Master of Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability
University of Malta
Information last verified July 2026
Program Overview
As a registered student enrolled in this programme, you will spend one semester at the James Madison University campus in Virginia, USA, and one semester at the University of Malta campus, with a third semester spent working on an independent project at a location of your choice.You will gain technical knowledge to address complex, natural and/or anthropogenic problems that impact the environmental condition with a multi-disciplinary, systems approach. By developing a broad international perspective that is culturally balanced, you will be able to: Analyse and solve real-world human problems; Integrate social, political, legal and cultural aspects into technology solutions with systems approach; Develop a technical skill set that addresses concepts of data measurement and mining, application of Geographical Information Systems, and modelling and simulation of complex systems; Embrace lifelong learning and creative critical thinking.By the end of the course, you will be awarded a degree by both institutions. As a registered student enrolled in this programme, you will spend one semester at the James Madison University campus in Virginia, USA, and one semester at the University of Malta campus, with a third semester spent working on an independent project at a location of your choice. You will gain technical knowledge to address complex, natural and/or anthropogenic problems that impact the environmental condition with a multi-disciplinary, systems approach. By developing a broad international perspective that is culturally balanced, you will be able to: Integrate social, political, legal and cultural aspects into technology solutions with systems approach; Develop a technical skill set that addresses concepts of data measurement and mining, application of Geographical Information Systems, and modelling and simulation of complex systems;
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this Master course, you will be able to seek employability in a variety of local and international settings. Graduates of the programme have gone on to pursue careers as environment protection officers, project managers, systems engineers, geologists, operations officer, managers, sustainability consultants, and development coordinators, among various other examples.
Program Curriculum
Year 1 In addition to the compulsory study-units, students must register for all the elective study-units defined under the chosen respective stream to bring their total for the year to 90 ECTS credits. Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) IES5017 Sustainability, Society and Change 6 ECTS Semester 1 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) IES5009 Introduction to Systems Dynamics 6 ECTS IES5026 Earth Systems 5 ECTS IES5029 Human-Environment Dynamics 6 ECTS SCI5003 Analytical Methods and Techniques in Geographic Information Systems 6 ECTS Elective Stream A: Living resources IES5031 Biodiversity Conservation 1: Key Concepts 6 ECTS IES5033 Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems 1: Key Concepts 6 ECTS Elective Stream B: Technological innovation IES5035 Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Industrial Systems 1: Key Concepts 6 ECTS IES5037 Sources and Sinks: Energy, Water and Air 1: Key Concepts 6 ECTS Semester 2 and Summer Semester IES5041 Capstone Project 20 ECTS Semester 2 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) IES5023 Field Study 5 ECTS IES5025 Sustainability Policy and Law 6 ECTS IES5039 Analytical Methods and Techniques in Data Science 6 ECTS Elective Stream A: Living resources IES5032 Biodiversity Conservation 2: Applied Science for Management 6 ECTS IES5034 Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems 2: Small Scale and Urban Contexts 6 ECTS Elective Stream B: Technological innovation IES5036 Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Industrial Systems 2: Development and Assessment Techniques 6 ECTS IES5038 Sources and Sinks: Energy, Water and Air 2: Modelling and Monitoring 6 ECTS This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the degree of International Master of Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability –
Admission Requirements
Applicants must be in possession of: Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a first cycle degree in Earth Systems, Science or Engineering or in another area of study which the Board considers as appropriate, provided that the first cycle degree is obtained with a Second Class (Honours) or better classification, or an equivalent classification. Notes and any other requirements The maximum number of students that can be admitted into the course is 24 students. If there are more eligible applicants than there are available places, applications shall be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria, agreed to by the Partner Institutions: relevance of topics, results and final classification of degree - 65% and statement of intent and motivation for following the Course and letters of recommendation - 35%. When the above criteria are not sufficient to decide on the selection of applicants, interviews may be held for that purpose. When held, interviews shall be conducted by an interviewing board appointed by the Board of Studies. The interviewing board may make use of electronic means of communication in order to conduct such interviews. Applications for this programme are to be submitted through James Madison University. Link available here . Interested applicants are requested to contact Professor Elisabeth Conrad (elisabeth.conrad@um.edu.mt), UM coordinator of the programme, for guidance on the application process. You are viewing the entry requirements for International applicants. Switch to Local qualifications. You can submit your application online . The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta. You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visit
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
Non EU Applicants: Applicants resident and domiciled in Virginia, USA for a minimum of one year prior to application: Tuition Fees: US$22,500 + Field-Trip Costs: $2,750 All other applicants: Tuition F
About University of Malta
University of Malta
Msida, Malta
TheUniversity of Malta(Maltese:L-Università ta' Malta;UM; formerlyUOM) is apublic research universityin the towns ofMsidaandValletta, Malta. It serves as theflagshipandnational universityof...
University Profile- Start Date October
- Language English
- Duration 2 years
- Credits 90
