Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation
Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Economic Geography: Regional Competitiveness and Trade
Header image Economic Geography: Regional Competitiveness and Trade

Economic Geography: Regional Competitiveness and Trade

Do you want to become a specialist in regional economic development in an international context with a keen eye for the role of policy?

The track in Regional Competitiveness and Trade prepares you for a career in regional economic strategies and research in regional science.

The track, which is part of the Master in Economic Geography and organized in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics and Business, focusses on regional and global competitiveness related to trade and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Trade and FDI importantly govern the interconnectivity between countries and regions and their subsequent economic development. The ongoing fragmentation of value-chains - an iPad is manufactured all over the globe - leads to increasing trade between countries and a growing global presence of multinational firms.

How do global linkages between regions and countries influence their competitiveness? You will learn the latest theoretical (New Economic Geography) and methodological (Spatial Econometrics) approaches to address the issues of interconnectivity between regions through trade and FDI.

Our graduates are specialists in regional economic development with a keen eye for the role of policy. They are well versed in the latest theoretical and empirical Economic models of regional growth.

If you are interested in following a two-year programme in Economic Geography in two different countries (the Netherlands and Germany), then our Double Degree Master International Programme in Economic Geography is the master programme for you!

If you are looking for a two-year programme and are interested in doing research, you can also integrate the master in Economic Geography with our two-year Research Master in Spatial Sciences.

Master Open Day
I nterested in learning more? The next Master Open Day is on Thursday 21 March. Sign up for the presentation via the Master's Week webpage (sign up opens on 1 March).

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Economic Geography
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60657
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Spatial Sciences
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Groningen is the 3rd Regional Science Center in the world
  • Interdisciplinary approach due to the cooperation between the Faculties of Spatial Sciences and Economics
  • Positive and open study atmosphere
  • In the Netherlands, Groningen offers the only fully independent Master's programme in Economic Geography
Programme
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Economic Development (5 EC)
Economic Geography: Theory and Application (5 EC)
Entrepreneurship and Regional Development (5 EC)
Master's Thesis Economic Geography (20 EC)
Urban and Regional Economics (5 EC)
Economic Geography (5 EC)
Regional Labour Market Analysis (5 EC)
Spatial Econometrics (5 EC)
Transport Geography (5 EC)

Curriculum

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional
Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Universities of applied sciences

Via a pre-master

More information:
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Human Geography and Urban and Regional PlanningAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Spatial Planning and DesignAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Liberal Arts and SciencesAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

Direct access with Philosophy, Politics & Economics. No access with other majors.

Economics and Business Economics - Economic Development and GlobalizationAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

Contact Sierdjan Koster for more information (Sierdjan.Koster rug.nl)

International BusinessAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

Contact Sierdjan Koster for more information (Sierdjan.Koster rug.nl)

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education
  • Direct access with a bachelor diploma in Human Geography & Planning; Urban and Regional Planning, and Spatial Planning and Design. Bachelor diploma's in Sociology, Business Administration, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Micro-Economics are sometimes admissible as well.
  • Do you have another previous education? Then the assessment whether you have direct access will take place on individual basis. If you do not have direct access it will be assessed if you are admissible after a pre-master programme. Please contact Sierdjan Koster (sierdjan.koster rug.nl) about this.

Students with an international diploma see the international tab.

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)
  • European Baccalaureate, English level L1 or L2
  • 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 students15 August 202401 September 2024
15 August 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

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Bachelor degree related to the field of regional economic development. This includes Bachelor programmes in Human Geography, Economic Geography, Regional and Urban Planning, Regional Economy, Economy or related. Bachelor diploma's in Sociology, Business Administration, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Micro-Economics are sometimes admissible.

Students with an international diploma should apply via Studielink and Progress to find out whether or not they are admissible.

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)
  • European Baccalaureate, English level L1 or L2
  • 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 students15 August 202401 September 2024
15 August 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
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

Scholarships:

For information about scholarships see the Study in NL website.

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

Graduates in Economic Geography that have followed the track in regional competitiveness and trade are specialists in regional economic development in an international context with a keen eye for the role of policy. Also, they are well-versed in the latest methods and models in regional science. With this background, the programme prepares well a position in regional economic strategies and research in regional science:

  • A fair share of the graduates is employed by governmental organizations at all geographical levels (cities and municipalities, regional, national and international governmental organizations). This includes organizations such as the EU, the city of Amsterdam or The Dutch Ministry of Environment and Infrastructure.
  • Another large share of the graduates is active on the commercial market, mostly in consultancies in economic development. This includes companies such as Twijnstra Gudde, Antea.
  • A smaller share of the graduates enters research, teaching and entrepreneurship.
  • According to Elsevier (2015), job opportunities of geographers are above average with a relatively large job stability.

To see where our Economic Geography alumni end up, view this infographic

Throughout the year we offer support for practical career preparation and employability skills. Workshops are given about leadership, job interviews and how to present yourself. More information about the FSS Career Services.

Research

In the field of Economic Geography the emphasis of the research lays with regional labour market analysis and the demography of firms.

Regional labour market analysis addresses many themes, such as labour productivity and wage formation, the dynamic of the regional labour market, and migration, gender and the labour market. Demography of firms addresses amongst other subjects, starting businesses (including spin-offs) and the migration of corporations, and the factors involved in the decision of the choice of location..

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact

Contact

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

"After graduating, your future options are countless"

I chose for the master track Regional Competitiveness and Trade because it offers three economic courses where contemporary economic models are discussed which are used often, especially in regional economics.

For example: how do regional spillovers occur, and how do you measure this? But also more practical examples like what can possibly happen to Groningen if the infrastructure to the Randstad will be improved? Will the region gain, or not? This is the first time I get in touch with these really practical models, which assures me that I am learning skills that I can use in my future career.

Groningen is one of the only universities who offers a programme in Economic Geography. In other universities, the focus is more on human geography. Furthermore, the University of Groningen is unique because it is one of the few universities that have their own faculty for geographers and planners; the Faculty of Spatial Sciences. It’s a rather small faculty, so teachers know you and if you have questions they can help you right away. I think this is a real benefit.

If you are interested in geography, but you’d also like to use economic models, especially for geographers, this is probably the best course you can choose. After graduating, your future options are countless.

- Jan Sander

Read more

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/
Read more
Study support

There are small groups, so you have a lot of contact with other students and lecturers.