The programme offers a lot of freedom to follow your interests. This begins with the choice between two tracks: Environmental Management, which focuses on societal applications, and Earth System Sciences, which is more research-oriented. 
Within these tracks, there is still plenty of room to customise your studies. My interests were in nature management and GIS/remote sensing, so I consistently chose options in these areas. Even within individual courses, you often have the opportunity to apply the theory to a case study of your choice. You can decide whether to explore different topics for each course to broaden your knowledge, or to focus on a single topic throughout your studies to develop deeper expertise. This allows everyone to build their own specialisation.

In my experience, the Environmental Management track offers a good balance between theory and practice, with an emphasis on practical work. There were few courses that followed a traditional structure of lectures, tutorials, and exams. Instead, most courses started with a theoretical introduction, after which students conducted further research and applied their findings to a case study.

The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. The group was relatively small, so everyone knew each other, and there were opportunities to establish personal contact with the lecturers. Although I studied during the COVID-19 pandemic, which sometimes made direct contact challenging, we still managed to connect well through Zoom. Assignments were roughly split 50/50 between group work and individual work, which I found to be a good balance.

Because the programme is part of IBED, a wide range of topics is available for dissertations, ranging from studying the smallest components of soil life to investigating large-scale ecosystem dynamics. 
For my dissertation, I developed a monitoring method for vegetation in nature reserves using satellite and drone imagery, reflecting my interest in remote sensing and nature management. This was a highly educational project where I gained expertise in remote sensing, object-based image analysis, and vegetation classification – and also learned that fieldwork plans rarely go as expected! 
The Environmental Management track also offers the option to do an internship. I completed mine at The Ocean Cleanup, where I worked on a model to identify the rivers worldwide that transport the most plastic into the ocean.

It was relatively easy to find a job. I applied to just one other position before being hired by the Province of Noord-Holland. Here, I am part of a two-year programme where I can try out three different roles within the organisation. So far, I have worked on the applicability of a nitrogen model for traffic on provincial roads, and I am currently conducting geographic analyses for policymakers on rural development. 
There is a high demand for professionals with broad knowledge of nature and soil, especially those with technical skills. You can quickly find work with governments, engineering firms, and consultancy agencies. Another option is to pursue a PhD.

Follow your interests, choose the topics that excite you, and you’ll always find your way!

I had already completed my bachelor’s degree in Future Planet Studies at the UvA and had a very positive experience with the university. The bachelor's programme was well-organised, and the teaching methods were diverse and engaging. Furthermore, the Earth Sciences master’s programme aligned seamlessly with my undergraduate studies, meaning I didn’t experience much overlap or knowledge gaps. 

Compared to other programmes I considered, the UvA provided an exceptional amount of freedom in selecting courses and projects. However, this also requires a proactive attitude—you need to take the initiative to explore your interests and figure out how best to structure your time. But this flexibility allows you to create your own academic path. 

The programme strikes a great balance between theory and practice. Typically, you start with theoretical foundations and soon get the opportunity to apply them in real-world settings. There are many courses that include fieldwork—both in the Netherlands and abroad—as well as courses where you conduct experiments in the laboratory. 

The atmosphere is international and social. It’s a relatively small programme, which means you have frequent contact with fellow students and build close connections with lecturers. The threshold for asking questions or reaching out for help is low, and getting answers to study-related questions is easy. The programme focuses heavily on group assignments, which helps you quickly get to know your peers while also developing collaboration and communication skills. 

There is an incredible variety of options. Earth Sciences is part of the IBED research institute, and you have the freedom to talk to different researchers to find a project that suits you. In the first year, you receive introductions from various lecturers showcasing their research and available projects, giving you a clear idea of your options and potential supervisors. 

For my thesis, I researched the changes in the stability of organic carbon in the soil of abandoned agricultural terraces over time. As part of this, I conducted a week of fieldwork in northeastern Spain, where I collected soil samples, which I later analysed in the laboratory in Amsterdam. I loved how diverse my thesis was, as it included a mix of fieldwork, lab work, and analytical research. 

I found a job within three months of graduating, which I thought was quite fast. I got my current role at ERM through a connection who was already working there and shared a lot of insights about the company. What attracted me to ERM was the diversity of projects and the wealth of technical expertise in areas such as climate, nature, and biodiversity. 

There are many career paths you can take after this master’s. Some of my fellow graduates now work for the government, some have pursued a PhD, and others have joined NGOs abroad. I found the job search process challenging at times, but the freedom within the master’s programme helped me explore my interests and forced me to make choices based on what I wanted to do after graduation and what skills I needed to achieve that goal. 

Take your time to explore all the opportunities and options available! Follow your interests and, most importantly, enjoy the experience—your time as a student flies by!