Biodiversity and Sustainability (MSc)

Why Leiden University?

Biodiversity and Sustainability

This master specialisation aims to discuss and answer these societal relevant biological questions, such as; How much biodiversity do we need to ensure that nature functions well? What determines the stability of ecosystems? How can we quantify ecosystem services? Are invasive species always bad for the ecosystem? Will species be able to adapt sufficiently fast to global change and what are appropriate measures to facilitate this process? And, how can we optimize ecosystem functioning and biodiversity for a sustainable society? By using ‘sustainability’ as a guiding principle, the programme provides students with an academic attitude by stimulating reflective, independent and creative thinking to support, conserve and manage biodiversity and sustainable ecosystem services. 

Array of disciplines

You can expand your intellectual horizons while deepening your expertise in an array of disciplines. You can learn about the fundamentals of Biology in a compelling and challenging environment. Disciplinary and interdisciplinary challenges provide a unique learning and research environment for our graduate programme.

Small groups

Courses and working classes concern small groups, while you are in one-to-one contact with a staff member during your research periods. We are committed to showing that a study in Biology is far from solitary and monastic, but rather that, at its very core, it is social and collegial.

International environment

The Leiden Graduate School of Science aims to provide an international academic environment with an appreciable number of master and Ph.D. students from abroad. Moreover the same applies to the scientific staff and the post-doctorate fellows. English is the language of the courses, the colloquia, the scientific meetings and the daily conversations in the research groups.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science is a first-class research faculty with an excellent position in the basic disciplines of science. The current research and education programmes span the entire spectrum of science ranging from Mathematics and Statistical Science, Computer Science and Data Science, Astrophysics, Physics, Chemistry and Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences to Biology and Environmental Sciences. Our science community is driven by their curiosity and desire to increase basic knowledge, for science and to contribute to the great societal challenges of today and tomorrow. Core values are scientific impact, technological innovation and relevance to society. 

Study at a world-class university

Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and enjoys an excellent worldwide reputation built up over more than four centuries. Since 1575 we’ve provided sound personal education for hundreds of thousands of students. We’ll do our utmost to give you the best possible support. And if you can and want to do more, we’ll challenge you every step of the way. For many years, we’ve been among the leaders in Dutch university rankings and we are currently to be found in a variety of top international rankings too.

More reasons to choose Leiden University