YUFE’s Joint Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies

Applying for YUFE’s Joint Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies*, means you’ll begin by choosing one of the 7 partner universities to start your degree. This will be your starting university, where you’ll spend most of your time during your studies. Please note that in semesters 3, 4, and 5, you’ll have the chance to choose from a range of Minors offered by all 10 YUFE partner universities, meaning you’ll be studying at 1-2 other YUFE partner universities across Europe.

You can choose to start your YUFE Bachelor at one of the following starting universities:

1. University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
   or
2. Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
3. Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
4. University Carlos III of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
5. University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
6. University of Essex, Essex, United Kingdom
7. University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

________

*This programme has been officially approved by NVAO (Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders) following an external peer review under the European Approach for the Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes. National recognition of the programme is in progress in all countries of the degree-awarding partners. 

To enrol in YUFE’s Joint Bachelor, you’ll need to have: 

1. a secondary education degree
2. and a minimum of B2 level in English.

Be sure to visit the website of the university you wish to start your YUFE Joint Bachelor with for detailed information on the required documents and admission criteria specifications. 

While registering with the YUFE Virtual Campus is a mandatory step for all applicants, the rest of the application process may vary slightly depending on your preferred starting university due to national legislation.

Be sure to carefully review the instructions provided by your chosen starting university, as each institution has its own specific requirements and application deadlines. Once you’ve reviewed the details, you can begin your application on the YUFE Virtual Campus, where you will also select your starting university.

If certain documents need to be submitted later, submit your initial application first and upload the remaining documents as instructed. Ensure all requirements are completed before the application deadline set by your chosen starting university.

Your motivation

As part of the application process, along with submitting the necessary documents for admission and selecting your starting university, you’ll also be asked to explain why you’re interested in YUFE’s Joint Bachelor. This will help us see if you get that this programme gives you more freedom and flexibility to study at multiple universities, way beyond what a regular Bachelor offers. In addition, your answers will also be used in case we need to select students for a specific starting university.

The questions you’ll need to answer are part of the application form on the YUFE Virtual Campus (max. 700 characters per answer). You’ll be asked about how you adapt to new cultures and travel, your experience working with others to solve problems, your goals for the programme, and your academic and career plans,

Once you application is submitted, the next step will be the eligibility check. This will be done by the university that you indicated in the application form as your starting university. The eligibility check entails that the university will check whether you filled out the application form completely, whether you handed in all required documents and whether you fulfil the admission criteria. 

Once you’re eligible, you’ll receive an eligibility notice through the YUFE Virtual Campus. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean you’re accepted into the programme yet – it simply means you meet the eligibility requirements and we move forward with the next steps in the admission process (possibly including selection). 

Since there are limited spots in the programme, most of the 7 starting universities will need to select students after all applications are submitted. You can find the selection criteria, process, and timing on each starting university’s website. 

Once the starting university confirms your admission to YUFE’s Joint Bachelor, you’ll need to accept the offer. Be sure to complete this step to secure your spot in the programme. In some countries, you may also need to register through a national system and pay tuition fees (link). For more details on this process and the applicable fees, please check the websites of the 7 starting universities. 

In Year 1, you’ll focus on developing the essential skills, starting at one of the seven universities of your choice. After that, it gets even more exciting – in years 2 and 3, you get to fully personalize your degree. You will select from 18 YUFE minors across ten universities, study at different locations around Europe, and get the real-world experience you need. Oh, and don’t forget the dissertation that wraps it all up, showcasing the expertise you’ve built throughout the programme. 

More details on the courses and Minors running in YUFE’s Joint Bachelor programme can be found on the YUFE Virtual Campus. 

Personalize your learning path / choose your starting university

You can begin your Urban Sustainability Studies programme at one of the seven degree-awarding “starting universities” within the YUFE Alliance. At each of these universities, you will receive a comparable learning experience, allowing you to progress through the programme in alignment with your personalized curriculum choices. However, there are specificities at each of the starting universities.

Below you can find details about the academic path you can start at the University of Rijeka, while for a full overview of the programme at all YUFE universities visit: https://www.yufe.eu/students/yufe-bach/.

First-year courses may vary depending on the selected starting university. The curriculum outlined below represents the academic path for students at the University of Rijeka.

