Islands and Sustainability is an Erasmus Mundus master programme. It combines thorough training in scientific research with a specialization on Islands and Sustainability. Scholarships are available.
Please note: All applications are processed and accepted only through our own website at islandsmaster.eu. Applications made through the offical University of Groningen website will not be considered.
Islands are special cases for Sustainable Development. Within the current global economic and social system islands in many cases face economic, social, political and cultural marginalization; unless they cooperate. Cooperation is needed in research and education on the ways to manage islands and raise capacity building in island communities. Understanding the problems and finding effective ways to develop the potential of small islands requires international academic cooperation that looks beyond the specifics of individual islands. There is clearly a demand for a high quality Masters programme on sustainable development on islands that can enhance much required training and expertise in this field. This is why the University of Groningen, the University of the Aegean, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Iceland have joined forces to launch a high-level integrated study programme on islands at Master level.
The ISLANDS programme combines thorough training in scientific research with a thematic specialization on Islands and Sustainability. It also provides multi-faceted training of research skills for social science and environmental research, including Individual Research Training by senior staff and training to work in a multi- and interdisciplinary research group. ISLANDS students will study at the University of Groningen in the first semester of the first year of the programme. Then they study at one of the island-based universities of the consortium where they will undertake a Research Internship Module and other courses. After returning to Groningen for the first semester of the second year, students will return to the same island-based university to undertake their Master thesis project in the second semester of the second year. ISLANDS graduates receive a double-degree from the University of Groningen (including an acknowledgement that this is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master degree involving all partner universities) and the island-based University. The ISLANDS programme builds on the existing Research Master in Spatial Sciences programme at the University of Groningen (RUG).
For more detailed information, please visit the ISLANDS consortium website.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Advanced Specialized Research Methods (A&SRM) (10 EC) | ||||
| Joint Multidisciplinary Research Project Islands and Sustainability (Wadden Project) (5 EC) | ||||
| Scientific Reading, Debating and Reflecting (Islands and Sustainability) (5 EC) | ||||
| Thematic Theoretical Specialization (TTS) (15 EC) | ||||
| Individual Research Training (IRT) (10 EC) | ||||
| Research at a Renowned Research Institute (Islands Partner Institute) (15 EC) | ||||
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Advanced and Specialized Research Methods (A&SRM) (5 EC) | ||||
| Advanced Research Skills (5 EC) | ||||
| Scientific Reading, Debating and Reflecting (Islands and Sustainability) (5 EC) | ||||
| Research Process and Proposal Writing (5 EC) | ||||
| Thematic Theoretical Specialization (TTS) (10 EC) | ||||
| Individual Master's Thesis (Islands and Sustainability) (30 EC) | ||||
Through internship & excursions
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Students should have a Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to Regional Studies, such as Human Geography and Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Planning, or Urban Studies. Students with a Bachelor's degree in the social or economic sciences also have direct access, preferably with a Minor worth 30 EC in human geography and/or urban and regional planning and/or demography and / or development studies. For those with a different Bachelor degree, the possibilities for admission are discussed with the coordinator The direct access is conditional on sufficient English command, the knowledge minimum and the required grades. |
| knowledge minimum |
Applicants should have some background knowledge in the Spatial Sciences field (Urban or Regional Studies, Human, Economic or Cultural Geography, Spatial Planning, Environmental and Infrastructure Planning, Demography or Real Estate). |
| grade average |
Excellent study results and high grades at university level (A range, typically top 10%); Comparable to Dutch grading system: average grade of at least 7, for Bachelor thesis of at least 7.5. |
| assessment interview |
Generally, an interview with the applicant, in which attitude, motivation, orientation and competence for a career in (scientific) research are evaluated, forms part of the admission procedure. The interview is scheduled after the required documents have been received and evaluated by the Admissions Board. |
| language test |
English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:
Overall: 90 Reading: 21 Listening: 21 Speaking: 21 Writing: 24
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. |
| (motivation-) letter |
All applications are processed and accepted only through our own website at islandsmaster.eu |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:Contact study.advice.fss rug.nl for more information |
| Spatial Planning and Design | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Human Geography and Planning | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 April 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 April 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 April 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 April 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
The deadline for applicants who would like to apply for a scholarship is January 15
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Academic bachelor degree in human geography and/or urban and regional planning or comparable qualifications, including at least 10 ECTS in statistics or equivalent statistical knowledge. |
| professional experience |
Not required |
| grade average |
Excellent study results and high grades at university level (A range, typically top 10%); Comparable to Dutch grading system: average grade of at least 7.0, for Bachelor thesis of at least 7.5. |
| grade list | |
| assessment interview |
Generally, an interview with the applicant, in which attitude, motivation, orientation and competence for a career in (scientific) research are evaluated, forms part of the admission procedure. The interview is scheduled after the required documents have been received and evaluated by the Admissions Board. |
| language test |
English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:
Overall: 90 Reading: 21 Listening: 21 Speaking: 21 Writing: 24
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. |
| reference letter | |
| (motivation-) letter |
All applications are processed and accepted only through our own website at islandsmaster.eu |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 April 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 April 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 April 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 April 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
The deadline for applicants who would like to apply for a scholarship is January 15
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
A limited number of Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available. The
deadline for scholarship applications is 15 January.
