Career prospects

On this page you will find information about possible career prospects for both academic and non-academic careers. People with a Master’s background in Global Urban Transformations are in demand all over the world, because large-scale urban transformations are happening worldwide.

Possible prospects

This programme will equip you with the ability to critically assess research designs and results and policy implications. This will give you an excellent basis for either a PhD research position at a university or a senior position at national or international companies and research institutions.

Many of our recent graduates find jobs in companies (31%), while the second largest group of our graduates choose an academic career by entering a PhD programme in the Netherlands or abroad (26%), or by starting research-teaching activities at a university (10%). A few of our students found employment with non-academic research institutions (18%).

Academic careers

As a graduate of our research Master's programme Global Urban Transformations, you will have an excellent foundation for completing a PhD in the fields of urban geography, economic geography, international development studies, and urban and regional planning.

Non-academic careers

As a graduate of Global Urban Transformations, you will have also developed knowledge, skills and competences to use at non-academic institutions. You will qualify for senior research functions at international and national organisations, such as the United Nations, Dutch ministries, regional and local bodies, NGOs, and multinational companies.

Here is a small illustration of some non-academic careers available for our alumni:

  • National and local Government bodies
  • Research agencies
  • Housing associations
  • Project developers
  • Private consultancy agencies
  • NGOs

Career development

The Global Urban Transformations programme prepares you for a career in academia, as well as a profession at companies and (inter)national organisations. Our alumni are currently employed in positions within universities and outside academia, which indicates that the programme achieves these objectives.

Academic and Professional knowledge and skills

Upon completion of the Master's programme in Global Urban Transformations, you will be able to carry out scientific research independently in academic, policy, or consulting environments. Other benefits include:

  • An understanding of urban and regional development based on a strong theoretical background;
  • The ability to incorporate ideas and concepts into projects, reports, and proposals;
  • The skills needed for developing a research design for a professional or academic study;
  • A working knowledge of current quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection;
  • Advanced techniques for analysing qualitative and quantitative data;
  • The ability to synthesise and report research findings in accordance with academic and professional standards, culminating in scientific articles, professional publications/policy recommendations, and oral presentations;
  • Translating findings from research into policy recommendations and assessing their societal relevance;
  • Expertise in academic ethics, particularly as it relates to scientific research.

UU Career Services

UU Career Services offers training related to career orientation and job application skills; examples include writing an application letter and CV and conducting a job interview. You can find more information about career support on UU Career Services for Dutch students or UU Career Services for international students.

UU Careers Day

Once a year Utrecht University organises a Careers Day. The Careers Day offers the opportunity to sign up for workshops and trainings, and to meet recruiters at the careers fair. It’s also possible to join a job application training or have your resume checked.