Study programme

Human Geography and Planning

Human Geography and Planning is a three-year Bachelor’s programme. One year of study includes two semester of 20 weeks per semester and 60 credits. Lectures are generally in English and most of the time students have the option to follow seminars in either Dutch or English.

Programme Structure

Each study year has a theme. The first year focuses on ‘discovery’, the second on ‘exploration and development', and the third on 'development'.

First year - discovery

This year is about getting to know the programme and the spatial lens through which social geographers and planners view society. You learn which topics and concepts are central. What 'tools' does a social-spatial scientist use to gain insights into the world around us? You follow a fixed programme, with thematic subjects and focuse on research methods and academic writing, to finish with a group project, in which you analyse an existing spatial problem and develop a solution for a client. On top of this, these courses also focus on how the Amsterdam and Dutch context differs from other cities and countries.
Second year - exploration and development

In this year you will develop your research skills in practice. You start by applying theoretical methods in a research project for a client in the Netherlands. This involves a week of fieldwork in January. You will conclude the year with a research project outside the Netherlands. You become acquainted with a new environment and learn to conduct research an international context. Additionally, you can choose from one of the many thematic electives and an associated specialisation. You will find a list of the thematic electives and specialisations in the course guide at year 2.
Third year - development
In the last year, the development phase is continued. You will further shape your specialisation by choosing a second thematic elective. Your remaining elective space could be filled with following:

an extra profiling courses

a minor

courses at other programmes

a study abroad

an internship

For more information, see the heading 'Additional options'.

You finish the Bachelor’s with a thesis project. Independently you collect and analyze empirical data based on a theoretical framework. If you have successfully completed all parts of the programme, you will receive a Bachelor’s diploma with the title Bachelor of Science (BSc).

Study schedule

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC

Introduction to Human Geography

Period 1

Period 2

12

This course offers an introduction to Human Geography, exploring how geographers study social issues and places on various scales. You will be introduced to key concepts like space, place, globalization, and more, giving you a foundation for further specialization. Through readings and assignments, you will also develop academic reading and writing skills.
Introduction to Spatial Planning

Period 1

Period 2

12

This course delves into how cities and regions are shaped by social, economic, and planning dynamics. It covers the shift from traditional top-down planning to current bottom-up approaches, focusing on Dutch practices and planning theories. You will gain analytical skills to understand urban development and cultivate creative solutions for modern challenges, structured through foundational and contemporary modules.
Academic Skills

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

6

This course helps students build their academic skills and attitude. It covers social integration, academic culture, and applying knowledge to real observations. You'll work on a research project, do interviews, and present findings, ending with academic poster presentations.
Thinking Spatially

Period 4

6

Learn about social-spatial research, key research approaches, and gain practical skills in Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The course includes lectures, tutorials, and GIS lab sessions, helping you understand and apply spatial research methods.
Urban Dynamics: Amsterdam in Context

Period 4

Period 5

12

This course teaches how cities change and why. We study factors like society, economics, and technology affecting cities, especially in Amsterdam. Using concepts from earlier courses, you'll grasp how geographers and planners understand and shape urban changes. This prepares you for more focused topics in later years.
Research Methods 1

Period 5

6

In this course, you'll explore three essential aspects: Statistics, Quantitative Analysis, and GIS/Cartography. The Statistics section delves into data structure, univariate and bivariate analysis and causal models. The Quantitative Analysis part, also employing Excel and SPSS, emphasizes interpretation and data sources. Lastly, the GIS/Cartography component focuses on creating thematic and plan maps and how to perform simple spatial analyses using ArcGIS Pro.
Research Project: Regional

Period 6

6

In this course, you'll focus on redeveloping areas in the Amsterdam region due to limited space. You'll research an assigned area, considering different stakeholders' perspectives like housing corporations and residents. Through group work, you'll create a vision for the area's future development based on your stakeholder's viewpoint, applying knowledge from other first-year courses.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC

Restricted-choice electives: Thematic Elective

Period 4

Period 5

12

During the restrictive choice elective you get the opportunity to choose one of the following thematic electives: International Development Studies, Migration & Population Dynamics, Spatial Analysis (GIS), Urban Planning: Contesting the City, Financial & Economic Geography, Political Geography, Spatial Implications of Environmental Change, Stadsgeografie, Urban Planning: Building the City and Urban Planning: Moving in the City.
Restricted-choice electives: Specialisation

