Do you want to know how agricultural transitions, socio-cultural discontent, and climate change impact European rural areas? Come satisfy your curiosity in the master Sustainable Rural Futures!
This master explores the rural-specific socio-spatial impacts of global transformations and how rural regions and communities deal with such transformations in socially and environmentally sustainable and place-specific ways.
You will learn:
If you want to contribute to sustainable and liveable rural areas, this master is just what you are looking for!
MSc in Economic Geography
Sustainable Rural Futures is a track within the master in Economic Geography. This master provides you with a deep understanding on the unequal spatial and social effects of global megatrends, such as technological, demographic and climate changes. You will dive into topics like economic geographical processes, wellbeing, quality of life, labour market developments and mobility, and how these take shape in different regions along the European urban-rural continuum.
Our graduates are specialists in the rural-specific socio-spatial impacts of global transformations and can critically interpret and reflect on these. In effect, theyare competent in helping rural regions and communities deal with such transformations in socially sustainable ways that fit place-specific nature and landscape identities.
If you are looking for a two-year programme and are interested in doing research, you can also integrate this programme with our two-year Research Master in Spatial Sciences.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Economic Geography: Theory and Practice (5 EC) | ||||
| Rural Communities in Transition (5 EC) | ||||
| Social Impact Assessment (5 EC) | ||||
| Global Transformations Local Impacts (5 EC) | ||||
| Nature, Landscape and Heritage (5 EC) | ||||
| Master's thesis (20 EC) | ||||
| Advanced Statistical Analysis OR Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (5 EC) | ||||
| Regional Labour Market Dynamics (5 EC) | ||||
| Transport Geography (5 EC) | ||||
More information about the courses of the track: https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/master-info-frw/courses-master-economic-geography-sustainable-rural-futures
| 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. Bachelordiploma's in Sociology, Business Administration, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Micro-Economics are sometimes admissible. Graduates of the BSc Global Responsibility and Leadership (University Campus Fryslan) with a major in 'Responsible Governance' are admissible for the master. 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 |
10 ECTS in statistics required |
| language test |
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 about the pre-master please see https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/pre-master/ |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:Contact study.advice.fss rug.nl for information about your admission |
| Human Geography and Planning | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Spatial Planning and Design | 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 |
| Economics and Business Economics | 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. Bachelordiploma's in Sociology, Business Administration, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Micro-Economics are sometimes admissible. Graduates of the BSc Global Responsibility and Leadership (University Campus Fryslan) with a major in 'Responsible Governance' are admissible for the master. 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 |
10 ECTS in statistics required |
| language test |
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: 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:
Graduates of this programme will be able to consider careers in a number of areas dealing with rural development, planning and innovation. This includes sectors such as local, regional or (inter)national governmental and non-governmental organizations, public service organisations, consultancies, local tourism and heritage organisations and local development organisations.
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.
