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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Header image Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Master - full-time

Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Discover what makes sustainable enterprises emerge, thrive, and be successful. Join a new generation of entrepreneurs and policy advisors!

✔️ Develop leadership and alliance-building skills in order to connect companies and institutions on their way to sustainability

✔️ Learn about sustainability challenges from different perspectives and how entrepreneurs and businesses can contribute to solving complex social problems

✔️ Work on real-life challenges alongside our partners, from entrepreneurs to NGOs, to governmental institutions

Want to get an authentic look at what it’s like to be part of this programme?
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Pre-master

Did you study at a University of Applied Sciences (HBO) or are you lacking certain requirements?
Join this 9-week pre-master course​!

Events: Master's Week
Join the next online Master's Week (17 - 28 March 2025)
Registration opens as of March 1st 2025
Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
67085
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Campus Fryslân
Apply now
Why study this programme in Leeuwarden?

Leeuwarden, the economic and cultural hub of Fryslân, is renowned for being situated in the greenest and happiest province in the Netherlands, and for leading the way in sustainable transitions.

You should consider studying this programme because it will empower you to:

  • Foster an entrepreneurial mindset
  • Develop leadership & alliance-building skills
  • Drive positive change across various contexts
  • Bridge the gap between companies and institutions committed to sustainability
Programme

Our programme spans across 12 months of full-time study. We coach your academic, leadership and entrepreneurship ambitions in 4 blocks of 10 weeks each. During these 12 months, you will become a specialist in sustainable entrepreneurship as a successful business model.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Foundations of Sustainable Entrepreneurship (5 EC)
Leadership (5 EC)
Strategy (5 EC)
New Economic Realities (5 EC)
Organization (5 EC)
Research Design (5 EC)
Context (5 EC)
Performance (5 EC)
Policy (5 EC)
Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project (15 EC, optional)

Curriculum

You will learn how to design (block 1a), implement (block 1b) and successfully manage performance (block 2a). In block 2b, you will develop your sustainable ambitions in your personal Leadership project, focusing on solving a problem relevant to a corporate sustainability challenge.

Depending on your individual entrepreneurship ambitions and leadership profiles, you will work with regional, national or international sustainable organisations. You will develop and present your leadership project for supervisors, peers and stakeholders on the Circular Minds Conference.

Your research will focus on a case from regional, national or international companies. You will find your project in collaboration with the Campus Fryslân's network. You may also adopt one of the UN's challenges of sustainability or a personal sustainability challenge. Sustainable challenges are relevant for all nations, regions, cities, businesses, and people, so we are happy to engage with international companies and challengers.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is unaccommodated
Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

To be considered for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's degree that included business and economics related courses and either a Bachelor's thesis and/or research methods courses.

Students with a Bachelor programme in Business Administration, or International Business, or a Bachelor programme in Economics/Spatial Planning/Behavioural and Social Sciences/Humanities from a research University may be admitted.

Submit your application to the Sustainable Entrepreneurship Admissions Board to receive information about your admissibility. To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, the Sustainable Entrepreneurship Admissions Board will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies.
language test

Sufficient English language proficiency is required, except for native speakers of the English language from the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, The Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom.

To prove your English language proficiency, you can provide one of the following documents:

  • Full English Bachelor's degree,* where the only language of instruction is English;
  • TOEFL: a minimum score of 90 with a minimum of 18 on reading and listening, 20 on speaking and 21 on writing;
  • IELTS: a minimum score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 on all items;
  • Cambridge: C1 advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180.
  • English-taught bachelors from the following countries are valid as proof of English proficiency: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, The Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom.

An exemption can be given by the Admission Board.
other admission requirements

Please use the step-by-step guide for more information regarding your eligibility and your specific application procedure

Selection procedure

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 July 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
  • PLEASE NOTE: your application deadline is determined by the country where you obtained your diploma, not your nationality. For example: 'Dutch students' means students with a Dutch diploma; 'EU/EEA students' means students with a diploma from a EU/EEA country; 'non-EU/EEA students' means students with a diploma from a non-EU/EEA country.

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
language test

Sufficient English language proficiency is required, except for native speakers of the English language from the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and The Netherlands.

