VUB and KULeuven: the best of Belgium!

The Geography departments of both Vrije Universiteit Brussel and KULeuven continuously develop and maintain innovative and internationally recognised research programmes on fundamental and applied aspects of geosciences, covering a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Most research programmes are international collaborations, and both departments take part in various international research networks.

The offered courses are strongly embedded in the ongoing research programmes of both universities. Through intensive collaboration with members of the different research groups, you will get the opportunity to develop and improve your scientific skills.

If you are more interested in urbanisation, the planning and dynamics of cities, take a look at our Master of Science in Urban Studies.

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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.

Erasmus+

Do these international excursions give you an appetite for more? The departments at both universities have a whole host of research projects and collaborations from which you can benefit. That means you might spend a few months abroad for fieldwork in the framework of your Master's thesis (Equatorial Africa, Asia, South America, European Cities, etc.). You can also include a semester in another (European) country in your study programme or do an internship abroad.

Your job? Solving real-world problems!

Geographers integrate the study of physical and human systems. They are in equal parts natural and social scientists and have specialised knowledge in geographical information science techniques.

There is a growing interest for the multidisciplinary approach geographers can offer to solve real-world problems at all spatial scales - from local to global - and a strong demand for competent professionals in the broad field of geospatial sciences. As a graduate from the interuniversity programme Master of Geography, you may be recruited by public authorities, private companies and research institutions dealing with urban and regional planning, mobility and transportation, tourism, environmental conservation and management, natural risk assessment, as well as by a multitude of providers and users of geodata-based tools and services.

Admission criteria

Direct admission - Flemish degrees:

• Bachelor of Science in Geography
• Bachelor of Science in Geography and Geomatics

Online application
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 the student should have already acquired in both natural and human science fields. Students should also provide a proof of sufficient knowledge of English.

Equivalency and admission to the programme will be based on a review of each student's academic record and will be evaluated case by case.

Online application

Students who don't have a Flemish bachelor degree are required to submit an online application. The application procedure consists out of three steps:

1. Apply online
   Fill out your personal information and upload your documents.
2. Screening of your application
   The Admissions Office and the Faculty will check if you are eligible.
3. Result via e-mail
   If your application is accepted, we will send you a Letter of Acceptance.

All information on the admision procedure, requirements, deadlines and application forms can be found on the application page.

Application deadlines

There are two separate deadlines to submit an application if you are applying with a foreign degree, depending on whether or not you require a visa to enter Belgium.

You can find all information on the application page.

The programme MSc in Geography will be organised during the academic year 2020-2021.

We are currently preparing for different scenarios, depending on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even in case of a second major outbreak, our progamme guarantees that its students will obtain the intended learning outcomes.

We aim to have live classes on campus as much as possible under the condition that they can be organised safely, but will also provide the necessary online alternatives.

The VUB traditionally works with small to medium-sized groups of students. This important asset guarantees a unique and personalised learning experience with a lot of practical work and interactions with teaching staff. These smaller groups also make it possible for us to org anise classes and practicals in line with the safety regulations related to ‘physical distancing’.

The online learning platform Canvas offers the necessary technological support for the courses. We also use screencasts, recordings, discussion fora and virtual classrooms in order to keep distance learning interactive.