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GSM Electives

GSM Electives give you the opportunity to deepen and extend your knowledge on the sustainability issues tackled during the First GSM Semester.
→ What are GSM Electives?

  • During the Second GSM Semester, GSM Students are required to complete courses worth a minimum of 30 ECTS.

  • GSM Electives are offered at each of the programme's participating universities and are comprised of a specific set of pre-screened courses related to the GSM programme.

  • Courses are primarily completed onsite. However, online courses are also encouraged within the course offer.

→ What GSM Electives options do you have?

GSM Electives are divided into different baskets:

  • During your Second GSM Semester you will complete electives in two main areas (min. 10 ECTS credits each), that you have already familiarised yourself with in the First GSM Semester:

    • Sustainability at a system level, e.g. the effects of geopolitical events or the impact of global institutions, as well as grand challenges such as climate change or migration. This area is covered by the basket  titled "Navigating the Global Sustainability Context".

    • Sustainability at an organisational level, e.g. which sustainability issues organisations deal with and how they deal with them, also in terms of their own sustainable development. This area is covered by the basket titled "Addressing Global Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities".

  • You additionally have the option to choose GSM Electives that deal with sustainability from a wider spectrum of perspectives, as well as further develop your interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. For this, GSM Electives include courses in another two baskets titled: 

    • Special Topics in Global Sustainability

    • Skills Seminars

The specific courses on offer will be announced in good time before your Second GSM Semester, as we make sure to keep them varied and up-to-date.

In the meantime, you can have a look at some of the sample courses for Spring 2027 here.

When it comes to choosing your electives:

  • You can find out from your home university whether you can complete the Second GSM Semester at your home university or as a semester abroad, as well as learn more about the specific conditions that apply to you.

  • Regardless of where you are during your Second GSM Semester, many of the partner universities also offer courses that you can complete online so that you can continue to benefit from the consortium's particular broad expertise.
    There may be particular requirements from your home university regarding your stay abroad and completing online courses, so please make sure that you reach out to your local contacts for more information.