Master of Sustainable Development
Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 7,771 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EEA fee
Introduction
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The Master of Sustainable Development prepares the sustainability leaders of the future. Students are trained to become agents of change who will imagine, trigger, and effectuate a sustainable future.
The master’s program is research-driven and mindful of ethics, gender, and diversity. It offers a transversal core program on sustainable development and two tracks of specialization: a Space & Society track and an Ecology track. The distinctive strength of this master’s program is its interdisciplinary character that bridges societal and ecological sustainability challenges while engaging with real-world settings, localities, and communities.
The common core involves the building up and integration of fundamental expertise in sustainable development, including theory, methodology, and practical applications in both ecology and social science. It comprises academic levelling training, courses covering different sustainability aspects, the formulation of an individual research portfolio, as well as a field trip in the Global South, an internship, and a thesis.
- The Space & Society track focuses on the societal component of sustainability transition, including social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions.
- The Ecology track focuses on both the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biodiversity at all organizational levels (species, genes, and ecosystems). Integration between both tracks will mainly be done through sustainable development practices at the local community level.
A major methodological innovation introduced by this program is the Sustainable Development Living Lab, a mobile platform through which the ICP community applies sustainability knowledge to problems of the Global South. The Living Lab is designed as a space of dialogue and co-learning between different agents and institutions involved in the creation, implementation, governance, and assessment of sustainable development. The lab connects students, and staff from the KU Leuven and Global South partner institutions from Africa, Asia and Latin America, but also practitioners and policy-makers, NGOs, and representatives of the private sector, among others.
Curriculum
Strengthening Courses
- Introduction to Geoprocessing
- Introduction to Cartography
Common Basis Courses
All courses are compulsory.
- The Sustainable Development Challenge
- Academic Leveling: Space, Society and Ecology
- Geography of Development
- Global Change, Ecosystems and Sustainability
- Current Topics in Conservation Biology
- Fieldwork in the Global South
- Sustainable Development Living Lab and Project
- Individual Portfolio in Sustainable Development
Specializations
Choose one of the specializations.
- Specialization: Space and Society
- Specialization: Ecology
Ideal Students
Student Profile
If you have a broad interest in a comprehensive approach to sustainable development, the Master of Sustainable Development may be the program for you.
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are taught in English.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 120 ECTS
- Degree Type: Master
- Specifications: Master of Science
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.
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 research. In our FabLab, students can use several 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 programs 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 center 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.
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Info Sessions
KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program
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. 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.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Career perspectives for alumni can be found in all sectors where sustainable development actions are being implemented at the local, national and international level. These include NGOs, civil society organisation, private enterprises, government admini strations, multi ¬lateral organisations, universities and research centres.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.