About this opportunity
Environmental problems do not respect borders, and the MESPOM consortium has built its reputation on teaching that. Since 2005 the programme has admitted over 630 students from more than 70 countries, and it keeps actively seeking a balance of geographic and disciplinary backgrounds, which is why African graduates feature strongly in each cohort.
The degree is a 120 ECTS, 24 month Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree coordinated by Central European University with Lund University, the University of Manchester and the University of the Aegean. The first year begins in Vienna, moves to Lesvos in Greece for land, water and ecosystem management and sustainable tourism, includes a supervised summer internship with associated partners, then continues at Lund University on environment, industry and products or at the University of Manchester on environment and pollution control. The thesis term is spent at whichever consortium partner fits the student's interests.
Financial assistance is real but selective. The provider offers several forms of support, including partial tuition fee waivers and living stipends for outstanding students, and draws a clear line between admission to the programme and receiving a particular form of funding. The
Application timeline
that matters for a funded applicant is 7 January 2027, the stated date for anyone wishing to be considered for financial aid or applying from a visa sensitive country. Self financing applicants have later routes on 15 April 2027 and 15 July 2027.
The academic bar is specific, so read it before you budget your time. MESPOM invites applicants from all countries who hold a first degree in environmental studies or a related field, and considers degrees in agriculture, social sciences, law and administration, economics, engineering or natural sciences where the applicant can show commitment to environmental challenges. A minimum GPA of 3.5 on the American 4.00 scale is required, converted with a tool such as Scholaro or WES iGPA, and applicants below that are not eligible. English minimums are published for TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson, Cambridge, Euroexam and Duolingo, with stricter thresholds for the Manchester route.
What you receive
- A 120 ECTS, 24 month joint master's degree delivered by four European universities
- Mobility across Central European University in Vienna, the University of the Aegean on Lesvos, Lund University and the University of Manchester
- Financial assistance including partial tuition fee waivers and living stipends for outstanding students
- Summer internships supervised by MESPOM faculty and hosted by Associated Partners or other organisations
- Specialisation topics including sustainable energy and climate change, biodiversity and conservation, urban sustainability, sustainable consumption and production, and environmental security and justice
- Access to a network of over 630 students admitted from more than 70 countries since 2005, and 11 Associated Partners across 9 countries on 4 continents
Who can apply
- MESPOM invites applicants from all countries, so Nigerian and other African graduates with a qualifying first degree can apply
- Applicants must hold a first degree from a recognised university or institution of higher education, or provide documentation showing they will earn their first degree by the time of enrolling
- The first degree should be in environmental studies or a closely related field; degrees in agricultural studies, social sciences, legal and administrative studies, economics, engineering or natural sciences are also considered where the applicant shows commitment to environmental challenges, usually through voluntary or professional work and on the job training
- A minimum GPA of 3.5 on the 0.00 to 4.00 American scale is required, entered using a conversion tool such as Scholaro or WES iGPA, and applicants below 3.5 are not eligible
- The GPA considered is the one achieved during the bachelor's degree, not a master's degree GPA
- Applicants whose first language is not English must submit standardised English test scores, with minimums of TOEFL iBT 88, TOEFL paper 570, IELTS Academic 6.5, Pearson Academic 59, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 180, Euroexam Academic pass, or Duolingo English Test 125
- Higher thresholds apply to the University of Manchester route, including TOEFL iBT 90 with no sub-test below 20 and IELTS 6.5 with no sub-test below 6.0
- English exemptions are decided by the MESPOM admissions committee and must be requested in writing as part of the application package
Who should not apply
- Applicants with a bachelor's GPA below 3.5 on the 4.00 scale are not eligible to apply
- Admission to the programme and selection for a particular form of financial support are separate decisions, so applying by the 7 January 2027 date is what puts an applicant forward for financial aid
Documents to prepare
- Completed online application through the Central European University application system
- Transcripts and proof of a first degree, or documentation showing the degree will be awarded before enrolment
- Degree grade average converted to the 0.00 to 4.00 scale
- Standardised English language test results where English is not the first language, with TOEFL scores sent to the CEU Admissions Office using test code 0069
- A written request for an English proficiency exemption, if the applicant believes one applies
How to apply
- Read the call for applications and the eligibility requirements on the official programme site at https://mespom.eu/call-applications-2027-2029
- Confirm your application deadline on the admissions calendar at https://mespom.eu/application-deadlines-and-admissions-calendar, 7 January 2027 for financial aid and visa sensitive countries, 15 April 2027 and 15 July 2027 for the self financing rounds
- Follow the official how to apply page at https://mespom.eu/how-apply and prepare your transcripts, converted grade average and English test scores
- Submit the application through the Central European University online application system, which the consortium uses for all MESPOM applications
- Write to the MESPOM Consortium Coordinator at the contact address on the official site for any question the call does not answer
Selection process
- Applications are received through the Central European University system on behalf of the MESPOM Consortium
- The admission process includes a check of eligibility requirements and selection by the MESPOM Academic Board
- Admission is highly competitive and is based on academic and intellectual excellence, motivation and prior experience
- The consortium aims for a balance between geographic and disciplinary backgrounds among admitted students
- Applicants who do not reach the minimum English entrance requirement may be offered admission only in exceptional cases, decided by the departmental admissions committee and approved by the Provost or Pro Rector
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- FBIS Africa Freshwater Biodiversity Data Mobilisation Small Grants 2026
Small grants of USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 from the FBIS Africa project, run by the Freshwater Research Centre, to help African institutions and researchers prepare unpublished freshwater biodiversity records for open publication.
Questions applicants ask
Is MESPOM open to Nigerian and other African applicants?
Yes. The provider states that MESPOM invites applicants from all countries, and that the programme seeks a balance of geographic backgrounds among its students.
Which date should an applicant aiming for a scholarship submit by?
The provider states 7 January 2027 as the deadline for applicants who wish to be considered for financial aid, and for applicants applying from visa sensitive countries. The later dates of 15 April 2027 and 15 July 2027 are for self financing applicants.
How long is the programme and where is it taught?
The programme is 120 ECTS over 24 months. The first year starts at Central European University in Vienna, continues at the University of the Aegean on Lesvos in the spring, includes a supervised summer internship, and in the second year moves to Lund University or the University of Manchester, with the thesis term at any consortium partner.
Can I apply with a degree that is not in environmental studies?
Yes, in some cases. The provider considers first degrees in agricultural studies, social sciences, legal and administrative studies, economics, engineering or natural sciences where the applicant shows commitment to environmental challenges, usually through voluntary or professional work and on the job training.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
