Are you interested in a career as a researcher of spatial subjects? This programme allows the study of Spatial Sciences in the broadest possible way and it trains students to become good researchers.
The two-year Research Master in Spatial Sciences has two key features. First, it allows students maximum scientific freedom to learn and discover. Second, it lets students develop serious scientific research skills. Throughout the programme we take inspiration from Einstein's words: 'I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious'. Research Master students don't have to be extraordinarily talented or gifted. But students need to have a passionate curiosity about people and places. With this driving curiosity the research master Spatial Sciences is a good choice.
Maximum scientific freedom to learn and
discover
Students can design their own programme by choosing courses
according to their own interests. They can choose courses from all
Spatial Sciences master programmes: environmental and
infrastructure planning, economic geography, population studies,
socio-spatial planning, or real estate studies and they may also
include courses from other faculties.
Serious development of research skills
Students become a good researcher by experiencing a series of
carefully designed research settings. They will participate in a
joint multidisciplinary research challenge with other ReMa
students. They will receive one-to-one individual research training
from an URSI staff member involved in the tWIST research programme
of our faculty. They will do a research internship at an
outstanding research institute. The research experiences will be
both big and small: they will range from the final master thesis
taking several months to small half an hour researches as part of
the scientific diary. Students will be trained in a wide array of
research methods.
Track
If you want to combine thorough training in scientific research
with a thematic specialization on islands and sustainability, we
offer a track in Islands and Sustainability
Specializations
The Research Master offers a specialization option. Students
combine the courses of a one-year FSS master within the two-year
Research Master programme. They receive a formal specialization on
their diploma supplement. Check all of our master's
programmes to find your specialization.
For a top level education in geography and planning you choose Groningen!
Studying the Research Master in Spatial Sciences at Groningen University has been motivational. The research master is a two-year programme enabling you to deepen your knowledge of courses and methodologies. In my case it has allowed me the time and the space to reflect on my interest within human geography and put this into practice through my research.
The standard of teaching at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences is very high with staff who are understanding and professional. Having studied in Scotland for my bachelor, adjusting to a new education system had some challenges. I felt however that the programme accommodated international students and their transition to a new education system.
One of the highlights of this course was the opportunity to do an internship. I undertook this internship in Brussels with a research institute specialising in urban mobility. The internship was a great experience in improving my collaboration skills with other researchers, while pushing me out of my comfort zone academically. Working in the capital city of Europe allowed me to explore the complexity and intersectional nature of urban mobility.
This master has encouraged me to pursue a career in mobility, and I am excited to start my thesis centered around this topic.
- Sorcha Macintyre
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.
