Study programme

Urban and Economic Geography is a one-year Master’s programme taught in English that includes both courses and research, awarding a total of 60 point in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). On this page you will find information concerning the curriculum, specialisations, courses, educational methods, examinations and extracurricular opportunities.

Curriculum

Please note: There may be minor changes to the programme.

All students start with a introduction course Urban Futures, which focuses on socio-spatial and economic developments in urban areas. This course includes lectures, working groups, urban walks and bike tours. Later on, you will build on this course by doing an international fieldtrip.

In the first block, you will take the course Advanced Urban Geography or Advanced Economic Geography as the academic and more theoretical basis of your Master’s programme. In the second block, you will take three courses of 5 ECTS. Two courses will be offered for each specialisation. In addition, you will select one elective course that is connected to your specialisation or that combines disciplines. You can also take a course from the other specialisation as an elective.

Specialisations

The Urban or Economic Geography programme offers two specialisations. One focuses on urban geography, while the other focuses on economic geography. There are also courses common to both specialisations, such as the starting course Urban Futures.

Courses

Please note: There may be minor changes to the programme.

Below you can find an overview of the courses per specialisation.

Thesis, internship and research methods

Your choice of graduation subject and the accompanying research internship provide the best way for you to present yourself to future employers. The programme has made arrangements with a number of companies, research agencies and government organisations regarding internships and interesting research projects. If possible, you will conduct research in an agency or company (research internship). However, an internship is not mandatory and if you choose to do an internship, as part of your graduation subject, you need to arrange for this internship yourself. You will have plenty of time to do a research internship in periods 3 and 4. You will start your research in period 2; progress will be discussed in a series of seminars continuing into period 3. You can also conduct research abroad.

You will learn to master the accompanying research methods and techniques in period 1 and during your research in periods 3 and 4, by means of specialization modules in Methods and Techniques that tie in with your research. In order to prepare properly for the job market, you can take several masterclasses Professional Competences during the year of your Master's programme, which you may choose from subjects such as professional writing skills, governance and policy advice in a multi-actor society, and entrepreneurship.

Educational Methods

• Lectures, tutorials, seminars and computer practicals
• Guestlectures (e.g. alumni or professionals in the field)
• Site visits
• Practical assignments in cooperation with the professional field
• Peer feedback meetings and Student group meetings
• International fieldtrip
• Master's thesis project
• Internship (integrated with Master’s thesis project)

Examinations

• Written exams
• Oral presentations
• Papers and essays
• Master's thesis proposal and report

Difference with the two-year research Master’s

The Faculty of Geosciences also offers a two-year research Master’s programme in Global Urban Transformations. Students in the two-year Master’s programme are generally interested in a PhD programme in the Netherlands or abroad.