Period 5

6

During the restrictive choice elective you will get the opportunity to specialise in the subject of your choice: Financial & Economic Geography (seminar), Political Geography (seminar), Spatial Implications of Environmental Change (seminar), Stadsgeografie (seminar), Urban Planning: Building the City (seminar), Urban Planning: Moving in the City (seminar)
Research Methods 2

Period 1

Period 2

12

Expand your GIS skills, by focusing on analysing spatial issues. You'll work with vector and raster data, overlay analysis, proximity and range analysis, and spatial data collection. You'll also improve your interview skills and ethnographic observations, analysing qualitative data using coding software. Additionally, you'll learn statistical analyses such as data manipulation, causal analysis, and multiple regression.
Research Project: Abroad

Period 6

6

Research Abroad includes a 1-2 week study trip abroad, with a preparatory program in Amsterdam. You choose a destination with a specific focus theme, then attend info sessions to learn more. The intensive program involves workshops in Amsterdam, on-site activities abroad, and fieldwork assignments. You'll work in small groups on a research theme, supervised by UvA lecturers, and complete a research report and presentation in English.
Research Project: The Netherlands

Period 2

Period 3

6

During the Research Project, students learn to collect and analyse data and report their findings. The course lasts 4 weeks: Week 1 focuses on fieldwork, Week 2 on quantitative analysis of survey data, Week 3 on thematic analysis of interviews, and Week 4 on spatial analysis using GIS and presentations.
Specialisation - Planning:

Period 1

Period 2

Period 4

—
Theories of Spatial Interventions

Period 1

Period 2

12

In this course, you'll discover how to organise interventions in space. We'll start with theories and move to real-life cases. First, we explore theoretical approaches, connecting sociology, philosophy, urbanism, and more. Then, you'll work on practical solutions using different knowledge sources.
Spatial Planning: Theory & Practice

Period 4

6

This course is taught by two lecturers with professional roles outside the University of Amsterdam. David Evers is a Senior Researcher at the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), and Stan Majoor leads a research program at the Amsterdam School of Applied Sciences (HvA) focusing on local planners. The course includes two separate 3-week modules related to the lecturers' expertise.
Specialisation - Human Geography

Period 1

Period 2

Period 4

—
Geographies of Inequality

Period 1

Period 2

12

This course examines how inequality persists across different scales, influencing daily lives. From post-War era to now, students study key inequality theories and real-world cases, covering class, race, gender, environmental justice, and more. You'll learn about the political and economic roots of contemporary inequalities, exploring their history and potential solutions.
Human Geography: Theory & Practice

Period 4

6

This course focuses on human geography as a science and profession. You will learn about various approaches like environmental determinism, positivism, Marxism, and feminism, and their ethical aspects. You will also explore how geographical research is applied in society and evaluate recent articles in the field.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC

Restricted-choice electives: Thematic Elective

Period 1

Period 2

Period 4

Period 5

12

During the restrictive choice elective you get the opportunity to choose one of the following thematic electives: International Development Studies, Migration & Population Dynamics, Spatial Analysis (GIS), Urban Planning: Contesting the City, Financial & Economic Geography, Political Geography, Spatial Implications of Environmental Change, Stadsgeografie, Urban Planning: Building the City and Urban Planning: Moving in the City.
Research Methods 3

Period 1

Period 2

Period 4

Period 5

6
Free-choice electives: Free electives

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Period 6

30

The elective space is essentially open for your choice, both within and outside the Bachelor's program in Human Geography and Planning. Outside the program, options include a semester abroad, a minor within or outside the university, or a combination of elective courses.
Research Project: Bachelor Thesis (choose from 1st OR 2nd semester)

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Period 6

12

Compulsory course

Elective

Specialisation

See more information in the online Course Catalogue.

Additional options

Honours programme

If you are ambitious, you can choose to take part in our Honours and Talent Programme (HTP). You’ll take the HTP alongside your regular studies. You will be introduced to scientific research in an original way through a challenging package of in-depth or broadening courses. If you are up to it, then it's an opportunity not to be missed!
International exchange
Electives

In the elective space, you can specialise further within the programme or broaden your knowledge by taking courses in another programme, for example Sociology, Computational Social Science or Political Science. You can also use the elective credit to prepare for a Master's degree in a subject other than Human Geography or Planning.
You can also take a minor in another programme or choose one of the interdisciplinary minors. A minor is a cohesive package of subjects, usually 30 credits, which will introduce you with another field of study. Choosing a minor will help you shape your personal interests.
Internship

You can fill in some of the free elective space with an internship. An internship can sharpen the intellectual perspective, knowledge, and skills gained through your previous studies. Moreover, the (research) internship can offer a useful preparation for writing the Bachelor thesis. You can look for an internship yourself or approach the internship coordinator for advice.

