Master - voltijd

Sustainable Futures

Co-create equitable and liveable futures by rethinking the present, challenging the status quo, and bridging knowledge across cultures, disciplines, and generations.

Imagining futures rooted in justice, sustainability, and collective well-being is a long-standing human practice. Building such futures free from systems of extraction, violence, and domination requires more than imagination; it calls for critical and collective engagement that reflects on the past and acknowledges how norms and values shape the world across past, present, and future. A focus on ethics and justice ensures that envisioned futures remain attentive to both human and more-than-human communities, the places they inhabit, and the ecosystems that sustain them.

Interdisciplinary approach grounded in geography and social sciences
Ethics, justice and diverse perspectives at the core
Hands-on learning through case studies, research and scenario building

The MSc in Sustainable Futures empowers students to engage with pressing issues, amplify marginalised voices, and develop strategies where people, places and ecosystems thrive together.

Want to learn more and stay up to date with the programme?
→ Sign up for the monthly newsletter
→ Discover student stories

Pre-Master's

Did you study at a University of Applied Sciences (HBO), or are you lacking specific requirements? Check out our 3-month Pre-master's Programme!

Upcoming Events
Master's Week : 27 November 2025, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Join us online and meet the programme director, current students, and alumni of the programme!

Feiten & Cijfers

Titel/Graad: MSc in Cultural Geography
Type opleiding: Master
Duur: 12 maanden (60 EC)
Croho code: 60656
Voertaal: Engels
Start: September
Faculteit: Campus Fryslân

Nu aanmelden

Waarom dit programma in Leeuwarden?

This programme is designed for students who want to understand and shape the relationships between people, more-than-human worlds, places, and sustainability. By combining strong theoretical foundations with applied learning, it equips you to explore complex societal challenges and design alternative futures.

This programme is:

Place-based, people-focused, and community-driven
Grounded in cultural geography and the social sciences, enriched by interdisciplinary methods
Welcoming space for uncertainty and imagining multiple scenarios
Focus on the ethics of sustainability, attentive to people, places, and ecosystems
Learn from diverse perspectives and challenge dominant norms and power structures
Hands-on learning through case studies, collaborative research, and scenario building
Based in a vibrant, inclusive faculty in Fryslân that supports your growth and curiosity

Programma

Our 1-year master's programme is structured into four blocks, two per semester, designed to support your intellectual growth and professional development. Throughout the year, you will explore how systems of power, culture, and knowledge shape the world, and learn how to critically question and reimagine them.

The curriculum combines interdisciplinary perspectives with hands-on learning, blending ethical reflection, research skills, case studies, and scenario-building exercises. By integrating theory and practice, the courses equip you with the tools to design and implement transformative strategies that contribute to more equitable, resilient, and sustainable futures.

	Semesters
Vakken	1a	1b	2a	2b
Climate Adaptation (5 EC)
Introduction to Sustainable Futures (5 EC)
Tourism, Mobilities and Decolonised Futures (5 EC)
Critical Heritage Studies (5 EC)
Gendered Geographies (5 EC)
Research Design Course (5 EC)
Nature-based Solutions (5 EC)
Sustainability Impact Assessment (5 EC)
The Social Life of Migration (5 EC)
Master's thesis (15 EC)

Studeren in het buitenland

Studeren in het buitenland is niet voorzien

Toelatingseisen

Specifieke eisen	Extra informatie
taaltoets cijfer	English language requirements: To study this programme, you are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. This can be proven with one of the following: A full Bachelor's degree where the sole language of instruction was English. TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score of 90, with at least 18 in Reading and Listening, 20 in Speaking, and 21 in Writing. IELTS Academic: minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each component. Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180. Pearson Academic: overall score 66 with at least min. 62 in Reading, 54 in Reading and Listening, 62 in Writing. LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in all categories). Exemptions apply to native speakers of English from the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. A prospective student may also apply for an exemption from the English language test. In this case, the student must provide an explanation and, if required, evidence to justify the request. The Admissions Board will decide whether an exemption is granted.

Specifieke eisen

Extra informatie

taaltoets cijfer

English language requirements:

To study this programme, you are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. This can be proven with one of the following:

A full Bachelor's degree where the sole language of instruction was English.
TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score of 90, with at least 18 in Reading and Listening, 20 in Speaking, and 21 in Writing.
IELTS Academic: minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each component.
Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180.
Pearson Academic: overall score 66 with at least min. 62 in Reading, 54 in Reading and Listening, 62 in Writing.
LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in all categories).

Exemptions apply to native speakers of English from the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

A prospective student may also apply for an exemption from the English language test. In this case, the student must provide an explanation and, if required, evidence to justify the request. The Admissions Board will decide whether an exemption is granted.

