Environment and Resource Management

The programme in a nutshell

The Master’s on Environment and Resource Management is a one-year programme that combines exposure to a multidisciplinary theoretical understanding of environmental issues as well as a thorough grasp of different tools to assess environmental problems. Workshops and individual and group assignments play an important part. In many cases you are free to choose subjects that suit your personal interests and ambitions.

The master’s programme provides four compulsory courses, introducing sustainability and growth, environmental economics, environmental policy, and tools for environmental research. It provides an opportunity to specialize in one of the four specializations and to write a thesis at the end.

You can opt for four specializations:

• Energy Studies 
• Climate and Water Policy
• Eco-system Services and Biodiversity
• Environmental Studies

Further information about the programme schedule of Environment and Resource Management can be found online at: year schedules.

Courses common to both specializations

• Sustainability and Growth 
• Environmental Policy Tools 
• Environmental Economics
• Environmental Policy 
• Research project 

Within these courses, students have the opportunity to match their personal scientific interest with existing scientific research at the Institute.

Energy Studies courses

• Sustainble Energy Analysis 
• Energy Systems Transitions
  

Climate and Water Policy

• Climate and Policy
• Water and Policy

Eco-system Services and Biodiversity

• Value of Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity
• Governance of Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity

Environmental Studies courses

• A choice from the 6 courses offered for the other three specializations
• A choice of one of the optional courses within VU University Amsterdam (incl. the IVM-courses)

MSc. Research Project

Students will round off their Master’s programme with an independent research project at IVM or another leading organization. Former students have carried out their research projects at Alterra, RIVM, ECN, Delft Hydraulics and RIKZ (research institutes), FMO (a development bank), ETC International and Arcadis (consultancy firms), Greenpeace International, Both Ends and Friends of the Earth (NGOs), IEEP and UNEP (international organizations), the Ministry of Transport and Public Works (governmental bodies), and other organizations. 
 
There is a strong emphasis on writing and presentation skills. Some courses use games and role-play to make the students aware of the positions of stakeholders in relation to environmental problems.

Study guide

Further information on the Master’s programme in Environment and Resource Management can be found online at:  
 
Study guide