Do you wonder about how cities and urban regions can become more sustainable, resilient or carbon neutral? How to design innovative policy solutions for pressing environmental, infrastructural, water, and climate related problems?
Then the international Master's programme in Environmental and Infrastructure Planning (EIP) will fit you well. The programme is unique in integrating: (1) the analysis and development of strategies and governance approaches for highly dynamic and complex planning situations, (2) international comparative research and learning, and (3) environmental, water and infrastructure related challenges. Bringing these elements together, you will examine policy programs, propose planning interventions, and embark on research focused on flood resilient cities, integrated infrastructure solutions, energy transition and healthy urban and regional living environments.
You will be part of an international classroom with students originating from different regions across the globe, some of them having experience in planning practice already. Our dedicated staff will challenge you to rethinking real life planning problems by integrating concepts like self-organization, adaptive capacity and transition management. Through a mix of interactive teaching methods you will strengthen your collaboration and communication skills, and your ability to work and think independently.
If you are looking for a 2 year master, we offer several Double Degree programmes. You can also integrate EIP within our two year Research Master in Spatial Sciences. Please visit the Spatial Sciences programmes page for more information.
Semesters | ||||
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CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
Dilemmas in Infrastructure Planning (5 EC) | ||||
EIP: Interactive Workshop (5 EC) | ||||
Planning Theory (5 EC) | ||||
Comparative Research and Planning Practice (5 EC) | ||||
Optional course (5 EC) | ||||
Master's Thesis Environmental and Infrastructure Planning (20 EC) | ||||
Reinventing Environmental Planning (5 EC) | ||||
Transitions in Water Management (5 EC) | ||||
Optional course (5 EC) |
For more information about the courses in this programme, please visit http://www.rug.nl/frw/education/master-info-frw/courses-master-environmental-infrastructure-planning. If you are looking for a 2 year master, we offer four Double Degree programmes. Please visit https://www.rug.nl/frw/programmes-spatial-sciences to find the programme info.
Programme options |
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specialization (specialization) |
specialization (specialization) |
Study programme | Organization | Transition |
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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 |
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Spatial Planning and Design | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:Advice: for your electives choose courses of the bachelor Spatial Planning and Design |
Landscape Architecture and Planning | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
International Land and Water Management | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
Liberal Arts and Sciences | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:Direct access with Philosophy, Politics & Economics and Physics of Energy. No access with other majors. |
Specific requirements | More information |
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previous education |
Holders of a certificate from the Bachelor's degree programme in Human Geography and Planning (Sociale Geografie & Planologie) or Spatial Planning and Design from a Dutch university are assumed to have sufficient knowledge and skills and will also be admitted to the degree programme on that basis. Admission is also possible for students that have completed the 1st year of a related Double Degree programme at the partner university. If you are not directly admissible you can follow a pre-master programme. See more information in the pre-master guide: https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/pre-master/ |
additional subject |
Proof of academic writing |
language test |
English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:
Overall: 90 Reading: 18 Listening: 18 Speaking: 20 Writing: 21
|
Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
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Dutch students | 15 August 2023 | 01 September 2023 |
15 January 2024 | 01 February 2024 | |
15 August 2024 | 01 September 2024 | |
EU/EEA students | 01 May 2024 | 01 September 2024 |
non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2024 | 01 September 2024 |
Specific requirements | More information |
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previous education |
Bachelor degree in spatial planning, urban/regional planning, urban/regional development, environmental management, human geography, land use planning and management, public administration (*with a focus on spatial analysis and issues, e.g. minor related to urban planning or human geography), landscape architecture, water management**, civil / transport engineering** (**with some basic knowledge on policy making, e.g. minor related to public administration, governance or policy). If you are not directly admissible you can follow a pre-master programme. See more information in the pre-master guide: https://www.rug.nl/frw/education/pre-master/ |
additional subject |
Proof of academic writing |
language test |
English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:
Overall: 90 Reading: 18 Listening: 18 Speaking: 20 Writing: 21
|
Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
---|---|---|
Dutch students | 15 August 2023 | 01 September 2023 |
15 January 2024 | 01 February 2024 | |
15 August 2024 | 01 September 2024 | |
EU/EEA students | 01 May 2024 | 01 September 2024 |
non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2024 | 01 September 2024 |
Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
---|---|---|---|
EU/EEA | 2023-2024 | € 2314 | full-time |
non-EU/EEA | 2023-2024 | € 17800 | full-time |
Scholarships:
Check the Nuffic website for information about scholarships.
