Hands-on training in the use of qualitative and quantitative geographical research design and specialisation modules such as Earth and Climate and Geo-information Sciences transform you into an expert in Geography. What are you waiting for?

What do you learn on the master's programme? 

Our programme is especially designed so you can align it with your specific interests and ambitions. Next to a common basis, you can select two out of four specialisation modules: Earth and Climate; Society and Space; Geo-information Sciences and Mixed Methods. The programme offers comprehensive coverage of spatial methods for analysing social and natural phenomena and their interactions. Hands-on training in the use of qualitative and quantitative geographical research techniques prepares you perfectly for your future career.

Earth and Climate

This module focuses on environmental processes such as global warming, ice – climate interaction, meteorology, and geomorphology. By choosing this module, you will gain a deep understanding of the physical aspects of the environment and a synthetic view of environmental issues. Combined with strengthening modules, it will provide you with all the knowledge needed to understand and participate in geo-scientific research.

Society and Space

Given the imminent climate crisis and the ever-increasing impact of humans on our planet, a true understanding of how society and space relate to each other is needed. In this module you will focus on the processes of economic development, urbanisation and urban development, policy and governance, but also on how use of the natural environment impacts social inequality. Through strengthening courses, you can further specialise in themes such as sustainable development and tourism or the interdisciplinary field of urban studies and urban planning.

Geo-information Sciences

This module offers you the latest methods and techniques for spatial data collection and data processing, particularly in the area of remote sensing. You will also develop a strong understanding of how to model the complex interactions between human and the environment. Combined with strengthening modules, you will become an expert in the use of spatial data in those fields where it matters most, such as environmental management, spatial planning, transport and mobility.

Mixed Methods

In the Mixed Methods module, you will deepen and broaden your knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods. We provide plenty of opportunities to apply these methods to geographic problems and to deepen the understanding of novel research approaches. How can we use big data to tackle complex urban problems? How can land use changes be modelled? And what are state-of the art techniques for qualitative research? Combined with the other modules, you will master geographical methods and apply them to study human-environment interactions.

The strengths of the Geography master's programme:

• The world is your oyster, thanks to diverse international opportunities to gain new perspectives and learn during fieldwork, internships, excursions and field trips.
• VUB and KU Leuven: the best of Belgium! We 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.

• Students as scientists: our 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 refine your scientific skills.

After graduation:

Your job? Solving real-world problems!

As a geographer, you integrate the study of physical and human systems. You are a natural and social scientist offering specialised knowledge in geographical information and scientific techniques. There is a growing interest in the multidisciplinary approach geographers can offer to solve real-world problems on every scale - from local to global - and a strong demand for competent professionals in the broad field of geospatial sciences. This interuniversity programme opens doors in the offices of 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 with a multitude of providers and users of geodata-based tools and services.