The Research Master in Regional Studies offers a highly varied, two-year programme, in which students are trained to become independent researchers in their fields of interest within the discipline of the spatial sciences. A theoretical specialization; courses on philosophy and methodology; courses and workshops on research methods and techniques; and a wide range of opportunities to further explore specific topics of personal interest are all part of the programme. The programme is very flexible. As a student, you have a lot of freedom to choose your own specialization region, research topics, and courses within the extensive range of this Research Master.
The programme offers four regions for specialization within the faculty of Spatial Sciences:
-
cultural dimensions
-
economic dimensions
-
demographic dimensions
-
planning and policy dimensions.
It is also possible to follow a so called ‘Development track’ organized by the Centre for Development Studies (CDS), connected to the faculty of Spatial Sciences.
In each dimension there is a wide variety of courses to choose from for theoretical specialization. A list of the available courses can be found in the study guide. For further information on a specific course use Ocasys.
The programme not only provides you with theoretical courses and a thorough philosophical and methodological background for advanced research in Regional Studies, but also with research methods and techniques which are relevant for research in human geography, demography and planning. Special short-term methodology workshops are occasionally organized, either within the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, the national research institute NETHUR or another research network.
Students participate actively in current research projects of URSI, the research institute of the faculty of Spatial Sciences, in order to experience how scientific research works in practice. Ideally, the outcome of the training is an international joint article. Examples of research topics of our Research Master students can be found here.
Some other features of the Research Master programme involve first of all, participation in national and international research conferences and workshops. Second of all, students are required to acquire some international experience. This can either be studying abroad for a while or attendance at an international workshop. Third of all, some student-assistant places are available for Research Master students.
At the start of their Research Master, students are allotted a mentor, i.e. an URSI researcher of the desired specialization
who will coach the student about the programme, courses to be selected, workshops to be followed, year plan, etc.
More detailed information on the Research Master programme can be found in the study guide.
