Regional and Urban Economics (Spatial and Applied Economics)

Check if you meet the programme requirements and sign up

• I have a bachelor’s degree from VU Amsterdam

  Students from any discipline are welcome, provided they have some quantitative background and an interest in applying economic methods to real estate, housing, regional development, urban issues, environmental policy, transport, and public economics.

  Please scroll down to find information about:

  • Direct admission
  • Conditional admission
  • Admission based on a minor of the VU School of Business and Economics
  • Application steps
  • FAQ

  Direct admission

  The following bachelor’s degrees lead to unconditional admission:

  1. BSc Economics and Business Economics (economics track)
  2. BSc Earth Economics & Sustainability
  3. BSc Econometrics and Operations Research/Data Science
  4. BSc Philosophy, Politics & Economics (economics track)

  Contact the Central Admission’s Support Team if you are an international SBE student and need advice about extending your residence permit.

  Conditional admission

  Applicants from other backgrounds than economics are admissible provided they have some quantitative background and successfully completed:

  - An online deficiency course in Microeconomics (intermediate level), for which we will provide access upon admission.

  OR

  - A course in Microeconomics at intermediate level, for example Microeconomics II (E_EBE2_MICEC) period 4 at VU

  PLUS

  - An online deficiency course in Econometrics (intermediate level), for which we will provide access upon admission.

  OR

  - A course in Econometrics at intermediate level, for example Quantitative Research Methods III - Economics and Finance (E_EBE3_QRMEF) period 4

  NOTE:

  • Completion of the SBE online course Econometrics (0 EC) and the SBE online course Microeconomics (0 EC) replaces the required courses Quantitative Research Methods III - Economics and Finance (E_EBE3_QRMEF, P4) and Microeconomics II (E_EBE2_MICEC, P4). These online courses are only valid for admission to this master. They do not replace courses required for successful completion of your bachelor's degree. The links to the online courses will be provided to you after you officially applied for this master via Studielink
  • “Other backgrounds” is broadly defined and includes, for example, Economic Geography, Business Administration, Engineering, Health Sciences, Real Estate Studies, Sustainability Studies, and Science, Business & Innovation, as well as related programs.

  Contact the Central Admission’s Support Team if you are an international SBE student and need advice about extending your residence permit.

  Admission based on a minor of the VU School of Business and Economics

  If you have completed one of the minors listed below, you will be admissible with one or two additional (online) courses.

  	An online deficiency course in Microeconomics (intermediate level) OR A course in Microeconomics at intermediate level, i.e. Microeconomics II (E_EBE2_MICEC) at VU	An online deficiency course in Econometrics (intermediate level) OR A course in Econometrics at intermediate level, i.e. Quantitative Research Methods III - Economics and Finance (E_EBE3_QRMEF) at VU
  VU Minor Economics	-	V
  VU Minor Applied Econometrics: A Big Data Experience for All	V	-
  VU Minor Health Economics & Management	V	V
  VU Minor Real Estate Economics & Finance	V	V
  Any other minor	V	V

  
  NOTE:

  • Completion of the SBE online course Econometrics (0 EC) and the SBE online course Microeconomics (0 EC) replaces the required courses Quantitative Research Methods III - Economics and Finance (E_EBE3_QRMEF, P4) and Microeconomics II (E_EBE2_MICEC, P4). These online courses are only valid for admission to this master. They do not replace courses required for successful completion of your bachelor's degree. The links to the online courses will be provided to you after you officially applied for this master via Studielink

  Application steps

  1. Apply via Studielink by 1 June.
  2. Complete your application in your VU Dashboard (The required application form can be found here: Application documents Master's programmes - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam).
  3. The Admission Board will review your application and notify you by email.

  FAQ

  Can I be admitted into an SBE Master with my Dutch university degree?
  The admission board can make a decision regarding your admissibility based on several documents. Apply for the Master via Studielink and complete your application on your VU Dashboard by uploading the application form. This can be found here: Application documents Master's programmes - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  Some Master programmes require additional documents such as an English CV and motivation letter, as well as your transcript of records. You will receive an admission decision within 30 work days after completing your application. Registration for the Master via Studielink is without obligation and does not commit you to anything yet.

  I do not want to start with a master in the next academic year, but the year after. How do I know if I am eligible?
  You can still apply for the Master that starts in the next academic year via Studielink. Registration for the Master is without obligation and does not commit you to anything yet. If you need to complete additional courses in order to be admissible, you can do so during the next academic year. Because the admission decisions are valid for one year, make sure to check in advance if the admission requirements have not changed.

  I am already completing a Master at a Dutch university. Can I be directly admitted into one of the SBE Masters?
  You cannot be automatically admitted into one of the SBE Masters. First, your application needs to be reviewed by the admission board of the Master in the same way as all Bachelor students. Apply for the Master via Studielink and complete your application on your VU Dashboard by uploading the application form. This can be found here: Application documents Master's programmes - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

• I have a bachelor’s degree from another Dutch university

  Students from any discipline are welcome, provided they have some quantitative background and an interest in applying economic methods to real estate, housing, regional development, urban issues, environmental policy, transport, and public economics.

  Applicants should have sufficient knowledge of microeconomics and econometrics. If you do not fully meet these requirements, you can follow an online transfer program after you apply; the admissions committee will review your background and provide tailored advice on any additional coursework before you start the master’s program.

  Please scroll down to find information about:

  • Direct admission
  • Conditional admission
  • Application steps
  • FAQ

  Direct admission

  The following bachelor’s degrees lead to unconditional admission:

  1. BSc Economics
  2. BSc Economics and Business Economics (economics track)
  3. BSc Econometrics and Operations Research/Data science
  4. BSc Philosophy, Politics & Economics (economics track)

  Conditional admission

  Applicants from other backgrounds are admissible provided they have some quantitative background and successfully completed:

  - An online deficiency course in Microeconomics (intermediate level), for which we will provide access upon admission.

