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Master of Geology (Leuven et al)

Master of Science
This master is a two-year programme jointly organised by KU Leuven and Ghent University. You receive in-
depth training in various fields of geology and develop knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to work in
interdisciplinary teams addressing complex geological problems. If you’re interested in pursuing advanced
studies in geology in an international environment, the programme offered in Ghent and Leuven - two historic
towns near Brussels, the capital of Europe - might just be the right choice for you.
APPLY NOW

Master of Geology (120 ECTS)

Education

What is the Master of Geology all about?

You will gain much from the strong emphasis on research in this programme. Besides enhancing knowledge and skills in Key information
numerous specialised courses, including a field-mapping course, you will conduct your own master’s thesis project within Location
a research team (professor(s), postdoc(s), PhD-student(s)) and at the same time develop important scientific skills, such
Leuven et al.
as reporting and presenting, needed in your future career.
Ects + duration
Structure 120 ECTS (2 years full-time)

The master’s programme offers 4 different majors: Geodynamics and Georesources, Surface Processes and Educational level
Paleoenvironments, Geology of Basins and Soil and Groundwater. Master’s
In Geodynamics and Georesources, you will study rock-forming processes and mineral resources in the subsurface.
Academic calendar
The interaction between various physico-chemical processes in the Earth forms the core of this major. You will develop
the ability to analyse and explain the complexity of the various interacting physical and chemical rock-forming processes 1st semester: end of September -
and apply this knowledge to the exploration of natural resources. > end of January (exams in
In Surface Processes and Paleoenvironments, you will study the interaction between the geosphere, hydrosphere, January)
atmosphere and biosphere. The focus is on understanding present-day and past processes and placing these processes
in a context of global change on various time scales. You will develop the ability to analyse and explain the complex 2nd semester: half of February ->
interaction of surface processes relating to the variability of various aspects of the Earth’s surface. end of June (exams in June)
In Geology of Basins, you will study the processes steering the genesis and evolution of sedimentary basins and the
KU Leuven academic calendar
surrounding areas. Special attention is given to sedimentary fluxes, the spatial organisation of basins, the evolution of
the palaeoenvironment, dating of events and exploration strategies. You will develop the ability to analyse and explain Applying
the complexity of interacting processes that determine the evolution of sedimentary basins.
Application deadline
In Soil and Groundwater, you will study hydrogeological and pedological characteristics and processes with a focus
on fundamental and applied aspects of soils and groundwater, including the response to external influences and aimed 1 March (for non-EEA citizens)
at sustainable management and protection of these resources. You will develop the attitude to analyse and explain the 1 June (for EEA citizens)
complexity of physical and chemical processes influencing soil and groundwater, and to come up with remedial
measures. How to apply
www.kuleuven.be/application
Departments
Tuition fee 2018-2019
The programme is firmly rooted in the research of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (KU Leuven) €922.30
and the Department of Geology (Ghent University). Both departments continuously develop and maintain innovative
and widely recognised research programmes on fundamental and applied aspects of geoscience. These generally involve Most recent information
collaborative efforts in various international research networks.
on www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees
Application deadline for 2019-2020
Chat with our students
1 March 2019 (for non-EEA citizens) Student Ambassadors
1 June 2019 (for EEA citizens)
Open days
KU Leuven uses an online application system. You can submit your application form
via www.kuleuven.be/application. Students with a Flemish degree can consult www.kuleuven.be/inschrijven. Meet us in Belgium
Meet us abroad
Students apply at KU Leuven or Ghent University depending on their selected major. Students wishing to specialise in
Geodynamics and Georesources or Surface Processes and Paleoenvironments apply at KU Leuven: see above.
Brochure
Students wishing to specialise in Geology of Basins or Soil and Groundwater apply at Ghent University.
Download the brochure
Tuition fee Request the brochure

The current tuition fee is €922.30. The tuition fee for the 2019-2020 academic year will be determined in the spring of 2019. Faculty website
Please consult the website for the most recent information: www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees.
Faculty of Science
Master mind

Excellent students who are eligible for a Master Mind Scholarship are invited to submit their application before 1
February 2019.

