Master in Green Economy and Sustainable Transitions at University of Ferrara
Two-year English-taught LM-56 master's at the University of Ferrara in environmental and energy economics, eco-innovation and policy evaluation, with double degrees in Denmark, the UK and Germany.
Master
2 years
Ferrara
English
University of Ferrara
Green Economy and Sustainable Transitions is a two-year, 120 ECTS economics master's (LM-56) taught in English at the University of Ferrara, covering environmental economics, energy, law and policy evaluation. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS in economics or economics and management, or an equivalent foreign degree.
- Credits across the core fields: about 30 ECTS in economics, 10 in maths and statistics, 5 in business, and 5 in law.
- English at B2 level, shown by a recognised certificate, a previous English-taught degree or 30 ECTS passed in English; otherwise an interview.
- No entrance test: the teaching committee reviews your degree and CV and may call you for an interview.
- Legalised school diploma and bachelor's certificate with translation and transcripts; a declaration of value or CIMEA statement only if Unife asks.
About the programme
Green Economy and Sustainable Transitions is a two-year laurea magistrale in economics (class LM-56) worth 120 ECTS, taught entirely in English by the Department of Economics and Management of the University of Ferrara. It trains graduates for management and consultancy roles in the green economy, and for policy work in government and NGOs.
The course grew out of the role of eco-innovation in the move to a low-carbon, circular economy. It suits economics graduates who want to analyse environmental policy and innovation and measure their economic impact. Teaching is in person in Ferrara, and attendance is strongly recommended.
What you will study
Core areas are environmental economics, environmental law, econometrics and research methods, with a portfolio of optional units on top. Compulsory units in the 2026/27 plan include:
- Environmental Economics and Policy (9 ECTS) and Energy and Resource Economics (9 ECTS)
- Behavioral Economics for the Environment
- Finance and Sustainability, and Strategic Control and Performance Management
- Digital Law and Environmental Sustainability
- Methodology for Research, Introduction to Probability and Statistical Inference, and two Economic and Business Statistics units
- A choice between Policies for the Integral Development and Sustainability and Project Appraisal and Cost Benefit Analysis for the Environment
- An internship or Spanish unit, electives such as Introduction to Econometrics, a research project (10 ECTS) and a dissertation
How the programme is taught
Teaching relies on small-group methods such as problem-based learning, project work, workshops and case studies, and thesis research can be combined with an internship or project work in a company. Selected students can take a double degree, studying the first year at the University of Southern Denmark, the University of East Anglia (UK) or Paderborn University (Germany) and the second in Ferrara. Erasmus+ and Atlante exchanges are available too.
Career paths
The course targets three kinds of work: green business management and eco-innovation, consultancy on environmental policy evaluation and carbon markets, and public or NGO roles in policy making, policy evaluation and cost-benefit analysis. Roles named by the department include:
- Sustainability manager
- Green economy consultant
- Carbon management consultant
- Academic researcher
Fees and scholarships
Fees at Unife depend on family income, shown through an ISEE or an income document for income earned abroad, and on credits earned. For 2026/27 the range was €156 to about €2,250 a year, paid in four instalments. An ISEE up to €27,000 or eligibility for the ER.GO regional scholarship gives a total exemption under Unife rules, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Applications for this master's open earlier than for most Unife degrees: in 2026/27 the window ran from 12 January to 30 April 2026. You apply on apply.unife.it with a one-time €20 fee and also pre-enrol on Universitaly for Ferrara, or your application is not evaluated.
The teaching committee checks your degree and CV and may interview you. A declaration of value or CIMEA statement is required only on request. Once admitted, you apply for a type D study visa.
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 Green Economy and Sustainable Transitions taught in English?
Yes, entirely. Applicants need English at B2, shown by a recognised certificate, a previous English-taught degree or 30 ECTS passed in English, or else through an interview with the teaching committee.
What background do I need?
A bachelor's of at least 180 ECTS in economics or economics and management, with roughly 30 ECTS in economics, 10 in maths and statistics, 5 in business and 5 in law.
Is there an entrance test?
No. The teaching committee assesses your degree, CV and documents and can ask for an interview. The course has no cap on enrolment.
Is there a double degree option?
Yes. Selected students spend their first year at the University of Southern Denmark, the University of East Anglia or Paderborn University, then the second year in Ferrara, and receive two degrees.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The 2027/28 window is not published yet. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants applied on apply.unife.it between 12 January and 30 April 2026, paid €20 and pre-enrolled on Universitaly.
What jobs can graduates do?
The department names roles such as sustainability manager, green economy consultant, carbon management consultant and academic researcher, plus policy evaluation work in government and NGOs.
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