The University of Groningen is an internationally oriented university with a rich academic tradition. Since the establishment in 1614, the university has brought forward striving academics, like the first female student, the first Dutch astronaut and various Nobel prize winners. Geographically, the University is rooted in the Northern part of the Netherlands, a region very close to its heart. We connect education and research with sustainable and economic processes within society. This comes together in our three spearheads: Energy, Healthy Ageing and Sustainable Society. Internationalization is one of the main focus points on the strategic policy agenda of the University of Groningen, and an important instrument in the improvement of quality, innovation and diversity. More than 120 nationalities currently study or work at the University.

Faculty of Spatial Sciences

The Faculty of Spatial Sciences is a growing faculty with an open character. We focus on geography, demography and spatial planning. Our vision is of a society that is spatially transformed in ways that allow for high levels of wellbeing and innovation. Our mission as a faculty is to undertake and disseminate, via research and teaching, world-leading and highly distinctive research which helps to realize this vision.

Our researchers are driven to understand the relationship between places and people. With regard to today’s societal challenges - a growing world population, increased settling in urban areas, the effects of climate change - how to develop our places in a sustainable way becomes important. We derive our inspiration for studying these problems from across the globe. Our research domain is the world and our urban laboratory often the Netherlands. Studying the complexity of the relationship between people and places in various and diverse settings, locally, regionally and internationally increases the relevance of our research and teaching. It follows that we disseminate our findings and insights locally, regionally, and internationally. This is also reflected in our staff, which is internationally diverse.

With two bachelor and seven master programmes, all of which in English, we educate our future place-makers to make neighborhoods, cities, regions and countries better. As the only independent Faculty of Spatial Sciences in the Netherlands, our focus is entirely spatial.

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