Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

- Identify the principles governing environmental management and governance in the light of climate change

- Analyse, synthesise and apply modern techniques and methodologies for the sustainable management of natural ecosystems, environmental governance and the adoption of sustainability principles.

Specific learning outcomes based on the selected specialization and courses are:

Compulsory Courses: 

1. Apply basic principles of scientific research and research ethics, and appropriate methodologies and tools, to conduct quantitative and qualitative research.

2. Critically discuss key concepts, principles and issues of Sustainable Development (SD) at global, regional and local levels, and the socio-political and cultural dimensions that influence it.

3. Define the drivers of the Earth's climate system, with reference to global climate trends, distinguishing natural from anthropogenic climate variability.

4. Analyze climate data and projections, assessing the impacts of climate change on areas such as food security, public health, and forest ecosystems.

Specialization 1: Management of natural ecosystems and environmental management tools

1. Define basic concepts of ecology and biodiversity, with reference to the interaction between living organisms and their environment and the threats they face.

2. Act responsibly to protect the environment, applying critical thinking and proposing conservation and sustainability measures.

3. Utilize GIS technologies, satellite imagery and web-based platforms to detect environmental changes.

4. Advocate for the need to protect and restore ecosystems by implementing strategies based on legislative and management frameworks at local, regional and international levels.

5. Utilize legislative and management tools for site restoration, applying appropriate measures, depending on the type of ecosystem.

6. Evaluate the effectiveness of management measures in protected areas, proposing solutions to protect wildlife and natural resources.

7. Promote the active participation of local communities, making use of new technologies that can be used in the management of protected areas.

8. Report on environmental policies and laws in the EU, Cyprus and Greece, regarding key concepts and principles of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

9. Evaluate the impacts of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems through the analysis of management principles

10. Propose integrated proposals for the management of terrestrial ecosystems.

11. Understand the fundamental principles of integrated water resources management.

12. Apply research methods and water balance models to solve problems.

13. Define types of natural disasters and recognize the role of technology in their prevention and mitigation.

Specialization 2: Environmental Governance and Sustainability

1. Recognise the importance of environmental policy for environmental protection and sustainable development, both at European and international level.

2. Analyse the institutional framework and strategies of environmental policy, evaluating the policies in place and the conditions that shape the context of environmental governance.

3. Advocate the need for good environmental governance and the participation of all stakeholders in decision-making, promoting sustainable development and the protection of biodiversity.

4. Discuss the concepts of spatial and regional development in relation to their importance for the balanced development of a country.

5. Develop innovative solutions for the preparation and evaluation of regional and development programmes, with the aim of minimising the impacts of these programmes.

6. Apply appropriate communication models and methods for citizen participation in environmental decision-making, and develop innovative solutions for public participation.

7. Promote collaboration between experts and the public to address environmental problems.

8. Explain the environmental problem-solving process by describing the parts and stages of a decision-making system and utilizing decision tree diagrams.

9. Collaborate to find best practices in managing environmental problems, documenting their choices in the decision-making process.

10. Describe fundamental theories of environmental ethics to substantiate the need to organize ethical norms toward nature.

11. Design actions and educational interventions to develop environmental values in different groups of the population.

Graduates of the program will have strong employment prospects across various sectors, due to the growing and urgent need to address climate change. Potential career paths include:

• Government Services:
Roles in national and local environmental protection agencies, climate change departments, ministries related to energy issues, and planning authorities involved in the development, implementation, and monitoring of relevant policies.

• International Organizations:
Opportunities in United Nations agencies (e.g., UNEP, UNFCCC), the European Environment Agency, and other international bodies focused on environmental and climate-related issues.

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs):
Positions in environmental advocacy groups, organizations, and services working on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and environmental justice.

• Private Sector:
Increasing demand in businesses for sustainability managers, environmental consultants, corporate social responsibility (CSR) officers, and experts in renewable energy, resource efficiency, and climate risk assessment.

• Consulting Firms:
Provision of expertise to governments, businesses, and NGOs on climate change strategies, environmental impact assessments, and sustainability planning.

• Research and Academia:
Opportunities for further research and teaching in fields related to climate change and environmental governance.

• Green Finance and Investment:
Roles in financial institutions engaged in sustainable investment, climate finance, and green bonds.

• Education and Public Awareness:
Contribution to raising public awareness and educating communities about climate change through schools, universities, and outreach programs.

Graduates with a related field of study from recognised universities in Cyprus and abroad are accepted as well as graduates of Technological Education Institutions (T.E.I.) with a related field of study. The selection of applicants to this joint Postgraduate Program is carried out by a five-member Evaluation Committee, which is formed by decision of the Program’s Committee.

The selection criteria of the candidates are specific, quantitative and qualitative. 

1. Undergraduate degree

2. Thesis (if applicable)

3. Holding a Master's Degree with Specialization: +10

4. Knowledge of English Language

5. Number of publication relevant with program of study

The selection procedure is as follows:

(a) The Evaluation Committee compiles a full list of those who have applied.
(b) Establishes a ranking of the candidates according to their marks and proceeds with the final selection
(c) Compiles the final selection list for each specialisation.

The final list of successful candidates is validated by the program’s committe. In the event of a tie for the last place on the list of successful candidates, the candidate with the highest degree (to two decimal places) will be selected. If a tie occurs in this case as well, the final ranking will be based on the marks obtained by the candidates in the courses related to the joint MSc.

The maximum number of students enrolled each year is set at 120, i.e. 60 students per specialisation. The Programme’s Committe may adjust this number upwards, depending on the circumstances and the cababiltites of the program.

Prospective students are expected to submit their application and all relevant supporting documents, including copies of their diplomas, detailed grade transcripts, two letters of recommendation from professors or workplace supervisors and an essay on their research interests. Whenever the Programme Committee deems it necessary, applicants may be invited for an interview. At the closing date of the application deadline for participation in the programme, the Programme Committee evaluates the prospective students on the basis of specific criteria, such as documents documenting their academic performance, letters of recommendation, digital literacy, research interests, interview, work experience, knowledge of Greek and/or English, etc. The committee's decisions are communicated by e-mail or otherwise to all applicants.

The transfer of credits from other academic institutions complies with the regulations for academic recognition that apply at Frederick University and the Democritus University of Thrace.

There are also specific regulations and procedures for the registration of graduates in professional associations and the recognition of degrees and higher education qualifications, as defined by the KYSATS and the DOATAP (Greek NARIC).

General criteria for distance learning programs

Distance learning programs are offered online using the distance learning method. Students applying for a distance learning program are expected to:

• Have access to a computer with speakers. Ideally, but not necessarily, there should be a camera connected to their computer.
• Have easy internet access.
• Acquire a satisfactory level of digital literacy. This means being able to use a computer to manage files, run basic applications (e.g. word processing), and being able to use the web and the Internet to navigate web pages and use e-mail.