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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Designing Spatial Transformations
Header image Designing Spatial Transformations
Master - full-time

Designing Spatial Transformations

Are you eager to tackle the spatial challenges of our time? Do you want to design innovative solutions for sustainable urban development and climate adaptation?

The Designing Spatial Transformations track in the Master’s programme of Environment and Infrastructure Planning at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences offers you the tools and knowledge to address complex spatial challenges.

What you'll learn

  • Theoretical and epistemological foundations of spatial design
  • Advanced design methodologies and collaborative techniques
  • Integration of design and research in knowledge production
  • Collaborative design methodology, methods, and techniques
  • Visualization and communication skills
  • Critical analysis of current spatial design practices

Why study this track?

Graduates are equipped to design intelligent interventions and co-design proposals with stakeholders, addressing multifaceted challenges in urban and rural settings. You will culminate your studies with a master thesis focused on 'research on design,' 'research for design,' or 'research through design,' showcasing your skills in real-world applications.

Join us to become a leader in shaping sustainable cities and landscapes!


Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Environmental and Infrastructure Planning
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
66194
Language of instruction
English
Start
Faculty
Spatial Sciences
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Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Urban areas and issues of infrastructure, environment and water
  • Thinking (policy strategies) and doing (practical work on projects and plans)
  • Compare international theory and practice
  • Programme linked to international (e.g., AESOP) and national (e.g., Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment) institutes
  • Optional: double degree masters (in Indonesia, China and Germany)
Programme
Semesters
Courses1a1b2a2b
Design & Planning Theory (5 EC)
Dilemmas in Infrastructure Planning (5 EC)
EIP: Interactive Workshop (5 EC)
Co-design Methods & Methodology (5 EC)
elective (5 EC)
Master thesis (design related) (20 EC)
Reinventing Environmental Planning (5 EC)
Transitions in Water Management (5 EC)
Transformative Design Approaches (5 EC)

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is unaccommodated
Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Universities of applied sciences

Via a pre-master

More information:

For more information please see www.rug.nl/frw/education/pre-master
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Spatial Planning and DesignAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Liberal Arts and SciencesAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

Direct access with Philosophy, Politics & Economics, and Physics of Energy, no access with other majors
International Land and Water ManagementAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Landscape Architecture and PlanningAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Human Geography and Urban and Regional PlanningAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

Advice for your electives: choose courses of the bachelor in Spatial Planning and Design

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Holders of a certificate from the Bachelor's degree programme in Human Geography and Planning (Sociale Geografie & Planologie) or Spatial Planning and Design from a Dutch university are assumed to have sufficient knowledge and skills and will also be admitted to the degree programme on that basis. Admission is also possible for students that have completed the 1st year of a related Double Degree programme at the partner university.

If you are not directly admissible you can follow a pre-master programme. See more information in the pre-master guide: https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/pre-master/

additional subject

In order to asses you previous education the Admissions Board requires course descriptions

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Research university bachelor degree in spatial planning and design, human geography and planning, urban/regional planning/development, environmental management, land use planning and management, landscape architecture, urbanism, urban planning and design, public administration* (*with a focus on spatial analysis and issues, e.g. minor related to spatial planning, urban planning and design, landscape architecture, or geography), water management**(**with knowledge on governance and policy making, e.g. minor related to public administration, urban planning and design, spatial governance or -policy.)

If you are not directly admissible you can follow a pre-master programme. See more information in the pre-master guide: https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/pre-master/

additional subject

In order to asses you previous education the Admissions Board requires course descriptions.
language test

English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:

  • IELTS overall band 6.5, no less than 6.0 on each section
  • TOEFL internet based:

Overall: 90 Reading: 18 Listening: 18 Speaking: 20 Writing: 21

  • Cambridge English: Cambridge certificate C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (formerly known as CAE/CPE)
  • European Baccalaureate, English level L1 or L2
  • Please note that TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure

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.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-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 webpage

Practical information for:

Dutch studentsInternational students
After your studies

The Master in Environmental and Infrastructure Planning opens up a wide field of potential careers in both the public domain and the private sectors. Our graduates:

  • Work in Governments: as policy advisors at international, national, provincial and local offices in charge of spatial planning, transportation or water management.
  • Work in Consultancy: as project managers national and international firms in engineering, design and sustainability.
  • Start their own business or go into research.

