The VKI Research Master in Fluid Dynamics in Belgium | Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI)

The Research Master of the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI) is a one-year postgraduate programme at “Master-after-Master” level (also known as VKI Diploma Course) with a 55-years tradition. The program offers a wide choice of specialised courses on various aspects of fluid dynamics. Half of the year is devoted to a personal research project under close guidance by members of the faculty. The research may be experimental, theoretical, or computational in nature. The VKI Research Master in Fluid Dynamics complements the master programmes of universities with a profound research oriented specialisation.

UNIQUE INTERNATIONAL SETTING

Originating from more than 10 countries, about thirty-five young engineers and scientists work together in a unique international team spirit, following a tradition of excellence initiated by Theodore von Karman in 1956.

EXCEPTIONAL ENVIRONMENT

One-year specialisation for research in:

• Aeronautics and Aerospace
• Turbomachinery and Propulsion
• Environmental and Applied Fluid Dynamics.

Access to an extraordinary set of wind tunnels covering all regimes, from low subsonic to hypersonic flow. Free access to the internationally renown lifelong learning program “VKI Lecture Series”.

Recent research programmes cover the following fields: aircraft and space propulsion; aerothermal flow in turbomachinery; turbomachinery design and testing; flight and ground testing for space vehicles; small satellites development and launching; noise and emission reduction; non-intrusive instrumentation; physico-chemical and numerical modeling, design and optimization; industrial plasma processes; thermal-hydraulics and safety of nuclear reactors; cryogenics; wind energy and green energy systems.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Citizenship in one of the NATO countries. (Non-NATO nationals residing in NATO countries will be considered for admission if they are recommended by an RTO National Delegate of their country of residence on the ground that their attendance at VKI would be beneficial to that country.)
• A five-year engineering or science degree (3-year B.S. + 2-year M.S.) from a European university or a M.S. from an American, Canadian or Turkish University.
• Endorsement of the applicant by an RTO National Delegate.
• A working knowledge of the English language

TUITION FEES

There is no tuition fee for citizens of Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey. Citizens of Canada, Denmark, Greece, The Netherlands, Poland, the U.K. and the U.S.A. may receive information on the tuition fee by writing to the Director of the von Karman Institute.

COST-OF-LIVING FELLOWSHIPS

Grants are available to citizens of the above-listed countries who have been accepted into the Research Master in Fluid Dynamics Course program and have demonstrated no other means of support.

REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN THE DEGREE

The VKI Research Master in Fluid Dynamics comprises a balanced combination of classroom lectures and individual research. Attendees select one of the areas of specialisation and follow the courses therein, adding optional courses to their program if they so desire. Attendees are allowed a certain flexibility in the selection of their course program. The final curriculum will be decided after consultations with the Institute's Faculty and will involve a minimum of 30 ECTS (*) of courses outlined in the syllabus and 30 ECTS for an independent research project.

Faculty members will assist attendees in selecting an appropriate research project. The individual research project will be weighted with a factor of nearly two compared to the performance in course work.

The VKI Diploma will be awarded to attendees who, in the opinion of the faculty, achieve a mark of at least 60% in both course work and the research project.