Studying Planning in Beijing enables you to view your own surroundings through new eyes, which gives you a new perspective on how multi faceted urban planning can be in small cities and metropoles.
The urban age of our globe is now unfolding, with more than half of the world’s population living in cities. Three quarters of the world’s urban population are in the Global South, and China plays a critical role in shaping the global trend of urban transformation. In a country with more than 1.3 billion people, 650 cities, and 20,000 towns, the urbanization process has been inducing a series of social, spatial, and economic changes in contemporary China. These transformations in turn foreground a vital challenge for people living in, and moving into, cities: how could we make the urban space more productive, innovative, and inclusive? To address this question, we need to reflect upon theories and practices of urban governance and seek alternative modes that are in line with local and historical-geographical conditions of urban development.
The Double Degree Master in Urban Governance within a Global Environment is a collaboration between the Faculty of Spatial Sciences of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, and the School of Public Administration and Policy of the Renmin University of China in Beijing. It combines the expertise of the Department of Spatial Planning and Environment in Groningen and of the number 1 university in China in the field of public administration.
Renmin University of China is a research-oriented key university with outstanding advantages in the fields such as economics, sociology, law and management.
| CoursesCourse Catalog > |
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| Semesters | ||||
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| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Chinese Culture and Philosophy (3 EC) | ||||
| Chinese Language (4.5 EC) | ||||
| Elective courses (6 EC) Choose 3 out of the following 4 courses:
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| Politics in Modern China (4.5 EC) | ||||
| Research Methodology in Urban Studies (3 EC) | ||||
| Theories and Practices of Public Administration (3 EC) | ||||
| Urban and Regional Development in China (3 EC) | ||||
| Master's thesis parts 1 & 2 | ||||
| Elective courses (12 EC) Choose 4 of the following 6 courses:
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| Theories and Practices of Urban Governance (3 EC) | ||||
| Theories and Practices of Urban Planning (3 EC) | ||||
For the first year of the double degree in Groningen, students can choose between the programmes:
The second year of the DDM takes place at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, which consists of the courses listed under "Year 2" above.
Students must have completed their year of study in China, including master's thesis, no later than 5 years after starting the Double Degree, otherwise the right to receive the Chinese diploma will be lost.
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
See Environmental and Infrastructural Planning & Society, Sustainability and Planning or contact Study Advice at study.advice.fss rug.nl |
| language test |
English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:
A prospective student can always apply for an exemption from the English language test. The student needs to explain, and if required show proof of, why an exemption would be justified. It is up to the Admission Board to decide whether an exemption will be granted or not. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
See Environmental and Infrastructural Planning & Socio-spatial Planning or contact Study Advice at study.advice.fss rug.nl |
| language test |
English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:
A prospective student can always apply for an exemption from the English language test. The student needs to explain, and if required show proof of, why an exemption would be justified. It is up to the Admission Board to decide whether an exemption will be granted or not. |
| other admission requirements |
Application deadline: May 1st |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 2530 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 20800 | full-time |
| EU/EEA | 2025-2026 | € 2601 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2025-2026 | € 21400 | full-time |
Scholarships: Check the Nuffic website for information about scholarships.
Students are expected to follow our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. For more detailed information about laptop requirements, please visit this webpagePractical information for:
Our graduates work in:
We support you in developing a rich set of analytical tools and practical skills that allow you to create sustainable cities. You become a critical professional who knows how to engage citizens in the major spatial transformations of our times.
The main research direction at Renmin University includes planning- and urban research. Focuses include: scientific urban planning mechanisms and efficient urban planning and management systems, urban social and community problems and migration.
The research agenda of the department of Spatial Planning and Environment focuses on 'Institutional Innovation and Spatial Transformation', as part of the Faculty's Research Program 'Towards Wellbeing, Innovation and Spatial Transformation' (tWIST).
