Utrecht University School of Governance (USG)

The Utrecht University School of Governance (USG) studies public organizations and their interaction with the social and administrative environment. This may concern public organizations such as government institutions, but also private organizations with public duties such as hospitals, housing corporations and service companies. Our main focus is how these organizations deal with current social issues and give shape to their public responsibility.

USG organizes programmes for students and professionals, conducts internationally-leading academic and applied research, and is a highly esteemed partner in the field of training, in-company courses and consultancy. Our approach is characterized by a combination of governance insights, practical applicability and high accessibility.

The small-scale and interactive Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Public Administration and Organization Science emphasise social, professional and research skills. We focus especially on politics, organization, culture, HRM, communication and sport. In the higher education surveys, the Public Administration and Organization Science programme continues to be very highly esteemed, both by USG students and by professors and senior lecturers from other institutions.

The USG’s academic research has an excellent reputation as well, both nationally and internationally. In 2008, the international assessment panel qualified the USG research as ‘very good’ to ‘excellent’.

The Executive and Master’s programmes for Professionals (EMP) link the participants’ professional experience to academic expertise. In addition, USG organizes customized courses and coaching for professionals.

The Utrecht University School of Governance Consultancy offers high-quality consultancy, conducts applied academic research and collaborates intensively with commissioning parties such as ministries, local authorities and profit and non-profit organizations.