Economic Geography

Studying the role of regions as locations for economic activities, set within a global perspective.

The world shows manifest differences in economic performances and wealth, and in the way cities and regions form part of national and global economic systems. Economic geography studies these differences and their consequences for places and communities. In the Master Specialisation in Economic Geography you’ll acquire insight into the basic mechanisms behind spatial differentiation, notably the rise of global capitalism, the shaping of business networks, the impact of new technologies, which will help to explain why places develop in such different ways across the world, while they’re also globally connected. Economic geography is a field that continues to be inspired by themes like knowledge, innovation, mobility, flexibility, marketing and globalisation.

At Radboud University, we focus on the social and political dimensions of economic development, with emphasis on the role of place identities and strategies. How has the rise of global capitalism shaped and differentiated urban and regional economies, and how do places meet global challenges and risks? What is the role of local firms, people and ideas in (re)shaping cities and regions, versus that of multinational corporations and (inter)national governmental bodies? To what extent is development supported by mainstream economic agendas reproducing conventional accounts of capitalism. What is the role of alternative approaches drawing our attention to the importance of volunteer work, community economics and sustainability?

Most of our examples will come from within Europe, although much of what you’ll learn also applies to cities all over the world. You’ll come to see how city development is the interplay of local and global interaction with a city’s vision of its own identity.

The Master’s specialisation in Economic Geography is taught the Nijmegen School of Management. It has a course load of 60 EC* (one-year). All the courses are 6 EC and the Master’s thesis is 24 EC. The structure is as follows:

Semester 1

• Economic Geographies (6 EC)
• City- and Region Marketing (6 EC)
• Preparing the Master’s Thesis (6 EC)
• Elective course(s) (12 EC)

Semester 2

• Economy, Space and Culture in Nijmegen (6 EC)
• Master’s thesis and Internship (24 EC)

Elective courses

You’re free to choose courses that add up to at least 6 EC and meet your interests as long as they, in some way, can be linked to this specialisation and are taught at Master’s level. You can choose courses within Human Geography that are compulsory for other specialisations or from other related Master’s programmes. You could for example take one of the following courses:

• Globalising Cities & Hinterlands (Geography)
• Multiculturalism, Diversity and Space (Geography)
• Urban and Cultural Geography (Geography)
• Locatie- en Gebiedsontwikkeling: proces en inhoud (Spatial Planning)
• Institutional Perspectives on Societal Change and Spatial Dynamics (Spatial Planning)
• Global Political Economy (Political Science)
• Tourism (Creative Industries)
• Trends economische geografie (Utrecht University)
• Ondernemerschap in de regio (Utrecht University)
• Multinationale ondernemingen (Utrecht University)

1. A completed Bachelor's degree from a geography-related discipline
   In order to get admission to this Master's you will need a completed Bachelor’s degree from a geography-related discipline, such as Urban/Spatial Planning, Environmental Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, History, Philosophy, Religion Studies, European Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Language Studies, Architecture, (Urban) Design Studies, Leisure and Tourism, Conflict Studies and Management Sciences. Your prior education needs to be approved by the Examination Board.
2. Proficiency in English
   In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English. Non-native speakers of English* without a Dutch Bachelor's degree or VWO diploma need one of the following:
   • A TOEFL minimum overall score of 90, with subscores no lower than 18
   • An IELTS of minimum overall score of 6.5, with subscores no lower than 6.0
   • Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

There are various scholarships available for studying at Radboud University. Some of the opportunities are described below. A full list, including detailed information, can be found on our scholarships and grants page at our website. 

Radboud Scholarship Programme

Open to a select number of excellent international students. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,006 in 2017/2018). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

Open to students from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, South-Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,006 in 2017/2018). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Open to excellent American students. The grant will be paid in 12 monthly instalments of 1,050 euros. International travel and the cost of the residence permit will be covered, and an extra allowance of €1150 will be paid on arrival.

Sino-Dutch Bilateral Exchange Scholarship

Open to excellent students from China. Consists of a contribution of € 16,113 towards the total costs of one year of study or research in the Netherlands.

DIKTI-Neso Scholarships

Aimed at lecturers at higher education institutions in Indonesia who wish to pursue a PhD or Master's at a university in the Netherlands. A DIKTI scholarship includes allowances for living expenses, insurance, travel costs, tuition fees and more.

Indonesian Education Scholarship (LPDP)

Open to excellent Indonesian students under the age of 35. Involves a full scholarship.

Holland Scholarship Programme

Open to excellent students from Canada, America, India and Turkey. Scholarship consists of 5,000 euros payed at the start of study.

Dutch Student Finance

EU/EEA students and Swiss students under 30 years of age are eligible if they are working at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands, or have been living in the Netherlands for five years or more. Dutch student finance consists of four components: a basic grant, a supplementary grant (depending on the parental income), a student travel product, and a loan.