Career prospects

On this page you will find information about possible career prospects for both academic and non-academic careers. The Master's Spatial Planning prepares you for a job as an independent and internationally recognized spatial planner.

Academic careers

Graduates can follow up their Master’s degree by pursuing a PhD in the Netherlands or elsewhere and ultimately a career in applied or fundamental research. The Master’s thesis that you write during the Spatial Planning programme can form a strong basis for those who consider a career in academia, as it is focused on a societal problem and comprises an academic endeavour.

Non-academic careers

Graduates from this Master’s programme can pursue a career as an independent spatial planner in policy-, project- and process management, or research. You will be able to work in the Netherlands or abroad from the local up to the European levels. With a broad perspective and a keen eye for various cultural and institutional contexts, planners work in various organisations. Some examples where you can start your career as a junior planner:

  • municipalities, provinces or (trans-)national government
  • research and consultancy firms
  • international profit and non-profit institutes
  • social and civil organisations
  • real estate developers and investors
  • engineering and building firms
  • universities

Career development

Academic and professional knowledge and skills

  • Students can analyse spatial problems with scientific methods.
    Students are assisted in developing an advanced academic attitude, knowledge and skills in their chosen specialisation by offering an interactive learning environment inspired by the field of specialisation and research activities of lecturers.
  • Students can use existing knowledge and theories to find solutions.
    Students learn how to use planning theory purposefully to analyse, develop and support spatial planning in practice and research.
  • Students can critically reflect on sustainable spatial development.
    Students discuss the sustainable development of cities and regions and develop skills to critically assess the sustainability of spatial development practices.
  • Students understand the governance and management of cities. 
    Students will learn how planning and governance processes in the urban context work. To this end, different theoretical perspectives on governance in spatial planning are discussed and the role of governance is analysed in case studies of (inter-)national complex spatial projects.
  • Students can apply the academic knowledge and skills acquired during the master's study to specific spatial planning problems independently and in an self-responsible way.

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.