Master in Circular Economy: Global Innovation

Program Overview

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Master’s Degree in Circular Economy

Program Presentation

The Master’s Degree in Circular Economy is an advanced academic program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, strategies, and practical applications of the circular economy and corporate sustainability within a variety of industries and sectors from both a technical and a business perspective.

Curriculum

Circular Engineering and Design

• Circular engineering and sustainable development
  • Introduction to circular economy and sustainability (3 credits)
  • Energy in circular processes (3 credits)
  • Resource cycles (6 credits)
• Circular design of products
  • Life cycle assessment (3 credits)
  • Industrial eco-design (3 credits)

Management and Business in the Circular Economy

• Management of the circular economy
  • Sustainable communication and reporting (3 credits)
  • New sustainable business models and product development (3 credits)
  • Sustainable finance and ESG (3 credits)
  • Social and economic impact analysis (3 credits)
• Circular design of products
  • Life cycle assessment (3 credits)
  • Industrial eco-design (3 credits)

Consultancy Project

• Consultancy Project (12 credits)

Master Thesis

• Master Thesis (18 credits)

Key Information

• Years: 1 academic year
• Credits: 60 ECTS Credits
• Start: October 2025
• Timetable: Monday to Friday 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm (approximately)
• Language: English
• Hours of laboratory work: 20 credits
• Degree: Official degree

Why Study the Master’s Degree in Circular Economy at IQS?

• Participation in research projects or collaborative initiatives with companies in the industry.
• Practical work experience in business consulting projects.
• Acquisition of the necessary skills to develop integrated sustainability strategies.
• Experience in cutting-edge technologies to create value by applying the principles of the circular economy.

Facilities

• Management laboratories with cutting-edge technology.

Programme Objectives

• Do you want to be at the forefront of driving business transformations to address climate change and nature impact?
• Today, businesses pursue circular solutions for broad reasons, as they expect to unlock positive economic value across several dimensions: revenues, resilience, sustainability, and costs.
• Circular economy is a core driver of the Green Transition, by driving sustainable production and consumption.
• The dynamic field of the circular economy offers an array of tools and methods to address these sustainability challenges effectively.

Competences and Admissions

• Competences: This program encompasses a multidisciplinary approach, merging concepts from environmental science, business management, economics, engineering, and sustainability studies.
• Prerequisites for admission: This program is open to graduates and professionals who have a bachelor’s degree in the areas of Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Studies, Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Business Management, Economics, and International Business.
• Admission is open to students who hold other degrees such as Physics, Computer and Data Science, Marketing, Communications, Advertising, Public Relations, Tourism, and other Science and Social Sciences fields.
• A solid level of spoken and written English (English level B2 or IELTS/TOEFL equivalent) is required.
• No previous professional experience is required.

Admissions Process

• Online pre-registration
• Admission confirmation
• Pre-enrolment
• Enrolment

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• IQS offers scholarships and financial aid to students who wish to study a master’s degree at IQS and who have completed their undergraduate studies at another university.
• We also provide scholarships for academic excellence, financial need, and international students.

Leadership Team

• Flavio Vasconcellos Comim, PhD
• Mª Belén Derqui Zaragoza, PhD
• Yeray Asensio Ramírez, PhD

Career Opportunities

• Upon completion, graduates of the Master’s Degree in Circular Economy are prepared to pursue careers in a variety of sectors, such as business, consulting, government, and non-profit organizations, where they can drive sustainable innovation and contribute to the transition towards a more circular and regenerative economy.
• IQS offers personalized service to support your professional growth and find job opportunities through its extensive network of partner companies.
• Graduates of the Master’s Degree in Circular Economy have a wide range of career opportunities:
  • Chief Sustainability Manager (CSM)
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
  • Sustainable Business Operations Manager
  • Environmental Advisor
  • Circular Economy Change Agent
  • Communications Manager

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The Master’s Degree in Circular Economy is a one-year program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, strategies, and practical applications of the circular economy and corporate sustainability.

• To equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address the complex challenges posed by linear economic models and develop innovative circular solutions for a more sustainable future.
• To merge concepts from environmental science, business management, economics, engineering, and sustainability studies.
• To engage students in research projects or collaborative initiatives with industry partners to gain hands-on experience and develop the critical thinking skills needed to address complex sustainability issues.

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Outline:

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Curriculum:

• Circular Engineering and Design:
• Introduction to circular economy and sustainability (3 credits)
• Energy in circular processes (3 credits)
• Resource cycles (6 credits)
• Life cycle assessment (3 credits)
• Industrial eco-design (3 credits)
• Management and Business in the Circular Economy:
• Sustainable communication and reporting (3 credits)
• New sustainable business models and product development (3 credits)
• Sustainable finance and ESG (3 credits)
• Social and economic impact analysis (3 credits)
• Consultancy Project:
• Consultancy Project (15 credits)
• Master Thesis:
• Master Thesis (15 credits)

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Course Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

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Careers:

• Chief Sustainability Manager (CSM)
• Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
• Sustainable Business Operations Manager
• Environmental Advisor
• Circular Economy Change Agent
• Communications Manager

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Other:

• The program is taught in English.
• Students can participate in research projects or collaborative initiatives with companies in the industry.
• Students will gain experience in cutting-edge technologies to create value by applying the principles of the circular economy.
• Students will have practical work experience in business consulting projects.
• The program is offered at IQS Barcelona.
• The program is open to students who have a bachelor’s degree in the areas of: Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Studies, Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Business Management, Economics, and International Business.
• Admission is open to students who hold other degrees such as Physics, Computer and Data Science, Marketing, Communications, Advertising, Public Relations, Tourism, and other Science and Social Sciences fields.
• Students from certain backgrounds may need to take introductory courses offered by IQS before the official start of the Master’s Degree.
• A solid level of spoken and written English (English level B2 or IELTS/TOEFL equivalent) is required.
• No previous professional experience is required.
• The Admissions Committee will review each application and, where appropriate, the content of the complementary courses to be taken, depending on the admissions qualification.