Vrije Universiteit Brussel

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

Linguistics and literary studies are among the most fascinating studies, especially in a city like Brussels where more languages are spoken than anywhere else in Flanders, Belgium or Europe. A Master’s student in linguistics and literary Studies gets access to other languages and cultures which opens up new horizons of understanding. Our multilingual Master's programme prepares students for a globalized labour market where multilingualism is increasingly becoming a necessity. The internationally oriented city of Brussels is the perfect location to personally experience the diverse aspects of multilingualism and multiculturalism. Our Master’s programme offers you the unique possibility to take courses in linguistics and literary studies in up to ten different languages and to specialise in one specific language-related scientific discipline and in one or two specific languages. The programme of the Multilingual Master contains courses in the following languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese and Russian.... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

This full-time English-taught research master is jointly organised by the Department of Philosophy of the University of Antwerp (UAntwerpen), the Department of Philosophy and Moral Science of Ghent University (UGent) and the Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences of the Free University of Brussels (VUB). The programme offers a high-level training for excellent students who seek to develop a research career in philosophy. Graduates of this programme are capable of developing a philosophical research project and draw up a funding application that can be filed with local, national or international funding institutions. They are able, within their areas of specialisation, to formulate original and innovative research problems based on a duly founded insight into the internationally recognised state-of-the-art in that domain. Graduates of this programme are able to work out original solutions to the selected research problems and argue their cases clearly and convincingly. They are trained in academic writing, which enables them to act as lead authors of academic articles. The research seminars that constitute the core of the programme cover a wide range of philosophical domains. Some relate to socially relevant topics (i.e. more applied philosophy) while others relate to more fundamental, purely philosophical domains.... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

Programme highlights

During the first year you can develop your skills in laser engineering, optical communication, optical materials, microphotonics and optical sensors. The first semester is devoted to the fundamental basics of photonics, while the second focuses on engineering skills and photonics applications. As this master is organised by two leading universities in Belgium, you have the possibility to follow courses entirely at VUB or to choose specific courses at UGent.... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The Master of Applied Sciences and Engineering: Applied Computer Science is designed for students who have already completed an academic bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field of exact sciences or engineering, with little or outdated computer science related contents. It develops computer science skills that will complement the primary field of expertise of the student.

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Adaptable to your background and field of interest

Since Computer Science has become a diffuse area, we decided to organize this programme in a way that it can be adapted to the background and the field of interest of the student. Students start with a number of courses (depending on their background) summarizing the basic concepts in order to gain enough knowledge to be able to take elective courses and to make a master thesis in their field of interest. All this happens in an academic environment where research is done in all topics with great interaction among the researchers and large involvement of the students.... [-]

MSc in Architectural Engineering

This master is jointly organised by Vrije Universiteit Brussel in collaboration with Université Libre de Bruxelles, leading to a joint master's degree.

The Master’s programme in Architectural Engineering combines structural engineering and architectural studies with management training.

The programme trains you to design large-scale architectural projects that add value to complex, mainly urban, situations. You’ll be working in a design studio, where a variety of aspects related to your task come together: analysing a historical, architectural and urban context, setting up a programme and designing a pleasant building complex with adequate materials, an efficient structure equipped with sustainable techniques. This synergy is to be expected, given the complex and advanced nature of architectural design at Master level. The university manages the interaction between these disciplines and combines it with a scientific attitude. This means you’ll receive a scientific education at a high level, that optimally prepares you for the job market.... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

At the VUB, we offer a strong, research-focused and thesis-based Master programme in which graduate students interact closely with their teachers and supervisors from the first day of their entry. In addition, being located in the heart of Europe, Belgium ensures the proximity of academic and medical institutions, biotechnological know-how, and government agencies to offer the ideal intellectual and career environment.

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The programme includes the following profiles students can choose from:

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering is a complete English taught two-year programme and leads to a joint degree from UGent and VUB. In this master's course, knowledge and skills in all fields in biomedical engineering will be given, so when you finished the Master's programme, you can be employed as a generalist, and you will also be specialized in one particular field of biomedical engineering. As a student, you will be able to select any field of biomedical engineering. You will be trained to work in interdisciplinary project teams, composed of engineers and medical specialists. To prepare further for interdisciplinary teams, students and scholars are treated as equals. To train for working in a European setting, you will get knowledge in the healthcare situation in several countries in Europe, and you will be trained in cultural differences between European countries.... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The Master in Business and Technology, organized by the Solvay Business School of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, focuses on business aspects of modern-day technology. The programme contains advanced business courses, technology courses, as well as courses that combine both perspectives, such as the Entrepreneurship course. This Solvay Master of Business & Technology focuses even more on IT and innovation and has a clear international flavour. Students will have the opportunity to take a number of elective courses in the second year, thus allowing you to personalise your curriculum and specialise more in either business, technology, or both.

