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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes DDM Urban Planning, Society and Sustainability
Header image DDM Urban Planning, Society and Sustainability

DDM Urban Planning, Society and Sustainability

Do you want to study topics in urban planning, society and sustainability in the context of two different countries in different parts of our world? Join our Double Degree Master!

The Faculty of Spatial Sciences of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, and the Department of Architecture and Planning of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia have created a Double Degree Master programme that combines the Master in Urban and Regional Planning at UGM with the master in Society, Sustainability and Planning in Groningen. Students start their two year programme with a year in Indonesia, followed by a year in the Netherlands.

Urban planning studies spatial conditions, and plans those for future needs. Our field of work is neigbourhoods, cities and regions. Across these scales and in all contexts, urban planning can't be separated from its social elements, for Sustainability challenges are interconnected with the communities that face them. The programme highlights social aspects and the human factor of the global transition towards a more sustainable society. Sustainability challenges are interconnected with the communities that face them.

Yogyakarta is home to thousands of students from across the world. Its unique landscape, heritage and culture make it an interesting and inspiring place for those studying urban planning. In Groningen, you will study at one of the world's leading universities. Learn from the best and take advantage of exciting research opportunities and live in a vibrant student city. Whatever you're seeking from your university experience, you'll find it in the dense (planning) community of Groningen.


Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Society, Sustainability and Planning
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
66653
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Spatial Sciences
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Unique focus on designing socially sustainable spatial solutions
  • Numerous 'hands-on' assignments, field-visits and contacts with practitioners
  • An emerging societally relevant field within Spatial Planning research and practice
  • Thinking (policy strategies) and doing (practical work on projects and plans)
  • Compare international theory and practice
Programme

At Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, semester I runs from August to December. Semester II runs from January to May.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Development Theory (2 EC)
Philosophy of Science (1 EC)
Planning Studio Specialization 1 (4 EC)
Planning Theory (2 EC)
Process and Planning Methods & Techniques 1 (3 EC)
Spatial Theory (3 EC)
Statistics (2 EC)
Development Management (2 EC)
Planning Studio Specialization (4 EC)
Process and Planning Methods & Techniques 2 (2 EC)
Research Methodology (2 EC)
Spatial Economics (2 EC)
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
City Matters (5 EC)
Interaction, Society and Space (5 EC)
Planning Theory (5 EC)
Engaging Society in Spatial Transformation (5 EC)
Optional courses (10 EC)
Master's Thesis Society, Sustainability and Planning (20 EC)
Revitalising Neighbourhoods (5 EC)
Living Lab Sustainable Places (ID) (5 EC)

Curriculum

The first year will take place at Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Urban and Regional Planning master programme, see https://archiplan.ugm.ac.id/en/programmes1/master-in-urban-and-regional-planning/. The second year is Society, Sustainability and Planning at University of Groningen, see https://www.rug.nl/frw/sp.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is required

The first year is at Univeristas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. The second year is at University of Groningen.

Students must have completed their year of study in Indonesia, including master's thesis, no later than 3 years after the stay in Indonesia, otherwise the right to receive the Indonesian diploma will be lost.

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

See Society, Sustainability & Planning or contact our study advisors study.advice.fss rug.nl

language test

English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:

  • 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

A prospective student can always apply for an exemption from the English language test. The student needs to explain, and if required show proof of, why an exemption would be justified. It is up to the Admission Board to decide whether an exemption will be granted or not.

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Research universities

Via a pre-master

More information:

See Environmental and Infrastructural Planning & Socio-spatial Planning or contact Paul van Steen iofss rug.nl

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 March 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

See Society, Sustainability and Planning or contact our study advisors study.advice.fss rug.nl

language test

English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:

  • 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

A prospective student can always apply for an exemption from the English language test. The student needs to explain, and if required show proof of, why an exemption would be justified. It is up to the Admission Board to decide whether an exemption will be granted or not.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 March 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time
EU/EEA2025-2026€ 2601full-time
non-EU/EEA2025-2026€ 21400full-time

Scholarships: See the University Gadjah Mada scholarship webpage for information about this specific programme, or have a look at the Nuffic website for general information about scholarships in the Netherlands.

Students are expected to follow our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. For more detailed information about laptop requirements, please visit this webpage

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

Our graduates work at:

  • Varuious levels of government
  • Consultancies, housing associations and developers (private sector)
  • NGOs (environmental, social, heritage)
  • Universities and research institutes

We support you in developing a rich set of analytical tools and practical skills that allow you to create sustainable cities. You become a critical professional who knows how to engage citizens in the major spatial transformations of our times.

Research

Research

The MSc Socio-Spatial Planning (SSP) program follows the research agenda of the Department of Spatial Planning and Environment as well as the Faculty of Spatial Sciences in more general. This research agenda focuses on the relationships between wellbeing of people (with different identity markers, backgrounds, values, wishes), institutional innovation (improved governance and policy making), and spatial transformation (changing landscapes, cities and regions).

The emphasis in Socio-Spatial Planning related research lies on the social side of planning. ‘Ordinary’ people and local communities are often neglected by planners and the focus tends to be more dominantly on policy, governance, strategic planning and legal frameworks. Research conducted by researchers active in Socio-Spatial Planning program aims to understand the ‘HUMAN FACTOR’' in spatial planning: why different groups of people embrace, contest or reject spatial changes? how do they take the lead in shaping their own environment and how to align such initiatives with more formal plan- and policy-making? how do spatial interventions influence different stakeholders and their well-being? and how to engage society effectively in spatial transformations?

The core ambitions of the research that informs the teaching program of Master SSP are to:

  • Contribute to planning for liveable, resilient and resourceful communities and places
  • Be able to create coalitions and stimulate collaboration among different stakeholders
  • Design policy solutions for an inclusive and sustainable society

Some examples of recent research topics of the researchers closely connected to the program of Socio-Spatial Planning include:

The articles written on the above topics by the staff members are often used as direct input for lectures and as key literature for the core courses. The Department also facilitates connecting Master thesis research to the ongoing research of staff members.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Master's Weeksdiverse locatiesMore information

Contact

  • Saskia Enuma, Reinier Schoep, Nienke Harteveld (Study Advisors Faculty of Spatial Sciences)
    Email: study.advice.fss rug.nl

Study associations

Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta is the Faculty Association of Spatial Sciences
Becoming 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.
https://www.ibnbattuta.nl/
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