More than soil

The Physical Land Resources Master’s programme aims to form experts that are able to manage and protect the land as well as manipulate the specifics and properties of the soil. The programme encompasses a variety of different aspects, such as the physics of the soil, meteorology and natural hazards.

Skilled, knowledgeable experts

This programme offers several skills inherently tied to a Master of Science, such as the ability to identify a problem, form a hypothesis, test it through experiments of your own design in the field and to report results and findings to both your peers and a more general public. Another, very important asset is the ability to think analytically and synthetically, while still being creative – all part of a problem-solving mentality. You’ll gain all the knowledge and skills needed to build a successful career as a scientist.

How does it work?

Our internationally oriented master’s programme is a collaboration between the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Ghent University and two research centres, namely the International Centre for Eremology and the International Training Centre for Post-Graduate Soil Scientists. Field work, excursions, laboratory work, exercise sessions and computer workshops are an important component of the Physical Land Resources programme.

Preparation course

All Physical Land Resources students are highly recommended to take part in the BE PreP summer school offered at Ghent University. This is a preparatory programme to refresh your general knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, statistics and/or economics. It also allows you to attend ICT lectures and workshops and to integrate yourself in Belgium with ease.

Programme structure and organisation

The first year of the two-year, full time programme provides a basis in physical land resources, with a main subject in either Soil Science or Land Resources Engineering. The second year offers specialised courses in one of the two main subjects. The course curriculum of the first year and of the main subject in ‘Soil Science’ of the second year is organised at the Ghent University, whereas all courses of the main subject in Land Resources Engineering of the second year are organised at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Students in Land Resources Engineering have to reside in Brussels during the second year. The academic year starts the last week of September.