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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes DDM Urban Governance within a Global Environment
Header image DDM Urban Governance within a Global Environment

DDM Urban Governance within a Global Environment

Studying Planning in Beijing enables you to view your own surroundings through new eyes, which gives you a new perspective on how multi faceted urban planning can be in small cities and metropoles.

The urban age of our globe is now unfolding, with more than half of the world’s population living in cities. Three quarters of the world’s urban population are in the Global South, and China plays a critical role in shaping the global trend of urban transformation. In a country with more than 1.3 billion people, 650 cities, and 20,000 towns, the urbanization process has been inducing a series of social, spatial, and economic changes in contemporary China. These transformations in turn foreground a vital challenge for people living in, and moving into, cities: how could we make the urban space more productive, innovative, and inclusive? To address this question, we need to reflect upon theories and practices of urban governance and seek alternative modes that are in line with local and historical-geographical conditions of urban development.

The Double Degree Master in Urban Governance within a Global Environment is a collaboration between the Faculty of Spatial Sciences of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, and the School of Public Administration and Policy of the Renmin University of China in Beijing. It combines the expertise of the Department of Spatial Planning and Environment in Groningen and of the number 1 university in China in the field of public administration.

Renmin University of China is a research-oriented key university with outstanding advantages in the fields such as economics, sociology, law and management.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc, MSc
Course type
Double Degree master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
66194, 66653
Language of instruction
English
Start
Faculty
Spatial Sciences
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Possibility to combine a one-year and a two-year master programme in two countries at two top universities and graduate in two years.
  • Renmin University is the number 1 university in China in the field of public administration.
  • Courses are provided by a skilled and pleasant team of experts in the field of public administration and spatial planning.
Programme
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Chinese Culture and Philosophy (3 EC)
Chinese Language (4.5 EC)
Elective courses (6 EC)

Choose 3 out of the following 4 courses:

  • Global City-Region and Mega-cities in China
  • Contemporary Urban Management for Environmental Sustainable Development
  • Economic Globalization and Urban Development
  • Land Tenure, Public Housing and Real Estate Market
Politics in Modern China (4.5 EC)
Research Methodology in Urban Studies (3 EC)
Theories and Practices of Public Administration (3 EC)
Urban and Regional Development in China (3 EC)
Master's thesis parts 1 & 2
Elective courses (12 EC)

Choose 4 of the following 6 courses:

  • Urban Development History of China
  • Urban Transformation Planning
  • Community Development and Planning
  • Legal Institutions and Practices in China
  • Geographic Information System and Its Applications
  • Investment Environment and Policies in China
Theories and Practices of Urban Governance (3 EC)
Theories and Practices of Urban Planning (3 EC)

Curriculum

For the first year of the double degree in Groningen, students can choose between the programmes:

The second year of the DDM takes place at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, which consists of the courses listed under "Year 2" above.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is required

Students must have completed their year of study in China, including master's thesis, no later than 5 years after starting the Double Degree, otherwise the right to receive the Chinese diploma will be lost.

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

See Environmental and Infrastructural Planning & Society, Sustainability and Planning or contact Study Advice at study.advice.fss rug.nl

language test

English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:

  • IELTS overall band 6.5, no less than 6.0 on each section
  • TOEFL internet based:
  • Overall: 90
  • Reading: 18
  • Listening: 18
  • Speaking: 20
  • Writing: 21
  • Cambridge English: Cambridge certificate C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (formerly known as CAE/CPE)
  • Please note that TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure

A prospective student can always apply for an exemption from the English language test. The student needs to explain, and if required show proof of, why an exemption would be justified. It is up to the Admission Board to decide whether an exemption will be granted or not.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

See Environmental and Infrastructural Planning & Socio-spatial Planning or contact Study Advice at study.advice.fss rug.nl

language test

English on VWO level or one of the following equivalents:

  • IELTS overall band 6.5, no less than 6.0 on each section
  • TOEFL internet based:
  • Overall: 90
  • Reading: 18
  • Listening: 18
  • Speaking: 20
  • Writing: 21
  • Cambridge English: Cambridge certificate C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (formerly known as CAE/CPE)
  • Please note that TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure

A prospective student can always apply for an exemption from the English language test. The student needs to explain, and if required show proof of, why an exemption would be justified. It is up to the Admission Board to decide whether an exemption will be granted or not.

other admission requirements

Application deadline: May 1st

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time

Scholarships: Check the Nuffic website for information about scholarships.

Students are expected to follow our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. For more detailed information about laptop requirements, please visit this webpage

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

Our graduates work in:

  • Different levels of government
  • Consultancies, housing associations and developers (private sector)
  • NGOs (environmental, social, heritage)
  • Universities and research institutes

We support you in developing a rich set of analytical tools and practical skills that allow you to create sustainable cities. You become a critical professional who knows how to engage citizens in the major spatial transformations of our times.

Research

Research programmes and focus

The main research direction at Renmin University includes planning- and urban research. Focuses include: scientific urban planning mechanisms and efficient urban planning and management systems, urban social and community problems and migration.

The research agenda of the department of Spatial Planning and Environment focuses on 'Institutional Innovation and Spatial Transformation', as part of the Faculty's Research Program 'Towards Wellbeing, Innovation and Spatial Transformation' (tWIST).

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information

Contact

  • Saskia Enuma, Reinier Schoep, Nienke Harteveld (Study Advisors Faculty of Spatial Sciences)
    Email: study.advice.fss rug.nl

Study associations

Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta is the Faculty Association of Spatial Sciences
Becoming a member of Ibn Battuta means you can join the social drinks, foreign trips, lectures and all other activities organized by the Association. At these events you come into contact with students from all years, which is a great way to make friends that can last a lifetime! Ibn Battuta also organizes informative and career-focused activities. Our informative activities, such as lectures, In-Housedays and the Career Day will help you to orient on your future.
https://www.ibnbattuta.nl/
Read more
Student profile

Students who have completed the one-year master programme Environmental and Infrastructure Planning or Society, Sustainability and Planning at the University of Groningen can do the two-year master programme Urban Governance or Urban Planning and Management at the Renmin University of China in Beijing in one year, and pay a reduced tuition fee.

Students who have completed the master programme in Urban Governance or Urban Planning and Management at Renmin University enroll in the master Enviro