Regular students
The final application deadline for regular students is 1 April.
Practical information for:
The graduates from the programme are well trained for academic careers, business consultants, tourism planners and managers, environmental/sustainable management consultants, environmental tourism consultants, local economic development consultants, careers in international organizations/NGOs in the fields of environment and sustainability.
The close contacts with URSI researchers and PhD students (as mentors or teachers) in the graduate school allow an easy transition to a PhD position. The Research Internship at a Research Institute is specifically introduced to let the student experience the work atmosphere at a research institute.
During the programme at the University of Groningen we offer support for your career preparation.
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 our Research Master alumni end up in this infographic!
The programme of the Research Master in Spatial Sciences is intertwined with the Faculty's Research Program, towards Wellbeing, Innovation and Spatial Transformation (tWIST). In courses such as Individual Research Training (IRT) and Master Thesis, students participate in ongoing research projects of the senior academic staff, which are all embedded in tWIST.
The research themes Wellbeing, Innovation and Spatial Transformation are studied in the broad field of geography and spatial planning, which investigates the role which space, place, location and distance, play in our communities and societies. We employ a range of qualitative, quantitative, micro and macro research methodologies to uncover these issues and to help improve wellbeing, to encourage innovation, and to increase our understanding of spatial transformation processes. The research work undertaken in each of the departments within the Faculty is also supported by the use of advanced geographical information systems (GIS). The research themes of the Faculty of Spatial Sciences complement all three of the University of Groningen’s research themes; Healthy Ageing, Sustainable Society and Energy. Major issues tWIST addresses range important societal shifts such as population growth and decline, aging, economic transformation and sustainability transitions are affecting space, health and well-being. These are major issues faced by contemporary society for which the Faculty of Spatial Sciences is uniquely placed to provide coherent policy analysis, design and impact assessment.
The Study Programme consists of different courses in the field of Spatial Sciences, related to the topics in tWIST. The specific courses depend on the individual student’s interests. Students have the opportunity to develop their own educational pathway according to their preferences and motivations.
Top researchers
Students work closely together with our experienced staff members, who carry out excellent research in the four different research clusters within tWIST: 1) Place, Identity & Wellbeing; 2) Population & Wellbeing in Context; 3) Economy & Place; 4) Institutional Innovation & Spatial Transformation. The researchers who participate in the programme are actively working on international and national research projects and bring their experiences to their teaching.
My name is Sissal and I am currently studying the Islands and Sustainability track within Spatial Sciences at Groningen University - now the new International ERASMUS Mundus Joint Master Programme ISLANDS. I am an islander myself, originally from the Faroe Islands, and was introduced to the world of studying islands during my bachelor studies in human geography.
It is therefore both a personal and academic interest in sustainable development trajectories on islands that has led me to this master programme. I know that islands are special places that hold so much knowledge, and studying islands gives you unique perspectives and practical tools that are useful beyond island geographies. When I was looking for master programs and came across the Islands and Sustainability track that is now ISLANDS I instantly knew this was exactly what I want to study. Now, engaging with islands and sustainable development and the community that shares this interest makes me feel like home although being abroad.
The programme has given me the amazing opportunity to do an internship with the University of the Aegean on Lesvos this spring. I am looking forward to experiencing an island environment very different from my home, and challenge myself to put my knowledge into practice. I will definitely share more about the internship and my experiences with you later!
- Sissal Dahl
The ISLANDS programme is a melting-pot of motivated people from different disciplines and with a diversity of experiences, all coming together to study islands and sustainability. Being able to meet and work with such a diverse group has been extremely inspiring and has made me think of things from many other perspectives.
I'm really excited to continue learning on my island of choice - Iceland, and work with professionals in the field of environmental sciences, while also experiencing such a beautiful and unique landscape!
- Sarita Mahtani Williams
This programme provides me with an opportunity to learn from the best experts in their fields. We discuss with colleagues from various disciplinary backgrounds, a transdisciplinary learning ecosystem that is very island-ish, where knowledge is no longer compartmentalized in its fields, but is holistically engaged to bring new understanding of, for, and from islands.
Not only learning to figure out how things work but also encourages us to train our higher mind to continuously, critically observe and reflect on what we do, observe, and learn as a soon-to-be researcher.
- Luthfi Iqbal
So far, my experience in the islands and sustainability research master's programme has been intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding. For example, the program's Islands, Insularity, and Islanders module required me to assess contrasting evidence about islands and islandness, enhancing my critical thinking skills and broadening my perspectives.
The demographic data and analysis module helped me augment my quantitative data analysis skills by learning to compute important indicators spanning a wide range of demographic components such as population structure and growth, fertility, mortality, and migration. Furthermore, the biweekly Scientific Reading, Debating and Reflecting class activities and discussions have encouraged me to engage in critical and clear academic debates with my classmates who also have distinct, remarkable perspectives.
My educational experience in the programme extends beyond the classroom, with a series of excursions organised by the faculty. An example was an excursion to ‘Randstad Holland’ and the ‘Green Heart.
- Kolade Victor Otokiti