Practical information for:
The Master opens up a wide field of potential careers in both the public domain and the private sectors. Our graduates:
How we boost your future career
We support you in developing a rich set of tools as well as a reflexive attitude that allows you to create innovative solutions for sustainability and resilience of cities and regions. We do so in various ways:
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.
See where our alumni end up in this infographic
The research agenda of the department of Spatial Planning and Environment focuses on
‘Institutional Innovation and Spatial Transformation’, as part of the Faculty's Research Program ‘towards Wellbeing, Innovation and Spatial Transformation’ (tWIST). This theme concentrates on the relationships between institutional innovation (improved policy making) and spatial transformation (changing cities and regions). We pursue:
Examples of research projects related to EIP
‘Playing with Urban Complexity’ – Dr. Ir. Katherina Gugerell
This research project aims to foster the understanding of complex urban problems by combining participatory processes with serious games in a co-located setting. In particular, the project seeks to explore how game mechanics can be used to engage the actor group of young adults to make informed decisions that have an impact on their respective urban carbon footprints.
‘Flood Resilience in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom’ – Steven Forrest
This PhD research analyses the interactions between different actors at the local level, and the roles/responsibilities of the local state, civil society and the market in flood resilience. A short video about the PhD research can be found here.
‘INTENSSS-PA’ – Christian Zuidema
The INTENSSS-PA project is a EU funded Horizon 2020 project that studies the integration of sustainable energy measures, land uses and technologies within the spatial and socio economic landscape. It is focused on the process of institutional innovation needed for developing integrated sustainable energy plans.
‘SMART Campus Zernike Groningen’ – Dr. Elen-Maarja Trell
A research project carried out in collaboration with RIO projects and the Municipality of Groningen with support from Regio Groningen Assen and Zernike Campus.
Overview of publications and other activities
Research database Faculty of Spatial Sciences
Overview staff Department of Spatial Planning and Environment
Sustainable Road Infrastructure publications
ResearchGate Department of Spatial Planning and Environment
Read moreMy Master's degree in Environmental and Infrastructure Planning has definitely opened many doors within the working environment of my city
The Master's in Environmental and Infrastructure Planning is a challenging and motivating program for planners who, like myself, aim to contribute towards creating better places to live in, hence, more habitable and sustainable cities.
Moreover, it encompasses accurate planning concepts, tools and knowledge to solve the many difficulties our cities experience. I was captivated by the passion by which the professors educate the students, and in the way they develop an increased interest and understanding in different aspects of urban planning. Being a RUG student, I have broadened my knowledge and skills as a planner. In particular, I have realized the importance of holistic bottom-up approaches, involving all the parties linked to a program or project, who stand to be affected either in a positive or negative way. Personally, I have enjoyed my stay in Groningen and I met amazing people. My Master’s degree in Environmental and Infrastructure Planning has definitely opened many doors within the working environment of my city.
Read moreTaking part in this programme was a life-changing experience
I joined the MSc programme in Environmental and Infrastructure Planning as part of the international Double Degree MSc Water and Coastal Management.
Taking part in this programme was a life-changing experience; as an Israeli with academic experience in the (very different) field of marine biology, I explored the depths of social sciences for the very first time. Furthermore, I was able to get a great taste of life in one of Europe's best student cities. Looking back, I can say that my year at the University of Groningen was a great leap in terms of my ability to deal with complex systems that have a human component, such as my very own home turf, the marine environment. Such experiences are, in my opinion, the foundation for bridging the cultural and scientific gaps that are most pressing on our common, global agenda.
Read moreThis is a great program for those who are interested in sustainability, the energy transition, and their impacts on the living environment
In the summer of 2021, I finished my bachelor's degree in Spatial Planning and Design at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences. While I started out the bachelor with a great interest in the design-element of it, I ended up graduating with an even greater interest in the policymaking-element of spatial planning.
During the bachelor, the focus subjects concerned water management, environmental issues and mobility & infrastructure. I very much enjoyed these subjects, and together with my interest in policymaking, the Environmental and Infrastructure Planning master felt like a good match. And so, I started with my master’s degree in September of 2021.
Environmental and Infrastructure Planning is a great program for those who are interested in sustainability, the energy transition, and their impacts on the living environment. The courses in the program provide a good mix of content-related courses (such as Reinventing Environmental Planning) and research-related courses (such as Comparative Research and Planning Practice). The program involves a great deal of group projects, that help you figure out your role while working in teams. Also, the program offers the freedom to focus your projects and reading materials on the subjects that you find most interesting.
During the Graduate Research Day where I presented my thesis, I encountered an alumnus of the faculty, who has introduced me to the job I am doing now. I now work for a public transport authority as a policy advisor on public transport development. My goal is to encourage people to choose more sustainable modes of transport!
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