Landscape and Heritage

Landscape and Heritage at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is an innovative master's program designed for students passionate about managing and preserving the cultural and natural landscapes that shape our environment. This interdisciplinary program combines insights from landscape architecture, cultural heritage, environmental science, and urban planning to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop sustainable landscape solutions that respect ecological balance and cultural identities. Throughout the program, students explore the complexities of landscape transformation, restoration, and conservation in various contexts, including urban, rural, historic, and natural environments. They learn to apply contemporary design, planning, and management techniques, supported by theories and research methods pertinent to landscape and heritage disciplines. The curriculum emphasizes practical experience through project-based assignments, fieldwork, and collaborations with professionals in the sector, enabling students to address real-world challenges related to landscape development and heritage preservation. The program also fosters critical thinking about policy frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and ethical considerations involved in landscape interventions. Graduates will be prepared for careers in landscape architecture firms, heritage organizations, environmental consultancy agencies, governmental bodies, and international organizations committed to sustainable development and cultural heritage management. With a strong international orientation and interdisciplinary approach, the Landscape and Heritage master's program at VU Amsterdam aims to cultivate professionals capable of making meaningful contributions to the preservation and sustainable development of landscapes worldwide.

Two specializations, one Track

The Master's programme Archaeology: track Landscape and Heritage combines two specialisations:

Landscape archaeology is a specialism which is well developed at the VU University. The Netherlands (large scale excavations) and the Mediterranean (surface surveys) form the historical landscapes on which fieldwork is conducted, and are also the focal points for ongoing research projects about the use of GIS in archaeology and villa landscapes in the north of the Roman Empire. The initiation of international Landscape Archaeological conferences that was started at the VU University Amsterdam in 2010 gives the specialism Landscape Archaeology a rich expertise. Students in Landscape Archaeology at VU will have an interdisciplinary view on the platform landscape and are well trained in broad concepts and views.

Archaeology is seen progressively more as heritage, which gives it a new social and economic meaning. This conjures up several important questions. What, for example, is archaeological heritage? How do we envision the processes of preservation and management? What role does archaeology play in spatial planning? How archaeological heritage management currently is organised and financed in the Netherlands and in other European countries, and how will it be done in future? These and other questions are dealt with in the programme, which encompasses several elective modules from the interdisciplinary Master’s in Heritage Studies.

Core themes in the programme are: ecological and economic dimensions of interrelationship between man and landscape; the historical stratification of landscapes; the ‘past in the past’; landscape and identity, and science-based concepts in Landscape Archaeology. If you are interested in landscape as a platform for archaeological research then this Master is equipped for you. Do you want to be a graduated archaeologist, but also focus on heritage management and policy? If so, then this Master’s is the programme for you.

With ‘Landscape & Heritage’ the VU offer the only archaeological programme with a specialization which combines landscape archaeology and heritage in Europe. Though you receive a Master’s diploma in Archaeology, you also take heritage related courses during your study programme. You are also introduced to every facet of the current archaeological system and the way in which the ‘market’ operates. You are hereby able to specialize yourself in policy and advice.

Structure

The programme comprises 60 ECTS credits:

• 42 credits for core courses, including elective courses (12 credits)
• 18 credits for a Master’s thesis

Field work

You learn the skills you need for doing fieldwork. Apart from analysing, reporting and presenting field data, these skills also include managing and conducting fieldwork, e.g. making reasoned choices, adhering to deadlines, delegating tasks and working within a group. You will learn these skills in a practical setting at one of the VU’s current research locations in the Netherlands and in the Mediterranean.

Thesis

The Master’s thesis (18 ECTS) reports on research carried out by the student under the supervision of two academic staff members involved in the programme. The subject of the thesis must be mutually agreed upon by the student and the academic advise

Admission and application

Admission is based on a strict selection procedure. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application. If you have read the admission criteria below and feel you are eligible for admission, please take the following steps to submit your application. Note that the initial application procedure is fully online and that scans of your relevant documents are required.

Step 1: Meet admission criteria 
Step 2: Prepare documents and apply online 
Step 3: Await decision on admission 
Step 4: Finalize registration and move to Amsterdam! 

Step 1: Meet admission criteria

In order to gain admission to one of our Master’s programmes, you will need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university including at least three full years of academic study amounting to a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent. 

Specific admission requirements for the Master’s Programme Archaeology, specialization in Landscape and Heritage 

Students with a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology are eligible for admission. 

