The sustainability certificate is composed of three components - a central foundation module and two further advanced modules from your own or another study programme. The certificate is an add-on for students to sharpen their profile.

The next run of the foundation module will take place in the 2026 summer semester, in German. In the winter semester 2026/27 it will be offered in English for the first time. The advanced modules can be taken at any time, either before attendance of the foundation module or at the same time or afterwards.

Would you like to actively contribute to a sustainable future and learn how to implement sustainability in both your professional and private life? Regardless of which department you are studying in, the foundation module "Understanding and shaping sustainability: Principles, Perspectives and Transformation', you will have a chance to think outside the box and work in an interdisciplinary way.

What you can expect:

• Theory meets practice: gain in-depth knowledge of global ecological, social and economic challenges, e.g. in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Soft and hard skills: Learn how to develop and use sustainability strategies in enterprises and organisations - related to practice by working on a real case study.
• Interactive learning: Work on exciting projects and present your results in an academic poster presentation at the end of the semester.
• Sustainability in your everyday life: Learn how to implement sustainable practices in your own lifestyle and consumption.

This module combines theory and practice in a unique way, giving you the tools to act and think in a sustainable way. It offers you the opportunity to look at sustainability from different perspectives. No matter which department - sustainability affects us all!

The basic module is led by Prof Dr Linda Chalupová, Professor of Environmental and Sustainability Sciences. If you have any questions about the content of the module, please contact her.

The module takes place in the form of seminar blocks. For the summer semester 2026 the dates are: 

1st part: 06.04.-10.10.2026 | 8 am - 5 pm
2nd part: 06.06.2026 | 8 am - 5 pm
3rd part: 03.07. | 1 pm - 6 pm + 11.07.2026 | 9 am - 1 pm 

In the winter semester of 2026/2027 the basic module will be offered in English for the first time. The dates are the following: 

Monday, 05.10.2026 | 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday, 08.10.2026 | 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday, 14.11.2026 | 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday, 12.12.2026 | 9 am - 5 pm
Friday, 15.01.2027 | 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday, 30.01.2027 | 9 am - 1 pm

The registration period for the winter semester will be from September 10, 9:00 am until September 17, 12:00 noon. 

Please note, that attendence in person is mandatory for the classes in order to successfully complete the module. 

In addition to the central, interdisciplinary foundation module, the sustainability module also requires you to take a course in two further advanced modules that include subject-specific aspects of sustainability. You can choose from a broad catalogue of modules from all study programmes. When selecting modules, please note the access requirements and necessary previous knowledge and check whether you fulfil them. You can include modules from your own study programme if they are listed in the list of modules.

Here you will find the current list of modules from each study programme.

Registration for the Sustainability Certificate takes place via HORSTL. The registration period for the winter semester runs from 10 September 2026 (09:00 am) to 17 September 2026 (12:00 noon). The allocation process for all registrations will take place immediately after the registration period.

You can find detailed instructions on how to register here:

Important note regarding registration:

There are only a limited number of places available on the foundation module in order to ensure its interactive nature. To ensure a fair chance for all students to attend the module, places are allocated automatically amongst all registered students. In doing so, care is taken to distribute places evenly across the various departments to ensure interdisciplinary collaboration amongst students on the foundation module. If you have been allocated a place on the foundation module, you will be enrolled in the “Extracurricular Study Programme” in HORSTL and the module will appear on your timetable.

If you have any questions regarding registration, please use: horstl(at)hs-fulda.de 

Who can I contact if I have any questions? 
For general and organisational enquiries regarding the sustainability certificate: Lena Fockers (nachhaltigkeitszertifikat(at)hs-fulda.de) 

For content-related enquiries regarding the foundation module: Prof. Dr Linda Chalupová (linda.chalupova(at)oe.hs-fulda.de)

For enquiries regarding registration on horstl: horstl(at)hs-fulda.de 

For questions regarding the content of the advanced modules: the relevant degree programme coordinators or module coordinators

Who can obtain the Sustainability Certificate? 
All students enrolled at Fulda University of Applied Sciences can obtain the Sustainability Certificate, regardless of where they are in their university studies. Please note, however, that there are only a limited number of places available on the foundation module.

