University Certificate in Sustainable Thinking and Responsible Action (NAC)
Today’s students are the decision-makers and innovators of tomorrow. Sustainability therefore plays a major role in today’s world. Although sustainability is often associated with environmental protection, the concept extends far beyond this and encompasses ecological sustainability, social justice and economic performance. Acting sustainably is therefore a responsible and forward-looking approach.
The university certificate is available as an additional qualification to students across all 14 departments at Hochschule München; it offers the opportunity to acquire general and subject-specific skills relevant to everyday life and professional practice, and certifies these skills for the labour market.
These 5 modules lead to a certificate
| No. | Course | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introductory course (compulsory module) | 2 |
| 2 | Reflection I (compulsory module) | 1 |
| 3 | Subject-specific specialisation (compulsory elective module) | 5 |
| 4 | Practical component (compulsory elective module) | 5 |
| 5 | Reflection II (compulsory module) | 2 |
| Total | 15 | |
Module 1: Introductory course
- This foundation course will be offered twice in the winter semester 2026/27:
- 013 Perspectives on Sustainability: Knowledge, Change and Responsibility (NAC)
- 014 Perspectives on Sustainability: Knowledge, Change and Responsibility (NAC)
- Places are allocated by lottery via Primuss. Students who do not secure a place through the lottery may email the lecturer to enquire about any available places.
Module 2: Reflection I
- Applies to the winter semester 2026/27: As Reflection I cannot be offered in the winter semester 2026/27, students have been given the option of taking module 012 #ClimateChallenge (NAC) as an alternative. This module is an AW subject; admission is by lottery. Students who do not secure a place through the lottery may email the lecturer to enquire about any available places.
- (Does not apply to the winter semester 2026/27: Reflection I is an optional elective module and may be taken by students wishing to obtain the university certificate. Enrolment must be arranged by emailing the lecturer. Once a place has been confirmed, students must register for the examination online later, during the general examination registration period via PRIMUSS.)
Modules 3 and Module 4
Modules from the student’s own degree programme may be recognised as Module 3, ‘Subject-Specific Specialisation’, and Module 4, ‘Practical Component’. Students can use the list of recognised modules to check which modules they have already completed.
Good to know
For Module 4, ‘Practical Component’, skills acquired during internships or voluntary work in a sustainability-related context may also be considered for academic credit transfer. Activities related to sustainability carried out within the HM may also be considered for academic credit transfer upon application. Applications for academic credit transfer can be submitted by email to profil@hm.edu.
Module 5: Reflection II
- Applies to the winter semester 2026/27: As ‘Reflection II’ cannot be offered in the winter semester 2026/27, students have been given the option to take, as alternatives, either module 007 ‘Sustainability in Business – Innovative Solutions’ or module 042 ‘Academic Disciplines and Sustainability – How Do They Fit Together?’ (NAC). These modules are AW subjects; admission is via a lottery. Students who do not secure a place through the lottery may email the lecturer to enquire about any available places.
- (Does not apply to the 2026/27 winter semester: Reflection II is an optional elective module and may be taken by students who wish to obtain the university certificate. Enrolment is by email to the lecturer. Once a place has been confirmed, students must register for the examination online later, during the general examination registration period via PRIMUSS.)
FAQ
1 Introductory course
The introductory course is an AW module. Places are allocated by lottery via Primuss. You can find out more about registering for AW modules on the website of the Department of General and Interdisciplinary Studies.
2 Reflection I
Reflection I is an optional AW module and may only be taken by students who wish to obtain the university certificate. Enrolment is arranged by emailing the lecturers. Once a place has been confirmed, you will register for the examination online later during the general examination registration period via PRIMUSS. You can find more information on enrolling in optional Studium Generale modules on the website of the Department of General and Interdisciplinary Studies.
3 Subject-specific specialisation
One module from your own degree programme may be counted towards your subject-specific specialisation. The modules that are eligible are listed in the compulsory-elective module catalogues (see below).
4. Application section
One module from your own degree programme may be used as academic credit transfer for the practical component. The modules eligible for academic credit transfer are listed in the compulsory-elective module catalogues (see below). Upon application, relevant internships, voluntary work or academic projects may also be used for academic credit transfer as individual modules. Applications can be submitted by email to profil@hm.edu.
5 Reflection II
Reflection II is an optional AW module and can only be taken by students who wish to obtain the university certificate. Enrolment is arranged by emailing the lecturers. Once a place has been confirmed, you will register for the examination online later during the general examination registration period via PRIMUSS. You can find more information on enrolling in optional Studium Generale subjects on the Department of General and Interdisciplinary Studies website.
None. The programme is open to all students at Hochschule München (with the exception of advanced continuing education programmes).
None. It is possible to start the programme in parallel with your degree studies in any semester. Courses are offered every semester. The university certificate can be obtained in as little as two semesters by carefully selecting the right courses, or it can be planned to be completed over several semesters in parallel with your degree studies.
No separate registration or enrolment is required to obtain the university certificate. Simply register as usual at the start of the semester for your chosen modules and for the examination (PRIMUSS).
No. The service is free of charge.
Once you have successfully completed all the modules, you can apply for your university certificate by email , specifying the modules you have successfully completed.
Contact
Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education