University of the Aegean - Department of Geography
International Joint Master of Science on Islands and Sustainability
Groningen, Netherlands
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 9,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* applications for ISLANDS 2025 are now closed | a new application round for 2026 will open in October or November 2025
** EU member states and programme countries EUR 4500 per year
Key Summary
Welcome to the ISLANDS programme, a dynamic 2-year Research Master that delves into the fascinating intersection of Islands and Sustainability with a curriculum entirely taught in English. Our program is tailored to provide a comprehensive blend of research and professional skills spanning spatial, social, and environmental sciences. Gain a systematic understanding of scientific theories that spotlight islands as distinctive and crucial places, all while exploring the natural and human-induced processes shaping their rich history, present, and future. Elevate your academic journey with ISLANDS, where local knowledge meets global perspectives.
Islands focuses on two main themes
- Understanding the distinct characteristics of islands, their socio-economical, geopolitical, and environmental impacts, and the development of policies tailored to address their specific challenges.
- Developing tools, skills, and technology to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical sustainability applications.
First Application Round – Self-Funded Candidates
Applications open on 1 November and close on 15 January for admission to the upcoming autumn semester. Admission is on a rolling basis, with potential interviews held in late January or early February. Applicants who apply by 15 January can expect a decision by mid-February.
Second Application Round – Self-Funded Candidates
If places remain after the first round, a second round may open. In that case, applications will be accepted until 1 April. This second round will only take place if spaces are still available.
Please ensure you prepare and submit all required documents before the relevant deadlines to complete your application.
This can be found at https://islandsmaster.eu/application-form/
In the first year, you are at the University of Groningen for the first semester, and the second semester takes place at an island-based partner university. In the second year, the first semester is back at the University of Groningen, and the fourth semester concludes the programme at the same island-based partner university. Within the run of the two-year ISLANDS programme, you have to take at least 15 EC of Methodological courses. Depending on the islands-based partner and the size of the Research Internship (10 or 15 EC), you have to take up to 25 EC of Thematic Courses next to the mandatory Islands, Insularity and Islanders course.
You can find an overview of the programme structure below. For details about the programme structure and courses, refer to the individual university pages. See the Ocasys course catalogue for the courses you can take in the semesters at the RUG. Please refer to the individual university pages for the courses offered in the second semester of the first year.
Course Structure Year 1
| Semester | Course | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 1a | Islands, Insularity and Islanders (Thematic Course) (5 EC) | Methodological course (5 EC) or Thematic course (5 EC) |
| 1b | Methodological course (5 EC) or Thematic Course (5 EC) | Methodological course (5 EC) or Thematic course (5 EC) |
| 1a+1b | Joint Multidisciplinary Research Project (5 EC) | |
| 2 | Methodological and/or Thematic Courses (5 or 10 EC depending on islands-based partner) | |
| 2 | Individual Research Training (5 EC) | Research Internship (10 or 15 EC) |
| Whole year | Scientific Reading, Debating, Reflecting (5 EC) | |
| Total | 60 EC |
Course Structure Year 2
| Semester | Course | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 1a | Methodological course (5 EC) or Thematic Course (5 EC) | Methodological course (5 EC) or Thematic course (5 EC) |
| 1b | Advanced Research Skills (5 EC) | |
| 1a+1b | Methodological course (5 EC) or Thematic course (5 EC) | |
| 2 | Research Process and Proposal Writing (5 EC) | |
| 2 | Masters Thesis (30 EC) | |
| Whole year | Scientific Reading, Debating, Reflecting (5 EC) | |
| Total | 60 EC |
The ISLANDS programme comprises 120 ECTS. These ECTS are divided into Thematic Courses (25/30 EC), Methodological Courses (15 EC), research-focused courses (Serious Development of Research Skills, 45 EC), and the Master Thesis (30 EC). The research-focused courses are mandatory and fixed, while for Thematic and Methodological courses students are free to choose courses (at the University of Groningen) and a specialisation (at their island-based partner university).
During their time at the University of Groningen, students choose a total of 15 EC methodological courses and a total of 15 EC thematic courses. In addition, ISLANDS students take the mandatory Islands, Insularity and Islanders (5 EC) course during the first semester, which is a Thematic course. All courses, both mandatory and elective, can be found in the course catalogue of the University of Groningen: Ocasys.
ISLANDS students shape their programmes by selecting an island-based university for their second and fourth semesters. Each partner university excels in distinct research areas, providing a diverse range of thematic specialisation options. These specialisation options are part of the EC allocation for Thematic Courses.
At the University of the Aegean, students further develop their research skills with a focus on spatial and geographical analysis and engage with terrestrial and marine spatial planning for islands through mandatory thematic courses. The mandatory thematic specialisation courses are:
- Comparative Island Research, Spatial and Location Analysis Methods and Applications (5 ECTS)
- Applied Land and Marine Spatial Planning on/for Islands (5 ECTS)
These two thematic courses are offered in the first year. Additionally, in the first year, students complete the course Individual Research Training (10 ECTS) and the Research Internship (10 ECTS). In the second year, students work on their Master's Thesis (30 ECTS).
At the Department of Geography at the University of the Aegean, you will be able to further develop your research skills with a focus on spatial and geographical analysis and get in touch with terrestrial and marine spatial planning for and on islands. The courses that you will take are listed below.
- Comparative Island Research - spatial and location analysis methods and applications (5 EC)
- Applied Land and Marine Spatial Planning on/for Islands (5 EC)
- International Research Internship (10 EC)
- International Research Training, IRT (10 EC)
Upon completing the ISLANDS programme at the University of the Aegean, students are awarded a double degree. The diploma provided by the University of the Aegean is titled "Islands and Sustainability - ISLANDS."
Students not only expand their knowledge but also cultivate critical thinking and research abilities, enabling them to:
- Analyse Environmental Issues: Establish holistic perspectives on the relationship between human activities and environmental issues on islands.
- Navigate Diverse Information Resources: Deliver effective presentations, collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, and communicate professionally in English.
- Evaluate Environmental Policies: Assess environmental policies within various island contexts.
- Create and Assess Protection Strategies: Develop and evaluate environmental protection strategies for both private and public island organizations.
- Evaluate Development Projects and Technologies: Examine projects, plans, policies, and technologies from spatial, economic, legal, cultural, marketing, and environmental standpoints.
Whether your passion lies in academia, research, policy development, or consultancy, the skills honed during your time in the programme will open doors to a myriad of opportunities. Graduates of the ISLANDS programme are well-equipped to contribute to cutting-edge research, shape sustainable policies, or provide valuable insights as consultants in the dynamic intersection of islands and sustainability. The possibilities are as vast as the ocean itself, offering a platform for you to make a meaningful impact in the professional landscape of your choosing. Your journey doesn’t conclude with the ISLANDS program; it sets the stage for a future where your expertise and insights are invaluable.