Hydrology: VU University Amsterdam

Course Description

Hydrology is a natural environmental science that studies quantity and quality aspects of Earth's water resources. Hydrology is at the core of Earth System Science because of the continuous interaction of water with atmospheric gases, vegetation, soil and rock, causing spatial redistribution of solids (erosion) and nutrients that sustain natural ecosystems. In addition, water plays a key role in regulating Earth's climate and carbon cycle.

The International Hydrology Master's Programme is in English and requires two years of study to obtain the 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) that you need for graduation.

The Hydrology programme consists of a combination of lectures, computer workshops, field and laboratory courses, as well as a thematic and a Master research project. The latter two can be desktop or field studies at the university or at professional organisations.

A large part of the programme is compulsory (102 ECTS out of a total of 120 ECTS). In addition, you can choose up to 18 ECTS worth of credit points from the Master programme in Hydrology or from other Master programmes in hydrological, natural or environmental sciences.

Career prospects

Water is one of Earth's natural resources that they simply cannot do without. In addition, safe and clean water is becoming increasingly scarce as demands continue to rise all over the world. This means that highly trained hydrologists will always be able to find suitable employment.

There are many ways to put your knowledge and training to good use in your professional career. You may be involved in the management of surface water or groundwater resources, in groundwater exploration and recharge studies in sub-humid areas. But you may also deal with groundwater clean-up operations using bio-remedial measures, river basin flood prediction, studies of the effects of land cover change on streamflow totals and regime, erosion and sedimentation issues and their remediation, wetland and forest hydrological issues. Of course, you can also use your knowledge to formulate water-related policies and climate change studies.

Admission requirements

The Master’s programme in Hydrology requires BSc-level knowledge of physics, mathematics, chemistry and basic earth science subjects. The Examination Board decides on admission of any applicant. The decision is based on the applicant’s educational background. If the educational background is deemed insufficient, the applicant may still be admitted with the condition that certain BSc-level courses are included in his or her MSc programme. If the specified BSc courses exceed 18 ECTS, the student may be advised to follow a pre-master’s programme before being admitted to the MSc programme.

International students

You can gain admission to the Master’s programme in Hydrology with a Bachelor’s degree in earth sciences, geology or geography. The same applies if you have a three-year BSc in other natural sciences and technology. Additional requirements in terms of background knowledge are made for certain specializations. Students not holding a relevant bachelor’s degree from VU University Amsterdam may be admitted to a Master’s programme of the Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences at VU University Amsterdam on the basis of a decision taken by the Examination Board of the relevant Master’s programme.

Language requirements

Foreign students for whom English is not the first language are required to have adequate results in an English language proficiency test: a TOEFL score of 580 (237 in the TOEFL computer-based test) or an IELTS score of 6.5, or they must obtain one of these qualifications upon applying to VU University Amsterdam. If you have another English qualification, please enclose relevant information and, if possible, a photocopy of the diploma, so that the Examination Board can take these factors into consideration.