Maastricht University, Faculty of Science and Engineering

BSc Urban Sustainability Studies

Academic advisor

From your very first year, you will have the freedom to choose the courses and minors that you like best. You can shape your journey by selecting subjects that match the themes and topics you're passionate about. And you won’t be doing it alone; our Academic Advisors are here to support you every step of the way, helping you find the courses that fit your interests and future goals. 

Your programme

The 3-year bachelor’s programme is divided into 6 semesters. In your first year (2 semesters) at Maastricht University, you build a strong multidisciplinary foundation. You focus on natural sciences, engineering, and quantitative methods while also getting key insights from social and life sciences.

Curriculum overview

Semester 1 - period 1

• Engineering in a Circular Economy
• Sociological Perspectives
• Cities and Citizens in Urban History A

Semester 1 - period 2

• Sustainable Development: an Introduction
• Statistics
• Cities and Citizens in Urban History B

Semester 1 - period 3

• Academic skills project

Semester 1 - period 4

• A Complex Systems Perspective on Urban Sustainable Development
• Elective
• Contemporary Urban Developments A

Available electives period 4:

Introduction to Earth Sciences

• Introduction to Chemistry
• Introduction to Physics
• Chemical Engineering
• Supply Chain Management
• Climate Change
• Theory construction and modelling techniques

Semester 2 - period 5

• Elective
• Principle of Economics
• Contemporary Urban Developments B

Available electives period 5:

• Introduction to Biology
• Ecology
• Philosophy of Science
• Foundations of EU Law and Policy
• Ethics
• Remake, Reuse, Repair, Recycle
• Circular Business Development
• Behaviour change

Semester 2 - period 6

• Research methods project

Semester 3-5

You will choose 3 minors from the list below, with at least 2 from different universities outside of the Netherlands. Each minor includes an interdisciplinary challenge course, where you will team up with 8–10 students from diverse backgrounds to tackle a real-world urban issue together.

Spain - Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

• Energy Sustainability in the Cities
• Smart Cities for Sustainable Culture
• Economic Development

Germany - University of Bremen

• Natural Sciences for Sustainability

Poland - Nicolaus Copernicus University

• Urban Health & Wellbeing
• Sustainable Tourism

Cyprus - University of Cyprus

• Urban Environmental and Sustainability Education

Finland - University of East-Finland

• Borders, Europe & Russia
• Sustainable Business

Croatia - University of Rijeka

• Urban Inequality
• Urban Ecology

United Kingdom - University of Essex

• Driving Change: Activism, Engagement and Communities
• Societal Issues in a Contemporary World
• Cities of Dreams and Nightmares

Belgium - University of Antwerpen

• Cities & Urbanisation: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
• Design and Perspectives on Heritage
• Heritage and Perspectives on Design

France - Université Sorbonne Nouvelle

• Urban Ecology in Europe: Public Policies, Cultural Narratives

Netherlands- Maastricht University

• Urban Mining
• Degrowth
• Talking to the City

Semester 6

Back in Heerlen & Maastricht, your final semester starts with elective courses. These courses will help you focus on your bachelor's thesis, future master’s programme or your career goals. In the last part of the semester, you will work on your bachelor's thesis.

Your YUFE bachelor’s in Urban Sustainability Studies degree allows you to explore the future of urban living. You can dive into different fields, like:

• Social Sciences: economics, business, urban planning, and sociology
• Natural Sciences: environmental engineering, biology, and ecology
• Tech: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and AI
• Humanities: understanding how people and cities work together 

Further studies

With this degree, you will be ready to take on exciting master’s programmes at Maastricht University, our YUFE partners and universities worldwide.  

Some examples of master’s programmes you can apply for without additional requirements:  

• Sustainability Science, Policy and Society (Maastricht University)
• European Studies on Society, Science and Technology (Maastricht University)
• Environmental Policy and Law (University of Eastern Finland)
• Security Sciences (UAntwerp)
• Environment, Society and Culture (University of Essex)
• Advanced Architectural Studies (University of Cyprus) 

Job opportunities

The YUFE Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies is a brand-new programme, starting in the academic year 2026-2027. You will be among the first to graduate from this international, multidisciplinary programme. 

Our programme’s Intended Learning Outcomes equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for careers in urban sustainability. Your skills will cover economics, business, urbanism, engineering, environmental sciences, and the humanities. 

With our interdisciplinary and hands-on approach, you will develop not only a sharp, global perspective but also the ability to think critically, adapt to change, and keep learning throughout your life. This is how you will help shape the sustainable, smart, and inclusive cities of the future.

Graduates in high demand

A survey of 72 employers shows that most are looking to hire someone with a degree in urban sustainability. Each year, around 1,750 professionals with this background are needed, but many employers say they’re hard to find. That means there’s a strong and growing demand for graduates in urban sustainability. 

• In your first year, you will study at both the Heerlen and Maastricht campuses of UM
• Then, you choose 3 minors from over 20 options offered by 10 universities across Europe.
• For your final semester, you will return to Maastricht University to take electives and work on your bachelor’s thesis.