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Environment and Resource Management: Water and Society
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Environment and Resource Management: Water and Society at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Work on the sustainability challenges of our time
If you want to work towards finding solutions for societal problems related to natural resource depletion and environmental change, then this is the Master’s programme for you.
The Environment and Resource Management (ERM) Master’s trains you to become part of the next generation of environmental leaders who work on the sustainability challenges of our time. From the role of climate change in migration, to the impact of food supply on the environment, to analysing the transition to sustainable energy systems. You will start on the path to becoming an interdisciplinary environmental expert who is skilled in developing effective solutions for a more sustainable world.
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Environment and Resource Management: Water and Society
Tackle real-world sustainability challenges
This one-year Master’s programme recognises that environmental problems and sustainability challenges do not stop at national borders. And solutions to those challenges require professionals who have the ability to build bridges and go beyond their own disciplines. Therefore, Environment and Resource Management offers an international and interdisciplinary classroom: the programme is taught in English and is open to students from all academic disciplines and nationalities. It actively teaches you to cooperate in interdisciplinary teams and to contribute your disciplinary knowledge, while looking for possible solutions to specific environmental problems.
During the programme, you can determine your own focus by choosing a specialisation. Select from Global Food Challenges, Energy and Climate, Global Water Challenges, or Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity. If you want to broaden your knowledge in all these disciplines, you can opt for the Global Sustainable Futures specialisation. This offers you the option to select your own combination of specialisation courses.
Depending on your specialisation, there are many topics you can dive into. For example, former ERM Master’s students answered the following questions in their theses: What role does water play in cross-country migration? (Global Water Challenges). What are the determinants of the uptake of electric cars among citizens of Amsterdam? (Energy and Climate). What is the economic value of healthy ecosystems? (Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity). What is the true cost of meat production? (Global Food Challenges).
This Master’s programme aims to ensure that you acquire theoretical concepts, academic skills and operational techniques that allow you to find solutions to the complex problems of our generation.
The Environment and Resource Management Master’s programme is organised by the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), which is considered to be one of Europe’s leading research institutes in Environmental Sciences. Class sizes are relatively small, allowing a personal and open atmosphere that students enjoy. Institute for Environmental Studies staff members are always available to provide support and guidance.
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Environment and Resource Management: Water and Society
There is a growing need for versatile, all-round environmental experts who can analyse and develop solutions for local national and global sustainability challenges.
As of today, more than 1,250 students have received their Master’s degree in ERM from VU Amsterdam. Many have embarked on exciting sustainability careers as consultants, NGO leaders, entrepreneurs, ministry officials or international civil servants. Some students continue in academia by starting a PhD.
When you graduate, you will be able to determine which assessment tool is applicable in specific situations, and you can critically reflect on the outcomes of such tools. In addition, you should be able to (co-)design effective decision-making processes for complex or ambiguous problems.
Graduates may expect to find employment in organisations such as (environmental) consultancies (like KPMG, Arcadis, Royal Haskoning), NGOs (like World Wildlife Fund [WWF], Greenpeace), the private sector (TATA Steel, Philips, Unilever, Nuon, Shell), or the public sector (European Parliament; The World Bank, United Nations Environmental Program, World Health Organisation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Local water authorities).
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Environment and Resource Management: Water and Society
I have an international degree
In order to gain admission to the Environment and Resource Management Master’s programme, you will need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university including at least three full years of academic study amounting to a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent. We do not require a GRE or GMAT test score. A Bachelor degree obtained at an applied university or higher vocational education (HBO in Dutch) in most cases does not grant direct access to the programme (only exceptionally high ranking students stand a chance of admission).
Students from all disciplinary backgrounds will be considered, but the following subjects provide a particularly relevant basis for participating in the ERM programme: Environmental studies, Economics, Political Science, Social Science, Law, Natural Sciences.
Specific requirements for the Environment and Resource Management Master's programme
- Average grade for the bachelor should be at least a 7 or equivalent (A bachelor thesis or writing sample can be requested if necessary to confirm quality);
- Affinity with environmental sciences or sustainability, proven by previous study program, courses, thesis or relevant (volunteer) work experience,expressed in a motivation statement or curriculum vitae;
- ERM requirements for English language proficiency, including sufficient scores for each test component;
- Strong motivation statement addressing:
- Interest for environmental and sustainability issues
- Specific interest for ERM
- Future ambitions after graduation
General English language proficiency requirements
VU Amsterdam requires all applicants to take an English test. You can, however, begin your application without having the test results. Exceptions are made for students who have completed a Bachelor's or Master's in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia.
The minimum English language proficiency requirements for admission to this Master's programme are:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum sub scores 6.0)
- TOEFL Internet-based test: 92 overall
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A, B, C
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): A, B, C
I have a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) bachelor’s degree (pre-Master's programme)
Admission is based on a strict selection procedure. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.
In order to gain admission to the Master’s programme Environment and Resource Management (ERM), students with a bachelor degree from a University of Applied Sciences (HBO) need to follow the pre-master programme. Students from all disciplinary backgrounds will be considered. The deadline for applications is May 31.
Specific admission requirements for the pre-master Environment and Resource Management
- For HBO bachelor degree holders, the average grade for the bachelor should be at least a 7 or equivalent (A bachelor thesis or writing sample can be requested if necessary to confirm quality); Or, for WO-bachelor degree holders, average grade for the bachelor is equal to or higher than 6 but lower than 7;
- Affinity with environmental sciences or sustainability, proven by previous study program, courses, thesis or relevant (volunteer) work experience, expressed in a motivation statement or curriculum vitae;
- ERM requirements for English language proficiency, including sufficient scores for each test component;
- Strong motivation statement addressing:
- Interest for environmental and sustainability issues
- Specific interest for ERM
- Future ambitions after graduation
Language requirements
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam requires international students and students with a HBO degree to pass an English language proficiency test. This requirement can be met if no longer than two years before the start of the programme the applicant has successfully completed one of the following examinations with the minimum scores indicated:
- IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (due to Covid-19 the IELTS Indicator will also be accepted for admissions in 2020)
- Minimum Sub-scores 6.0
- TOEFL paper based test: 580
- TOEFL internet based test: 92
- VU TOEFL ITP: 580
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A, B, C
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): A, B, C
The pre-Master's programme
You have to complete the pre-Master's programme (30 EC) within 1 year. After you have finished the pre-Master's programme you can be admitted to the master of Environment and Resource Management. Visit the pre-Master's programme page for more information about the programme, admission requirements and the application procedure.
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Overview of Masters programmes - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Institution
Location: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam De Boelelaan 1105
1081 HV Amsterdam
Niederlande
Nord Holland
| T | +31 20 59 89898 | |
| E | international@vu.nl |
Facts about the Masters programme
Location
Amsterdam
Field of study
Business & Economics, Science & Mathematics
Degree
Master
Language
English
Start
winter semester - September
Application deadline
Type of study
Full-time
Duration of study:
Tuition fees EU: 2168 /
Tuition fees Non EU: 16530 /
Facts about the Masters programme
Location
Amsterdam
Field of study
Business & Economics, Science & Mathematics
Degree
Master
Language
English
Start
winter semester - September
Application deadline
Type of study
Full-time
Duration of study:
Tuition fees EU: 2168 /
Tuition fees Non EU: 16530 /