If you obtained a non-Belgian Bachelor’s degree in Educational Sciences, Pedagogical Sciences, Psychology, Social Sciences or Academic Teacher Education, your file will be evaluated by the Admission Board. The Board will take into account your educational expertise and academic proficiency. Depending on your background, the Board might impose you to register for the course “Data Analysis” as one of your optional courses. Therefore, the department advises you to demonstrate your academic writing competence (cf. formal writing, APA guidelines) in your motivation letter and to make your educational background knowledge (cf. obtained credits or work experience) explicit. 

If you obtained any other degree, your file will be screened thoroughly by the Admission Board. Evidence of educational expertise, academic proficiency and background in social sciences will substantiate the decision of acceptance. Therefore, the department advises you to demonstrate your academic writing competence (cf. formal writing, APA guidelines) in your motivation letter and to make your educational background knowledge (cf. obtained credits or work experience) explicit. If accepted, you will be required to substitute your optional courses by the course “Data Analysis”.

Prospective students are advised to apply as soon as possible, even if they have not yet obtained their degree. Applications can only be submitted through our website. Information about the application deadline can be found here.

Note: if the proof of English proficiency or APS certificate is not ready before the deadline, you can always submit it later instead of missing the deadline.

Prospective students can provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English as language of instruction by meeting one of the following criteria:

https://www.vub.be/en/studying-at-the-vub/language-requirements

Applications are processed in the order they are submitted. After submitting an online application, the entire procedure can take up to 10 weeks. You will be notified of the final result of your application via email. If you have not received an answer after 10 weeks, please contact: studentadministration@vub.be.
It is not possible to fast track the application.

Due to COVID-19, the VUB organises only online information sessions. Go to this link, register and scroll down to Educational Sciences for more information about the dates and time. Other information sessions are also available via this platform, such as student housing and general information.

We require master applicants to have a minimal basic educational background and/or a certain degree of demonstrable experience within the field of educational sciences and to have a sufficient methodological background. This is a qualifying expectation that is applied to all applicants to the incoming programme intake. For students with an insufficient statistical background, the course Data Analysis will be mandatory in the first year of the Master programme.

Since all learning content and lessons are in English, a fluent oral and written knowledge of English is required. However, you can brush up on your language skills during the first year of the master programme.

Within the Master’s programme in Educational Sciences, you will develop competences to analyse and shape curricula, learning processes and (electronic) learning environments in different contexts in a scientific manner. In this way, you can support education professionals and help them to develop a sustainable education policy. Extra attention is paid to social justice: empowerment, emancipation, autonomy, and participation are central. An analytical and critical mind, empathy and creativity are skills you develop and help you throughout the process. That is why you will also design and conduct research yourself. The master thesis is the final piece and an extensive internship sharpens your critical mind and allows you to apply new knowledge and competences in practice.

The Master’s in Educational Sciences has a strong international dimension. For example, all courses are taught in English, you learn together with international students from all over the world and you see innovative learning processes in a global context.

Within the Master of Science in Educational Sciences, two tracks will be offered:

1. A regular ‘on-campus’ track (Year 1 and Year 2): the standard track with on-campus courses (including blended learning)
2. An alternative track (Year 2): students follow the first year of the model track ‘on-campus’ and can opt to follow the second master year of the model track completely ‘online’.

All the courses in the curriculum and the learning outcomes of the programme remain identical for both offered tracks. If you have additional questions about the registration for the 2^nd track, contact facpe@vub.be.

Students can study abroad/go on Erasmus for a semester. Among the many places in which you can study, there are Finland and Sweden, two countries known for their innovative approaches in education. More information: https://student.vub.be/en/go-abroad#go-abroad.

The internship is an important part of the second year of the master’s programme. It aims to introduce students to the reality of the educational field, and it enables them to put their theoretical knowledge into practice. 

Students can conduct their internship in various educational institutions and organisations, such as government institutions, NGOs, and higher education institutions. 

As Brussels is the capital of Europe, many interesting international organisations are located here. Think of the numerous Agencies of the European Commission, the UNESCO Liaison Office, European Schoolnet, NATO and so on. 

An internship does not have to be limited to an organisation or institution in Belgium. There is also the possibility of doing an internship abroad.

On regular occasions, an internship that went well is often a steppingstone towards a first professional employment of our graduates.

For EEA students, it is possible to follow the program part-time and therefore spread the programme over several years.

For non-EEA students, there are more restrictions. These students have to follow the training full-time in order to obtain a residence permit for Belgium.

In any case, the programme cannot be combined with a full-time job. It involves synchronous and asynchronous demands, and project and group-based tasks and learning moments. Therefore, even if it is blended (or fully online in the second year), these factors must be taken into account when considering your ability to fully partake in the courses and course assignments.