How we boost your future career

We support you in developing a rich set of tools as well as a reflexive attitude that allows you to create innovative solutions for sustainability and resilience of cities and regions. We do so in various ways:

  1. Strategic partnerships with organizations in planning practice: National Agency on Public Works and Water Management, Witteveen+Bos Engineering and Consultancy, Royal HaskoningDHVEngineering, design and project management
  2. Guest lectures, field trips and workshops embedded in the course
  3. 3x per year 'A day in planning practice', with company visits
  4. Excursions and 'Meet-alumni' events organised by our student organizations
  5. 2x per year the Graduate Research Day. A networking event to meet future employers

Throughout the year we offer support for practical career preparation and employability skills. Workshops are given about leadership, job interviews and how to present yourself. More information about the FSS Career Services.

See where the EIP alumni end up in this infographic

Research

Research in the master

The research in the master programme Environmental and Infrastructure Planning has a focus on

‘Institutional Innovation and Spatial Transformation’, as part of the Faculty's Research Program ‘towards Wellbeing, Innovation and Spatial Transformation’ (tWIST). This theme concentrates on the relationships between institutional innovation (improved policy making) and spatial transformation (changing cities and regions). We pursue:
  • to develop new opportunities for intervening in physical and social structures to enhance quality of life.
  • to understand on-going spatial transformations and develop opportunities for governance intervention.
  • to help establish capable and sustainable regions, cities and communities.
Examples of research projects related to EIP
‘Playing with Urban Complexity’ – Dr. Ir. Katherina Gugerell
This research project aims to foster the understanding of complex urban problems by combining participatory processes with serious games in a co-located setting. In particular, the project seeks to explore how game mechanics can be used to engage the actor group of young adults to make informed decisions that have an impact on their respective urban carbon footprints.

‘INTENSSS-PA’ – Christian Zuidema
The INTENSSS-PA project is a EU funded Horizon 2020 project that studies the integration of sustainable energy measures, land uses and technologies within the spatial and socio economic landscape. It is focused on the process of institutional innovation needed for developing integrated sustainable energy plans.

‘SMART Campus Zernike Groningen’ – Dr. Elen-Maarja Trell
A research project carried out in collaboration with RIO projects and the Municipality of Groningen with support from Regio Groningen Assen and Zernike Campus.

Overview of publications and other activities
Research database Faculty of Spatial Sciences
Overview staff Department of Spatial Planning and Environment
Sustainable Road Infrastructure publications
ResearchGate Department of Spatial Planning and Environment

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Dutch brochureEnglish brochure
Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information
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Contact

  • Saskia Enuma, Reinier Schoep, Nienke Harteveld
    Email: study.advice.fss rug.nl
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Study associations

Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta is the Faculty Association of Spatial Sciences
Becoming a member of Ibn Battuta means you can join the social drinks, foreign trips, lectures and all other activities organized by the Association. At these events you come into contact with students from all years, which is a great way to make friends that can last a lifetime! Ibn Battuta also organizes informative and career-focused activities. Our informative activities, such as lectures, In-Housedays and the Career Day will help you to orient on your future.
https://www.ibnbattuta.nl/
Read more
Study support
  • The programme facilitates community building and commitment to enhance performance (through structural feedback, excursions, and introductory activities);
  • The international composition of the student group is used to enrich debate and assignment work;
  • The programme facilitates students in the establishment and enhancement of their own interest agenda's (in assignments, presentations and thesis), and participate in on-going research projects at the department, through individual guidance.

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