Sustainable Futures, Master 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
Master Degree	Full-time	12 months	September	EUR 2695 per year	EUR 22200 per year

About Sustainable Futures, Master Degree - at University of Groningen

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. 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. A focus on ethics and justice ensures that envisioned futures remain attentive to both human and more-than-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 pressing issues, amplify marginalised voices, and develop strategies where people, places and ecosystems thrive together.

Want to learn more and stay up to date with the programme?

Did you study at a University of Applied Sciences (HBO), or are you lacking specific requirements? Check out our 3-month Pre-master's Programme!

Learn more about Sustainable Futures, Master Degree - at University of Groningen

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Entry requirements

We welcome students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including geography, tourism, liberal arts and sciences, and social sciences. This diversity enriches the learning experience and fosters the exchange of ideas across different perspectives.

Applicants whose previous education does not fall directly within these areas are still encouraged to submit their application. Our admissions team will be happy to assess their eligibility and advise them on their options. Contact Marijke Huisman-Wolters at [email protected].

You're a great fit for the MSc in Sustainable Futures if you:

Have experience with academic research (equivalent to 5 ECTS in research methods) and have written a bachelor's thesis.
Are eager to engage with plural perspectives and willing to question and unlearn existing assumptions.
Want to collaborate across disciplines, communities, generations, and ideologies to co-create more just and sustainable futures.

English language requirements:

To study this programme, you are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. This can be proven with one of the following:

A full Bachelor's degree where the sole language of instruction was English.
TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score of 90, with at least 18 in Reading and Listening, 20 in Speaking, and 21 in Writing.
IELTS Academic: minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each component.
Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180.
Pearson Academic: overall score 66 with at least min. 62 in Reading, 54 in Reading and Listening, 62 in Writing.
LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in all categories).
Exemptions apply to native speakers of English from the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

A prospective student may also apply for an exemption from the English language test. In this case, the student must provide an explanation and, if required, evidence to justify the request. The Admissions Board will decide whether an exemption is granted.

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.