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MSc in Chemical and Materials Engineering

This master is jointly organised by Vrije Universiteit Brussel in collaboration with Université Libre de Bruxelles, leading to a joint master's degree.

This master’s programme aims to train students to become engineers employable in fields such as the petrochemical and polymer industry, pharmaceutical industry, food industry, biotechnology, inorganic bulk chemistry, extractive metallurgy and the recycling industry. The programme encompasses two distinct profiles: Process Technology and Materials.

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PROGRAMME CURRICULUM

In the Process Technology profile, the student is trained to operate in production units, consultant engineering firms and the environmental sector. The Materials profile covers production and development facilities for different types of materials. The master’s programme has a common core of 56 ECTS credits, ensuring a strong mutual interaction and integration between both profiles. The development of environmentally friendly and safe production processes for materials, the shaping and processing of materials into intermediate or finished products, and the optimal integration of materials in other disciplines are strongly related to the optimisation of environmentally friendly chemical processes in general.... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The English-taught Master in Chemistry is a two-year (120 ECTS) advanced study in chemistry organised by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, a Flemish university located in Brussels, Belgium. This MSc programme combines the expertise in the different research domains of both the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Ghent University (UGent).

This master's offers:

MSc in Civil Engineering

This master is jointly organised by Vrije Universiteit Brussel in collaboration with Université Libre de Bruxelles, leading to a joint master's degree.

A major objective of our programme is to develop an in-depth understanding of the main aspects of analysis and design of all kinds of constructions and to provide a solid knowledge of material technology. An important issue is the optimisation of the form of structures and the material selection, with due consideration of their environmental impact, sustainability and life-cycle cost. Several systems are considered: conventionally reinforced or pre-stressed, either in steel or concrete, as well as those composed of novel materials like fibre-reinforced material systems. You can also wish to specialise in water resources. Courses on different aspects of water resources management (rivers, urban water, groundwater, water quality) are offered in close collaboration with our Master of Water Resources Engineering programme.... [-]

The Master of Science in Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe takes a critical and interdisciplinary look at the role of journalism and media in European societies. The Master looks at journalism and media from an economic, political-ideological and policy perspective. It pays attention to the impact of recent economic, political and technological developments in journalism and media. The Master zooms in on media and journalism in a European context, looking comparatively at journalism across Europe and at journalism in the context of European integration. It makes optimal use of Brussels with its range of European and international institutions and the many media, journalism and communication professionals working in and around those institutions.... [-]

The Master of Communication Studies is a one-year (60 ECTS) academic master with a focus on New Media and Society in Europe. This unique English language programme focuses on the rapidly changing field of media and communication in a European context. The programme takes an original interdisciplinary approach and allows students to concentrate on business, policy and/or user aspects of new media.New Media and Society in Europe takes an original interdisciplinary approach to new media and allows students to concentrate on business, policy and/or user aspects of new media.

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PROGRAMME CURRICULUM

The programme consists of two semesters. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on three specific fields: business and markets, policy and governance, user aspects of new media and society in Europe. Instead of choosing from the optional courses, students can decide to do an internship. More details about the programme's curriculum can be found here.... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

This English-speaking programme is designed for students with a solid, basic academic background in computer science (Bachelor in Computer Science). The objectives of the programme are to provide a deeper understanding and knowledge of various specializations of computer science and to prepare the student for an active role in computer science research and development.

The programme includes the following specializations students can choose from:

1. Artificial intelligence

The focus in this specialization is on building intelligent software artifacts. The theories of complex dynamic systems and self-organization are emphasized starting from the theory of complex dynamic systems as developed in related fields such as mathematics, physics, and biology. ... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The two-year Master in Educational Sciences aims to prepare students for academic and professional interventions in the field of educational innovation. It prepares students for research into the nature, development and features of educational actors, institutions, related policies, and processes in educational development and educational practices.

