Master of Geography
Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 4,591 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EEA fee
Introduction
About the programme
The Master of Geography is a two-year advanced study programme jointly organised by KU Leuven and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) with joint degree awarded upon the successful completion of the programme. Within the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at KU Leuven, geographical research activities are focused on Earth surface processes and climate, human-environ ment interactions, society and space, tourism, and education in the geosciences. Research in the Department of Geography at VUB is focused on the dynamics of glacial systems, the study of hazardous geomorphological and volcanological processes, small-scale carto graphy and map projections, remote sensing, and the geography of world cities.
The full programme comprises 120 ECTS. In addition to core courses on human-environment interactions and research methods in geography (27 ECTS), you will take the compulsory courses within your chosen specialisation (36 ECTS) as well as a number of specialised electives in your field (27 ECTS), including the option of taking an internship (15 ECTS). The remaining 30 ECTS are allocated to the master’s thesis.
For your specialisation, you select a combination of two out of the four modules (18 ECTS each):
- Earth and Climate: this specialisation focuses on terrestrial ecosystems and environmental changes, emphasising timely and relevant research topics in the geosciences like global warming, ice-climate interaction, soil and water conservation, long-term landscape development, natural hazards and risk assessment.
- Society and Space: in a strongly urbanised world there is a growing need to understand social, economic, cultural, and political dynamics of urban areas better. This specialisation focuses on the social and political issues of the current era of globalisation.
- Geo-information Sciences: within this specialisation you become acquainted with new approaches and techniques for acquiring, managing, analysing and mapping spatial data.
- Mixed Methods: you explore the latest research methods in geography, both quantitative and qualitative. You’re trained to be a critical methodologist who can choose the right method for every research question.
Curriculum
The full programme comprises 120 ECTS. In addition to core courses on human-environment interactions and research methods in geography (27 ECTS), you will take the compulsory courses within your chosen specialization (36 ECTS) as well as a number of specialized electives in your field (27 ECTS), including the option of taking an internship (15 ECTS). The remaining 30 ECTS are allocated to the master’s thesis.
For your specialization, you select a combination of two out of the four modules (18 ECTS each):
- Earth and Climate: This specialization focuses on terrestrial ecosystems and environmental changes, emphasizing timely and relevant research topics in the geosciences like global warming, ice-climate interaction, soil and water conservation, long-term landscape development, natural hazards, and risk assessment.
- Society and Space: in a strongly urbanized world there is a growing need to understand the social, economic, cultural, and political dynamics of urban areas better. This specialization focuses on the social and political issues of the current era of globalization.
- Geo-information Sciences: within this specialization, you become acquainted with new approaches and techniques for acquiring, managing, analyzing, and mapping spatial data.
- Mixed Methods: you explore the latest research methods in geography, both quantitative and qualitative. You’re trained to be a critical methodologist who can choose the right method for every research question.
Common Basis
All courses are compulsory.
- Environmental Change
- Introduction to Remote Sensing
- Research Seminar
- Geography of Development
- Environmental and Resource Economics I
Field Trip
Students choose either the Physical Geography or the Social and Economic Geography Field Trip Abroad.
- Physical Geography Field Trip Abroad
- Social and Economic Geography Field Trip Abroad
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English and also available in Dutch.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 120 ECTS
- Degree Type: Master
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their own research. In our FabLab, students can use a number of high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programmes as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student centre is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Info Sessions
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Graduates are highly sought after by surveying companies, mapping agencies, service and utility providers and public entities, as well as by national and international administrations dealing with urban and rural land-use planning, disaster management, environmental conservation and management. Graduates considering a career in research or education can pursue a PhD upon completion of the programme.