The Joint MSc in Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security is a two-year international Master’s programme jointly offered by the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and the University of Bonn in Germany.
The programme focuses on environmental risks, climate change, natural hazards, vulnerability, resilience, disaster management and human security. It is also part of the DAAD EPOS scholarship scheme, which offers a limited number of fully funded scholarships to eligible applicants from developing countries.
For the October 2027 intake, the programme’s current application deadline is 31 October 2026.
📊 Scholarship / Opportunity Overview
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | DAAD EPOS Scholarship |
| Programme | MSc Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security |
| Institutions | United Nations University & University of Bonn |
| Country | Germany |
| Study Level | Master’s |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Study Mode | Residential |
| Language | English |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded DAAD EPOS Scholarship |
| Programme Start | October 2027 |
| General Application Deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Eligible Applicants | Applicants from eligible developing countries |
| Application | Online application + email submission |
The MSc programme itself is tuition-free, while the DAAD EPOS scholarship provides additional financial support to selected eligible candidates.
📌 About the Scholarship / Opportunity
The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) programme supports qualified graduates from developing and emerging countries who want to pursue selected development-related postgraduate programmes in Germany.
The Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security MSc is one of the programmes included in the DAAD EPOS scheme for the 2027/2028 intake.
The joint Master’s programme is designed to give students an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental risks and their effects on human security, with a strong focus on developing countries and the Global South.
💰 What Does the Scholarship Cover?
For successful DAAD EPOS scholars, the confirmed funding includes:
- 💶 €992 monthly scholarship payment
- 🏥 Contributions towards health, accident and personal liability insurance
- ✈️ Travel allowance, unless covered by another source
- 🏠 Possible monthly rent subsidy under certain conditions
- 👨👩👧 Possible allowance for accompanying family members under certain conditions
The DAAD states that EPOS funding can last between 12 and 42 months, depending on the programme.
The MSc programme itself is tuition-free, although students must pay a semester fee that includes a regional public transport ticket.
Important: The DAAD EPOS scholarship is competitive and admission to the Master’s programme does not automatically guarantee a scholarship award.
🎓 What Programme / Courses Does It Support?
The scholarship supports the:
MSc Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security
The programme covers areas including:
- 🌍 Environmental risks
- 🌱 Vulnerability and resilience
- 🌡️ Climate change adaptation
- 🌊 Disaster management
- 🏘️ Human-nature relationships
- 🌳 Ecosystem services
- 📊 GIS and Remote Sensing
- 🌎 Development Geography
- 🌋 Geomorphology
- 💧 Socio-hydrology
- 🚨 Disaster Risk Reduction
- 🤝 Humanitarian response
- 🔬 Science and Technology Studies
- 📈 Risk management and governance
The programme consists of 12 modules, followed by a compulsory internship and Master’s thesis. The internship must last at least eight weeks.
👤 Who Can Apply?
The programme is aimed at graduates interested in environmental risks, climate change, human security and development-related work.
For the DAAD EPOS scholarship, applicants must additionally satisfy specific requirements relating to nationality, work experience, academic history and career goals.
🇳🇬 Can Nigerians Apply?
Yes. Nigerian applicants can be eligible for the DAAD EPOS scholarship, provided they meet the programme’s requirements and Nigeria is included in the applicable DAAD EPOS eligible-country list for the relevant call.
Applicants from Nigeria should therefore verify their eligibility against the current DAAD country list before submitting their scholarship application.
🌍 Eligible Countries
The DAAD EPOS scholarship is restricted to applicants from eligible developing and emerging countries.
Because the official DAAD list is subject to the applicable scholarship call, applicants should check the current DAAD EPOS eligible-country list rather than relying on an unofficial list.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the Master’s programme must generally:
- 🎓 Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Geography or a relevant academic field.
- 📚 Have an academic background substantially related to:
- Human Geography and Social Sciences
- Science methodology and empirical research methods
- Physical Geography, Geosciences and Environmental Sciences
- 🇬🇧 Provide proof of English proficiency unless exempt under the programme’s specified conditions.
- ⭐ Demonstrate strong motivation to work in human security and environmental risk management.
- 🌍 Be willing to study in a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment.
Additional requirements for DAAD EPOS applicants
Applicants seeking the DAAD EPOS scholarship must also:
- 🌍 Come from an eligible developing country.
- 💼 Have at least two years of relevant professional experience after completing their Bachelor’s degree by the application deadline.
- 🎓 Have completed their most recent academic degree no longer than six years ago.
- 🚫 Not have completed another Master’s degree in a similar field.
- 💼 Intend to pursue a development-related practitioner career after graduation rather than primarily an academic career or PhD.
- 🌱 Demonstrate development-related motivation and potential to contribute to positive change.
📅 Important Application Information
The next intake begins in October 2027.