What are the access requirements? 
Generally, there are none. All students enrolled at Fulda University of Applied Sciences can register for the foundation module, regardless of their study programme, degree or department. Please note, however, that the foundation module is offered alternately in English and German each semester, and you should meet the relevant language requirements (see below). For the advanced modules, there are often access requirements, which you can find in the information for the respective module or enquire about with the module coordinators in the relevant department.

Is the certificate also offered in English? 
Yes, the foundation module is offered alternately in German and English each semester. The first English-language run will take place in the winter semester 2026/2027.

No proof of language proficiency is required for attendance at the English-language module. You should, of course, be able to actively take part in a module in English, but you do not need to have a perfect command of the language.

To attend the German-language module, you’ll need very good German skills, at least at C1 level. If you’re enrolled on a study programme conducted in German, you’ll meet this requirement anyway.

Is attendance compulsory?
The relevant requirements apply to each module. For the foundation module, attendance in person at all seminar sessions is compulsory.

How many ECTS credits does the Sustainability Certificate comprise? 
A total of at least 15 ECTS credits must be earned for the Sustainability Certificate. Five of these are completed as part of the foundation module; the remaining minimum of 10 credit points must be earned in two advanced modules.

Do students need to complete additional requirements, such as internships or a period abroad? 
No, only the successful completion of the foundation module and the two relevant advanced modules is required.

What examinations must be taken? 
There is no central examination to take; only the specified assessments within the respective specialisation modules and the foundation module are required.

Is there a certificate confirming successful attendance at the Sustainability Certificate programme? 
Yes, all students who have completed the three modules of the Sustainability Certificate programme will receive a certificate of successful attendance, which details the content of the foundation module and the competencies acquired – both hard and soft competencies.

How do I register for the Sustainability Certificate? 
You can find all the information on how to register via HORSTL further up on this page under ‘Registration’. You only need to register for the foundation module in HORSTL; you will then be automatically registered for the Sustainability Certificate by the Student Administration.

When can I register for the foundation module? 
Registration for the foundation module in the 2026/2027 winter semester will take place via HORSTL from 10 September 2026 (09:00) until 17 September 2026 (12:00). Places will then be awarded from among all registrations.

In which semester is the foundation module offered? 
The foundation module is offered every semester. In future, the plan is to alternate between a German-language run in one semester and an English-language run in the next.

Do the courses have to be taken in a specific order? For example, do I have to take the foundation module first? 
No, there is no set order. You can complete the foundation module and the advanced modules at a time that suits you during your university studies.

Can I have courses I have already taken counted towards the Sustainability Certificate? 
Yes, if you have already completed modules from the list of modules for the ‘Sustainability’ compulsory-elective area, these will automatically be counted towards the Sustainability Certificate.

Can I have one of the other compulsory elective modules counted towards the foundation module instead? 
No. Attendance at the foundation module is a condition for obtaining the Sustainability Certificate. In addition, you must complete two modules from the ‘Sustainability’ compulsory elective area.

How can I find courses that are included in the Sustainability Certificate? 
You can find a list of all advanced modules on the Sustainability Certificate website. Similarly, this ‘List of Modules for the Elective-Compulsory Area of Sustainability’ is available in horstl.

Do you need to submit evidence of achievement for the Sustainability Certificate? 
No, you do not need to submit any specific evidence of achievement. horstl automatically records which of the modules for the Sustainability Certificate you have completed. Further information on this can be found in the step-by-step guide to registration (see above).

How do you obtain the Sustainability Certificate? 
Upon successful completion of the certificate programme – that is, the foundation module and two advanced modules – the Student Administration will make a Sustainability Certificate available for download. The certificate is issued in both German and English. To receive the certificate, please use horstl(at)hs-fulda.de once you have successfully completed all modules.

How much specialist knowledge is required for the courses? 
No prior specialist knowledge is required for the foundation module. Please refer to the information on the respective advanced modules for the attendance conditions. If you have any questions on this matter, please use the relevant module coordinators or programme coordinators in the respective departments directly.