Global Transformations, Local Impacts
The world is changing at a rapid pace and the consequences affect regions and people unevenly. Technological changes, such as digitalization and automation, affect the way jobs are organized and how the economy is structured. Climate change increases the risk of food shortages, water scarcity, and the occurrence of natural disasters. These, in turn, affect people’s wellbeing and businesses’ production decisions and possibilities. In many places, demographic changes, such as ageing and migration, challenge the provision of services and call for a new organization of the society. The effects of these global megatrends are not symmetric, some people benefit some do not, some place benefits some do not.
Economic Geography in Groningen is about understanding these inequalities across space and people: regional differences in economic structure and performance as well as in socio-economic outcomes in a broad sense. Our starting point in understanding these inequalities between places and people are the actions of three main economic actors: Firms, People, and the Government. Understanding their behaviour (e.g., migration, firm location, policies) is an important pillar of the programme.
The master in Economic Geography develops your academic research and professional skills so that you can analyze such regional developments and formulate policy avenues to govern these processes locally, nationally, and internationally. This makes Economic Geography in Groningen an empirical and pragmatic programme that is relevant for society.
Our graduates are specialists in regional economic development with a keen eye on the role of policy. For those interested in the role of international trade and globalization in regional economic development we offer a track in Regional Competitiveness and Trade, where you will specialize in a quantitative and model based economic approach. We also offer a track in Sustainable Rural Futures, where you will explore 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.
If you are interested in following a two-year programme in Economic Geography in two different countries (the Netherlands and Germany) where you get two master's degrees, 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) | ||||
| Optional courses (10 ECTS) (10 EC) | ||||
| Global Transformations Local Impacts (5 EC) | ||||
| Master's Thesis Economic Geography (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 can be found at https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/master-info-frw/courses-master-economic-geography
| Programme options |
|---|
| Regional Competitiveness and Trade (track) 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. |
| Sustainable Rural Futures (track) 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! |
| DDM International Programme in Economic Geography (specialization) A 2 year double degree master programme in collaboration with the University of Hannover in Germany |
| 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, Economics & Business Economics, 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 |
English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:
Overall: 90 Reading: 18 Listening: 18 Speaking: 20 Writing: 21
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| International Business | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Human Geography and Planning | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Geography, Spatial Planning and Environment | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Economics and Business Economics - International Economics and Sustainable Development | 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 advise a start in September as the programme is better suited for a September start. 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, Economics & Business Economics, 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 |
English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:
Overall: 90 Reading: 18 Listening: 18 Speaking: 20 Writing: 21
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 advise a start in September as the programme is better suited for a September start. 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 Nuffic 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:
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.
Regional labour market analysis addresses many themes, such as labour productivity and wage formation, the dynamic of the regional labour market, and migration, gender and the labour market. Demography of firms addresses amongst other subjects, starting businesses (including spin-offs) and the migration of corporations, and the factors involved in the decision of the choice of location. The relation between foundations and corporate migrations, and regional development is also part of the research.
Geography of Innovation and Sustainability Transition explores how institutions, regional policies, place-based capabilities, and firms' routines, along with their intra- and inter-regional relations, impact technological diffusion and sustainable practices. This field identifies how socio-institutional contexts, as well as geographic and relational factors, can promote sustainable development, leading to new opportunities for individuals, businesses, and regions to tackle grand societal challenges like climate change.
The master in Economic Geography examines many different aspects of regional development and regional differences, which makes the programme very interesting.
In addition, the master provides lots of opportunities to pursue your own interests; for example for individual assignments, but also for your master thesis. I personally focus on sustainability and the circular economy during my thesis, because I highly value these topics. Finally, Groningen is a wonderful student city with lots of associations that you can join and extra-curricular activities that you can participate in.
- Sophie van Bergen
Before applying for the Master program of Economic Geography, I completed my bachelor of Human Geography and Planning also at the University of Groningen. My decision to stay was fairly quick and easy. I love the city and the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, both of them due to their size and very friendly and casual atmosphere.
During my bachelor degree I already started orientating towards the economic aspects of geography, especially how the entrepreneurial ecosystem of a region contributes to its competitiveness. I find this topic fascinating to research and to examine it in practice. The Economic Geography master program gives you an insight into the economic drivers of a region, the underlying processes, as well as the practical knowledge you need to enable yourself to analyse such drivers and processes. In addition, you have the freedom to choose the topics you are most interested in, in my case, entrepreneurial ecosystems. The theoretical basis of the study pairs really well with the practical applications that are included in the course which made this study not only enjoyable but also very useful for my future career.
After my studies I am hoping to work at a small but fast paced company where I can build on my skills and prepare and guide the developmental strategies of cities anywhere around the world.
- Benedek Papp
After finishing my bachelor in real estate at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, I decided I wanted to continue my study at the University of Groningen. Every time I think back of this choice, I am glad I made it. I wanted to broaden my knowledge on economics in a way that it related to my background in real estate. The Master in Economic Geography offered me a chance of getting to learn the economic effects that planning decisions and policy decisions have on an area.
The way the Faculty of Spatial Sciences operates is very nice. Contact with lecturers is very personal and they give you lots of freedom to specify your master in the way you want it. I chose to do elective courses at the Faculty of Economics and Business, which was no problem since various aspects of Economic Geography are closely related to International Economics.
When I graduate, I’d love to stay in Groningen and find a job. Because Groningen is a very young city, there is always something fun to do and this attracted me so much that I’d like to live here the next few years. At this moment I am orienting for a job in consultancy or policymaking, a field of work that gets well introduced during the Master in Economic Geography.
One thing that you should really do if you are interested in the programme of Economic Geography is take a look at the courses that are given in the master. The courses are very diverse and cover themes like economics, entrepreneurship and labour markets. If these topics suit you, then studying Economic Geography at the University of Groningen is a good choice!
- Menno Hunneman
This infographic shows in which workfield alumni of the master's programme ended up, and is based on alumni who graduated between 2022 and 2024. As is visible, the majority of the alumni have found a job relevant to their field of study within 6 months since graduating.