The programme’s current application period is:
31 July – 31 October 2026 (subject to confirmation)
The current programme page lists 31 October 2026 as the application deadline.
For applicants seeking the DAAD EPOS scholarship, the scholarship selection process takes place separately after programme applications are shortlisted. The programme states that EPOS funding selection takes place between February and April each year.
📝 How to Apply
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Confirm that you meet both:
- The general MSc admission requirements; and
- The additional DAAD EPOS requirements.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Prepare the required academic, professional and scholarship documents.
Step 3: Complete the Online Application
Submit the programme’s online application form.
Step 4: Prepare One PDF Application Package
The required documents must be merged into one PDF package not exceeding 8 MB, following the specified order.
Step 5: Submit by Email
Send the completed application documents to:
master-georisk@ehs.unu.eduThe academic writing sample should be submitted as a separate file where necessary.
Step 6: DAAD EPOS Applicants
Applicants seeking the DAAD scholarship must additionally submit the required:
- DAAD EPOS checklist
- DAAD application form
- Scholarship motivation letter
- Professional reference
- Work certificates
Step 7: Wait for Selection
Shortlisted candidates will go through the programme and scholarship selection process.
📄 Documents to Prepare
The programme requires documents including:
- 📄 Online application confirmation
- 📝 Motivation letter
- 📑 Recent CV in EUROPASS format
- 🎓 Bachelor’s degree certificate
- 📚 Academic transcripts
- 🇬🇧 English language certificate
- ✉️ Academic references, where applicable
- 🛂 Passport copy
- 📑 Other relevant references
- 📝 Academic writing sample
DAAD EPOS applicants additionally need:
- 📋 DAAD EPOS checklist
- 📋 DAAD application form
- 📝 Scholarship motivation letter
- ✉️ Professional reference from current employer
- 💼 Work certificates confirming at least two years of relevant experience
🔗 Official Application
🔗 Official Programme & Application:
UNU-EHS MSc Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security🔗 DAAD EPOS Information:
DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)📅 Application Deadline:
31 October 2026
🎓 Programme Start:
October 2027
Important: Applicants should always check the official programme and DAAD websites before applying because requirements, scholarship availability and application dates can change.
⭐ Why Apply for This Opportunity?
This opportunity can be particularly valuable for applicants interested in:
- 🌍 Climate change
- 🌱 Environmental sustainability
- 🚨 Disaster risk reduction
- 🌊 Natural hazards
- 🤝 Human security
- 🏘️ Development
- 🧭 Geography and spatial analysis
- 🛰️ GIS and Remote Sensing
- 🌎 International development
- 💼 Humanitarian and development careers
Students also gain exposure to research projects and international organisations through the joint programme.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship fully funded?
The DAAD EPOS scholarship provides comprehensive financial support, including a monthly stipend, insurance contributions and travel allowance, with possible additional allowances. The Master’s programme itself is tuition-free, although a semester fee applies.
Can Nigerians apply?
Yes, Nigerian applicants may be eligible, provided they satisfy the DAAD EPOS country and programme requirements.
What degree does it support?
It supports a two-year MSc in Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security.
Do I need work experience?
Yes, if applying for the DAAD EPOS scholarship. Applicants need at least two years of relevant professional experience after their Bachelor’s degree.
Can Engineering graduates apply?
The programme states that it is not targeted at graduates of engineering-related subjects. Applicants should have an academic background strongly connected to geography, social sciences, research methods, physical geography, geosciences or environmental sciences.
Can International Relations graduates apply?
Generally, graduates in International Relations or similar subjects cannot be considered unless their academic profile is strongly related to environmental risks.
Can someone with another Master’s degree apply for EPOS?
Applicants for this programme’s EPOS scholarship should not have completed another Master’s degree in a similar field.
What is the deadline?
31 October 2026 for the current programme application period, with the programme noting that the dates are subject to confirmation.
💡 Important Tips for Applicants
- Check the DAAD EPOS eligibility requirements carefully.
- Make sure your Bachelor’s background matches the programme.
- Confirm that you have at least two years of relevant work experience.
- Prepare your CV in EUROPASS format.
- Start preparing your academic writing sample early.
- Make your motivation letter specific to environmental risks, human security and development.
- Ensure your work certificates clearly demonstrate the required experience.
- Check your English-language certificate requirements.
- Keep the application PDF below the required 8 MB limit.
- Submit your application well before the deadline.
- Use only the official UNU-EHS/University of Bonn and DAAD information.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without the required two years of professional experience for EPOS.
- Applying with an unrelated academic background.
- Assuming admission automatically means receiving the DAAD scholarship.
- Submitting an incomplete application.
- Sending the documents in the wrong order.
- Exceeding the 8 MB PDF limit.
- Forgetting the academic writing sample.
- Using an outdated DAAD application form.
- Missing the October 31 deadline.
- Assuming the scholarship covers every possible expense without checking the official terms.