Profile

Is this the right programme for me?

To be eligible for the Master of Science in Geology you must have obtained an academic bachelor’s degree in the field
of geology. For other diplomas in closely related fields, permission can only be granted after thorough investigation of
your study background.

You must also provide evidence of your English proficiency.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements Master of Geology

General admissions

Career perspectives

Career perspectives
As a Master in Geology you may be involved in development tasks, research or management functions. In consultancy,
you are likely to find a job in environmental geology, hydrogeology or geotechnology. In industry, you will be involved
in exploration, exploitation and treatment of natural resources. In governmental agencies and research institutions,
you may be responsible for the inventory, management, research and use of the subsurface or for environmental
issues.
If you dream of an academic career, you can start by embarking on a PhD-project in Leuven, Ghent, or elsewhere.

Start your career, during your studies

During your bachelor's and master's programme you can already shape your own profile by choosing a certain
specialisation, studying abroad (Erasmus), doing a work placement, or starting your own business.

The Student Career Centre is happy to put you on the right track towards your first work experience. The centre also
coaches you in the search for an interesting job and helps you with job interviews. For students wanting to start their own
business KU Leuven also has Lcie, the KU Leuven community that encourages students with innovative and
entrepreneurial ideas.

Don’t know where to start? The Student Career Centre's databases contain offers for jobs, volunteer work, innovation
projects and student jobs. You can also visit one of the events organised by the Career Centre.

Contact

Faculty of Science Leuven

Geel Huis
Kasteelpark Arenberg 11 box 2100
3001 HEVERLEE, Belgium
tel. + 32 16 32 14 01
info.wet@kuleuven.be

Programme Director
Prof. Gert Jan Weltje
Tel. +32 16 32 64 04
gertjan.weltje@kuleuven.be

Visit the programme's web page.

General
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium
 To contact us, please complete the contact form on our website .

Objectives

The Master of Geology

· is a broad-based geologist who has the experience to map independently a complex or poorly exposed geological area;
· has a thorough understanding of a specialized domain in geology, namely Surface processes and Paleoenvironments or
Geodynamics and Georesources.;
· is able to integrate in a trans-disciplinary approach the acquired knowledge and skills in the specialized field to specific
geological problems;
· can, based on the study of specialized literature, independently formulate a research question and translate it into a
research plan;
· can integrate own observations and studied processes within different spatial and time frames, in particular to the
characterization of these processes in the geological archive and can also translate these to future scenarios;
· can handle in a reasoned way the results of scientific research (through appropriate software programs, where relevant)
and write this down in reports and in a monograph (= Master's thesis);
· can orally present and defend scientific results in a structured manner, using modern communication techniques (in
English and Dutch);
· has the scientific attitude to independently solve new concrete geological problems by choosing the appropriate scientific
methods and apply these;
· can apply in an integrated way qualitative and quantitative methods (field analysis, direct and indirect observation
techniques, physical and chemical analysis, modeling of geological processes, ...) in order to solve geological problems.
Here, the master must not only know the techniques and the basic principles, but also understand the possibilities and
limitations;
· can work in a team to arrive at a coherent solution for a given problem;
· has insight into various geological aspects of sustainable development and in the position that a geologist can take in
such issues;
· can participate in the public debate with scientifically-based contributions and knows the social relevance of geological
research.

Admission requirements

Master of Geology (Leuven et al)

In the context of the wellbeing law certain data must be stored for each student and they must be informed timely on the
subject of:

the risks to which the student is exposed during the study programme (practicals, traineeships, master's theses,…)
the associated preventive measures for each risk, such as medical follow-up, personal protective equipment and
instructions.
The risks and preventive measures are collected in the HSE-file for students. Through this link you can consult the HSE-
file. The HSE-file will be used for traineeships and/or master’s theses. For more information about traineeships, we refer to
the following site: traineeship.. For questions, please contact the HSE Department.

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