Do you want to become a specialist in regional economic development in an international context with a keen eye for the role of policy?
The track in Regional Competitiveness and Trade prepares you for a career in regional economic strategies and research in regional science.
The track, which is part of the Master in Economic Geography and organized in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics and Business, focusses on regional and global competitiveness related to trade and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Trade and FDI importantly govern the interconnectivity between countries and regions and their subsequent economic development. The ongoing fragmentation of value-chains - an iPad is manufactured all over the globe - leads to increasing trade between countries and a growing global presence of multinational firms.
How do global linkages between regions and countries influence their competitiveness? You will learn the latest theoretical (New Economic Geography) and methodological (Spatial Econometrics) approaches to address the issues of interconnectivity between regions through trade and FDI.
Our graduates are specialists in regional economic development with a keen eye for the role of policy. They are well versed in the latest theoretical and empirical Economic models of regional growth.
If you are interested in following a two-year programme in Economic Geography in two different countries (the Netherlands and Germany), then our Double Degree Master International Programme in Economic Geography is the master programme for you!
If you are looking for a two-year programme and are interested in doing research, you can also integrate the master in Economic Geography with our two-year Research Master in Spatial Sciences.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Economic Geography: Theory and Practice (5 EC) | ||||
| Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Development (5 EC) | ||||
| Sustainable Economic Development (FEB) (5 EC) | ||||
| Global Transformations Local Impacts (5 EC) | ||||
| Spatial and Network Interactions (5 EC) | ||||
| Master's Thesis Economic Geography (20 EC) | ||||
| Economic Geography (FEB) (5 EC) | ||||
| Regional Labour Market Dynamics (5 EC) | ||||
| Transport Geography (5 EC) | ||||
More information about the courses of the track: http://www.rug.nl/frw/education/master-info-frw/courses-master-economic-geography-track
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Students with an international diploma see the international tab. |
| 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: |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Spatial Planning and Design | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:Contact study.advice.fss rug.nl for information about your admission |
| Economics and Business Economics - International Economics and Sustainable Development | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| International Business | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Geography, Spatial Planning and Environment | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 January 2026 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 November 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 01 November 2026 | 01 February 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 November 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 01 November 2026 | 01 February 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 |
Bachelor degree related to the field of regional economic development. This includes Bachelor programmes in Human Geography, Economic Geography, Regional and Urban Planning, Regional Economy, Economy or related. Bachelor diploma's in Sociology, Business Administration, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Micro-Economics are sometimes admissible. Students with an international diploma should apply via Studielink and Progress to find out whether or not they are admissible. |
| 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 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 January 2026 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 November 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 01 November 2026 | 01 February 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 November 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 01 November 2026 | 01 February 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 | 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: For information about scholarships see the Study in NL website.
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:
Graduates in Economic Geography that have followed the track in regional competitiveness and trade are specialists in regional economic development in an international context with a keen eye for the role of policy. Also, they are well-versed in the latest methods and models in regional science. With this background, the programme prepares well a position in regional economic strategies and research in regional science:
To see where our Economic Geography alumni end up, view this infographic
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.
In the field of Economic Geography the emphasis of the research lays with regional labour market analysis, the demography of firms, Geography of Innovation and Sustainability Transition and well-being.
I chose for the master track Regional Competitiveness and Trade because it offers three economic courses where contemporary economic models are discussed which are used often, especially in regional economics.
For example: how do regional spillovers occur, and how do you measure this? But also more practical examples like what can possibly happen to Groningen if the infrastructure to the Randstad will be improved? Will the region gain, or not? This is the first time I get in touch with these really practical models, which assures me that I am learning skills that I can use in my future career.
Groningen is one of the only universities who offers a programme in Economic Geography. In other universities, the focus is more on human geography. Furthermore, the University of Groningen is unique because it is one of the few universities that have their own faculty for geographers and planners; the Faculty of Spatial Sciences. It’s a rather small faculty, so teachers know you and if you have questions they can help you right away. I think this is a real benefit.
If you are interested in geography, but you’d also like to use economic models, especially for geographers, this is probably the best course you can choose. After graduating, your future options are countless.
- Jan Sander
