Since this Master’s programme has a strong research bias, it gives you the skills, knowledge and insight you need to work independently, either to carry out professional research in a PhD programme or embark on one of the many career paths outside academia.
Ecology and Evolution: where Science meets Sustainability
What can you do after your Master's degree?
Start a PhD research project
You can build on your knowledge with a PhD position. About 50% of our students continue with a PhD after graduation, in the Netherlands or abroad. With the VU’s Master’s degree in Ecology and Evolution you will have access to a number of national and international PhD degree programmes. Our department’s PhD programme is part of the graduate school Production Ecology & Resource Conservation (PE&RC) and consists of a research project that leads to a PhD thesis/dissertation, and several compulsory or optional course modules. You can find more information about PhD programmes and Research Schools here:
Start working
With a Master’s degree in Ecology and Evolution you can follow a broad range of career paths. Some find a position in R&D-related research and others in organisations for policy development, nature management, education or environmental consultancy. Its scientific nature gives this Master’s many career applications outside academia.