In a world shaped by rapid urbanisation, both cities and rural areas are vital for a sustainable future. The joint Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies, designed by the Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) Alliance, offers an innovative, interdisciplinary education to tackle real-life challenges head-on. Customise your learning path, explore diverse landscapes, and lead the way in urban sustainability across Europe with YUFE!
Over three dynamic years, you will shape your learning journey to match your strengths and interests. The first year covers essential skills at your starting university. In the second and third years, you personalise your studies through YUFE minors and study at three different universities across Europe. The programme culminates in a dissertation to showcase your expertise. You finish the Bachelor with a degree awarded by seven European Universities.
The programme is currently ongoing European Approach Accreditation procedure. More details will be updated soon!
Key information
- Level of degree: Bachelor's degree
- Programme duration: 3 years full-time / 180 ECTS credits
- Language of instruction: English
- Next application period: Feb-March 2025
- Programme start: September 2025
- Tuition fee: EU/EEA nationals no tuition fee; non-EU/EEA nationals 10,000 €/academic year
- Tuition waivers available
- Study campus: Joensuu and exchange periods at YUFE universities
Why study with us?
- Passionate about sustainability? The international, Joint Bachelor Programme in Urban Sustainability Studies at YUFE is your route to driving change!
Studies
YUFE Urban Sustainability Studies is a three-year undergraduate programme divided into six semesters.
Throughout your bachelor’s programme, you work internationally with students, teachers, and businesses to address real-world issues in a creative, international and interactive setting. With input from 10 European universities, each a YUFE partner (seven Degree Awarding Partners and three Mobility Partners), the programme offers a diverse curriculum that explores sustainability issues in urban and rural settings.
The programme sets a leading example in international joint education, preparing students to excel in global collaboration. As a student of the programme, you will start building your network with students, teachers and businesses all over Europe.
Degree giving universities:
- Nicolas Copernicus University (Torun, Poland)
- Antwerp University (Belgium)
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spain)
- University of Essex (United Kingdom)
- University of Easter Finland (Finland)
- Maastricht University (Netherlands)
- University of Rijeka (Croatia)
Mobility partners (minors offered during student exchange):
- Sorbonne Nouvelle University (Paris, France)
- University of Cyprus (Cyprus)
- University of Bremen (Germany)
With input from 10 European universities, each a YUFE partner, the programme offers a diverse curriculum exploring sustainability issues in urban and rural settings.
YEAR ONE (Semester 1 & 2) - at UEF
You’ll begin your bachelor’s studies at UEF (or another chosen university), building a strong foundation in urban sustainability through a blend of on-site and online courses. With guidance from your own academic advisor, you’ll work towards your program goals - all tailored to support your unique academic journey.
YEAR TWO (Semester 3 & 4) - at YUFE partner universities on exchange
You’ll have the flexibility to personalize your curriculum by selecting from over 20 minors. A minor is a 30 ECTS thematic study module offered across YUFE universities that span one semester (autumn or spring). YUFE will help to plan your exchanges, and Erasmus+ funding provides financial aid. (Erasmus+ funding is vailable up to 12 months per degree).
YEAR THREE (Semester 5 & 6) - at UEF
You’ll complete your third minor during the autumn semester. In the spring you will round off your academic profile with a bachelor's thesis and your choice of elective courses at UEF.
-
The programme includes three minors, studied during semesters 3, 4 & 5. At least two minors are completed at partner universities, giving you the opportunity to travel and study at a minimum of two different institutions. This creates a truly unique and diverse learning experience.
The YUFE Bachelor of Urban Sustainability Studies offers you the opportunity to explore insights from a wide range of fields, including social sciences (economics, business, geography, history, and sociology), natural sciences (such as environmental engineering, biology, and ecology), technical sciences (like civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and artificial intelligence), and the humanities.
The programme focuses on developing a deep understanding of how urban and rural areas impact natural resource use, and how this is connected to economic development, social inclusion, and sustainable growth. Students will develop abilities to analyze complex issues from a variety of perspectives. They will also gain skills to connect diverse cultural and disciplinary viewpoints, essential in a globalized world. The programme prepares students to become professionals who can lead and innovate in the evolving field of urban sustainability.
The unique nature of our program is best suited for candidates eager to develop the following qualities further:
Intercultural Competence
Embrace diversity with open-mindedness and respect for different perspectives, values, and ways of life. Strong language skills are a plus.
Critical and Analytical Thinking
Navigate complex challenges with a multidisciplinary approach, analyzing problems from multiple perspectives and integrating knowledge from diverse fields.