  OR

  - A course in Microeconomics at the intermediate level, for example Microeconomics II (E_EBE2_MICEC) period 4 at VU

  PLUS

  - An online deficiency course in Econometrics (intermediate level), for which we will provide access upon admission.

  OR

  - A course in Econometrics at the intermediate level, for example Quantitative Research Methods III - Economics and Finance (E_EBE3_QRMEF) period 4

  NOTE:

  • The links to the online courses will be provided to you after you officially applied for this master via Studielink
  • “Other backgrounds” is broadly defined and includes, for example, Economic Geography, Business Administration, Engineering, Health Sciences, Real Estate Studies, Sustainability Studies, and Science, Business & Innovation, as well as related programs.

  Application steps

  1. Apply via Studielink by 1 June.
  2. Complete your application in your VU Dashboard (The required application form can be found here: Application documents Master's programmes - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam).
  3. The Admission Board will review your application and notify you by email.

  FAQ

  Can I be admitted into an SBE Master with my Dutch university degree?
  The admission board can make a decision regarding your admissibility based on several documents. Apply for the Master via Studielink and complete your application on your VU Dashboard by uploading the application form. This can be found here: Application documents Master's programmes - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  Some Master programmes require additional documents such as an English CV and motivation letter, as well as your transcript of records. You will receive an admission decision within 30 work days after completing your application. Registration for the Master via Studielink is without obligation and does not commit you to anything yet.

  I do not want to start with a master in the next academic year, but the year after. How do I know if I am eligible?
  You can still apply for the Master that starts in the next academic year via Studielink. Registration for the Master is without obligation and does not commit you to anything yet. If you need to complete additional courses in order to be admissible, you can do so during the next academic year. Because the admission decisions are valid for one year, make sure to check in advance if the admission requirements have not changed.

  I am already completing a Master at a Dutch university. Can I be directly admitted into one of the SBE Masters?
  You cannot be automatically admitted into one of the SBE Masters. First, your application needs to be reviewed by the admission board of the Master in the same way as all Bachelor students. Apply for the Master via Studielink and complete your application on your VU Dashboard by uploading the application form. This can be found here: Application documents Master's programmes - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

• I have a Dutch higher vocational education (HBO) bachelor’s degree

  If you have an HBO bachelor’s degree, you must first complete a transfer programme to bridge the gap to WO level. This programme consists of:

  • Minimum GRE score (VR 151, QR 154, AW 3.5)
  • Quantitative Research Methods II (E_EBE2_QRM2) period 1
  • Microeconomics I (E_EBE1_MICEC) period 2
  • Quantitative Research Methods III – Economics and Finance (E_EBE3_QRMEF, 6 EC) period 4
  • Microeconomics II (E_EBE2_MICEC) period 4

  Application steps

  1. Apply via Studielink by 1 June.
  2. Complete your application in your VU Dashboard (The required application form can be found here: Application documents Master's programmes - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam).
  3. The Admission Board will review your application and notify you by email.

  FAQ

  I have a higher vocational (HBO) degree. Do I need to complete the premaster before I can start with an SBE Master?
  Yes, we require all students with an HBO higher vocational Bachelor degree to complete the corresponding pre-master before they can start with the Master. More information on the pre-master can be found here: Pre-master's programmes & Transfer programmes SBE - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  I have a higher vocational (HBO) degree and wish to start with an SBE Master that does not have a specific pre-master (MSc Econometrics & Operations Research, MSc Economics, MSc Spatial and Applied Economics). How do I apply?
  Please apply via Studielink for the master. You will then receive an admission decision with the exact information about the transfer programme including when and how to start with it.

  I do not want to start with a master in the next academic year, but the year after. How do I know if I am eligible?
  You can still apply for the Master that starts in the next academic year via Studielink. Registration for the Master is without obligation and does not commit you to anything yet. If you need to complete additional courses in order to be admissible, you can do so during the next academic year. Because the admission decisions are valid for one year, make sure to check in advance if the admission requirements have not changed.

  I am already completing a Master at a Dutch university. Can I be directly admitted into one of the SBE Masters?
  You cannot be automatically admitted into one of the SBE Masters. First, your application needs to be reviewed by the admission board of the Master in the same way as all Bachelor students. Please apply for the Master via Studielink and upload the required application form. This can be found here: Application documents Master's programmes - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

• I have an international degree

  Academic requirements

  Your degree must be equivalent to at least a Dutch WO bachelor’s degree (3 years, research university).

  You are expected to have completed courses covering:

  • Mathematics – Sydsaeter & Hammond, Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis (3 ECTS)
  • Microeconomics – Snyder & Nicholson, Microeconomic Theory: Basic Principles and Extensions (Ch. 2–5, 9–13) (8 ECTS)
  • Econometrics – Stock & Watson, Introduction to Econometrics (Ch. 2–9) (8 ECTS)

  If you do not fully meet these, you may be required to complete online courses in microeconomics (3EC), and econometrics (3EC). Tailored advice will be provided by the admission committee upon application.

  English language requirements

  You must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency. See the language requirements page for accepted tests and minimum scores.

  Application documents

  • Scan of passport or national ID (EEA students only)
  • Completed Master Application File
  • Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)

  Application fee & deadlines

  • €100 non-refundable application fee (valid for two years, only payable once even if applying for multiple programmes)
  • See the deadlines and procedure

  Scholarships

  See VU Scholarships for funding opportunities.