Bachelor in Earth Sciences for Sustainable Development at University of Trieste
Three-year English-taught geology bachelor (L-34) at the University of Trieste on georesources, geohazards and sustainable development, with field mapping, lab work, a mandatory internship and up to 50 students a year.
Bachelor
3 years
Trieste
English
University of Trieste
Earth Sciences for Sustainable Development is a three-year, 180 ECTS bachelor's degree (class L-34) taught fully in English at the University of Trieste, focused on georesources and geohazards with extensive lab and field work. Students resident abroad pay a reduced flat fee, and ARDiS scholarship winners are exempt.
Entry requirements
- An upper secondary school diploma, or a foreign qualification the university accepts for bachelor's entry.
- Basic knowledge of algebra, geometry, trigonometry and mathematical functions.
- English at B2 level, shown by a language certificate or by the University Language Centre test, which can be taken after enrolment and before graduation.
- The CENT-S test by CISIA is required but not selective: a score below 18 brings additional learning requirements (OFA) met through first-year tutoring.
- Foreign qualifications are assessed on apply.units.it (€40 in 2026/27), followed by Universitaly pre-enrolment for visa applicants.
About the programme
Earth Sciences for Sustainable Development (ESSD) is a three-year bachelor's degree (laurea, class L-34, Geological Sciences) worth 180 ECTS. It is run by the Department of Mathematics, Informatics and Geosciences (MIGe) of the University of Trieste, taught fully in English and held in classrooms, labs and the field in Trieste.
The degree trains geoscientists around two themes linked to the UN 2030 Agenda: georesources, including minerals, energy and water, and geohazards such as landslides, earthquakes and floods. It takes a broad view of how these issues affect emerging and developing countries, and admits up to 50 students a year. It suits school leavers with a solid base in maths and science who want a field based science career.
What you will study
The first year builds foundations in mathematics, physics and chemistry alongside general geology. From the second year the focus on georesources and geohazards grows, with integrated courses that link disciplines. Units in the 2026/27 study plan include:
- General Geology and Physical Geography, Sedimentary Geology and Paleontology, Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Planet Earth
- Petrography, Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics, and Geophysics
- Digital Geologic and Thematic Mapping (15 ECTS) and Geological Surveying (15 ECTS)
- Earth Surface Processes, Landforms and Climate Change
- Engineering Geology and Applied Geophysics
- Georesources and Elements of Petrogenesis, and Hydrogeology and Management of Water Resources
- Geohazards and Sustainability, Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy, and Introduction to Data Science for Geoscience
How the programme is taught
Laboratory activities and fieldwork make up a significant part of the degree, as is typical for geology courses in Italy, and some assessments use geological maps, reports and field notebooks. Students also choose 12 ECTS of electives. A mandatory internship with a public or private body in Italy or abroad is required, and the degree ends with an original written dissertation defended in English, which can build on the internship.
Career paths
The degree prepares geologists specialising in georesources and geohazards for technical, operational and coordination roles. The university lists employers such as national public bodies (for example Civil Protection, ISPRA, INGV and CNR), equivalent institutions abroad, supranational bodies such as UNESCO, companies in energy, civil engineering, mining and environmental remediation, consultancies and geological analysis laboratories.
- Geohazard assessment, prevention and mitigation
- Finding and characterising georesources, including water
- Geotechnical, geognostic and geophysical site investigations
- Environmental impact assessment and remediation
In Italy graduates can sit the state exam for Junior Geologist. Many continue to a master's degree in classes LM-74 or LM-79, then to a PhD.
Fees and scholarships
UniTS charges the same fees for every degree. Students resident in Italy pay by ISEE, while students resident abroad are charged automatically at a flat, reduced rate: €800 tuition, a €160 regional tax and €16 stamp duty under the 2026/27 fees notice. Winners of an ARDiS scholarship from Friuli Venezia Giulia are exempt from tuition and regional tax, so the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
ESSD has non-competitive admission, and for 2026/27 the university set 50 places for visa applicants. You will also need a CENT-S result before classes start; it does not decide admission but sets any extra tutoring. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants requested a qualification assessment on apply.units.it between 15 December 2025 and 15 January 2026 or between 15 February and 30 April 2026, paying €40 for up to three programmes.
Next come Universitaly pre-enrolment and a type D study visa, then enrolment on Esse3, which ran from 20 April to 2 October 2026.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is Earth Sciences for Sustainable Development taught in English?
Yes. The university describes ESSD as fully taught in English, including the final dissertation. You need English at B2 level, shown by a certificate or by the University Language Centre test, which can be taken after enrolment.
Is there an entrance test?
You must take the CENT-S test run by CISIA, but it is not selective and any score allows enrolment. A score below 18 adds first-year tutoring that you complete by attending at least half of the sessions.
How much fieldwork is involved?
A lot. Lab work and fieldwork are a major part of the degree, with 15 ECTS units in digital geological mapping and geological surveying, plus a compulsory internship with a public or private body.
What can I do after graduating?
Graduates work on geohazards, georesources and site investigations for public bodies, companies and consultancies. In Italy they can sit the Junior Geologist state exam, and many go on to a master's in class LM-74 or LM-79.
How much does it cost?
Under the 2026/27 fees notice, students resident abroad paid a flat €800 tuition plus €160 regional tax and €16 stamp duty. ARDiS scholarship winners are exempt from tuition and regional tax.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The 2027/28 dates are not out yet. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants requested assessment on apply.units.it from 15 December 2025 to 15 January 2026 and from 15 February to 30 April 2026, for a €40 fee.
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