Environmental Science for Sustainability, Ecosystems and Technology  fulltime programme

In the first year, you will be challenged with relevant themes such as climate change and plastic soup. In four quarters, you will work on these themes and various practical assignments, combining theory and practice. You will also conduct experiments in the lab, do field research in nature and process environmental data with mathematical models. You will also work on your communication and intercultural skills, and discover your strengths, under the guidance of a personal coach.

Important courses:

• Environmental chemistry
• Laboratory skills
• Microbiology
• Sustainable energy
• Ecology

In the second year of ESSET, you will deepen and broaden your knowledge and skills. You will work on sustainable products, circular economy and nature-based solutions. You will have the opportunity to specialise further with modules in sustainable technology or ecosystem management, or you can follow modules taught together with other programmes within Avans. This freedom of choice allows you to connect to what motivates you and what you want to become good at.

Important courses:

• Climate change
• Lifecycle analysis
• Water management
• Environmental technology
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

In the third year you do an internship and you can choose between 2 semester programmes: Sustainable Energy and Resource Recovery, or Water management, Ecosystems and Climate Change.

Internships vary from working for an environmental consultancy to doing research at an institute. You are in the lead when finding and selecting an appropriate internship opportunity.

Important activities:

• Internship
• Project Sustainable Energy and Resource Recovery (option specialisation 1)
• Project Water management, Ecosystems and Climate Change (option specialization 2)

In your fourth year, you can take the minor Biobased Technology & Business Development, Disruptive Events, or a minor in another programme at Avans. Or at our partner universities. This allows you to pursue new or interdisciplinary topics and further enrich your professional competencies. During the second half of the year you will complete a graduation assignment within a company, agency or organisation. You can choose between the graduation projects we have available or find one yourself.

Important activities:

• Exchange programme Avans or partner university (interdisciplinary)
• Graduation assignment

For the first 1.5 years of your full-time programme at Avans, you will take courses within your own study programme, so that you have a steady home base and gain the necessary fundamental knowledge. After that, you have the opportunity to customise a quarter of your remaining programme by opting for elective modules from your own programme or other programmes that are best suited to what you want to learn.

You can also opt for more depth in your own field by charting a course that closely follows your home programme. You do not have to make these decisions alone; you will receive guidance from study and career counsellors and lecturers.