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The programme consists of two years and includes an internship and master thesis; during the second year. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on specific aspects of educational practice and research and further deepen their knowledge.... [-]

MSc in Electrical Engineering

The programme combines a rigorous scientific and technical education with the development of practical skills. It encourages independence, creativity and inventiveness, and it shapes competent engineers who can contribute to society on many – if not all – levels. This programme is part of Bruface, which means it is organised by Vrije Universiteit Brussel jointly with Université Libre de Bruxelles. This allows students to use the adjacent infrastructures of both institutions, as well as giving them the opportunity to study in a multicultural context.

The course aims at forming engineers adapted to the actual needs of our society. They also have a broad overview of the impact of electronics and informatics on industry, on economics and on the worldwide trade and commerce.... [-]

MSc in Electromechanical Engineering

Multidisciplinary training with an in-depth specialisation The two-year Master of Science in Electromechanical Engineering integrates the study of electrical and mechanical engineering and research. This unique combination encourages a wide perspective, offering you the ability to bridge the gap between these two fields later on in your professional career. The multidisciplinary programme is complemented with an in-depth specialisation in one of four majors: Aeronautics, Energy, Mechatronics-Construction or Vehicle Technology and Transport.

The specialisation in one of these disciplines starts in the first year, setting you off with a strong set of skills in the chosen field. As a graduate of this programme, you benefit from a compromise between a broad electromechanical engineering education that prepares you for work in design and management and a specialisation in a particular discipline. The programme guarantees a high level of education thanks to the well-qualified academic staff and their link with specialists from research institutes and the industry. As a result, our graduates are known for their immediate wide-ranging employability.... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The Master of Geography programme is a two-year advanced study organised by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the K.U.Leuven. This inter-university master’s programme provides the students with comprehensive training in spatial approaches to social and/or natural phenomena.The global aim of the master’s programme is to generate geographers that can play an active role in contemporary society.The following specialisations are offered:

1. GIS and Spatial Modelling

2. City, Society and Space

3. Earth and Climate

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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. Equivalency of foreign degrees (Non-Belgian) will be evaluated case by case by the Geography Admission Board.... [-]

The MSc. in International Business (formerly known as MSc in Management Science) is a 2-year, full-time programme organised by the Solvay Business School of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. It targets students - both Belgian and foreign - with academic bachelor’s degrees in Business Economics or Management (see below) who are looking for an English-language master’s programme with a distinct international and multidisciplinary flavour, and in an international setting.

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The first year consists solely of compulsory courses. In the second year, you can personalise your curriculum by picking electives. If you want to turn theory into practice, you can combine an internship at a multinational company with the more theoretical part of your curriculum.... [-]

The MSc in Management provides a broad overview of management domains. The programme is designed for people without a related background in business economics or management, but who wish to broaden their academic knowledge on the subject.

This master offers theoretical knowledge and scientific insights but is geared towards practical skills and applications. Classes are given by a group of professors from both academia and the professional world in order to ensure the link between theory and practice.

Apply for the MSc. Management

As the MSc in Management is only taught during the evenings, the programme is easily accessible for people combining a job with their studies. However, combining a job with a full-time study programme is quite demanding. Therefore, we recommend spreading the programme in time (over 2 or more years).... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The programme provides insight into the diversity and complexity of the life and processes in the oceans, seas, lakes and estuaries and skills to study and manage them. In many cases, this diversity is endangered because the aquatic environment is increasingly coming under pressure—climate change, biodiversity erosion, increasing fishery requirements and overfishing, pollution, developments in aquaculture, coastal reclamation, etc. This 2-year master programme addresses students with a background in Sciences. It provides you with strong fundamental and applied knowledge and prepares you for an active role in the scientific research and management of marine ecosystems. The programme adopts a multidisciplinary approach integrating physical, chemical geological, ecological and societal aspects and including nature conservation and sustainable development. This programme trains students in playing a key role in high quality scientific marine research providing advice in marine management based on sound scientific knowledge becoming critically minded, problem-solving and communicative scientists... [-]

