transport), and two more modules can be freely chosen.
• Costs: Depending on the duration of studies, total costs for the course start at about 7950€.

More information: fernstudi.net/en/onlinestudies/naturalsciences/

Applied Environmental Sciences - at the University of Koblenz

University of Koblenz is a traditional university with interdisciplinary focuses on education, informatics, culture, and the environment. Its Centre for Distance Learning and University Continuing Education (ZFUW) is the oldest distance learning institution in Rhineland-Palatinate, offering part-time distance learning courses since 1991. With a blended learning concept, the university combines flexibility and practical relevance.

The distance learning program "Applied Environmental Sciences" (Master of Science) is a part-time program designed for five semesters and 120 ECTS. The program provides an interdisciplinary perspective on environmental issues for professionals and managers in the environmental sector. The aim is to promote analytical thinking and conceptual work to develop sustainable solutions for environmental issues. Graduates gain access to doctoral procedures.

• Special features: Start of studies only in the winter semester. Part-time study in a blended learning model. Access with professional qualifications possible.
• Requirements: A bachelor's degree (or higher) with at least one year of relevant professional experience. Professionally qualified individuals without a university degree can be admitted with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience and through an aptitude test.
• Contents: The course at the University of Koblenz consists of 12 modules (9 compulsory and 3 elective modules). Compulsory modules cover topics such as ecology, geosciences, environmental chemistry, environmental law, environmental economics, and nature conservation. Elective modules encompass topics like environmental sustainability management, environmental informatics, and circular economy. The program concludes with a master's thesis.
• Possible elective modules: Environmental sustainability management, environmental communication/mediation, environmental informatics/information systems, wastewater treatment, circular economy and waste technology, emission control.
• Costs: The tuition fees are 1198€ per semester, with total costs of approximately 7332€.

More information: fernstudi.net/en/onlinestudies/naturalsciences/

Water and Environment - at the Bauhaus University Weimar

Bauhaus University Weimar in Thuringia is one of the most prestigious universities in Germany with focuses on design, architecture, engineering, and media. It has around 4100 students (including about 27% international students) and offers approximately 40 degree programs.

The distance learning program "Water and Environment" (Master of Science) at Bauhaus University provides flexible part-time further education in water management and environmental management. The modular structured program is designed for four to eight semesters, comprises 120 ECTS, and enables access to doctoral procedures. With a selection of 15 courses and intensive support, the program is primarily aimed at professionals who want to deepen their knowledge in specific areas. Examinations take place during presence phases.

• Special features: Start of studies possible in winter or summer semester. Regular presence phases. Very low semester fee. Fees apply per module.
• Requirements: A bachelor's degree or higher degree (e.g., Dipl.-Ing. (FH)) and at least one year of professional experience. Non-specialists can complete a preparatory program. Entry without professional experience is possible through a certificate program that can later be credited towards the master's.
• Contents: The program at Bauhaus Uni consists of a specialized language module, a compulsory module, three elective modules, a free-choice module, and the master's thesis. Module selection areas include, depending on the specialization, hydraulics and water engineering (e.g. watercourse development planning and flood management) or urban water management (e.g. water supply management and water supply technology).
• Possible specializations: Environmental law or water resource management as compulsory modules, urban water management (wastewater engineering and water supply) or hydraulics and water engineering as elective areas, specialized language courses in English or Spanish.
• Costs: A full module (16 ECTS) costs 1100€, language courses cost 850€, and the master's thesis costs 925€. The semester fee is only 42€. In total, the program costs approximately 7527€.

More information: fernstudi.net/en/onlinestudies/naturalsciences/

Water and Environment - at the Leibniz University Hannover

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) in Lower Saxony is one of the most renowned technical universities in Germany. With approximately 27,229 students and a wide range of subjects from engineering and natural sciences to humanities and economics, the university offers excellent study and research opportunities.

The distance learning program "Water and Environment" (Master of Science) at LUH is an interdisciplinary engineering study program lasting six semesters and covering 120 ECTS. The program combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications and is aimed particularly at professionals who want to deepen their knowledge in areas such as water management, hydrology, environmental technology, and aquatic management.

• Special features: Start of studies possible in winter or summer semester. Combination of distance and on-campus learning. On-campus phases with project-related elements and semester-long tasks. Tuition fees apply per module taken.
• Requirements: A bachelor's degree in a suitable subject (e.g. civil engineering, geosciences, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering).
• Contents: Mandatory modules cover water management and hydrology, ecology of waters, hydromechanics, urban water management, as well as English for environmental and water sciences. Specialized studies are carried out in 5 modules of personal choice. The program concludes with a master's thesis.
• Possible specialization modules: River basin and flood risk management, groundwater management, natural development of flowing waters, municipal water supply, industrial wastewater, urban water management models, rainwater management, bioenergy, groundwater hydraulics.
• Costs: The study costs amount to approximately 7574€ in total. The following fees are charged per module: 400€ for modules with 8 credit points, 500€ for modules with 10 credit points, and 500€ for the master's thesis. The semester fee is around 429€.

More information: fernstudi.net/en/onlinestudies/naturalsciences/

Environmental Engineering and Recycling - at the University of West Saxony Zwickau

The University of West Saxony Zwickau (WHZ) is a University of Applied Sciences focusing on practice-oriented degree programs in engineering, business, and social sciences. With over 50 study programs and around 2900 students, WHZ offers an interdisciplinary study program supported by a wide network of partners in business and research.

The distance learning program "Environmental Engineering and Recycling" (Diploma Engineer) at WHZ is designed for five semesters and covers 90 ECTS. The program offers a practice-oriented education for professionals who want to deepen their expertise in environmental engineering and recycling. Topics such as water and waste management, energy conservation, and air purification make the program a solid foundation for a career in environmental technology.

• Special features: Start of studies only in the winter semester. On-campus phases on two weekends (Friday and Saturday) per semester and one week on campus.
• Requirements: A bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in a technical or engineering field. One year of professional or practical experience in environmental, energy, or recycling technology.
• Contents: The program covers topics such as environmental measurement technology, materials recycling, waste disposal, exhaust air and air pollution control, water cleanup, energy conservation, renewable energies, as well as legal and business basics. The program concludes with a diploma thesis.
• Costs: The semester fee is 490€, leading to total costs of approximately 2450€.

More information: fernstudi.net/en/onlinestudies/technology/civilengineering/

Additional Masters in the Field of Sustainability and Environment

Aside from the above-mentioned programs, there are, of course, additional part-time master's programs in the field of sustainability and the environment. The following overview presents additional options that are thematically diverse and offer various specializations, including focuses on architecture and civil engineering, technology management, and applied social sciences.