Aanmeldingsprocedure

We welcome students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including geography, tourism, liberal arts and sciences, and social sciences. This diversity enriches the learning experience and fosters the exchange of ideas across different perspectives.

Applicants whose previous education does not fall directly within these areas are still encouraged to submit their application. Our admissions team will be happy to assess their eligibility and advise them on their options. Contact Marijke Huisman-Wolters at cf-sf rug.nl .

You're a great fit for the MSc in Sustainable Futures if you:

Have experience with academic research (equivalent to 5 ECTS in research methods) and have written a bachelor's thesis.
Are eager to engage with plural perspectives and willing to question and unlearn existing assumptions.
Want to collaborate across disciplines, communities, generations, and ideologies to co-create more just and sustainable futures.

Inschrijvingsdeadlines

Type student	Deadline	Start opleiding
Nederlandse studenten	01 juli 2026	01 september 2026

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.

Toelatingseisen

Specifieke eisen	Extra informatie
taaltoets cijfer	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; Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score of 180; IELTS Academic: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories); Pearson Academic: overall score 66 (min. 62 in Reading, 54 in Reading and Listening, 62 in Writing); LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in all categories); TOEFL iBT**: overall score 90 (min. 18 for Reading and Listening, 20 for Speaking, 21 for Writing). 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.

Specifieke eisen

Extra informatie

taaltoets cijfer

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;
Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score of 180;
IELTS Academic*: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories);
Pearson Academic: overall score 66 (min. 62 in Reading, 54 in Reading and Listening, 62 in Writing);
LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in all categories);
TOEFL iBT**: overall score 90 (min. 18 for Reading and Listening, 20 for Speaking, 21 for Writing).

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.

Inschrijvingsdeadlines

Type student	Deadline	Start opleiding
Nederlandse studenten	01 juli 2026	01 september 2026

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.

Collegegeld

Nationaliteit	Jaar	Kosten	Vorm
EU/EER	2025-2026	€ 2601	voltijd
niet EU/EER	2025-2026	€ 21400	voltijd
EU/EER	2026-2027	€ 2695	voltijd
niet EU/EER	2026-2027	€ 22200	voltijd

Praktische informatie voor:

Nederlandse studenten Internationale studenten

Na je studie

This programme equips you with the critical, theoretical, and practical tools needed to address pressing challenges at the intersection of people, places, and ecosystems. Guided by the exchange of ideas and knowledge in the classroom and through the contributions of our diverse group of lecturers, you will learn to analyse complex societal issues, develop transformative strategies, and co-create just and sustainable pathways together with communities and organisations.

Through case studies, scenario building, collaborative research, and other interactive learning methods, you will gain hands-on experience while building a professional network. These experiences prepare you for the job market and deepen your understanding of the ethical, cultural, and ecological dimensions of your career choices.

Arbeidsmarkt

Graduates of this programme are equipped for roles in policy, consultancy, NGOs/government roles, research, and project management. You might design and evaluate climate adaptation strategies, advise organisations on sustainability transitions, work with communities on heritage and tourism initiatives, or pursue a research career to shape future-oriented policies and knowledge.

Potentiële beroepen

Policy Analyst

Researches and analyses policies shaping societal and ecological futures, providing evidence-based recommendations to address inequalities and environmental challenges.
Sustainability Consultant

Advises organisations, governments, or NGOs on strategies for sustainability transitions, community resilience, or place-based development.
Policy Officer

.Designs, implements, and evaluates policies in areas such as climate adaptation, migration, or sustainable tourism, ensuring they align with social and ecological justice.
Project Manager

Leads interdisciplinary projects on sustainability transitions, working with diverse stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for communities and ecosystems.
Researcher or PhD candidate

Conducts academic or applied research on futures-oriented sustainability topics, contributing new insights into cultural, social, and ecological transformation.

Onderzoek

The research component of the programme is centered around the integration of three dynamic pillars: Cultural Geography, Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation. This unique approach provides a comprehensive framework for understanding complex global issues.

The Cultural Geography pillar explores critical themes, including migration, gender, and identity formation, examining how these factors shape and are shaped by cultural landscapes.
The Sustainable Tourism pillar presents a diverse range of research opportunities, including the impact of tourism on the liveability of places, the nuances of rural and dark tourism, and the intricate relationship between identity creation and tourism.
The Climate Adaptation pillar examines pressing research areas, including green gentrification, farmers' protests, and climate anxiety, with a focus on how governance strategies can effectively address these challenges.

Additionally, the programme encourages innovative research at the intersection of these three pillars, such as pro-environmental tourism, gender dynamics in tourism, and strategies for effective climate adaptation.

Nu aanmelden Brochure Evenementen Contact

Nederlands diploma Internationaal diploma

Contact

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