This Master is an Interuniversity Programme in Molecular Biology (IPMB), jointly organized by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and the Universiteit Antwerpen, and selected and supported by the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR-UOS) as one of its international course programmes. Although originally designed to meet the needs of students from developing countries, the programme offers an exquisite opportunity for those who seek re-orientation to enter the fascinating world of molecular biology. Also, students in exchange programmes who visit the organizing universities for one or two semesters are most welcome to attend classes and acquire laboratory skills. The programme aims at strengthening and updating the theoretical and practical skills of young scientists from developing countries who are already involved in either human or animal health care or agricultural research. The goal of the programme is not just to transfer technology but rather to train participants to acquire the ability to cope with a wide range of scientific problems and challenges and to provide them with the intellectual tools needed to develop a molecular biological approach to tackle the problems their country is facing.... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The M.Sc. degree programme in Physical Land Resources is organised jointly by the University of Gent and the Free University of Brussels. Lectures from both Universities are providing the courses with the programme.The objective of the course is to provide an academic training in research and modern applications in the field of inventarisation, analysis, use and management of physical land resources and to prepare the students for tasks in development projects, at experimental stations and in education, research and services in government institutions and universities.The M.Sc. degree programme in Physical Land Resources is a two year, full-time course. The first year, organised at the University of Ghent, provides a fundamental basis in physical land resources, with a major in either Soil Science or Land Resources Engineering. The second year offers specialised courses in one of the two majors: Soil Science or Land Resources Engineering. The students have to prepare a dissertation. Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of an M.Sc. degree in Physical Land Resources. The course curriculum of the major in soil science is organised at the University of Ghent, whereas all courses of the major in Land Resources Engineering are organised at the Free University of Brussels. Students in Land Resources Engineering have to reside in Brussels during the second year.... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The Master in Physics and Astronomy is a two-year (120 ECTS) advanced study in physics organised by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, a Flemish university located in Brussels, Belgium. This MSc programme combines the expertise in the different research domains of both the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Ghent University (UGent).

This master's offers:

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The Master in Urban Studies is a 120 ECTS programme (2 years) jointly offered by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). Offering an interdisciplinary perspective on urban studies, students follow a core trajectory of shared courses and have the freedom to specialize by individually selecting from a large offer of elective modules and courses.

CURRICULUM

The 120 ECTS credits curriculum combine the attractiveness of a flexible, modular and interdisciplinary programme that allows you to focus on your own interests within the domain of urban studies with a common core of compulsory courses to ensure that you develop the necessary urban skills and competencies. The common core contains a course on Brussels, one on the European dimension of cities and urbanisation, and a number of theoretical courses introducing you to the field of urban studies. By using Brussels as a unique case study in the programme and by organising various site visits in and around Brussels and excursions to cities in Europe, we benefit from our location in the centre of Europe. The common core also contains two modules introducing you to various urban methods and research approaches. Before starting with the Master in Urban Studies, you are expected to choose two elective modules. The elective modules have a disciplinary and/or thematic orientation: this will allow you to specialise within subdomains of urban studies, while at the same time ensuring interdisciplinary training on the level of the overall programme. We currently offer six... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The Master in Urban Studies (4CITIES) is a unique two-year interdisciplinary and international programme. 4CITIES takes students to Brussels, Copenhagen, Vienna, Madrid and a number of surrounding cities. The programme adds a European perspective to the field of Urban Studies: it wants to break up and to open the national perspective on urban problems. The growing importance of globalisation and the shift towards a world of flows calls for a new approach in important fields of urban policy like culture, economy, planning…

The strength of the programme results from the integration of analytical skills typical for the (social-) sciences and the more design-oriented skills of planning and architecture. The need for interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, as opposed to the more narrowly defined academic disciplines, is strong.... [-]

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

This programme is jointly organized by the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. It is one of the International Course Programmes supported by the Flemish Interuniversity Council. The first year of this master's programme contains only compulsory courses (60SP) on mathematics, statistics, hydraulics, groundwater and surface water hydrology, irrigation agronomy, aquatic ecology, water quality, GIS and remote sensing, hydrologic data processing and measurements.

In the second year (60SP), most courses are organized as workshops and linked to an integrated project. Three workshops have to be selected among the following: groundwater modelling, soil water modelling, irrigation design and management, surface water modelling, river modelling, urban hydrology and advanced aquatic ecology.... [-]

Taught in English, the Master is a one-year program dealing with two of the most important fields of political science: European studies/governance and international politics/relations. It will allow Belgian and international students to acquire the skills and know-how needed for kickstarting a career in diplomacy, national and international institutions or related professional fields (such as lobbying, journalism, policy and academic research). If students are interested to get a higher degree of specialization, the program can be extended in an easy and favorable way to a second-year interdisciplinary MasterAfterMaster on European integration.

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