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This unique three-year degree will offer students the opportunity to engage with sustainability issues in diverse European contexts, providing them with a comprehensive, hands-on education. Participants will explore solutions to the most urgent urban and rural sustainability challenges while earning a joint Bachelor’s degree, recognized by seven top universities within the YUFE network.
The programme offers a dynamic and flexible learning experience. In the first year, students will focus on foundational skills and knowledge, with the option to study at any of the seven partner universities. In years two and three, students will have the chance to personalize their studies by selecting minors from across 10 YUFE universities, matching their strengths and interests and gaining international experience by studying at multiple locations throughout Europe. The programme culminates in a dissertation project that allows students to showcase their expertise in urban sustainability.
YUFE's Joint Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies is not just about academics; it’s a collaborative, global learning experience. Students will work alongside peers, professors, and industry leaders from across Europe, tackling real-world sustainability challenges in a creative, interactive environment. This programme fosters lifelong professional connections, equipping graduates with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to lead in the evolving field of urban sustainability.
With applications now open, prospective students are encouraged to join one of YUFE’s upcoming webinars to learn more about this exciting new opportunity.
For more information on the Joint Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies and to apply, please visit here.
Why we're great.
A truly European degree. Study urban sustainability from multiple perspectives through the YUFE alliance.
Real-world impact. Tackle live sustainability challenges with businesses, policymakers, and communities.
Tailor your studies and gain industry connections for a future in sustainability for a flexible career pathway.
Study abroad
Students will have the chance to study at multiple partner universities across Europe. This is made possible through the YUFE network, where you can select at least two different universities, ensuring a diverse and international academic experience.
Additionally, the programme is supported by Erasmus Funding, which helps cover the costs of studying abroad, making these international study opportunities accessible to all students.
So, students can travel and study at a minimum of three universities across Europe throughout the course, providing them with valuable international exposure and experience in sustainability.
Our expert staff
Professor Nadine Rossol is a historian specializing in German and European history, with a focus on the Weimar Republic and 20th-century Germany. She has co-edited The Oxford Handbook of the Weimar Republic (OUP, 2022) and has contributed to discussions on historical memory through podcasts, blogs, and academic publications. Her research explores themes of revolution, political change, and the role of institutions such as the police in shaping society. A recipient of an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, she has conducted extensive research in Germany and has secured funding for projects examining the German Revolution of 1918.
Dr Dorian Hayes, Deputy Director of Partnerships (Europe), Office of the Vice Chancellor: responsible for brokering and managing Essex’s partnerships with European Higher Education Institutions, and for coordinating our involvement in two European Commission-funded Alliances and networks – YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe) and YERUN (Young European Research Universities Network).
Professor Leanne Hepburn (Life Sciences): Leanne’s research focuses on marine biodiversity, sustainability, and other key themes. She is passionate about the environment and teaches on global sustainability challenges in the YUFE degree in Urban Sustainability Studies.
Dr Jason Sumich (Department of Sociology and Criminology): Jason is a political anthropologist who researches and teaches on urban government, crime, urban space, and control—important themes in the YUFE degree in Urban Sustainability Studies.
Dr Lisa Blackmore (School of Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies): Lisa’s research explores human relationships with the environment and the connections between politics, art, and architecture in Latin America and the Caribbean. She is interested in global sustainability and teaches research skills, water conflicts, and human rights.
Your future
The YUFE Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies opens doors to various master’s programmes in fields like urbanism, environmental policy, and sustainable development. Explore opportunities at the partner universities and other institutions worldwide.
"The minor on Borders, Finland and Russia at the University of Eastern Finland was an incredibly enriching experience. The structure of YUFE allowed me to specialize in topics that aren’t typically covered in other programmes. Highly recommended!" – Emma Caals & Sara De Bruyn, YUFE alumni
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
To enrol in YUFE’s Joint Bachelor, you’ll need to have a secondary education degree and a minimum of B2 level in English. To start your studies at Essex you will also need to meet our criteria as outlined below.
A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk .
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Structure
Course structure
Start your studies at a chosen partner university and build a common foundation in urban sustainability. In years two and three, you can personalize your curriculum by selecting three minors from at least two different universities, allowing you to study at multiple locations in Europe. The programme concludes with a bachelor’s thesis project.
Minor Options Include:
Urban Health & Wellbeing - Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
Urban Ecology in Europe - Sorbonne Nouvelle University, Paris, France
Design and Perspectives on Heritage - University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Urban Sustainable Development - Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
Smart Cities for Sustainable Culture - University Carlos III of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Components and modules explained
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
Status
What this means
Core
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
HR
100
4
FY
The department or school the module will be taught by.
In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.
This module will introduce you to the major themes of sustainability along with the most recent developments. Topics include environmental sustainability issues like water, food, and energy; social sustainability themes like environmental justice and transportation; and economic sustainability topics like green businesses and economic development as well as sustainability issues in universities. We will use case studies to explore examples and understand the issues and future of sustainability.
Revolutions in History, 1776-1919: How to Change the World
(15 CREDITS)
Revolutions are cornerstones of history. Radical political change often required the violent overthrow of existing systems of politics and government. This modules studies major revolutions to ask: What counts as a revolution? Who makes revolutions happen? Why do revolutions succeed or fail? How has the world been changed by revolutions? We will study key revolutions from across global history, from the American and French revolutions of the late eighteenth century, to the revolutions in Haiti, Japan, and China, and finishing with the Russian Revolution and the failed German revolution of 1918. The module will allow students to study some of the biggest turning points in world history, and to understand how and why the world changed at these moments.
What research methods do sociologists use? And what are the methodologies underpinning them? Wish to learn how to critically evaluate social research? And receive training in collecting quantitative and qualitative data? We study the principles of social science investigation and how to carry out original research.
Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer.
You have the chance to:
tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff
Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.
The university that you wish to start your YUFE Bachelor with will in detail describe the application process. This will entail registration with the YUFE Virtual Campus, with the starting university, and sometimes also with a national study registration system.
Make sure to carefully read the instructions from the starting university you’re interested in. Keep in mind that each of the 7 starting universities has its own application deadline, so be sure to check their website and submit your YUFE Joint Bachelor application before the deadline.
Once you've gone through the instructions, you can start your application on the YUFE Virtual Campus. There, you'll also choose the starting university you're interested in.
In case you need to upload certain documents at a later stage, make sure to send in your application first and upload the documents later. Always make sure to do this before the indicated application deadline of the starting university of your interest.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tours allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour and Southend virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and
Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.
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