Degree from a Dutch research university

To be are eligible for the Master’s programme Spatial Planning, you must satisfy the following admission requirements:

• An (inter)national academic Bachelor’s degree in Human Geography and Planning or a closely related program. Students should have demonstrable knowledge of issues related to Spatial Planning (i.e. knowledge of the basic principles, legal system, theories, methodologies and applications of spatial planning);
• Knowledge of, and experience with, both quantitative and qualitative methods for research in Social Sciences.

In principle, students with a Bachelor’s degree from a university must have a GPA of at least 2.4 (on a scale of 1-4) or at least 6.5 under the Dutch system to qualify for admission. In addition, the Admissions Committee will look at the student’s marks for courses in spatial planning, performance development throughout the Bachelor’s programme, study duration, relevant work experience and the letter of motivation. A good command of English, both verbal and written, is required in all cases.

You may still be eligible for admission if you have a Bachelor’s degree other than one of those enlisted above. In such cases, the admission committee may propose a tailor-made Pre-Master’s programme.

If you have a Bachelor's degree from a Dutch research university and do not fully meet the entry requirements, the Admissions Committee may propose a tailor-made Pre-Master’s programme to compensate for these deficiencies in your previous education, particularly related to research methods and techniques.

In order to qualify for admission to the Pre-Master’s programme, you should be able to show that your courses (and/or related work experience) have equipped you with sufficient conceptual and empirical knowledge of spatial planning.

The Pre-Master's programme generally comprises 15-30 EC. After successful completion of the Pre-Master’s programme, you will be admitted to the Master’s programme.

You cannot apply specifically for a Pre-Master’s programme. Please follow the regular application procedure for the Master’s programme. The Admissions Committee will then decide whether you will be admitted with a Pre-Master’s programme, and if so, which courses you must take. Only then may you register for the Pre-Master’s programme in Studielink. 

Please note:

• A Pre-Master's programme is only available for students with a Dutch educational background who do not need housing, and who do not have or require a residence permit for study purposes. When in doubt about your residence permit, you can send an email to Utrecht University's Admissions Office, including a copy of both sides of the permit. Do not forget to state clearly that you are referring to a Pre-Master’s programme.
• The Pre-Master’s programme consists of courses from the Dutch language Bachelor’s ‘Sociale Geografie en Planning’. Therefore, you must master the Dutch language at an academic level.

There is no guarantee that a Pre-Master’s programme will be offered. Making up for any insufficiencies before applying is always recommended.