Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Master of GeographyA new two-year interuniversity programme
Admission requirements
The master’s programme presupposes a broad basic knowledge of the natural and social sciences, as well as a broad introduction to geography. The starting conditions are expressed in the amount of ECTS credits the student should have already acquired.
Application procedure
Admission is based upon acceptance of the application (proof of meeting the academic and language requirements, satisfactory background,…). Application forms can be downloaded from Programme
 All students study a core programme of 42 ECTS, and choose a specialisation programme of 48 ECTS consisting of mandatory and strengthening courses. The 30 ECTS of the master’s thesis brings the total amount of credits for the master to 120 ECTS. For more details about the programme go to: www.vub.ac.be/geography/master. Study environmentThe courses are organised at both the campus of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Etterbeek and at the campus of the K.U.Leuven in Heverlee. After successful completion of the programme, a degree from both universities is awarded. Career opportunities
Geographers study the interaction between human societies and their environments, they characterise the resulting regions and localities, and they analyse the spatial distributions and processes of particular natural and human phenomena. Being in equal parts a natural science and a social science, and equipped with geographical information science techniques, geography integrates the study of physical and human systems. In this way, geographers have long applied integrated, multidisciplinary approaches to solve real-world problems on all spatial scales, from local to global. More information?
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The Department of Geography of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the Department Earth and Environmental Sciences of the K.U.Leuven have joined forces to offer a highly competitive educational programme firmly rooted in the contemporary research programmes at both universities. Both departments continuously develop and maintain innovative and internationally recognized research programmes on fundamental and applied aspects of the geosciences, covering a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Most research programmes are international collaborative efforts, and both departments are participating in various international research networks.
The Master of Geography aims to sharpen the analytical and synthetic ability needed to gain insight into the scientific and social aspects of environmental problems at the national level, in a European context, as well as on a global level. The student will be encouraged to approach the relationship between society and environment in an integrated way. In the master’s thesis, research activities are emphasised, in addition to an emphasis on the acquiring of knowledge and skills at an advanced level.
Undoubtedly there exists a growing demand for competent professionals in the broad field of the geo-sciences. As a graduate from the interuniversity programme, Master of Geography, you may be recruited by mapping agencies, surveying companies, service and utility providers and public entities. You will also be placed high on the recruitment lists of national and international administrations which deal with urban and rural land-use planning, disaster management, environmental conservation and management. Careers can also be pursued in research, in which case this master’s programme is most often complemented by a relevant PhD programme.
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