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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Climate Adaptation Governance
Header image Climate Adaptation Governance

Climate Adaptation Governance

Identify how societies are impacted by climate change. Understand how transformative change and governance can address these impacts. Learn directly from the stakeholders playing a key role in advancing climate adaptation.

Be part of the solution and join the Climate Adaptation Governance track of our MSc in Cultural Geography!

Accelerated climate change and wide-ranging global risks such as biodiversity loss and global pandemics require fundamental transformations of how our societies are organised and interact with the environment. We need to adapt to these risks and foster increased resilience. These efforts will require culturally-sensitive and transdisciplinary approaches to governance to bring about enduring change.

In this master's programme, you will take specialised courses in governance as well as in urban and community-based adaptation. After taking advanced skills training courses in intervention impact assessments, data collection, and analytical methods, you will conduct field research on a topic of relevance to climate adaptation governance and write your Master’s thesis.

→ Explore stories featuring Climate Adaptation Governance students, alumni, and professors on our blog!

MSc Cultural Geography
Climate Adaptation Governance at Campus Fryslân , located in the city of Leeuwarden, is a track within the MSc in Cultural Geography. The programme offers two tracks: Sustainable Tourism & Society and Climate Adaptation Governance.

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Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Cultural Geography
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60656
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Campus Fryslân
Why study this programme in Leeuwarden?

Campus Fryslân is the only faculty in the Netherlands that offers an MSc programme in Cultural Geography. The curriculum focuses on the interplay between space and human well-being as well as on natural and cultural heritage, culture and identity, mobility and multiculturalism. Students can choose from two specialised tracks: Climate Adaptation Governance or Sustainable Tourism & Society.

The Climate Adaptation Governance track enables you to add value to adaptation solutions by contributing to much-needed political, economic, and financial insights into technical and environmental proposals. At the same time, the embeddedness of your studies in the wider Cultural Geography curriculum allows you to benefit from a culturally sensitive and place-based approach to adaptation governance.

Programme

During our programme, you will follow courses on: Place, Regions & Identities; Fieldwork Cultural Geography; Adaptation Governance; Nature, Landscape & Heritage; Culture & Community-Based Adaptation; Qualitative Research Methods; Urban Adaptation & Innovation; and Social Impact Assessment.

Disclaimer: due to internal revision, the name and content of some of the courses may be subject to changes. The information will be updated as soon as possible.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Adaptation Governance (5 EC)

This course covers the fundamentals of climate adaptation governance, including key theories, actors, and processes. It focuses on developing students' understanding and critical analysis of adaptation governance through academic and grey literature. The curriculum includes active learning methods, case study research, and analysis, enhancing students' problem-solving skills in various professional contexts. It comprises sessions on climate change effects, global adaptation governance, adaptation finance, national strategies, field visits, and workshops. It also addresses climate-driven migration and includes a simulation seminar on adaptation negotiations. Students choose specific themes (like adaptation finance or community engagement), sectors (such as agriculture or urban adaptation), and geographical areas for their studies and role-playing exercises.

Critical Approaches to Cultural Heritage and Identity (5 EC)
Field Work and Community Engagement (5 EC)
Nature, Landscape & Heritage (5 EC)

This course studies the values of natural, heritage, and landscape aspects in rural and urban environments, focusing on societal appreciation and valuation. It covers the evolution of heritage preservation, emphasizing cultural, natural, and geoheritage. Contemporary issues in heritage and identity in diverse societies are explored, including practical examples in lectures and guest sessions. The course introduces ecological theories, biodiversity, and landscape biography methods, and delves into historical landscape development through lectures, excursions, and presentations. It contrasts academic theories with professional practices, including company visits. Students will analyze a chosen landscape to create a landscape biography, connecting historical and current biotic, abiotic, and human factors, including perceptions.

Thesis Design (5 EC)
Urban Adaptation and Innovation (5 EC)

The course focuses on urban climate change adaptation, combining political, technological, and social innovations. It extends learning from previous CAG Master's courses to urban settings, covering topics like urbanization theories, governance, and 'smart city' innovations. It includes critical literature reviews, active learning, and field activities. Students analyze urbanization dynamics and their impacts on housing, infrastructure, and governance, choosing specific cities or networks for their projects.