Time distribution and tutoring

Time distribution - hours in lecture vs. practicals
In the first year you will spend 40 hours a week on your studies.

12-15 hours of lectures and tutorials per week

25-28 hours you work independently; conducting fieldwork, reading literature, completing assignments, studying for exams, and preparing for excursions and lectures.

In the second and third years, the number of contact hours is somewhat lower than in the first year, and independent work time becomes more important.
Teaching methods at Human Geography and Planning
Lectures: During lectures, a teacher explains the subject matter, and you have the opportunity to ask questions.

Tutorials: In tutorials, you practice with the subject matter in smaller groups, under the guidance of a teacher.

Fieldwork: Students engage in fieldwork in several courses throughout their studies. This enables them to apply learned research methods in real-life situations.
Tutoring during your studies

About this programme

Frequently asked questions

Can I study this programme in Dutch?
What does an average week look like in the first year?

Please note that the total study load amounts to 40 hours per week. In the first year of the Bachelor's there are around 14 contact hours per week. This means that your classes amount to 14 hours a week, these are either with your entire cohort or in smaller tutorial groups on campus. The self-study hours are spent reading or writing in preparation for classes and assignments. Our year consists of six blocks. Blocks 1, 2, 4 and 5 consist of 6 teaching weeks, 1 exam week and 1 teaching-free week.
What days do I have to be on campus, and can I keep my part-time job?
What is the difference between Human Geography and Planning at the UvA and at the other universities in the Netherlands?

You can also study Human Geography and Planning at Utrecht University, Groningen University and Radboud University. The programme at the University of Amsterdam is the only one in the city. Despite shared interest, there are differences between these programmes.

First, there are differences in terms of language of instruction. This programme is taught entirely in English in Groningen, in Dutch in Utrecht and Nijmegen, with English-taught courses as well. At the University of Amsterdam, you can choose between the English taught programme or the Dutch-English taught programme.

Secondly, there are thematic differences. Utrecht University focuses more on the city, migration, economy and environment. Groningen focuses more on economics, cultural geography, real estate and planning. Nijmegen focuses on the environment and policy. The University of Amsterdam focuses on urban economic geography, environment, development studies, real estate, governance, and is unique in mobility and political geography.
What is fieldwork?

Students conduct fieldwork on various topics throughout their studies. You will learn to apply acquired research skills in daily geographical practice. We will start with that on the first day of the programme. You conclude the first year with the course Spatial Programming and Design, in which you research a spatial issue put forward by the municipality and present a solution. In the second year, you will investigate a socio-geographical or planning issue outside the Randstad using various research methods. Later that year you will travel to conduct research based on a specific theme. Finally, you conduct independent research in your thesis.
Does this programme have its own study association?

Our study association Sarphati helps students become familiar with and easily navigate their way through the programme, the university and the city of Amsterdam. We want students to feel heard and known through active participation in (the organisation of) educational and social activities. In addition, students can always contact Sarphati for questions, comments and advice related to their programme. For more information, please visit the website of study association Sarphati.
How many fellow students can I expect in the first year?

There are 120 students in the first year, of which usually an equal number of men and women. The tutorials consist of 20 to 30 students, depending on the tutorial teacher and the course. This is a relatively small programme in which students and staff know each other. As the English taught programme will start in the 2023 - 2024 academic year, we expect around 200 students in the first year.
How difficult is it to find student housing in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a very popular place to live. Students (Dutch and international), as well as many others are looking for places to stay, and therefore affordable housing is scarce. In this tight housing market, UvA International Student Housing has a limited number of rooms (approx. 3000 units) reserved, which can accommodate roughly half of the newly incoming international students every semester for one year only. This means that the other half must find a place on their own. Do not underestimate this, it often takes weeks or even months to find suitable accommodation. It is not a smart idea to only start searching when you arrive in Amsterdam for your studies. Therefore, we encourage everyone to start in time, and look for accommodation independently, even if you also applied for the UvA Housing service. Please note that the UvA urges you not to come to Amsterdam for your studies unless you have secured proper housing. An accommodation (with registration) is especially important for non-EU students, as it will allow you to apply for a residence permit. For more information on UvA Housing, please visit this website.

Study programme

Programme Structure

Study schedule

Additional options

Cookie Consent