Human Geography and Planning, Bachelor Degree, University of Groningen

the Netherlands

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Bachelor Degree	find out	find out	September	EUR 2530 per year	EUR 13100 per year

About Human Geography and Planning, Bachelor Degree - at University of Groningen

Are you interested in the world around you? Are you fascinated by maps? Do you dare to ask critical questions about the world that you are living in?

Do you believe you can help to further develop our world into a sustainable society? Then Human Geography & Planning may be the right choice for you.

Why is unemployment higher in some regions than in others? What are the social and economic consequences of depopulating areas? How do you deal with different institutions to plan and build new residential areas? You will learn to investigate society in a spatial context and focus on spatial differences because social phenomena happen in specific places, at specific times and have specific impacts. You can use this knowledge to create and develop new ideas to improve the current and future societal landscape, within a broad scope of topics (e.g. labour markets, global development, migration, governance, cultural heritage).

In the first year, you will be introduced to all themes within the fields of Human Geography & Planning. In the second year, the programme continues to deepen your knowledge and improve your skills. In the third year, you are allowed to partly fill in your own programme. You can follow courses provided by our faculty but you can also take a Minor or do an internship in a related field. There are also possibilities to visit an international university and follow related courses. Finally, you will write your Bachelor's thesis to prove that you acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to become a human geographer and/or urban and regional planner.

Learn more about Human Geography and Planning, Bachelor Degree - at University of Groningen

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Entry requirements

IELTS International English Language Testing System (Academic version) 6.0, with a minimum score of 6.0 on each section

TOEFL: minimum overall score 80 (reading: 18, listening: 18, speaking: 20, writing: 21)

Cambridge English C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency (formerly known as: CAE / CPE): minimum score of 169

Mathematics should have been passed as standard/methods level subject (VWO level C) in your secondary school education. If not you will be asked to proof the level of mathematics, for instance by taking a math test.

Students with an international diploma should have an international degree equivalent to a Dutch pre-university (VWO) degree.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at University of Groningen

The university is committed to recognising excellence in academic achievement through offering a number of scholarships for international students and researchers. Several scholarships are available for international students who are motivated to study Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes, as well as for exchanges, short courses and research stays at our university.

Besides scholarships awarded by the University of Groningen, a number of grants awarded by the Dutch government, the EU and (inter)national organizations, such as World Bank or the Ford Foundation, can be used for study or research at the University of Groningen as well.

Find out what is available through our grant finder page.

Student reviews of University of Groningen

Find out what students say about University of Groningen

If I had to choose a Master's programme again, I would be on a flight to Groningen.

Ana Quintana, Mexico, Strategic Innovation Management

I gained a Bachelor's degree in Management & Marketing in Mexico City before I came to the Netherlands to undertake my Master's programme. During my Bachelor's studies, I spent a semester in Canada and I wanted to expand my international (study) experiences before starting work. I was keen to focus on innovation which is not usually offered in Mexico hence the combination of Innovation and Strategy in one programme directed me to Groningen.

My Master's thesis dealt with Innovation in family businesses and I now benefit from the intense research modules offered during the programme. Now I am working as a Promotion Manager in charge of the several customer loyalty programs offered by one of Mexico's biggest hotel chains. Although the Master's program was rather theoretical, I feel that it prepared me very well for my current job.

There was nothing about Groningen that I did not like: the city is just beautiful. I especially enjoyed going everywhere by bike, the variety of offers for students and, of course, the Queensday (now Kings Day) celebrations. Groningen has everything to make (foreign) students feel at home.

Looking back a year after my return to Mexico, I feel that I especially enjoyed getting to know Dutch culture. In addition, the courses offered and the beauty of the city made my stay in Groningen an unforgettable experience. If I had to choose a Master's programme again, I would be on a flight to Groningen.

I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of law

Lejla Terzimehic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Global Criminal Law

Thanks to the European Commission Scholarship and the Talent Grant from the University of Groningen, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of law that I am most passionate about, at one of the oldest and most prestigious European universities.

Being very intellectually challenging, the master programme truly met my expectations. Sharing knowledge with my colleagues, all coming from different legal traditions, and learning from inspiring professors enriched me with the skills I hadn't attained during my previous education.

What I found to be the most beneficial is that the Dutch education system which, taught us to develop a critical opinion on law-related issues. Moreover, this master programme had a unique approach in tackling controversial contemporary legal issues. Due to its strong comparative emphasis, it encouraged us to keep at constant track with our national law, which is of a huge significance.

Both the master and a 6-month long internship at the International Criminal Tribunal for The Former Yugoslavia strengthened my belief in Justice. Furthermore, besides this academic benefit, I believe that studying abroad unequivocally broadens our horizons and tests prejudices we even are not aware of.