The Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering of the University of West Attica launches for the first year the postgraduate program (taught in English Language) MSc “Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies” accepting candidates΄ applications for the academic year 2025-2026.

The MSc “Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies” is a new and innovative program structured and offered through hybrid learning methods. It aims to provide participants with the concepts and contexts of the circular economy, followed by practical perspectives on how these concepts work within companies and their industrial value chains. The program further reflects on cyclic design and business model approaches, and how they are implemented and scaled across different industrial sectors and sections of the value chain. In particular, the ultimate goal of the program is for graduates to be able to:

• Understand the trends and levers of the circular economy, how they can be designed and implemented in industrial value chains to reduce environmental and social challenges, and how they contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Understand the basic terms of the circular economy in general and related to value chains and business models in particular
• Understand the various contexts and tools of circular economics
• Analyze the challenges with the adoption of the circular economy and in relation to understanding the main factors, such as technology, cooperation, design
• Describe different measurements and indicators in the context of the circular economy
• Develop know-how centered on the circular economy in certain industrial chains.

The specific objectives of the program are the strengthening of the theoretical and practical background in the modern methodologies of the Circular Economy and Sustainability, the deeper knowledge as well as the further strengthening of the skills in these areas. At the same time, to provide the necessary bases for the elaboration of a doctoral dissertation immediately after the completion of the MSc. The goals of the program are to offer graduates:

• Advanced knowledge of the necessity and benefits of the circular economy, with particular emphasis on the design and management of their energy.
• Understand the use and appreciation of the limitations of computer analysis and design tools for the development of circular economy models.
• Improving skills such as critical analysis, problem solving, project management, decision making, team leadership and communication by oral, visual and / or written means.
• Specialized knowledge, scientific and technical expertise and research skills for further research and / or application in the design of strategic sustainable systems.

The Program is based on a one and a half year (1,5) full time student attendance schedule and upon completion it awards a Postgraduate Msc Diploma, entitled “MSc “Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies” organized in English by the Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering of the University of West Attica, Greece.

The aggregate of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) required to successfully obtain sums up at ninety (90) units.

• The 1st semester (30 ECTS) includes four (4 ) Compulsory Modules
• The 2nd Semester (30 ECTS) includes five ( 5) Compulsory Modules
• The 3rd Semester (30 ECTS) includes the completion of postgraduate diploma thesis

1st Semester
CODE COURSE TITLE ECTS

• Α1 Fundamentals of Circular Economy and Industrial Ecology 8
• Α2 Analysing Physical Processes 8
• Α3 Climate System and Climate Change 7
• Α4 Earth System Science and Analysis 7

2nd Semester
CODE COURSE TITLE ECTS

• B1 Strategic Sustainability Management 6
• B2 Value Chain Management 6
• B3 Environmental Decision-Making 6
• B4 Sustainable Business Models 7
• B5 Sustainability and Innovation Management 5

3rd Semester
CODE COURSE TITLE ECTS

• Diploma thesis 30

Application period 2025-2026
Potential candidates can apply with scanned copy of documents via email at circulareconomy@uniwa.gr

Submit Applications by August 30, 2025

Required documents:

1. Application Form
2. Face photograph (compulsory)
3. A detailed Curriculum Vitae (compulsory)
4. English language certification, at least B2 (compulsory) or application for written and oral English exam (compulsory)
5. Undergraduate/bachelor degree certification (compulsory)
6. Academic recognition of the Undergraduate/bachelor degree by the Hellenic National Recognition and Information Center (DOATAP) (compulsory only for holders of non Greek University degrees)
7. Transcript of records including the list of the courses’ grades (compulsory) .
8. Motivation letter (max 1 page) (Tell us at least the following: a/ why you would like to study biomedical engineering, b/ what do you expect to achieve after the completion of the program, c/ why did you select our MSc program, d/ why should you be selected for this program) (compulsory)
9. Recommendation letters (at least two). (The recommendation letters should be submitted electronically by the referral before the application deadline. (compulsory)
10. Undergraduate/bachelor degree thesis (optional)
11. Academic publications in scientific journals and / or conferences (optional)
12. Related to circular economy professional or research activity (optional)
13. Scanned copy of ID (for Greek citizens), passport (for EU and non-EU citizens) (compulsory)

Please note that documents 4, 5 and 6 should be validated (stamp + signature from the issuing organization) and translated in English or Greek. If the original validated documents are issued in English or Greek, no translation is required.

During the academic year of 2025-2026, a maximum number of twenty five (25) postgraduate students is to be accepted.

The selection process is to be completed in two stages: a) on the candidates’ file and documentation b) on a personal interview. Candidates that meet the relevant requirements are going to be invited for an interview (via digital platforms) during a time-period that shall be promptly announced on the MSc’s website. Similarly, the evaluation results of candidates will be posted on the MSc’s website.

The admission committee considers the totality of the candidate’s experience, skills, personality.

The tuition fees for the Program are € 3.000, payable in three equal instalments: upon student registration, at the beginning of second semester and at the beginning of third semester, respectively.

For clarification and any other information, interested parties may contact the secretariat via:

• Email: circulareconomy@uniwa.gr
• Ιnformation about the program can also be found at MSc’s Website: https://msc-circular.uniwa.gr/

Προκήρυξη