Ghent University - Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
Master of Science in Environmental Science and Technology
Ghent, Belgium
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 1,181 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Students who need a visa for Belgium: 31 March 2026 | Students who don't need a visa for Belgium: 31 May 2026
** European students (EEA-zone) and students from OESO/DAC recognised developing countries (lowest 2 categories): € 1.181| Other students: € 7.079
Key Summary
About: The Master of Science in Environmental Science and Technology at Ghent University's Faculty of Bioscience Engineering builds on more than 40 years of environmental education and research. Reformed in 2020–21 (previously Master of Science in Environmental Sanitation), the multidisciplinary programme focuses on chemicals assessment and management, resource recovery technology and urban environmental management.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter industry, government, NGOs and academia; non‑EEA students can apply for a 12‑month orientation year to seek work or start a business in Belgium. Typical roles include entrepreneurs, policy‑makers, consultants, researchers and lecturers. It builds skills in environmental assessment, sustainability and resource recovery.
- More than 40 years of experience in environmental education and research
- Multidisciplinary and integrated approach to deal with environmental issues
- Raising the professional careers of its graduates to a higher level, through continuous mutual cooperation and networking
Since 1988, the Centre Environmental Science & Technology of UGent has offered the Master of Science in Environmental Sanitation. As of the academic year 2020-2021, the program has been reformed and innovated and will be offered under a new name "MSc in Environmental Science and Technology (IMESTE)". This renewed program offers 3 majors:
- Chemicals assessment and management
- Resource recovery technology
- Urban environmental management
Structure
Semester 1 & 2 (Sept-June): comprehensive basis (60 ECTS)
- Environmental sustainability and policy
- Environmental diagnostics
- Environmental technology
- Applied ecology
- Environmental research skills
Semester 3 & 4 (Sept-June): specialization (60 ECTS)
- Majors (24 ECTS)
- Environmental assessment and management of chemicals
- Resource recovery technology
- Environmental health and technology for developing economies
- Urban environmental management
- Environmental health and technology for marine systems
- Elective courses (6 ECTS)
- Course(s) from other major
- Internship
- Ghent University elective courses in English
- Master dissertation (30 ECTS)
Ranking of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering:
QS ranking: position 9 (Agriculture and Forestry)
Shanghai Ranking: position 35 (Agricultural Sciences)
Times Higher Education ranking: position 49 (Life Sciences)
National Taiwan University ranking: position 19 (Agriculture)
Ranking of Ghent University
Shanghai Ranking: position 91
Times Higher Education ranking: position 115
National Taiwan University ranking: position 78
QS ranking: position 162
QS sustainability ranking: position 33
The general objectives and learning outcomes of this reformed and innovative study program remain unchanged. The 'MSc in Environmental Science and Technology' still focuses on the education of environmental specialists with ample knowledge of (1) the concepts and issues associated with environmental pollution, (2) the detection and quantification of environmental contamination, (3) the possible impact of environmental pollutants on ecosystems and biota, together with the current techniques for risk assessment, and (4) the available technologies for the prevention and remediation of environmental pollution (soil-water-air-waste) and the way they are designed and applied in practice.
Non-EEA students eager to enter the Belgian job market can apply for an orientation year in Belgium. An orientation year allows students to extend their stay in Belgium with 12 months to find a job or start their own business.
Get inspired at the Study in Flanders website or the Ghent University website.
Labour Market
Environmental Science and Technology graduates become active in diverse sectors and take on a wide variety of professional responsibilities. They become – among others – entrepreneurs, policy-makers, science advisers, technology consultants, R&D specialists in the industry, researchers, or lecturers at higher education institutions. The Environmental Science and Technology labour market clamours for people who are broadly trained in all aspects of environmental science and technology. There is also an increasing demand for creative and impactful problem-solvers with advanced knowledge and skills in emerging and globally pressing environmental topics, such as those offered in the majors: chemicals management, resource recovery and urban environmental management.