You must always present official test results proving your proficiency in English. Only students who have completed a  full high school/International Baccalaureate in English or bachelor’s degree in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, or Australia may be exempted. You can already apply online without having the test results. In case you haven’t taken a test yet we advise you to plan a test date as soon as possible. Below you will find the minimum English test scores for the English taught programmes at the Faculty of Humanities: 

TOEFL score (score 600 paper based with a minimum of 55 in each of the subtests plus 4.0 in TWE, score 250 computer based or score 100 internet based with a minimum of 20-23 in each of the subtests).  IELTS score of 7.0 overall band score (with none of the separate section scores dropping below a minimum score of 6.5). 
Cambridge English: Cambridge Proficiency Exam A, B, C, or Cambridge Advanced Exam A, B, C.

Step 2: Prepare documents and apply online 

Please prepare the following documents. You can find an explanation of each document on the application page. All documents should be provided in English. 

• Copy of your valid passport or ID (ID only for EU residents) 
• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation Letter
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Transcript of records 
• Thesis (or another sample of academic writing, at least 5 pages plus a list of used literature)
• A description of the relevant courses you have taken during your previous higher education 
• A list of all the main literature used during your previous higher education  

After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. After you have completed the application, our international student advisors will contact you via email.

Step 3: Await decision on admission
The admission board will review your application as soon as it is complete. Normally this takes about four weeks, but it might take longer in busy periods so be sure to apply as soon as possible. If you gain admission, you will receive a letter of conditional admission by email. You can start planning your move to Amsterdam!

Step 4: Finalize your registration and move to Amsterdam!
Make sure to finalize your registration as a student before the start of the programme. Here you will find an explanation what to do after admission. When all conditions are met you will be ready to start your programme at VU University Amsterdam! 

The Landscape and Heritage master's program at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers diverse financing options to support students throughout their studies. Tuition fees for international students are set annually and may vary depending on the student’s nationality. Domestic students benefit from Dutch government funding schemes and subsidies, which can significantly reduce the financial burden. Dutch residents and European Union students are eligible for the statutory tuition fee, which is generally lower than the institutional or non-EEA fees. Non-EU international students usually pay higher tuition fees, which are fixed annually and outlined on the university’s official website.

Students are encouraged to explore scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities offered by the university. The VU Fellowship Programme is one such scholarship aimed at talented students from outside the European Economic Area, providing partial or full tuition fee coverage. Additionally, the Holland Scholarship is available for international students from outside the EU/EEA who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and are admitted to the Landscape and Heritage program.

Students can also apply for externally funded scholarships such as Erasmus+ grants, which support study exchange or internships within Europe, or country-specific grants provided by governments or private foundations from their home countries. The university provides dedicated advice centers to assist students in their application processes for these financial aids.

Apart from scholarships, students often rely on student loans or part-time work to finance their studies. The Dutch government offers loan schemes for Dutch residents, and many students take on part-time jobs secured either on-campus or within the local community, adhering to work-hour restrictions for international students. The cost of living in Amsterdam should factor into financial planning, including accommodation, transportation, health insurance, and daily expenses.

The program also emphasizes the importance of early financial planning and offers workshops on budgeting and financial management. For students from abroad, additional expenses such as visa fees, residency permits, and travel costs should be included in their financial planning. Overall, the program has a robust framework of funding options designed to support students from diverse backgrounds, making postgraduate studies in Landscape and Heritage more accessible and financially manageable.

Landscape and Heritage at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is a multidisciplinary master's program that offers students an in-depth understanding of the complex relationship between natural and cultural environments. The program focuses on the sustainable management, conservation, and development of landscapes and heritage sites. Students are introduced to a variety of analytical and practical skills, including landscape analysis, heritage management, spatial planning, environmental policy, and participatory planning processes. The curriculum combines theoretical insights with practical assignments, fieldwork, and project-based learning, enabling students to develop innovative solutions for real-world landscape and heritage challenges.

Throughout the program, students explore regional and urban landscapes, cultural histories, and ecological processes, gaining a comprehensive perspective on the diverse factors that influence landscape development and preservation. The program emphasizes the importance of integrating multidisciplinary approaches, including geography, archaeology, environmental sciences, and cultural studies, to build holistic strategies for landscape management. Moreover, students learn about legislation and policy frameworks relevant to heritage protection and land use planning, preparing them for careers in public administration, consultancy, and non-profit organizations involved in landscape and heritage conservation.

The program is designed for students with a background in geography, archaeology, environmental sciences, architecture, or related fields who are passionate about shaping sustainable landscapes and safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations. Collaborative projects with local governments, heritage organizations, and community stakeholders form a key part of the curriculum, providing practical experience and professional networking opportunities. Graduates of this program are equipped with the critical thinking and technical skills needed to address current environmental and heritage issues, contributing to policy-making, urban development, and heritage preservation initiatives at various levels. The program emphasizes international perspectives, encouraging students to consider global challenges and solutions in landscape and heritage management. Ultimately, this master's degree prepares students to become effective professionals and researchers dedicated to the sustainable stewardship of landscapes and cultural heritage worldwide.