Specialisation Courses
Students have to choose at least 35 EC of Specialisation courses: 20 EC in the second semester of the first year, and 15 EC during the first semester of the second year.
30 EC of the 35 EC meant for specialisation courses, should be used to complete courses that are relevant for the field of Industrial Ecology, preferably also to the topic of the Thesis Research Project, and at master education level, i.e. for Leiden University with a level 500 or higher, for Delft University of Technology or other universities the course has to be from a master’s programme or comparable to a MSc level at a Dutch research university.
A list with pre-approved specialisation courses, relevant for the field of Industrial Ecology, can be found on the general Industrial Ecology Brightspace page. When choosing Industrial Ecology relevant specialisation courses from this list, only two courses from the cluster Entrepreneurship, one course from the cluster Organisation and Management and one course from the cluster Serious Games can be chosen.
As part of the 30 EC meant for specialisation courses relevant for the field of Industrial Ecology, students have to choose at least one course from a list of restricted electives on methods for analysing physical processes and one course from a list of restricted electives on methods for analysing social processes. These restricted electives are also on the list with pre-approved specialisation courses.
For more rules and regulations concerning the Specialisation courses, see the Implementation Regulations on the general Industrial Ecology Brightspace page.
Students started before September 2020
Students have to choose at least 18 EC of Specialisation courses. 6 EC can be done during the first year, and 12 EC during the second year. For more information and the rules and regulations concerning the Specialisation Courses, see the Implementation Regulations for Industrial Ecology on Brightspace.
12 EC of the 18 EC meant for specialisation courses, should be used to complete courses that are relevant for the field of Industrial Ecology, preferably also to the topic of the Thesis Research Project, and at master education level, i.e. for Leiden University with a level 500 or higher, for Delft University of Technology or other universities the course has to be from a master’s programme or comparable to a MSc level at a Dutch research university.
A list with pre-approved specialisation courses, relevant for the field of Industrial Ecology, can be found on the general Industrial Ecology Brightspace page. When choosing Industrial Ecology relevant specialisation courses from this list, only one course from the cluster Entrepreneurship, one course from the cluster Organisation and Management and one course from the cluster Serious Games can be chosen.
For more rules and regulations concerning the Specialisation courses, see the Implementation Regulations on the general Industrial Ecology Brightspace page.
The courses below are offered by the MSc Industrial Ecology, but students can also choose courses from the list with pre-approved Specialisation courses from other Leiden University and TU Delft MSc programmes.
Career Preparation
Career preparation at Leiden University
In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development.
'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
2. Transferable skills
These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example: researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.
3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies, what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?
In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?
4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through internships, work placements, projects, practical (social) assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment.
5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences from the work field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
Employability in the curriculum of Industrial Ecology
During the master Industrial Ecology, we want to provide you with the best possible preparation to enter the job market after graduation. On the one hand we make sure you develop the skills and knowledge that makes you a valuable candidate for future employers, but on the other hand we aim to provide you all information needed to orientate yourself on the labour market.
Activities contributing to career orientations during the master programme:
Individual intake meetings with the study advisors at the start of the master
Meetings with student mentors (2nd year master students)
Guest lectures in several courses of professionals outside of academia, for instance coming from NGO’s, consultancy agencies, research institutes, government etc.
Contact with relevant external organisations and stakeholders during the course ‘Sustainability Challenge’.
Activities to prepare for the labour market co-curricular or outside the curriculum of Industrial Ecology
Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market, especially where it concerns orientation towards the work field/the labour market, (career) skills and self-reflection. These may be information meetings on decision moments within your programme, but also career workshops and events organised by your own programme, the faculty Career Service or your study association.
Lectures from people outside of academia, for instance coming from NGO’s, consultancy agencies, research institutes, etc.
Our study association IESA Shift (sometimes together with other study associations) organises career events, such as interesting lectures by possible future employees, researchers and alumni. They also organise a yearly career event.
Inspirational talks by alumni of the master Industrial Ecology.
LinkedIn group for alumni of the master Industrial Ecology, in which vacancies are shared by the programme and group members.
Study Abroad Festival
Workshops and Career events Science Career Service
Bèta Banenmarkt
Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar
Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice on study (re)orientation and master's choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labour market and job applications.
Leiden University Career Zone
Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.
Workshops and events
On the course calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Career services.
