Cultural Geography: Climate Adaptation Governance
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
Deze opleiding
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?
open_in_newstudy website
| locatieLeeuwarden |
| diplomaMSc |
| typeregulier, 60 EC |
| start1 september |
| taalvolledig English |
| opleidingsduur12 maanden voltijd |
| accreditatiesNVAO |
| croho-code60656 |
| numerus fixusnee |
| honoursnee |
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.
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
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 adaptation
MSc Cultural Geography
Climate 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!
Waarom aan de University of Groningen?
Leeuwarden is a compact, bike-friendly city with a welcoming international student community, making it easy to live, study, and embrace a sustainable, future-focused lifestyle.
As the capital of Water Technology, the city leads in sustainable water management and climate adaptation, with institutions like Wetsus driving cutting-edge research. Studying here means immersing yourself in a hub of innovation that will inspire your academic journey. You should consider this programme also because
As the capital of Water Technology, the city leads in sustainable water management and climate adaptation, with institutions like Wetsus driving cutting-edge research. Studying here means immersing yourself in a hub of innovation that will inspire your academic journey. You should consider this programme also because
- You will build a competitive profile in a field that is central to national and international agendas
- You get to experience a culturally sensitive, inclusive, place-based curriculum
- You will gain the skills to contribute to public and private sector projects and to collaborate with both regional and international stakeholders
- You will become part of a close-knit community, where personalized support and individual attention are at the heart of your experience
Studieprogramma
| periode | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||||
Adaptation Governance | 5 EC | ||||||||
Critical Approaches to Cultural Heritage and Identity | 5 EC | ||||||||
Field Work and Community Engagement | 5 EC | ||||||||
Gendered Geographies | 5 EC | ||||||||
Research Design | 5 EC | ||||||||
Urban Adaptation and Innovation | 5 EC | ||||||||
Nature Based Solution | 5 EC | ||||||||
Social Impact Assessment - Data and Representation onderzoek | 5 EC | ||||||||
Geographies of Migration | 5 EC | ||||||||
Master Thesis Cultural Geography onderzoek | 15 EC | ||||||||
tracks
track MSc Cultural Geography
Sustainable Tourism & Society
Climate Adaptation Governance
Onderwijs
| taal van onderwijs | 100% en |
|---|---|
| avondonderwijs | n.v.t. |
| afstandsonderwijs | n.v.t. |
objectives
Following your personal or career interests, you can select themes, sectors, and regions on which you would like to work for your exercises along the way.study load
The expected study load is 30 to 40 hrs per week, adding up to 1800 hrs in total for 60 ECTS per total of the programme. Most classes are taught in Leeuwarden or online (hybrid education); some classes may take place in Groningen or contain regional excursions.Toelating en kosten
startmomenten
1 september 2026
aanmelding deadline : 1 juli 2026
wettelijk tarief : € 2695 (€1348 in het eerste jaar)
instellingstarief : € 21200
niet-EU/EER studenten : € 22200
toelatingseisen
vooropleiding
Students with a Bachelor's degree that includes at least 10 ECTS in statistics and research methods, along with background knowledge in geography, have direct access to the programme. Applicants with other degrees may qualify through an eligibility assessment, which may require completion of a pre-master's programme.
taaltoets
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.
- TOEFL: a minimum score of 90 with a minimum of 18 on reading and listening, 20 on speaking and 21 on writing,
- IELTS: a minimum score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 on all items, or
- Cambridge: C1 advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180
- 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.
De stad
studievereniging
Nobis Cura Futuri
Nobis Cura Futuri is the Study Association and the official embodiment of the international student community at Campus Fryslân.Founded in 2020, we aim to provide plenty of fun, social and academic events (think of Pub crawls, talent shows, travels, guest-speaker evenings). All in the spirit of Nobis Cura Futuri: “The Care of the Future is Ours”, meaning we strive to provide activities that are aimed at making the most of your student life by adhering to our values of responsibility, diversity, sustainability and development.
aan het woord: studenten en docenten
Erika Compatangelo
afgestudeerd in 2023Chiara about Leeuwarden
In Leeuwarden, I really had the time to focus on myself and my experience, and how I can contribute to the community while also studying and having a great student life.
Keuzehulp
Studievergelijker
1/2 University of Groningen
Climate Adaptation Governance
Climate Adaptation Governance
| € gemiddelde kamerhuur |
| ? eerstejaars |
| NAN% vrouw |
| ? uur contacttijd/week |
2/2 University of Groningen
Sustainable Tourism & Society
Sustainable Tourism & Society
| € gemiddelde kamerhuur |
| ? eerstejaars |
| NAN% vrouw |
| ? uur contacttijd/week |
disclaimer: bovenstaande cijfers en beoordelingen zijn aangeleverd door de opleidingen zelf. Wij kunnen de juistheid niet garanderen.
Na de studie
Cultural Geography equips you with the necessary theoretical and practical tools to contribute to place-related liveability in society. Quality of life depends to a large extent on successful adaptation to climate change.
After finishing our specialised track, you will be an expert in climate adaptation governance pathways. In such a position, you can positively influence key adaptation strategies, policies, and decisions that will play an increasingly influential role into the future.
Beroepsperspectief / arbeidsmarkt
Field trips, guest lectures, workshops, and serious gaming simulations, which are part of your programme, allow networking with future employers. They also help you understand what employers need, to understand job market expectations and plan your career path accordingly.
aansluitende masteropleidingen
| instelling | opleiding | instroomeisen |
|---|---|---|
| Utrecht University | Leraar VHO aardrijkskunde full-time,part-time educational | geen aanvullende eisen |
Potentiële beroepen
climate adaptation planner
Developing and implementing plans and strategies to help communities and organizations adapt to climate change impacts.
environmental consultant
possible jobs
Analyzing climate policies, assessing their effectiveness, and proposing improvements to support climate adaptation strategies.
project manager in sustainable development
Leading projects focused on climate resilience, coordinating stakeholders, and ensuring projects meet environmental and regulatory standards.
Contact
Marijke Huisman-WoltersFor all questions related to the programme and application