Skilled, knowledgeable experts

This programme offers several skills inherently tied to a Master of Science, such as the ability to identify a problem, form a hypothesis, test it through experiments of your own design in the field and to report results and findings to both your peers and a more general public. Another, very important asset is the ability to think analytically and synthetically, while still being creative – all part of a problem-solving mentality. You’ll gain all the knowledge and skills needed to build a successful career as a scientist.

How does it work?

Our internationally oriented master’s programme is a collaboration between the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Ghent University and two research centres, namely the International Centre for Eremology and the International Training Centre for Post-Graduate Soil Scientists. Field work, excursions, laboratory work, exercise sessions and computer workshops are an important component of the Sustainable Land Management programme.

Study credits

ECTS (European Credit Transfer System): 1 credit represents 25-30 hours of study activity

Preparation course

All Sustainable Land Management students are highly recommended to take part in the BE PreP summer school offered at Ghent University. This is a preparatory programme to refresh your general knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, statistics and/or economics. It also allows you to attend ICT lectures and workshops and to integrate yourself in Belgium with ease.

Programme structure and organisation

The Master of Science degree programme in Sustainable Land Management is a two year, full time course. Students can choose between two main subjects: Land and Groundwater Management and Urban Land Engineering.

The main subject Land and Groundwater Management aims at training researchers, academics, government staff and expert consultants in the inventory and detailed characterisation of land capacity, and of groundwater in particular. Graduates should be able to understand the development and evolution of groundwater under natural conditions or following human interference using field, map, laboratory and remote sensing data. They should have the scientific knowledge to use and manage land and water in a sustainable way, and to optimize land and groundwater use under different natural and environmental conditions.

The main subject Urban Land Engineering aims at training researchers, academics, government staff and expert consultants in the inventory and detailed characterization of land capacity, and of urban land in particular. Graduates should be able to understand urban hydrology and hydraulics, and the problem of sustainable mobility and logistics, using field, map, laboratory and remote sensing data. They should have the scientific knowledge to use and manage urban land and water in a sustainable way, and to optimize urban land use under different natural and environmental conditions.

The course curriculum of the first year, and of the main subject in Land and Groundwater Management of the second year is organised at Ghent University, whereas all courses of the main subject in Urban Land Engineering of the second year are lectured at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. There is one common course in the second year: “Integrated Project”, assuring coherence between both majors.

An important part of the programme is allocated to the master dissertation. This is part of the second year programme. Students have to integrate the acquired knowledge with (guided) self-study, which involves experimental work, data analysis and interpretation, writing and communication. The master dissertation is an important measure of the final competences obtained by the student.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes describe the intended knowledge and understanding, skills and attitudes that you must master after completing your studies. Do you want to know more about the specific learning outcomes of this programme? Click here for more information.

First step in the job market

Employment can be found in the fields of:

• soil management
• environment assessment
• water management, including water supply and control
• stability of taluds and excavations
• use of soil as construction material
• coastal development
• erosion and sediment transport

The VUB helps you to make your first step in the job market with workshops, networking events, job fairs, tips ‘n tricks for job interviews. All an ambitious student needs!

Language requirements

Prospective students can provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English as language of instruction by meeting one of the following criteria. Please find here an overview of the criteria.

Specific admission criteria

The M.Sc. programme is open to holders of a degree in exact or applied sciences equivalent to at least  years of university studies (eg. B.Sc. in geology, geography, chemistry, botany, biology, B.Sc. in agriculture, environmental sciences, civil engineering, education, ...). Holders of a specialized degree in physical land resources (e.g. M.Sc. Soil Science) can apply for exemption of the courses of the first year in the master programme and thus be admitted directly to the second year of the M.Sc. programme.

Enrolling for this plan is also possible having completed the Preparatory Programme Master of Science in Sustainable Land Management

Application deadline

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 www.vub.be/en/apply

• Students who require a visa (non-EU/EEA nationals) need to submit their application before 1 April 2021
• Students who do not require a visa must apply before 1 September 2021
• 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

Tuition fees

All Flemish universities in Belgium are subsidised by the government, which results in relatively low tuition fees. A detailed overview of the tuition fees can be found on: www.vub.be/en/tuition-fees.