Pre-Master's in Sustainable Futures

You are eligible if you meet one of the following conditions:

• You have completed an HBO bachelor's degree in any field, or

• You hold a university degree in any field, but have obtained fewer than 10 ECTS in research methods.

The duration is 3 or 5 months, depending on your deficiency. We offer three methods courses, but your pre-master's is tailored to your individual needs. The Admissions Board will determine which of these courses you'll follow:

• Statistical Inference (February - April 2026)

• Climate Data and Services (April - June 2026)

• Qualitative Methods (April - June 2026)

The courses are offered in different packages and time slots, all designed to help you build a solid foundation in research methods.

One course (5 ECTS)

• NL/EU students: € 210

• Non-EU/EEA students: € 1,390

Two courses (10 ECTS)

• NL/EU students: € 420

• Non-EU/EEA students: € 2,780

Students enrolled at a Dutch university of applied sciences (hbo) can take the Pre-Master’s alongside their hbo programme and only pay one tuition fee. This effectively saves you a full year of tuition.

You completed your studies at a university of applied sciences (HBO) in the Netherlands, follow these steps to apply:

1. Create an account in Studielink
   Start by creating a Studielink account and adding your previous education details.
   Note: Students with an official home address in the Netherlands log in with DigiD. Students living outside the Netherlands can create a Studielink account without DigiD.

2. Find the Sustainable Futures Master’s
   After filling in all the details about your previous education, you can go to the next step, ‘Choose a study programme’. Here, find the programme called SUSTAINABLE FUTURES (PRE-MASTER, ENGLISH TAUGHT). Select the programme, then choose the start date (September 1st, 2026) and follow the next steps.

3. Confirm the application
   After answering and confirming all questions, go to the Confirm tab to review the study details you entered. If everything is correct, confirm your enrolment application.

4. Wait to hear back from us
   You will receive an email with instructions on how to proceed with your application.

For more information or questions about your application, please contact our admissions officer Marijke Huisman-Wolters at cf-sf rug.nl 

You completed your studies at a Dutch research university (WO).

Are you unsure whether your educational background meets our entry requirements? No worries, we make it easy to verify your eligibility. Our Admissions Board will review your background and decide whether a pre-master’s is required before you can start the Master's programme.

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Create an account in Studielink
   Start by creating a Studielink account and adding your previous education details.
   Note: Students with an official home address in the Netherlands log in with DigiD. Students living outside the Netherlands can create a Studielink account without DigiD.

2. Find the Sustainable Futures Master’s
   Go to "Choose a study programme". Use the search bar to find the programme easily. Select the programme, choose the start date (September 1st, 2026), and follow the next steps.

3. Confirm the application
   After answering and confirming all questions, go to the Confirm tab to review your details. If they are correct, confirm your enrolment application.

4. Wait to hear back from us
   You will receive an email with instructions on how to proceed.

For more information or questions about your application, please contact our admissions officer Marijke Huisman-Wolters at cf-sf rug.nl 

You have a degree from outside the Netherlands and want to check whether you need to follow a pre-master’s programme. Our Admissions Board will review your background and decide whether a pre-master’s is required before you can enter the Master Programme.

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Create an account in Studielink
   Start by creating a Studielink account (the national admissions portal) and adding your previous education details.
   Note: Students with an official home address in the Netherlands log in with DigiD; students living outside the Netherlands can create a Studielink account without DigiD. You can find a step-by-step guide in the Studielink portal.

2. Find the Sustainable Futures Master’s
   Go to ‘Choose a study programme’. Use search bar to find the programme easily. Select the programme, choose the start date (September 1st, 2026), and follow the next steps.

3. Confirm the application
   After answering and confirming all questions, go to the Confirm tab to review your details. If they are correct, confirm your enrolment application.

4. Continue in the Progress Portal
   You will receive an email about activating your UG account. This email also includes login instructions for the Progress Portal.
   Complete your application by uploading the application documents. For guidance on completing your application in the Progress Portal, check this website.
   Finalise and submit your application as soon as possible.

5. Wait to hear back from us
   Our Admissions Board will review your application and decide whether you need a pre-Master’s.
   You will receive an email from us with instructions on the next steps.

For more information or questions about your application, please contact our admissions officer, Marijke Huisman-Wolter,s at cf-sf rug.nl 

You’ll develop core skills in three areas:

1. Qualitative Research Design
   Design, conduct, and critically reflect on qualitative research by formulating research objectives, developing theoretical frameworks and conceptual models, applying data collection and analysis techniques, addressing ethical issues, and presenting their findings.

2. Climate Data and Adaptation
   Describe methods of climate data production, recognize data limitations, assess climate variability and change, address challenges in climate adaptation, utilize open-access climate datasets, and support decision-making for climate adaptation.

3. Data Analysis and Interpretation
   Understand data sampling techniques, assess variables and their limitations, analyze data in the context of research design, interpret results, and report on methods, data, and findings, reflecting on their process.

You will be assessed through quizzes, assignments, participation or exams.

The Pre-Master's is worth 5/10 ECTS, depending on whether you to take one or two courses. This corresponds to a total workload of approximately 140/280 hours.

Each course consists of two sessions per week of two hours each, with the remaining time (around 100 hours) dedicated to self-study and completing assignments.

The sessions are primarily held on-site in Leeuwarden, though international students have the option to attend online.