Shape the world you want to live in!
During the three-year YUFE Joint Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies, you can shape your educational path to align with your strengths and interests. In the first year, you acquire essential skills at your starting university. In the second and third years, you personalise your studies by choosing different sets of courses (Minors) abroad. The programme concludes with a joint degree awarded by seven European universities.
Throughout the bachelor’s programme, students collaborate internationally with teachers and institutions to solve real-world problems in a creative, diverse, and interactive learning environment.
Thanks to the involvement of 10 European universities (7 degree-awarding and 3 mobility partners), the programme offers a multifaceted perspective on sustainability issues in both urban and rural contexts!
Programme Structure
In the first year, you can begin your studies at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU) or at another partner university, and gain a solid foundation in urban sustainability through a mix of in-person and online courses.
As your studies progress, you personalise your curriculum by selecting from 20 different YUFE Minors—course packages focusing on various aspects of sustainability. You choose three such modules, two of which will be completed at other partner universities. This allows you to study in person at up to three different universities, gaining a unique and diverse experience. These international mobilities are supported by Erasmus+ funding, which covers the costs of studying abroad. During your final term you write your bachelor’s thesis at the university where you began your studies.
Study Planner
Your advisor will help you choose the best path for your development. If necessary, together you will select courses, YUFE Minors and subjects to achieve your programme goals. The advisor will also help you prepare for your choice of graduate studies or choose a professional career path.
Since you will be studying at at least one YUFE university abroad, it is important to consider the costs and logistics associated with living abroad. How to find housing and the cost of living during your studies will largely depend on the universities you choose. However, all of our partners are well-equipped to help you arrange your stay. Moreover, you’d be granted a scholarship to cover most of your expenses.
Career prospects
The YUFE Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies gives you the chance to explore a wide range of disciplines, including: social sciences (e.g., geography, economics, management, sociology), natural sciences (e.g., environmental science, biology, ecology), technical fields (e.g., urban planning, civil engineering, artificial intelligence) and humanities.
This interdisciplinary foundation allows you to pursue a variety of master’s programmes at NCU, other YUFE partners, or universities around the world.
If you choose to enter the job market right after graduation, the programme’s learning outcomes will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for a career in urban sustainability. This bachelor’s degree integrates different academic disciplines and teaches how to address complex local challenges through a global lens.
You’ll train in critical thinking, adaptability, and lifelong learning – preparing you for diverse roles in creating sustainable and resilient cities.
Admission Criteria
If you choose NCU as your starting university, registration takes place via the YUFE Virtual Campus, followed by the NCU Online Candidate Registration System (IRK).
To be eligible, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Score at least 70% on the extended Polish Matura in English,
- Score at least 50% on the bilingual Matura in English, or
- Hold an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.
Full admission requirements for Polish and international applicants are available here: https://www.geo.umk.pl/en/yufe-uss/application-procedure/
How to Apply?
More details can be found on YUFE Virtual Campus. You can also read about them in our brochure.