Urban Geography: Utrecht University

About the programme

The Urban Geography Master’s programme focuses on the City. The significance of the city can be studied from various angles: from the dynamics of urban structures and the behaviour of various groups to the problems and perspectives of urban areas.

Career Opportunities

Having mastered the skills and knowledge of urban geography, the graduates find employment in both research and policy fields in a variety of organisations, including government ministries, provincial authorities and local government, but also private consultants and research agencies, housing associations and project developers. The versatile and complex nature of urban geography problems means the programme has to cover a very broad field (geography, housing, spatial planning, traffic and transport, public administration, and so forth) and so can be accommodated by many different organisations.

Entrance Requirements

The Admissions Board decides whether to admit students to the Master’s programme in Urban Geography. Admission depends on previous education, the subjects taken and any work experience.

Students with a university Bachelor’s degree:

• Applicants with a BA degree in Social Geography and Urban and Rural Planning have direct access to the programme.
• Applicants from University College Utrecht with a major in Social Sciences including the Human Geography track have direct access to the programme.
• Applicants with a BA degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Management or Organisational Sciences that includes a minor in Urban Geography have direct access to the programme.
• Applicants with a BA degree in an Arts subject or Law that includes a minor in Urban Geography and courses on Methods and Techniques have direct access to the programme.
• Applicants without any previous training in Urban Geography will be advised to complete one or more pre-Master’s courses in order to qualify for the Master’s programme.

English proficiency

All other applicants, including applicants who hold a Dutch HBO diploma (diploma of higher professional education), must provide proof of proficiency in English. To do so, you are required to take one of the following English language tests:

• IELTS, Academic Module. Minimum score: 6.5 overall band, at least 6 for writing. IELTS is the test preferred by Utrecht University.
• TOEFL, Internet based. Minimum score: 93. Institutional scores are not accepted. The TOEFL institution code for Utrecht University is 9062.
• Cambridge Certificates
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English at least a B grade.
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English at least a C grade.