KU Leuven

Master of Bioscience Engineering: Sustainable Urban Bioscience Engineering

The Master in Bioscience Engineering: Sustainable Urban Bioscience Engineering is a new, unique and international programme jointly organised by the University of Antwerp, Ghent University and KU Leuven. It consists of 120 credits spread over two master years. The curriculum is the result of multidisciplinary cooperation across departments, faculties, research groups, institutes and universities

The first year consists of four introductory courses that will prepare you for the core of the first year of the master’s programme: the three multidisciplinary projects, called CityLabs: Urban Ecosystem, Urban Resources and Human Health and Urban Liveability.

The second year includes an internship. You may personalise your programme with advanced electives (min. 15 ECTS) and electives of free choice (max. 9 ECTS). A Master’s thesis of 30 ECTS concludes the programme.

The second year also offers the possibility of an international exchange period (Mobility window).

First-Year

Introductory Courses

During the first weeks of the academic year you will be immersed in urban sustainability in the course Sustainable Cities (3 ECTS): central concepts such as ‘sustainability’, ‘city’ and ‘ecosystem’ are discussed, and the most important urban environmental challenges are made tangible through excursions.

In Data Management & Visualisation (3 ECTS), you will follow the process from data collection to data communication and visualisation.

The course Spatial and Sustainability Analysis Tools (4 ECTS) will equip you with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in geographic information systems (GIS) and life-cycle-assessment (LCA).

In the course Societal Perspectives on Urban Sustainability (5 ECTS) you are introduced to urban sociology, urban planning, urban economy and relevant legal frameworks, and experience the added value of these complementary disciplines in urban bioscience engineering projects.

The introductory courses are organized by the University of Antwerp.

Citylabs

The core of the first year of the master’s programme consists of the three multidisciplinary CityLabs, with each partner university coordinating one CityLab. More details here.

Second Year

Professional internship

The second academic year includes a 25-day internship in a company or a non-academic organisation (6 ECTS). This practical work experience will offer you the opportunity to test and further develop previously acquired knowledge, skills and attitudes. More information on the internship can be found here.

Electives

In the second academic year, you can personalise your study program by taking elective courses (24 ECTS). Advanced electives (min. 15 ECTS) will deepen your understanding of the themes and technologies of the CityLabs. Electives of free choice (max. 9 ECTS) will deepen or broaden your knowledge, attitudes and skills in other subjects. A suggestion list is offered, containing courses that are relevant in the context of urban sustainability of environmental issues or in the context of the student’s personal development. But you can also choose courses from the wide range of programmes offered by the University of Antwerp, Ghent University or KU Leuven for these electives of free choice.

Master’s Thesis, Including Research Internship

The final part of the Master’s programme is an individual, multidisciplinary and scientific research project on a particular urban environmental problem that you will carry out as part of the Master’s thesis (30 ECTS) in cooperation with the relevant research groups or in a company/organisation belonging to the programme’s work field. More information on the Master’s thesis can be found here.

Mobility Window

You have the opportunity to gain experience abroad by following the first semester in a foreign institution (cf. Mobility Window, max. 30 ECTS) or by doing an internship abroad.

The courses are fully taught in English.

• Credits: 120 ECTS
• Degree Type: Master
• Specifications: Master of Science.

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. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.

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 own research. In our FabLab, students can use a number of 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 programmes 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 centre 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.

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

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.

KU Leuven Career Zone is the online job platform for KU Leuven students and recent graduates. Students can search for entry-level jobs, student jobs, internships volunteer work, and career events. Student associations and faculties often offer specific internships and entry-level jobs. They also provide lots of information on opportunities after graduation, career paths and the alumni network.

KU Leuven offers workshops and training courses. Some initiatives are specifically focused on supporting students when they transition to the job market. There is also an online toolbox with tips and tricks for students to find their first job. Students can take the necessary steps at their own pace. The toolbox consists of two parts. The first part is ‘discover yourself’, where students can discover what they want and what they are good at (interests and values, together with talents and skills). The second part is ‘discover the job market’, where students will learn how to profile themselves, how to network their way into a first job and how to explore the job market in Belgium and abroad.

KU Leuven KICK is the entrepreneurial community for students, researchers & professors of KU Leuven. They support the student's personal growth. KICK therefore offers programs to sharpen students' professional skills or further develop a business idea. This strengthens students as a (future) employee or entrepreneur.

Students can also gain work experience during their studies which will strengthen their skills and competencies for their transition to the job market. This is possible by means of a student job, volunteering or participating in an internship.