COMPULSORY COURSES

Contemporary Urban Developments	6
Cities and Citizens in Urban History	6
Principles of Economics	6
Introduction to Sociology	5
Statistics for Business and Economics	5
Sustainable Development	6
Economy and Environment	3
Health Ecology	4
Urban Economics	4
Academic English	3
Research and Academic Development Skills	3

 

ELECTIVE COURSES (a list to be expanded)

Urbanism and Design for Climate Change	4
Universal Design	3
Governing the Commons	6
Green Finances and Environmental Protection	3
Introduction to Sustainability Transitions	3

In semesters three, four, and five, you’ll get the chance to shape your academic path by choosing three YUFE minors, which are key to the programme’s flexible, open curriculum. 

Minors are 30 ECTS study modules with a thematic focus, delivered in a blended format. They combine in-person courses at the host university with online courses from other partner universities. While the total course offerings within a Minor exceed the 30 ECTS requirement, this flexibility allows you to tailor your Minor to align with your interests and goals.

Each minor includes a challenge course worth 6 to 8 ECTS. These courses are all about applying and connecting the knowledge you’ve gained through the minors. You’ll work in small teams to tackle real-world challenges that matter to the community around your host university. It’s not just about theory – this is hands-on learning that also helps show you’ve mastered the skills of the minor. 

To level up your experience and meet the programme’s mobility requirement, you’ll need to choose at least two minors from one or two different partner universities within the alliance (aside from your starting university). This ensures you get exposure to different environments and ways of learning. 

Check out this (indicative) list of Minors running in YUFE’s Joint Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies: 

Fall semester

Urban Health & Wellbeing
Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland

Urban Ecology in Europe: public policies, cultural narratives
Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris, France

Design and perspectives on Heritage  
University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

Natural Sciences for Sustainability
University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany

Economic development
University Carlos III of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Urban Environmental and  Sustainability Education
University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus

Borders, Europe & Russia
University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland

Urban Sustainable Development
Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherland

Urban Inequality
University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

Driving change: Activism, Engagement and Communities
University of Essex, Essex, United Kingdom

Smart cities for sustainable culture
University Carlos III of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Societal issues in a contemporary world
University of Essex, Essex, United Kingdom

Sustainable business
University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland

Smart cities for sustainable culture
University Carlos III of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Spring semester

Cities of Dreams and Nightmares
University of Essex, Essex, United Kingdom

Sustainable Tourism
Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland

Heritage and perspectives on design  
University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

Cities & Urbanisation: Interdisciplinary perspectives  
University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

Urban Ecology: Transdisciplinary Approaches to Climate Change 
University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

Urban Sustainable Development
Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Academic Advisors

Upon enrolment, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor to help you navigate your academic journey. Your academic advisor will assist you in selecting courses, integrate YUFE Minors and electives, and meeting your programme goals. Your advisor will guide you in refining your academic goals, understanding course inter connections, and exploring career paths, and preparing for master’s programmes.

Located in the vibrant coastal city of Rijeka, the University of Rijeka offers an exceptional academic and cultural experience. Nestled on the Adriatic Sea, Rijeka combines rich maritime heritage with a modern, multicultural atmosphere. The city’s strategic location allows easy travel to nearby Italy, Slovenia, and other parts of Central Europe, opening doors to diverse cultural and professional opportunities.

Rijeka is not just a place to study; it’s a city full of life. You’ll quickly embrace local traditions like long coffee breaks on sunny terraces while enjoying the welcoming and dynamic community. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty—from islands and national parks to pristine beaches and mountains—Rijeka offers endless opportunities for relaxation and adventure.

The University of Rijeka stands out for its high-quality education, state-of-the-art facilities, and strong ties between academic learning and practical application. As part of the YUFE Alliance, UNIRI provides a truly international experience, fostering collaboration and innovation. With a vibrant campus community and a focus on sustainability, UNIRI is the perfect place to shape your future.

Discover Rijeka—where academic excellence meets cultural richness.

For an overall overview of student support across our 10 YUFE partner universities, check out this overview (link). 

If you are a (prospective) UNIRI student, and in need of disability support, please contact us at  prilagodbe@uniri.hr. 

Contacts

In case you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us! 

For further information about enrolment at UNIRI, contact admission.yufe@uniri.hr.