Spatial Sciences
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Deze opleiding
! | Deze opleiding communiceert alleen in het Engels. We tonen daarom de Engelstalige opleidingsinformatie. |
locatieGroningen |
diplomaMSc |
typeonderzoek, 120 EC |
start1 februari, 1 september |
taalvolledig English |
opleidingsduur2 jaar voltijd |
accreditatiesNVAO |
croho-code60660 |
numerus fixusnee |
honoursnee |
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, cultural 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 program. They receive a formal specialization on their diploma supplement. The following specializations are possible for:
Economic Geography / Economic Geography: Regional Competitiveness and Trade
Real Estate Studies
Population Studies
Socio-Spatial Planning
Environmental and Infrastructure Planning
Download a PDF file with more information about the specializations
For a top education in geography and planning you choose Groningen!
Waarom aan de RUG?
- It is an ideal grounding for a PhD programme
- You will do fieldwork and evidence-based research
- You have the opportunity to study or do research abroad
Studieprogramma

It is also possible to do the course Research Internship at a Research Institute (RIRI) for 15 EC, where you replace a 5 EC part of Thematic Theoretical Specialization for 5 EC extra RIRI.
periode | |||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||||
Joint Multidisciplinary Research Project (JMRP) | 5 EC | ||||||||
Scientific Reading, Debating and Reflecting | 5 EC | ||||||||
Advanced Specialized Research Methods (A&SRM) | 10 EC | 10 EC | |||||||
Thematic Theoretical Specialization (TTS) | 20 EC | ||||||||
Individual Research Training (IRT) | 10 EC | ||||||||
Research Internship at a Renowned Research Institute (RIRRI) | 10 EC |
periode | |||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||||
Advanced and Specialized Research Methods (A&SRM) | 5 EC | ||||||||
Advanced Research Skills | 5 EC | ||||||||
Scientific English Writing | 5 EC | ||||||||
Research Process and Proposal Writing | 5 EC | ||||||||
Thematic Theoretical Specialization (TTS) | 10 EC | ||||||||
Individual Master's Thesis | 30 EC |
Onderwijs
taal van onderwijs | 100% en |
---|---|
onderwijsopzet | 50% zelfstudie 25% theorie 25% praktijk |
avondonderwijs | n.v.t. |
afstandsonderwijs | n.v.t. |
onderwijsvormen
literature study, oral presentation, computer exercise, research, research project, research proposal, tutorial, lecture, group assignment, workshop, individual assignment, self study, project, seminarToelating en kosten
startmomenten
aanmelding deadline : 15 januari 2021
wettelijk tarief : € 2168 (€1084 in het eerste jaar)
aanmelding deadline : 15 januari 2022
collegegeld nog niet bekend
aanmelding deadline : 15 augustus 2021
wettelijk tarief : € 2168 (€1084 in het eerste jaar)
aanmelding deadline : 15 augustus 2022
collegegeld nog niet bekend
toelatingseisen
toelatingsgesprek
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.
cijfergemiddelde
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.
basiskennis
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).
taaltoets
- English on VWO level
- IELTS overall band 6.5, no less than 6.0 on each section
- TOEFL internet based:
- Overall: 90
- Reading: 18
- Listening: 18
- Speaking: 20
- Writing: 21
- Cambridge English: Cambridge certificate C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (formerly known as CAE/CPE)
- Please note that TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure
vooropleiding
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.
motivatiebrief
All applicants have to submit a detailed CV, list of grades, motivation letter and and one or two reference letters to dr. Frans Sijtsma (f.j.sijtsma@rug.nl).
estimated monthly costs
bedrag | kostenpost | ||
---|---|---|---|
€ | 303 | kamerhuur in Groningenrond het landelijk gemiddelde | |
€ | 22 | internet+tv | |
€ | 152 | boodschappen/kostgeld | |
€ | 32 | telefoon | |
€ | 117 | verzekeringen | |
€ | 172 | collegegeldop basis van € 2060 per jaar | |
€ | 80 | studieboeken en -spullen | |
€ | 29 | drinken/snoep/snacks | |
€ | 77 | uiterlijkkleding, kapper, schoenen | |
€ | 30 | contributies/abonnementen | |
€ | 132 | vrije tijdstappen, uit eten, vakantie | |
€ | 42 | vervoernaast de OV-kaart | |
€ | 45 | overig | |
€ | 1171 | totale maandelijkse uitgaven landelijk gemiddelde is € 1181 |
Bekijk ook de uitgebreide toelichting: wat kost studeren?
Studenten en studentenleven
studentaantallen
15 | studenten volgen deze opleiding |
33% | daarvan is vrouw |
1 | eerstejaars gestart in 2017 |
0% | daarvan is vrouw |
29331 | studenten aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen |
51% | daarvan is vrouw |
studievereniging
Ibn Battuta
Ibn Battuta is the Faculty Association of Spatial SciencesBecoming a member of Ibn Battuta means you can join the social drinks, foreign trips, lectures and all other activities organized by the Association. At these events you come into contact with students from all years, which is a great way to make friends that can last a lifetime! Ibn Battuta also organizes informative and career-focused activities. Our informative activities, such as lectures, In-Housedays and the Career Day will help you to orient on your future.
Op kamers in Groningen
55216 | studenten studerend |
31914 | studenten woonachtig |
€ 303 | gemiddelde kamerprijs |
kamer betaalbaarheid | |
21 m2 | gemiddelde kameroppervlak |
kamer beschikbaarheid |
Keuzehulp

Studievergelijker
Spatial Sciences
€ 303 gemiddelde kamerhuur |
1 eerstejaars |
?% vrouw |
? uur contacttijd/week |
Islands and Sustainability
€ 303 gemiddelde kamerhuur |
1 eerstejaars |
?% vrouw |
? uur contacttijd/week |
Feiten en / studie in cijfers
studentoordelen
deze opleiding | landelijk | |
---|---|---|
algemeen oordeel | 4.3 | 4.3 |
inhoud | 4.1 | 4.1 |
docenten | 4.3 | 4.3 |
studiefaciliteiten | 3.8 | 3.8 |
studielast | 3.9 | 3.9 |
studiebegeleiding | 4.0 | 4.0 |
In 2017 hebben meer dan 280.000 studenten hun oordeel gegeven over hun studie en instelling.
Spatial Sciences aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen is beoordeeld door 8 respondenten. Gemiddeld waarderen ze de opleiding met 4.3 uit 5.
Na de studie

Beroepsperspectief / arbeidsmarkt
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.
More information about the FSS Career Services.
See where our alumni end up in this graphic !