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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Cultural Geography: Climate Adaptation Governance
Header image Cultural Geography: Climate Adaptation Governance
Master - full-time

Cultural Geography: Climate Adaptation Governance

How can adaptation to climate change be achieved without sacrificing the unique cultural and historical identities of specific places? Which solutions are sustainable long-term for communities? How can solutions meet both adaptation goals and community acceptance?

✔️ Identify the impacts of climate change on society

✔️ Learn how transformative change and governance can address these impacts

✔️ Connect directly with the stakeholders playing a key role in advancing climate adaptation

MSc Cultural Geography

Climate Adaptation Governance is a track within the master's Cultural Geography . The programme offers two tracks : Climate Adaptation Governance and Sustainable Tourism & Society .

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Pre-master

Did you study at a University of Applied Sciences (HBO), or are you lacking specific requirements?
Join this short and focused pre-master course .

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Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Cultural Geography
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60656
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Campus Fryslân
Apply now
Why study this programme in Leeuwarden?

Consider studying this programme because:

  • Enjoy direct access to academic and professional staff, ensuring a personalized experience

  • Gain the tools to tackle public and private sector projects focused on the impacts of climate change

  • Build a competitive profile in a field central to national and international agendas

  • Experience a culturally sensitive, inclusive, and place-based curriculum within cultural geography

  • Engage with regional and international stakeholders advancing climate adaptation practices
Programme
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Adaptation Governance (5 EC)

This course covers the fundamentals of climate adaptation governance, including key theories, actors, and processes. It focuses on developing students' understanding and critical analysis of adaptation governance through academic and grey literature. The curriculum includes active learning methods, case study research, and analysis, enhancing students' problem-solving skills in various professional contexts. It comprises sessions on climate change effects, global adaptation governance, adaptation finance, national strategies, field visits, and workshops. It also addresses climate-driven migration and includes a simulation seminar on adaptation negotiations. Students choose specific themes (like adaptation finance or community engagement), sectors (such as agriculture or urban adaptation), and geographical areas for their studies and role-playing exercises.
Critical Approaches to Cultural Heritage and Identity (5 EC)
Field Work and Community Engagement (5 EC)
Gendered Geographies (5 EC)
Research Design (5 EC)
Urban Adaptation and Innovation (5 EC)

The course focuses on urban climate change adaptation, combining political, technological, and social innovations. It extends learning from previous CAG Master's courses to urban settings, covering topics like urbanization theories, governance, and 'smart city' innovations. It includes critical literature reviews, active learning, and field activities. Students analyze urbanization dynamics and their impacts on housing, infrastructure, and governance, choosing specific cities or networks for their projects.
Geographies of Migration (5 EC)

The Geographies of Migration course offers a deep dive into global migration discussions, focusing on human geography and worldwide population movements. It encourages critical thinking about prevailing migration narratives, analysis of global migration trends, and questioning of common assumptions. Students engage in examining societal phenomena linked to migration, borders, migration categorization, political identity, and place attachment. They analyze these topics through various socio-economic and cultural lenses within the context of global structures and power hierarchies.
Nature Based Solution (5 EC)

Nature based solutions (NBS) are ways of working with natural systems to protect, sustainably manage and restore ecosystems for water, climate change, biodiversity and livelihoods. In this course, you will gain an understanding of the NBS concept (and beyond), types and properties, with the aim of providing frameworks for its application in the context of transformative change.
Social Impact Assessment - Data and Representation (5 EC)
Master Thesis Cultural Geography (15 EC)

Study load

35 hours of class and self-study per week on average

The expected study load is 30 to 40 hrs per week, adding up to 1800 hrs in total for 60 ECTS per total of the programme. Most classes are taught in Leeuwarden or online (hybrid education); some classes may take place in Groningen or contain regional excursions.

Programme options
MSc Cultural Geography (track)

Sustainable Tourism & Society

Climate Adaptation Governance

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is unaccommodated
Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

The programme is open to students with an academic bachelor degree in geography, or social sciences with some background knowledge in geography, including at least 10 ECTS in statistics and research methods.
language test

Sufficient English language proficiency is required, except for native speakers of the English language from the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and The Netherlands.

The following documents are valid:

  • Full English Bachelor's degree*, where the only language of instruction is English.
  • TOEFL: a minimum score of 90 with a minimum of 18 on reading and listening, 20 on speaking and 21 on writing,
  • IELTS: a minimum score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 on all items, or
  • Cambridge: C1 advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180
  • English taught bachelors from the following countries are valid as proof of English proficiency: The Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

An exemption can be given by the Admission Board.
other admission requirements

Please use the step-by-step guide for more information regarding your eligibility and your specific application procedure

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 July 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
  • PLEASE NOTE: your application deadline is determined by the country where you obtained your diploma, not your nationality. For example: 'Dutch students' means students with a Dutch diploma; 'EU/EEA students' means students with a diploma from a EU/EEA country; 'non-EU/EEA students' means students with a diploma from a non-EU/EEA country.

