Study programme

The courses below are for cohort 2024 onward. If you are already a student at UU and are looking for information about cohort 2023 or earlier, please check our student website.

Spatial Planning is a one-year Master’s programme taught in English that includes both taught courses and individual research projects, awarding a total of 60 points in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This Master's is also offered as a part-time programme. The curriculum is then spread over a period of two years.

Curriculum

Full-time study programme

The first semester is dedicated to courses, whereas the second semester focuses on students’ individual research projects. 

Part-time study programme

The programme can be studied part-time as well. In this case you will start with taught courses in period 1 and 2, followed by the start of the Master's thesis. In this first part of the thesis, you focus on the research plan in period 3 and on theory and literature research in period 4.

The second year then starts with two other taught courses. The elective can be either done in the first or in the second year. In periods 3 and 4 you will finish your thesis by performing empirical research and analysis, as well as the final writing.

Courses

Educational Methods

  • Lectures and seminars
  • Independent research
  • Internship (optional)

Examinations

  • Final research papers
  • Short papers or written exams
  • In-class presentations
  • Active participation and concluding reports
  • Thesis

Extra opportunities

Utrecht University offers several honours programmes for students looking for an extra challenge. Honours education is followed on top of your regular Master’s programme and goes beyond the regular curriculum. Honours programmes are available at interdisciplinary level and allow you to go deeper into subjects or work on projects that transcend your own discipline.

Read more about the honours programmes