Master programme in Governing Socio-Ecological Transformations

Your steps in the admission procedure depend on whether you have completed your previous degree programme at the University of Vienna or another post-secondary educational institution. 

 Degree programme with selection procedure

A selection procedure is conducted for admission to this master programme.

  • You can only submit your application for admission to the degree programme once per year, within the application period.  
  • The admission letter is only valid for the winter semester you have applied for and the following summer semester. 
  • 40 study places are available per academic year. The allocation of available study places ensues during the selection procedure. 

The application period for the academic year 2026/27: from 2 March to 7 April 2026.

 Degree programme instructed in English

The language of instruction in this degree programme is English. A proof of German language proficiency is not required.

Additional requirements

English language proficiency at level B2

To be admitted to an English or multilingual master programme at the University of Vienna, you have to provide a proof of English language proficiency. 

To apply for admission to this degree programme, you require a proof of English language proficiency at level B2. 

English curriculum vitae (CV)

Upload your English curriculum vitae in u:space at "Further documents and proofs" as document type "CV".

English letter of motivation

Upload your letter of motivation in u:space at "Further documents and proofs" as document type "Letter of motivation". 

The document must be written in English and should not exceed one A4 page. Answer the following questions: 

  • What is your personal motivation to apply for this programme?
  • In which ways do you think your prior experiences, qualifications, and skills will support your studies in this new domain?
  • What do you expect to learn in doing the master programme, and which role does it play in your further academic, personal, and professional development?
  • Use a recent event in wider society or your own life to argue why socio-ecological relations and understanding their complexity are relevant to the contemporary world, and why a critical and interdisciplinary perspective is important.

Qualitative admission requirements

The qualitative admission requirements (in short QZB for "qualitative Zulassungsbedingungen") are binding and determine which knowledge and competencies from the two disciplines you must have to be admitted.

You require at least:

  • 10 ECTS of foundational knowledge of social sciences at university level and
  • 20 ECTS of foundational knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative methods of empirical social science.