Geographies of Migration (5 EC)

The Geographies of Migration course offers a deep dive into global migration discussions, focusing on human geography and worldwide population movements. It encourages critical thinking about prevailing migration narratives, analysis of global migration trends, and questioning of common assumptions. Students engage in examining societal phenomena linked to migration, borders, migration categorization, political identity, and place attachment. They analyze these topics through various socio-economic and cultural lenses within the context of global structures and power hierarchies.

Nature Based Solution (5 EC)

Nature based solutions (NBS) are ways of working with natural systems to protect, sustainably manage and restore ecosystems for water, climate change, biodiversity and livelihoods. In this course, you will gain an understanding of the NBS concept (and beyond), types and properties, with the aim of providing frameworks for its application in the context of transformative change.

Social Impact Assessment - Data and Representation (5 EC)
Thesis (15 EC)

Study load

35 hours of class and self-study per week on average

The expected study load is 30 to 40 hrs per week, adding up to 1800 hrs in total for 60 ECTS per total of the programme. Most classes are taught in Leeuwarden or online (hybrid education); some classes may take place in Groningen or contain regional excursions.

Programme options
MSc Cultural Geography (track)

Sustainable Tourism & Society

Climate Adaptation Governance

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is unaccommodated
Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Global Responsibility & LeadershipUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Human Geography and PlanningUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Spatial Planning and DesignUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

The programme is open to students with an academic bachelor degree in geography, or social sciences with some background knowledge in geography, including at least 10 ECTS in statistics and research methods.

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.

other admission requirements

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

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 July 202401 September 2024
01 July 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025

Be aware that the table about the selection procedures refers to the country where you obtained your diploma, not your nationality. 'Dutch students' for example means students with a Dutch diploma.

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

The programme is open to students with an academic bachelor degree in geography, or social sciences with some background knowledge in geography, including at least 10 ECTS in statistics and research methods.

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.

other admission requirements

Please use this step-by-step guide for more information regarding your eligibility and your specific application procedure: https://fd13.formdesk.com/rug/msc-cg-admission-application-guide

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

Registration procedure

The programme is open to students with an academic bachelor degree in geography, or social sciences with some background knowledge in geography, including at least 10 ECTS in statistics and research methods.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 July 202401 September 2024
01 July 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025

Be aware that the table about the selection procedures refers to the country where you obtained your diploma, not your nationality. 'Dutch students' for example means students with a Dutch diploma.

Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 2314full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 17800full-time
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Cultural Geography equips you with the necessary theoretical and practical tools to contribute to place-related liveability in society. Quality of life depends to a large extent on successful adaptation to climate change.

After finishing our specialised track, you will be an expert in climate adaptation governance pathways. In such a position, you can positively influence key adaptation strategies, policies, and decisions that will play an increasingly influential role into the future.

Job prospects

Field trips, guest lectures, workshops, and serious gaming simulations, which are part of your programme, allow networking with future employers, such as the Global Center on Adaptation and local government. Furthermore, the University of Groningen offers a wide range of career services to support your job market preparations.

To optimise the connection between our Master's program and the labour market, we try to stay in touch with our alumni via LinkedIn groups and newsletters.

Ysabella Goedhart, one of our graduates of the 2021/2022 cohort, is now working with the Global Center on Adaptation. Read the interview with her in which she relates her experience on the programme and her progression to working in the field of climate adaptation.

Job examples

  • Possible jobs

    As a leading Cultural Geographer and Climate Adaptation Governance specialist, your expertise enables you to work, for example:

    • Analyst or trainer within both the public and private sectors;
    • Strategist, policy-maker, advisor, project officer, or programme coordinator for local, regional, and national governments, intergovernmental bodies, non-governmental organisations at home and abroad, the management of businesses, and other institutions;
    • Researcher and lecturer in academia.
Research

Research Areas

The programme is firmly rooted in Campus Fryslân's chair groups: Global and Local Governance; Governance and Innovation; and Sustainable Entrepreneurship in a Circular Economy, as well as the Research Departments (Governance; Sustainable Economy; Culture, Language, & Technology; and Health & Food).

We collaborate closely with partner organisations such as the Global Center on Adaptation and local partners.
These vast knowledge resources in Cultural Geography and climate adaptation governance-related studies allow you to benefit from existing in-house expertise and get involved with the latest topical research conducted by your lecturers and faculty partners.
Our online courses relating to climate adaptation governance have been made available free of charge and provide further insight into what can be expected in the master's programme.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact

Contact

  • Marijke Huisman-Wolters (For all questions related to the programme and application)
    Email: cf-cg rug.nl
    Telephone: +31 (0)6 31 98 24 13

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
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