The following documents are valid:

  • Full English Bachelor's degree*, where the only language of instruction is English.
  • TOEFL: a minimum score of 90 with a minimum of 18 on reading and listening, 20 on speaking and 21 on writing,
  • IELTS: a minimum score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 on all items, or
  • Cambridge: C1 advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180
  • English taught bachelors from the following countries are valid as proof of English proficiency: The Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

An exemption can be given by the Admission Board.

Language requirements

ExamMinimum score
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)C1
C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE)C2
IELTS overall band6.5
IELTS listening6
IELTS reading6
IELTS writing6
IELTS speaking6
TOEFL internet based90

Selection procedure

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 July 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
  • PLEASE NOTE: your application deadline is determined by the country where you obtained your diploma, not your nationality. For example: 'Dutch students' means students with a Dutch diploma; 'EU/EEA students' means students with a diploma from a EU/EEA country; 'non-EU/EEA students' means students with a diploma from a non-EU/EEA country.
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time
EU/EEA2025-2026€ 2601full-time
non-EU/EEA2025-2026€ 21400full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch studentsInternational students
After your studies

Job prospects

The MSc. in Sustainable Entrepreneurship prepares you for a meaningful career with the perspective of tackling world challenges. Sustainability is relevant for careers in:

- multinationals such as Royal Haskoning, Rabobank and Tauw;
- fast-growing niches in bio-based and high-tech sectors and startups;
- policymaking institutes that increasingly require new employees to define their personal career ambitions in line with sustainable development;
- international organizations such as Deloitte consider in-depth knowledge and skills as a prerequisite for trainee programmes.

Job examples

  • Policymaker
  • Project Manager
  • Internal Consultant
  • SME Consultant
  • Sustainability Officer
  • Sustainable Entrepreneur
Research

Centre for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (CSE)

The CSE believes we can balance and preserve our valuable systems. Sustainable entrepreneurs generate new business models which substantially reduce social and environmental impacts whilst simultaneously improving the quality of societies.

The CSE aims to create a circular society. This translates in new programmes for university students, business leaders, and academic scholars, whom we provide with all knowledge and competencies they need to make sustainable entrepreneurship successful.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Dutch diplomaInternational diploma
Dutch brochureEnglish brochure
Master's Weeksdiverse locatiesMore information
More events

Contact

  • Marijke Huisman-Wolters (General inquiries Sustainable Entrepreneurship programme & application)
    Email: cf-se rug.nl
    Telephone: +31 (0)6 31 98 24 13
Testimonial of Germán Ramos
With this master, my knowledge about sustainability has increased a lot. I am now able to advise companies and friends about sustainable actions. As we are a small group, the classes are very dynamic and that allows us to learn faster and also collaborate
– Germán Ramos
Testimonial of Roxanne Cacpal
What I really like about this master is that the complexity of sustainability and entrepreneurship challenges our critical thinking in the face of controversial circumstances. The programme dares us to our judgement to evaluate a situation.
– Roxanne Cacpal
learning the mechanism of entrepreneurship & sustainability
Sustainable Entrepreneurship was a perfect choice for me because it is a multidisciplinary programme that combines both sustainability and business practices where academic knowledge and hands-on experience are in perfect balance.
– Brigitta Ancelina
In Leeuwarden, I really had the time to focus on myself and my experience, and how I can contribute to the community while also studying and having a great student life.
– in Leeuwarden

Study associations

Nobis Cura Futuri

Nobis Cura Futuri is the Study Association and the official embodiment of the international student community at Campus Fryslân.
Founded in 2020, we aim to provide plenty of fun, social and academic events (think of Pub crawls, talent shows, travels, guest-speaker evenings). All in the spirit of Nobis Cura Futuri: “The Care of the Future is Ours”, meaning we strive to provide activities that are aimed at making the most of your student life by adhering to our values of responsibility, diversity, sustainability and development.
https://www.rug.nl/cf/studeren-bij-cf/nobis-cura-futuri
Read more
Student profile

The MSc in Sustainable Entrepreneurship draws in highly motivated students with a variety of interests, who prefer not to limit themselves to one academic field. They all share a common aim: to contribute their knowledge and skills to advancing sustainable business models, with the goal of preserving our planet for future generations. This programme is suited for individuals seeking both intellectual challenge and personal growth.

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