Study programme
The courses below are for cohort 2024 onward. If you are already a student at UU and are looking for information about cohort 2023 or earlier, please check our student website.
The Master’s Earth, Life and Climate is a two-year programme taught in English. It includes both taught and courses and research, awarding a total of 120 points in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). On this page you will find information concerning the curriculum, courses, educational methods, examinations and extracurricular opportunities.
Curriculum
The first year of the programme is devoted to course work, while the second year is primarily spent conducting independent research and/or an internship. The programme offers considerable scope to design your own personal ‘Master’s plan’ matching your interests and competences.
Tracks
- Integrated Stratigraphy & Sedimentary Systems
Dynamics of marine and continental sedimentary systems - Climate Reconstruction
The reconstruction of climate change through Earth's history - Biogeosciences & Evolution
The evolution and response of biota to perturbations in the environments - Biogeochemistry
Processes that control the elemental cycles at the Earth’s surface
Courses
Below you can find an overview of the courses per track.
Educational Methods
- Course work
- Field research
- Independent research
- Internship/guided research
Examinations
- Final research papers
- Short papers or written exams
- In-class presentations
- Active participation and concluding reports
- Thesis
Extra opportunities
Utrecht University offers several honours programmes for students looking for an extra challenge. Honours education is followed on top of your regular Master’s programme and goes beyond the regular curriculum. Honours programmes are available at interdisciplinary level and allow you to go deeper into subjects or work on projects that transcend your own discipline.