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University of Groningenfounded in 1614  -  top 100 university
Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Sustainable Futures
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Sustainable Futures

Co-create equitable and livable 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, from Indigenous seven-generation thinking to Afrofuturism and beyond. Yet, 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. Ethics and justice ensure envisioned futures are attentive to 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 urgent issues, amplify marginalised voices, and develop strategies where people, places and ecosystems thrive together.

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Pre-Master's

Did you study at a University of Applied Sciences (HBO), or are you lacking specific requirements?
Join this short and focused 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!
Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Sustainable Futures
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 EC)
Croho code
60656
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Campus Fryslân

Why study this programme in Leeuwarden?

  • Place-based, people-focused, and community-driven
  • Grounded in cultural geography and the social sciences, enriched by interdisciplinary methods
  • Strong focus on ethics and justice, 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

Programme

Below, you will find the courses common to both tracks, which are rooted in the academic discipline of cultural geography. Please refer to the specific track webpages to see the full list of courses offered in each track.

Semesters
Courses1a1b
Critical Approaches to Cultural Heritage and Identity (5 EC)
Field Work and Community Engagement (5 EC)
Gendered Geographies (5 EC)
Research Design (5 EC)
Geographies of Migration (5 EC)
Master Thesis Cultural Geography (15 EC)
Social Impact Assessment - Data and Representation (5 EC)
Programme options
Climate Adaptation Governance (track)

How can adaptation to climate change be achieved without sacrificing the unique cultural and historical identities of specific places? Which solutions are sustainable long-term for communities? How can solutions meet both adaptation goals and community acceptance?.Please note: Starting September 2026, the Climate Adaptation Governance and Sustainable Tourism & Society tracks of the Master’s in Cultural Geography will be merged into a single, integrated programme: Master's of Science in Sustainable Futures.This change reflects input from prospective students, trends in the job market, and the strong overlap between the two tracks. The unified programme will offer a broader, more versatile curriculum, allowing students to engage with both fields and build a solid foundation for shaping sustainable futures. ✔️ Identify the impacts of climate change on society✔️ Learn how transformative change and governance can address these impacts✔️ Connect directly with the stakeholders playing a key role in advancing climate adaptationMSc Cultural GeographyClimate Adaptation Governance is a track within the master's Cultural Geography.

Want to get a look at what it’s like to be part of this programme? → Explore student stories → Sign up for the monthly newsletter

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

Upcoming Events* Master's Week: 24 - 28 November 2025. Join us online and meet the programme director, current students, and alumni of the programme!

More information about this option

Sustainable Tourism & Society (track)

Can we continue to travel responsibly amid the climate crisis? Can tourism positively impact communities and destinations? Is sustainable tourism achievable? What are the consequences of overtourism?

Please note: Starting September 2026, the Climate Adaptation Governance and Sustainable Tourism & Society tracks of the Master’s in Cultural Geography will be merged into a single, integrated programme: Master's of Science in Sustainable Futures.This change reflects input from prospective students, trends in the job market, and the strong overlap between the two tracks. The unified programme will offer a broader, more versatile curriculum, allowing students to engage with both fields and build a solid foundation for shaping sustainable futures.✔️ Study the interaction between tourists, visitors, local communities, and the natural and built environment around them

✔️ Learn about sustainable tourism development from local, regional, national and global perspectives

✔️ Build your network while tackling real-life challenges together with regional and international stakeholders MSc Cultural GeographySustainable Tourism & Society is a track within the master's Cultural Geography. The programme offers two tracks: Climate Adaptation Governance and Sustainable Tourism & Society.

Want to get an authentic look at what it’s like to be part of this programme? → Explore student stories → Sign up for the monthly newsletter

Pre-Master's Did you study at a University of Applied Sciences (HBO), or are you lacking specific requirements? Check out our Pre-Master's programme!Upcoming Events* Master's Week: 24 - 28 November 2025. Join us online and meet the programme director, current students, and alumni of the programme!

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is unaccommodated

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
language test

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.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 July 202601 September 2026

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
language test

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.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 July 202601 September 2026

Tuition fees

NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2025-2026€ 2601full-time
non-EU/EEA2025-2026€ 21400full-time
EU/EEA2026-2027€ 2695full-time
non-EU/EEA2026-2027€ 22200full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Sustainable Futures equips you with the necessary theoretical and practical tools to contribute to place-related livability in society.

Guest lectures, field trips, community lectures, and empirical research in the community prepare you to develop a working knowledge of the field and also network with local stakeholders and employers. They also help you understand what employers need, what to expect from the job market, and how to plan your career choices accordingly.

Job examples

  • Policy Officer

    Develops and evaluates policies for climate adaptation and sustainable tourism, ensuring they align with cultural and ecological contexts.

  • Consultant

    Advises organizations on sustainable practices, focusing on the impacts of climate change or promoting cultural preservation in tourism initiatives.

  • Policy Analyst

    Researches and analyzes policies affecting climate adaptation or sustainable tourism, recommending improvements based on cultural and environmental insights.

  • Project Manager

    Leads projects on climate adaptation or sustainable tourism, coordinating teams and resources to ensure positive community and environmental outcomes.

Research

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

  • The Cultural Geography pillar delves into critical themes such as migration, gender, and identity formation, examining how these factors shape and are shaped by cultural landscapes;

  • The Sustainable Tourism & Society pillar offers a rich array 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 Governance pillar explores pressing research areas like green gentrification, farmers' protests, and climate anxiety, focusing 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.
Apply nowBrochureEventsContact

Contact

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