Do you want to know how agricultural transitions, socio-cultural discontent, and climate change impact European rural areas? Come satisfy your curiosity in the master Resilient Rural Regions!
This master explores the rural-specific socio-spatial impacts of global transformations and how rural regions and communities deal with such transformations in socially and environmentally sustainable and place-specific ways.
You will learn:
If you want to contribute to sustainable and liveable rural areas, this master is just what you are looking for!
MSc in Economic Geography
Resilient Rural Regions is a track within the master in Economic Geography. This master provides you with a deep understanding on the unequal spatial and social effects of global megatrends, such as technological, demographic and climate changes. You will dive into topics like economic geographical processes, wellbeing, quality of life, labour market developments and mobility, and how these take shape in different regions along the European urban-rural continuum.
If you are interested in following a two-year programme in Economic Geography in two different countries (the Netherlands and Germany), then our Dual 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.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Economic Geography: Theory and Practice (5 EC) | ||||
| Rural Communities in Transition (5 EC) | ||||
| Social Impact Assessment (5 EC) | ||||
| Global Transformations Local Impacts (5 EC) | ||||
| Nature, Landscape and Heritage (5 EC) | ||||
| Master's thesis (20 EC) | ||||
| Advanced Statistical Analysis OR Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (5 EC) | ||||
| Regional Labour Market Dynamics (5 EC) | ||||
| Transport Geography (5 EC) | ||||
More information about this track: https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/master-info-frw/courses-master-economic-resilient-rural-regions
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
You are automatically admitted with the research university programmes in the transfer options for all research universities below. Do you have a different previous education from a research university? Please contact study.advice.fss rug.nl to see if you can be directly admitted. In some cases you need to take a pre-master. Do you have a degree from a university of applied sciences? You might be able to take a pre-master. Please see the admission requirements in our pre-master guide: https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/pre-master/. |
| language test |
English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:
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. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| All Universities of applied sciences |
Via a pre-master More information:For more information about the pre-master please see https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/pre-master/ |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Bedrijfskunde - Technology Management | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| International Relations and International Organization | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Economics and Business Economics | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| International Business | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Human Geography and Planning | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Sociology | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Bedrijfskunde - Business and Management | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Spatial Planning and Design | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Sociology | Tilburg University | No additional requirements |
| Economics and Business Economics | Tilburg University | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Sociology | Radboud University Nijmegen | No additional requirements |
| Economics and Business Economics | Radboud University Nijmegen | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Economics and Business Economics | Erasmus University Rotterdam | No additional requirements |
| Sociology | Erasmus University Rotterdam | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Economics and Business Economics | Maastricht University | No additional requirements |
| International Business | Maastricht University | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning | Utrecht University | No additional requirements |
| Economics and Business Economics | Utrecht University | No additional requirements |
| Sociology | Utrecht University | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Sociology | University of Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning | University of Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Sociology | VU University Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Economics and Business Economics | VU University Amsterdam | No additional requirements |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 15 January 2027 | 01 February 2027 | |
| 15 August 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 November 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| 01 November 2027 | 01 February 2028 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 November 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| 01 November 2027 | 01 February 2028 |
If you are considering applying for a start in February, please know that this has practical implications for your studies.We strongly advise a start in September. Before applying for a February start in our programme and paying the application fee for students with a foreign diploma, we advise you to discuss your application with one of our Study Advisors (study.advice.fss rug.nl)
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
The programme welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds within the social sciences, economics, and interdisciplinary studies that provide the knowledge and research skills needed to study regional development, socio‑spatial inequalities, and policy responses. Please apply in Studielink if you have an international previous education and your application will be assessed by the Admission Office of the University of Groningen. We offer a pre-master programme for students who are not directly admissible to this master. For admission requirements of the pre-master see: https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/pre-master/ |
| language test |
English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:
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. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 15 January 2027 | 01 February 2027 | |
| 15 August 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 November 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| 01 November 2027 | 01 February 2028 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 November 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| 01 November 2027 | 01 February 2028 |
If you are considering applying for a start in February, please know that this has practical implications for your studies.We strongly advise a start in September. Before applying for a February start in our programme and paying the application fee for students with a foreign diploma, we advise you to discuss your application with one of our Study Advisors (study.advice.fss rug.nl)
| Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA | 2026-2027 | € 2695 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2026-2027 | € 22200 | full-time |
Scholarships: Check the Nuffic website for information about scholarships.
Students are expected to follow our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. For more detailed information about laptop requirements, please visit this webpagePractical information for:
Graduates of this programme will be able to consider careers in a number of areas dealing with rural development, planning and innovation. This includes sectors such as local, regional or (inter)national governmental and non-governmental organizations, public service organisations, consultancies, local tourism and heritage organisations and local development organisations.
In the field of Economic Geography the emphasis of the research lays with regional labour market analysis, the demography of firms, Geography of Innovation and Sustainability Transition and well-being.