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

The programme is open to students with an academic bachelor degree in geography, or social sciences with some background knowledge in geography, including at least 10 ECTS in statistics and research methods.
other admission requirements

Please use this step-by-step guide for more information regarding your eligibility and your specific application procedure: https://fd13.formdesk.com/rug/msc-cg-admission-application-guide

Language requirements

ExamMinimum score
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)C1
C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE)C2
IELTS overall band6.5
IELTS listening6
IELTS reading6
IELTS writing6
IELTS speaking6
TOEFL internet based90

Registration procedure

The programme is open to students with an academic bachelor degree in geography, or social sciences with some background knowledge in geography, including at least 10 ECTS in statistics and research methods.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 July 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
  • PLEASE NOTE: your application deadline is determined by the country where you obtained your diploma, not your nationality. For example: 'Dutch students' means students with a Dutch diploma; 'EU/EEA students' means students with a diploma from a EU/EEA country; 'non-EU/EEA students' means students with a diploma from a non-EU/EEA country.
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time
EU/EEA2025-2026€ 2601full-time
non-EU/EEA2025-2026€ 21400full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch studentsInternational students
After your studies

Cultural Geography equips you with the necessary theoretical and practical tools to contribute to place-related liveability in society. Quality of life depends to a large extent on successful adaptation to climate change.

After finishing our specialised track, you will be an expert in climate adaptation governance pathways. In such a position, you can positively influence key adaptation strategies, policies, and decisions that will play an increasingly influential role into the future.

Job prospects

Field trips, guest lectures, workshops, and serious gaming simulations, which are part of your programme, allow networking with future employers. They also help you understand what employers need, to understand job market expectations and plan your career path accordingly.

Job examples

  • Climate Adaptation Planner

    Developing and implementing plans and strategies to help communities and organizations adapt to climate change impacts.

  • Environmental Consultant

    Providing expert advice to businesses, governments, and NGOs on climate adaptation measures and sustainable practices.

  • Project Manager in Sustainable Development

    Leading projects focused on climate resilience, coordinating stakeholders, and ensuring projects meet environmental and regulatory standards.

  • Climate Policy Analyst

    Analyzing climate policies, assessing their effectiveness, and proposing improvements to support climate adaptation strategies.

Research

Research Areas

The programme is firmly rooted in Campus Fryslân's chair groups: Global and Local Governance; Governance and Innovation; and Sustainable Entrepreneurship in a Circular Economy, as well as the Research Departments (Governance; Sustainable Economy; Culture, Language, & Technology; and Health & Food).

We collaborate closely with partner organisations such as the Global Center on Adaptation and local partners.
These vast knowledge resources in Cultural Geography and climate adaptation governance-related studies allow you to benefit from existing in-house expertise and get involved with the latest topical research conducted by your lecturers and faculty partners.
Our online courses relating to climate adaptation governance have been made available free of charge and provide further insight into what can be expected in the master's programme.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Dutch diplomaInternational diploma
Dutch brochureEnglish brochure
Master's Weeksdiverse locatiesMore information
More events

Contact

  • Marijke Huisman-Wolters (For all questions related to the programme and application)
    Email: cf-cg rug.nl
    Telephone: +31 (0)6 31 98 24 13
Testimonial of Erika Compatangelo
I decided on this Master's programme because it offered me the opportunity to bridge my background in international relations with my ambition to contribute to climate governance.
– Erika Compatangelo
The fieldtrips we go on help us connect with stakeholders, making their problems very tangible and us part of the solution.
– Erika Compatangelo
In Leeuwarden, I really had the time to focus on myself and my experience, and how I can contribute to the community while also studying and having a great student life.
– Chiara about Leeuwarden

Study associations

Nobis Cura Futuri

Nobis Cura Futuri is the Study Association and the official embodiment of the international student community at Campus Fryslân.
Founded in 2020, we aim to provide plenty of fun, social and academic events (think of Pub crawls, talent shows, travels, guest-speaker evenings). All in the spirit of Nobis Cura Futuri: “The Care of the Future is Ours”, meaning we strive to provide activities that are aimed at making the most of your student life by adhering to our values of responsibility, diversity, sustainability and development.
https://www.rug.nl/cf/studeren-bij-cf/nobis-cura-futuri
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