M.Sc. in Environment and Resource Management
Amsterdam, Netherlands
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request the earliest start date
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,314 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EU/EEA students: April 1 | EU/EAA students: June 1
** EU students: €2,314 per year | non-EU students: €23,930 per year
Introduction
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 program 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 analyzing 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.
Tackle real-world sustainability challenges
This one-year Master’s program recognizes 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 program 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 program, you can determine your own focus by choosing a specialization. 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 specialization. This offers you the option to select your own combination of specialization courses.
Depending on your specialization, there are many topics you can dive into. For example, former ERM Master’s students answered the following questions in their thesis: 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 program 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 program is organized 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.
Admissions
Curriculum
Which specialization do you choose?
- Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity
- Global Food Challenges
- Global Water Challenges
- Energy and Climate
- Global Sustainable Futures
Internships and thesis
Writing your thesis is the moment to demonstrate that you can link theory to practice and use proper academic methods and tools. In preparation for the Research Project, the program organizes the ERM thesis/internship market in early December. During this market, you will be presented with the thesis positions that are available at IVM, and at a large number of external organizations around the world. You will be invited to choose a research topic and a supervisor. You also have the freedom to develop your own project instead of applying for one of the presented projects.
Spending part of your study time in external traineeships and research projects is a good way to prepare for and familiarise yourself with the labor market. Through its extensive network, the IVM assists you in finding opportunities for external projects. The ERM Alumni network can also assist you in finding traineeships and help you become oriented in the labor market.
Career Opportunities
There is a growing need for versatile, all-around environmental experts who can analyze 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 Ph.D.
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 organizations 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).
What can you do after your Master's degree?
Start working
With a Master’s degree in Environment and Resource Management, you have excellent employment prospects. Start working as a project manager at an NGO, choose a role in the private or public sector, or work for an (environmental) consultancy. Throughout the program, various training modules are offered to increase your employability.
Following a Ph.D. program
If you wish to continue your academic career, you may choose to pursue a Ph.D. program after graduation. In the Netherlands, Ph.D. positions are usually paid jobs (mostly for three or four years) for which you have to apply.
There are many Ph.D. researchers at the Institute for Environmental Studies at VU Amsterdam. They devote their time mostly to research (>80%). Often, they are also involved in teaching and following advanced courses.
Student Testimonials
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