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 Environmental and Infrastructure Planning at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences offers you the tools and knowledge to address complex spatial challenges.
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!
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| 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) | ||||
More information about this programme can be found here: https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/master-info-frw/courses-master-track-designing-spatial-transformations
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
You are automatically admitted with the research university programmes in the transfer options for all research universities below. Do you have a different previous education from a research university? Please contact study.advice.fss rug.nl to see if you can be directly admitted. In some cases you need to take a pre-master. Please note that you need to have basic design skills to be able to be admitted. For Human Geography and Planning students at the UG, you need to have basic design skills to be able to be admitted to this track. Please contact the study advisors via study.advice.fss rug.nl to see if you can be admitted. Do you have a degree from a university of applied sciences? You might be able to take a pre-master. Please see the admission requirements in our pre-master guide: https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/pre-master/. |
| 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. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| All Universities of applied sciences |
Via a pre-master More information:For more information please see www.rug.nl/frw/education/pre-master |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape Architecture and Planning | Wageningen University | No additional requirements |
| International Land and Water Management | Wageningen University | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Spatial Planning and Design | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 15 August 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
If you are considering applying for a start in February, please know that this has practical implications for your studies.We strongly advise a start in September. Before applying for a February start in our programme and paying the application fee for students with a foreign diploma, we advise you to discuss your application with one of our Study Advisors (study.advice.fss rug.nl)
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Research university bachelor degree in spatial planning and design, land use planning, urban planning and design, landscape architecture, urbanism, urban/regional planning/development, environmental management, public administration with basic knowledge of spatial planning; Basic design skills are needed for this track 'Designing Spatial Transformations'. Please apply in Studielink if you have an international previous education and your application will be assessed by the Admission Office of the University of Groningen. We offer a pre-master programme for students who are not directly admissible to this master. For admission requirements of the pre-master see: 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:
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 15 August 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
If you are considering applying for a start in February, please know that this has practical implications for your studies.We strongly advise a start in September. Before applying for a February start in our programme and paying the application fee for students with a foreign diploma, we advise you to discuss your application with one of our Study Advisors (study.advice.fss rug.nl)
| Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA | 2026-2027 | € 2695 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2026-2027 | € 22200 | full-time |
Practical information for:
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:
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:
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
After finishing my bachelors in Human Geography and Planning, I was left at a crossroads. I was confused about the direction I wanted to take, not because I was lost, but because I was presented with loads of options and a plethora of masters degrees. So many themes, concepts, theories, skills and ideas to choose from. It can be overwhelming and it was, in a good way. I felt like I wanted to be creative but also build up the foundation that the bachelor's degree had started.
The Designing Spatial Transformations track did exactly that. In the summer of 2024 I decided to pursue the DDM Urban Planning, Environment and Infrastructure. I paired an amazing year in Indonesia with the Design track of Environmental and Infrastructure Planning back in the Netherlands. The design track opened up a designerly thinking and approach that was a welcome change. The assignments and projects and even thesis of the programme were very hands-on and allowed you to explore and ideate with solutions to contemporary issues.
I was appreciative of the professors and their enthusiasm in giving lectures, but also their deep insights within the planning/design field.
A highlight for me would be the co-design methods and methodology course. Coming up with shared designs and visions for a project with your group mates and stakeholders gave a great sense of the career related opportunities that the programme opens doors to.
To anyone who may feel the same as I did, a desire to be creative within the planning field, I believe this programme would be a great fit. I enjoyed my time in Groningen and would do it all over again if I could.
- Marco Winkler
To me, discovering the deeper feelings of why people have certain opinions is very rewarding. Those are the type of conversations that I love having in life in general. Specifically when decisions need to be made I love to ask follow-up questions, to get people to understand each other better. In my opinion, this understanding is an unmissable aspect to discovering paths forward in spatial planning.
