Sustainability Degree UCM 2026: 7 European Universities and 6 Specialized Mentions

Key data

The Complutense University of Madrid activates as of October 5, 2026 the Sustainability Degree (Joint Bachelor), an official degree of 180 ECTS taught jointly with seven leading European universities. The Resolution of September 24, 2026 publishes the study plan verified by the Council of Universities, with a favorable report from the Polish Accreditation Committee (EQAR), which guarantees its recognition in the European Higher Education Area.

This degree is not a conventional double degree: it is a Joint Bachelor, that is, a joint degree issued by all participating institutions. The full instruction in English and its interdisciplinary nature make it a differential option for profiles with international ambition in the field of sustainability.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution publishes the official study plan for the Sustainability Degree (Joint Bachelor) of UCM. The degree is structured in 180 ECTS distributed across four blocks:

The degree includes six specialized mentions. Although the resolution does not detail the complete names of all of them in the published excerpt, it does expressly indicate that they range from Environmental Sciences to Law and Sustainability Policy, thus covering the scientific, legal and sustainability management spectrum.

The seven co-participating universities in the Joint Bachelor are:

• Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) — Spain
• Freie Universität Berlin — Germany
• University of Helsinki — Finland
• KU Leuven — Belgium
• University of Edinburgh — United Kingdom
• Universität Zürich — Switzerland
• Paris I-Panthéon-Sorbonne — France
• Uniwersytet Jagiellonski — Poland

The degree is verified by the Council of Universities and has a favorable report from the Polish Accreditation Committee, an organization registered in EQAR (European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education), which guarantees its validity throughout the European Higher Education Area.

Economic and operational impact

For higher education institutions and companies with scholarship programs or university agreements, this degree opens a new avenue for attracting specialized talent in sustainability with a European profile. Organizations that already collaborate with UCM or with any of the seven participating universities can explore internship agreements, Final Degree Project initiatives or job placement programs linked to this degree.

For companies with sustainability reporting obligations (under the CSRD or equivalent regulations), the emergence of graduates specialized in Law and Sustainability Policy or Environmental Sciences with international training reduces the shortage of qualified profiles in the Spanish and European labor market.

For HR departments, this official degree—verified and internationally accredited—should be incorporated into the catalogs of recognized qualifications in the selection processes for sustainability, ESG and environmental profiles.

Who does it affect?

• University students interested in sustainability with international projection seeking a joint degree from eight leading European universities.
• Higher education institutions competing to attract students in the field of sustainability and must be aware of this new official degree.
• HR departments and selection managers who must recognize and value this degree in recruitment processes for ESG, sustainability and environmental profiles.
• Companies with university scholarship programs that can establish agreements with the eight participating institutions to attract specialized talent.
• Sustainability and ESG managers in organizations that need to incorporate profiles with interdisciplinary training and European vision.
• Sustainability advisors and consultancies that can see an expanded supply of qualified candidates for their teams.

Practical example

A Spanish energy sector company with reporting obligations under the CSRD seeks to incorporate a junior sustainability profile with legal knowledge and the ability to work in multilingual European environments. Until now, that profile was difficult to find in the Spanish market with recognized official qualification.

From the academic year in which the Sustainability Degree (Joint Bachelor) of UCM is implemented, that company will be able to recruit graduates with 180 ECTS of interdisciplinary training, a mention in Law and Sustainability Policy, full instruction in English and mobility experience in institutions such as the University of Edinburgh, KU Leuven or Freie Universität Berlin. The degree, being verified by the Council of Universities and accredited by an EQAR organization, has full official recognition in Spain and throughout the European Higher Education Area.

What should institutions and students do now?

1. University centers: Review whether the study plan of the Sustainability Degree (Joint Bachelor) of UCM competes with or complements your sustainability training offer, and assess possible collaboration agreements with the eight participating institutions.
2. HR departments: Incorporate this official degree into internal catalogs of recognized qualifications for sustainability, ESG and environmental profiles, effective from October 2026.
3. Companies with scholarship programs: Contact UCM or any of the seven co-participating European universities to explore internship or Final Degree Project agreements linked to the degree.
4. Sustainability managers: Identify the six available mentions (from Environmental Sciences to Law and Sustainability Policy) and align them with your organization's talent needs for the coming years.
5. Interested students: Consult directly with UCM the access requirements, implementation schedule and mobility conditions between the eight participating universities, given that the study plan has been in effect since October 5, 2026.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-20740