Courses master Economic Geography

Do you want to explore the economic development of the regions or the way corporations choose their location? Then the master Economic Geography is the programme for you! Are you interested in the role of international trade and globalization in regional economic development? Consider the track on Regional Competitiveness and Trade.

> Master Economic Geography

> Master track Economic Geography: Regional Competitiveness and Trade

> Master track Economic Geography: Sustainable Rural Futures

What will you learn?

The programme of the master Economic Geography contains these courses. Click on the course title to go to the full course description, information about lecturers, literature and time period.

The courses in this programme have been scored against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Find a general overview of how all of our programmes relate to the SDGs.

Economic Geography: Theory and Practice (5EC)

The course is set against the backdrop of ongoing economic globalization and its implications for local and regional economic development. The course will examine analytical concepts and theories, as well as empirical approaches to investigating economic geography. In this context, the course will introduce important current themes in economic geography, both from an academic point of view and from a societal stance.

Related SDG: 3 good health and wellbeing, 10 reduced inequalities, 11 sustainable cities and communities

Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Regional Development (5EC)

In this course we focus on the founding of firms and (individual) entrepreneurs. From the founding of the firm we follow the firm through the life course (growth, migration & dissolution) and how these events have an effect on regional development. Entrepreneurship (and firm dynamics in general) is an important mechanism in regional economic development. This field of study is interdisciplinary. Therefore, we pay attention to different disciplines: sociology, economics, business, demography and geography.

Related SDG: 10 reduced inequalities

Global Transformations Local Impacts (5EC)

This course considers the interdependencies between global economic, social and political transformations and impacts at different geographical levels. The lectures and seminar discussions reflect on processes of globalisation as well as examples of local, regional, national, international and planetary governance and their impacts at national, regional and local levels. Reflecting, the extent to and ways in which regions and nation-states have or may have an impact on the shaping of global transformations. This includes a discussion of how global trade patterns create direct and indirect environmental impacts on the local level and relevant policy responses to these impacts. It also engages with academic and policy debates in relation to efforts at different levels (with a particular focus on the European Union) of encouraging and facilitating competitiveness across its regions and at the same time promoting social and territorial cohesion.

Related SDG: 3 good health and wellbeing

Advanced Statistical Analysis (5EC)

This course focuses on models for the description and analysis of demographic and geographic events and social relationships, such as linear regression, logistic regression and event history models. Students will obtain substantial knowledge and practical experience concerning statistical models for the analysis of discrete and continuous time processes in life domains such as fertility, employment, migration, and health.

Regional Labour Market Dynamics (5EC)

The labour market is by definition a regional market because of the limitation of the daily commuting distance. In the Regional Labour Market Analysis module, attention will be paid to regional differences in the functioning of the labour market with regard to unemployment, employment, wages, labour market participation, labour productivity and education.

Related SDG: 10 reduced inequalities

Transport Geography (5EC)

The course is based on the continuous demand for new or improved transport infrastructure projects, in the Netherlands and in other countries, and the (public) discussion between advocates and opponents of specific infrastructure projects.

Related SDG: 9 industry, innovation and infrastructure, 10 reduced inequalities

Master Thesis (20EC)

The individual Master thesis concludes the Master degree programme and is worth 20 EC, i.e. one third of the study time. During the Master thesis, students will gain experience in scientific research as well as translate theoretical knowledge into concrete skills that are useful in conducting research.

Electives (10EC)

For an overview of possible courses, please visit our course catalogue Ocasys.