Sustainability certificate at the HWR Berlin

Students working towards the Certificate are required to complete courses and sit examinations in the area of sustainability worth 16 credits. Participation in the Challenges of sustainable development: interdisciplinary project seminar module (two credits) is compulsory. This is offered every semester as part of the General Studies programme. The language of instruction alternates between German and English every semester.

Further modules from which students can submit for credit transfer are specified on a module list available here. Some modules are subject to only partial credit transfer; others will be accepted in full. The number of credits awarded for each module is listed on the module list, which is updated every semester.

Some of modules on the list are not accompanied by a specification of credits. The number of credits awarded depends on the design of the module and/or the type of work involved and this is not always known in advance. In these cases, the teaching staff will specify the credits awarded for the modules on a separate form. 

Modules not specified on the list (e.g. modules completed at an institution abroad) can also be subject to credit transfer if they are related to sustainability. These must be submitted for verification. Students will be required to submit module descriptions and evidence of their content.

Voluntary work performed at the HWR Berlin or in an external context can be subject to credit transfer within the framework of Component II of the certificate programme. Such activity includes voluntary work in an NGO, political engagement within the HWR Berlin and voluntary work e.g. as a buddy or mentor to a schoolchild. The commitment must be compatible with at least one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Requirements for credit transfer:

• It must have lasted for a period of at least one semester (= six months)
• It must have involved a workload of at least 50 hours (two credits reflect 50 clock hours)
• It must have been voluntary work not subject to remuneration (exception: minor allowance (Aufwandsentschädigung)).
• Completion of the work must have been certified by the organization for which the student completed the work
• The work must have been performed within the context of the Engagement in internal university and civil society contexts General Studies module

Students are required to have completed an academic or practical specialization within component III of the certificate programme.

The academic specialization comprises a Bachelor’s thesis awarded a pass mark and with a focus on sustainability. This must be recognizable from the title or abstract.

The practical specialization requires students to perform at least 50 hours of practical work in the field of sustainability (e.g. internships, practical phases in a cooperative studies degree programme or a student job). Completion of the activity must be substantiated in writing, e.g. via an employer’s reference that shows the relevance of the tasks completed to the cause of sustainability.

Students completing component IV are required to reflect in writing on the skills acquired in components I – III by answering the following key questions.