Industrial Ecology (MSc)

About the programme

What do you get out of our Industrial Ecology programme?

• The knowledge and tools needed to act: you will be able to make a real contribution to the transition towards a sustainable world 
• A wide-reaching international network of fellow-students, teachers, and other IE experts 
• A MSc degree in a field that is highly sought after in the job market 

Lukas Klein Goldewijk

2nd year student

''I would highly recommend Industrial Ecology to anyone that wants to develop a broad understanding of environmental challenges, while also being able to deep dive into areas that they find most interesting. Personally, I really enjoyed taking renewable energy courses at TU Delft, focussing on battery and hydrogen technology. Besides those more technical courses, I specialized in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)—a typical Industrial Ecology method for environmental impact assessment. Applying LCA in my thesis within the construction sector helped me develop this skill in a field that I find very interesting. At the end of the programme, I have a strong feeling I can use the knowledge and skills I learned in practice, and also notice that they are in high demand!

Beyond the content, there is a great atmosphere within the programme, and both professors and study advisors are very supportive. Besides, since everyone comes from various backgrounds, there is always someone to help out!

Overall, I look back on Industrial Ecology as an inspiring journey where I got to work with driven and like-minded students on meaningful sustainability solutions.'' Lukas klein Goldewijk – 2nd year student Background: BSc Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University

Quan van der Knokke

Graduate, Scientific researcher sustainable mobility

“Coming from a background in Applied Physics, I was searching for something more connected to real-world challenges, and Industrial Ecology (IE) delivered exactly that. What stood out most was the alignment of values among students and staff. Everyone was motivated by the same desire to make a difference. The programme equipped me with both technical skills, like life cycle assessment, and soft skills like stakeholder collaboration and communicating research. After a traineeship at the European Commission, I now work as a researcher in sustainable mobility at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The IE mindset (to think broadly and act purposefully) is something I apply every day. My advice? Stay curious and open. IE prepares you to pursue many different paths, all with impact at their core.” Graduate Quan van der Knokke, Scientific researcher sustainable mobility, KiM Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis, Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management

Programme overview

The two-year programme consists of 120 European Credit Transfer System points (EC) and includes core courses (30 EC), two Industrial Ecology Projects (20 EC), specialisation courses (35 EC) and the Thesis Research Project (35 EC). 

First year 
During the first semester of the first year, you will gain a broad understanding of Industrial Ecology and its applicability to society, industry, and business. We will make sure that you are equipped with the thorough knowledge and skills needed for the analysis of sustainability problems and the design and implementation of solutions. During the second semester you will focus on the integration and application of this knowledge and these skills. This is where theory meets practice, as you will carry out a project on an urban or industrial system, proposing sustainable solutions such as the implementation of circularity concepts, or alternative technologies for decarbonisation. In the first year’s second semester you will be able to choose specialisation courses that align with your personal interests. 

Second year 
The second year is aimed at further integration and application of the knowledge that you have gained during the first year, in the form of a second project course, specialisation courses and your thesis research project. For the project course – the Sustainability Challenge – you will be part of a student team working on real-world problems put forward by commissioners from technology, government, or business sectors. This course will give you the hands-on experience and connections that you need when entering the labour market. In addition, during this year, there is room for further specialisation, and of course, you will also be writing your thesis. 

Freedom of choice 

We greatly value the various perspectives and backgrounds that our students bring to the programme and encourage them to create an individual Industrial Ecology pathway that fits or extends their personal expertise. If you have for instance a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, you may be particularly interested in helping various stakeholders find common ground as a basis for moving forward. Alternatively, if you have a bachelor’s in Industrial Design, your focus may be on designing eco-friendly systems. We can truly say that in our MSc programme, all students have the opportunity to find their own niche. 

From the first year’s second semester onwards, you can select a number of specialisation courses. The collaboration between TU Delft and Leiden University ensures that there is a wide array of disciplines and topics to choose from. In other words: whatever your focus of choice is, both universities will provide the expertise to guide and support you in your further development.

Educational methods

​​​In this programme, we attach great importance to hands-on experience. In this way you will be able to apply the theory and skills you will be learning. You will have plenty of opportunities to put the knowledge you are gaining into practice, among others in group projects dealing with real-life challenges. 

Our educational methods include 

• Lectures and seminars 
• Group projects and assignments
• Individual papers 
• Exams
• Presentations
• Practical hands-on work, workshops, site visits 

• Flipped classroom

We encourage our students to share their specific bachelor’s knowledge, particularly during group assignments. You will find that this approach contributes to a vibrant and rich learning environment. 

Study guidance

You will be guided through your study programme by the Industrial Ecology study advisors Paula and Marleen. You are welcome to discuss your study plans and other study-related issues with them. The study advisors monitor students’ study progress and contact those who are dealing with difficulties or a study delay. Do you have questions about study material, would you like to discuss handy study tips or do you, as an international student, need help in getting a grip on life in the Netherlands? In cases like these you can turn to your mentor, who is a second-year IE student. And of course, our teaching staff is open to answer questions on course-related issues and thesis research topics.