Career preparation - MSc Urban Environmental Management

In the MSc programme Urban Environmental Management two subjects specifically focus on career preparation: the internship and the course Academic Master Cluster (AMC). Besides, there are also other additional possibilities related to career preparation.

Academic Master Cluster

In the AMC course you apply knowledge and skills acquired in previous courses and broaden these by executing a real-life, interdisciplinary consultancy assignment with a group of fellow students from different disciplines. The European Workshop, an AMC-type of course, is specifically designed for students from the MSc Urban Environmental Management. More information on this course, in which students visit an European country for two weeks, can be found in the study handbook and the paper The European Workshop (.pdf).

Internship

The internship consists of project work in an institution outside of Wageningen University & Research where you can apply learned skills and concepts to a professional setting. Depending on your interests, you work (at least) four months at an (inter)national NGO, research institute, consultancy firm, (start-up) company, etc. By selecting a specific internship, you can influence your future career towards a certain direction.

Career-oriented tracks

But there are also extra possibilities during your MSc Urban Environmental Managementto prepare and steer your career into a certain direction: by taking specific tracks offered by Wageningen University & Research or programmes offered by other institutions. 

Entrepreneurship

  • MSc Track Entrepreneurship - How about the entrepreneur (or intrapreneur) in you? Do you want to make a change? Or make lasting social or environmental impact? You can put your knowledge into action, valorize your ideas and try to make a difference. The Master Track Entrepreneurship is a comprehensive program focusing on innovative, sustainable entrepreneurship within the Wageningen domains (i.e. food and food production, living environment, health, lifestyle and livelihood). This track can be followed as part of your MSc program. Read more.

Research

  • WIMEK Graduate Programme - The WIMEK Graduate Programme offers a maximum of 15 excellent MSc students WIMEK-related MSc programmes, including the MSc Urban Environmental Management, the opportunity to participate in the 'WIMEK Graduate Programme'. This programme prepares highly motivated MSc students for an academic research career by further developing their research skills and writing a full PhD research proposal on a self-selected subject within the field of 'Environmental and Sustainability Sciences'. After finishing the conclusion of the WIMEK Graduate Programme all participating MSc students will be in an excellent position to pursue a career as a PhD candidate in one of the participating WIMEK research groups (or anywhere else in the world). Read more.
  • The WASS Graduate Programme - The Wageningen School of Social Sciences (WASS) Graduate Programme offers motivated MSc students from several MSc programmes the opportunity to follow a special track starting in the second half of the first year of their MSc. The programme prepares students for a PhD position by providing them with additional support for writing and defending their own PhD research proposal. Participants receive the best possible training and supervision in their endeavour to become a PhD candidate thereafter. Students who complete the graduate programme will receive a WASS certificate. WASS intends to earmark budget for (at least*) one PhD position for the best PhD proposal each year.Read more.

    They can mostly or completely be followed as part of your MSc programme. Note that you have to apply for these programmes and tracks, because only a limited number of students can be admitted. The selection procedure is usually only once a year.

    Career orientation Option Selection procedure Within MSc programme Certificate by WUR Certificate by other institution
    Entrepreneurship MSc Track Entrepreneurship Yes Yes Yes No
    Research WIMEK graduate programme Yes Mostly No Yes
    WASS graduate programme Yes Mostly No Yes

    For further questions related to these (additional) career-related possibilities during your MSc Urban Environmental Management you can contact your study adviser.