Commitment to Sustainability
Demonstrate a proactive attitude toward fostering sustainable solutions and addressing global challenges.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Thrive in a dynamic, international, and multidisciplinary educational environment by embracing change and adjusting to new contexts.
Teamwork and Communication
Collaborate effectively with others, contribute constructively to group efforts, and communicate ideas clearly and persuasively.
Curiosity and Creativity
Innovate and think outside the box, bringing fresh perspectives to complex problems and crafting novel solutions.
The graduates of the programme will have built an international network with students, teachers, and businesses across Europe during their studies.
This innovative and open program prepares aspiring professionals with a unique blend of specialized knowledge and the ability to integrate diverse disciplines and cultural perspectives—skills essential for navigating the complexities of a globalized world.
The program emphasizes developing both disciplinary and interdisciplinary expertise in urban sustainability, equipping graduates to address challenges on local, regional, and global scales. Graduates are skilled in analyzing sustainability issues, employing a range of methods and theoretical frameworks.
With a broad worldview and adaptability to international and intercultural settings, graduates excel in collaborating with diverse stakeholders on development projects. They possess the expertise to design and evaluate sustainable development strategies, combining critical thinking with creativity.
Program graduates emerge as interdisciplinary experts, ready to tackle complex future challenges and deliver innovative, impactful solutions for sustainable development.
How to apply
Instructions on how to apply and a link to the application form: Link to YUFE Virtual Campus will be added when application period opens
Application and documents
During the application period, applicants must submit an electronic application form. Required documents should be uploaded as scanned copies to the online application. In order to check the eligibility of an applicant for the programme, you have to submit an application and the following documents:
- Certification of completed secondary education degree
- Certification of English language skills
Secondary education certification
You need to have (at least) a secondary school degree which entitles you to enrol in a bachelor programme in a university of the country in which the degree was conferred.
Language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate strong English language skills when applying to degree programmes taught in English. Accepted methods of proving English proficiency are listed below.
Applicants must either (1) achieve the minimum required language test scores or (2) prove language skills with previous education conducted in English.
- Accepted language tests: TOEFL, IELTS, ITACE, Cambridge English or PTE.
- Applicants who have previously obtained a diploma in an English-taught programme in Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and/or the United States of America are exempt from providing an additional language test certificate.
- Applicants who completed an English-taught programme elsewhere are also exempt from providing an additional language test certificate, provided the language of instruction is clearly stated on the educational documents.
Accepted language tests
A valid language certificate, not older than two years at the time of application, with the following minimum scores:
TOEFL iBT (test center only): 80
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, 6.0 per component
ITACE (Interuniversity Test of Academic English for Students): B2
Cambridge English: B2 First (score 176 or above)
PTE Academic: 59
Matriculation examinations
You can prove your language skills with the following examinations:
- Finnish matriculation examination*, English language (A-language, advanced syllabus) completed with a minimum grade of magna cum laude approbatur (M)
- International Baccalaureate degree (IB):
- diploma completed in English,
- successful completion of A level English exam (literature / language and literature / literature and performance),
- completion of B level English exam, minimum grade of 5 (good).
- European Baccalaureate (EB) degree:
- L1-language (English) completed successfully
- L2 – or L3 language (English) completed with a minimum grade of 7.
- Reifeprüfung (RP) or DIA degree (German school of Helsinki) Satisfactory completion of:
- English A written scores completed successfully
- oral score being minimum of 8
*Applicants who prove their English language skills with the Finnish matriculation examination and have completed Finnish matriculation examination in or after 1990 do not need to upload the degree certificate as these are electronically available through Studyinfo
Verification of educational documents for accepted students
Applicants will be conditionally accepted if their degree has been completed outside Finland. Accepted students are required to send the verified certificates/ diplomas of completed education degree to the university by the set deadlines. The eligibility and authenticity of educational certificates for all applicants will be assessed.
You start your admission procedure by applying at the YUFE Virtual Campus within the application period. You specify your preferred starting university and prove that you fulfil the entry requirements. Application deadlines vary according to the starting university.
The programme is currently ongoing European Approach Accreditation procedure.
More information on application procedure will be provided on YUFE Virtual Campus
The annual tuition fee for non-EU/EEA students is 10,000 EUR. There are no tuition fees for students who are citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland. 30 % tuition fee waiver is available to all accepted students who are liable to pay tuition fees.
Please read more on Tuition fees and waivers
Application period
Applications for the program are submitted online via YUFE's Virtual Campus. More detailed information on the application and enrolment process will be announced upon the completion of the accreditation procedure of the programme in January.
The next application period: February - March 2025. (For studies starting in September 2025)
Contact us
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
