Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies

Are you ready to take control of your education? An open curriculum is the perfect opportunity for students who crave flexibility, creativity, and autonomy in their academic journey. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting approach to learning.

An open curriculum empowers you to design your own educational path. With guidance from academic advisors, you choose courses that excite you and select three Minor options from 10 different universities all over Europe. This unique feature broadens your perspectives and connects you to innovative ideas. You’ll create a personalised study plan that aligns with your passions and career goals.

Are you passionate about creating sustainable urban environments? Do you enjoy working on real-world problems and collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds? During your studies in Urban Sustainability you will get the opportunity to impact communities and the planet during challenge-based learning.

Challenge-based education puts you at the center of solving real-world problems. Work in teams, research solutions, and create real impact while gaining essential skills for your future.

• Hands-On Projects: Tackle real issues that matter.
• Collaboration: Work with peers, researchers and experts in the field.
• Skill Building: Develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership skills.

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves, tackle real-world challenges, and make a difference in the urban landscape, this is the place for you!

The model path below describes your journey starting from University of Antwerp.

Model path - part 1 (60 ECTS-credits)

Compulsory courses

• Sustainability
• Climate Change - the physical basis
• Contemporary Urban Developments
• Cities and Citizens in Urban History
• Introduction to Economics
• Sociology
• Statistics for Urban Sustainability
• Research and Academic development Skills
• Academic English

Electives (supportive sciences) - 1 to choose from:

• European Integration
  
• Anthropolgy
  
• Introduction to managing and organisin
  

Model path - part 2 (90 ECTS-credits)

Personalise your curriculum by choosing three minors of each 30 ECTS at minimum two of our partner universities:

Fall semester

• Minor Urban Health & Wellbeing - Nicolaus Copernicus University, Poland
• Minor Urban Ecology in Europe: public policies, cultural narratives - Sorbonne Nouvelle, France
• Minor Design and Perspectives on Heritage - University of Antwerp, Belgium
• Minor Natural Sciences for Sustainability - University of Bremen, Germany
• Minor Economic Development - University Carlos III of Madrid, Spain
• Minor Urban Environmental and Sustainability Education - University of Cyprus, Cyprus
• Minor Borders, Europe & Russia - University of Eastern Finland, Finland
• Minor Urban Sustainable Development - Maastricht University, The Netherlands
• Minor Urban Inequality - University of Rijeka, Croatia
• Minor Driving Change: activism, engagement and communities - University of Essex, UK
• Minor Smart Cities for Sustainable Culture - University Carlos III of Madrid, Spain
• Minor Societal Issues in a Contemporary World - University of Essex, UK
• Minor Sustainable Business - University of Eastern Finland, Finland
• Minor Smart Cities for Sustainable Culture - University Carlos III of Madrid, Spain

​Spring semester

• Minor Cities of Dreams and Nightmares - University of Essex, UK
• Minor Sustainable Tourism - Nicolaus Copernicus University, Poland
• Minor Heritage and perspectives on design - University of Antwerp, Belgium
• Minor Cities and Urbanisation: interdisciplinary perspectives - University of Antwerp, Belgium
• Minor Urban Ecology - University of Rijeka, Croatia
• Minor Urban Sustainable Development - Maastricht University, The Netherlands

Model path - part 3 (30 ECTS-credits)

You finish your bachelor at your starting university:

• Dissertation / Thesis research
• Elective choices

The University of Antwerp, which was founded in 2003, scores extremely well in Young University Rankings.

• Times Higher Education Millennials 2020 - Rank 5
• ​​​Times Higher Education Young University Ranking 2024 - Rank 12
• QS 50 under 50 2021 - Rank 20

World University Rankings

• Times Higher Education 2025 - Rank 168
• ​Shanghai (ARWU) 2024 - Rank 300-401
• ​​QS World Ranking 2025 - Rank 267
• Best Global Universities Ranking 2024 - Rank 213
• Europe’s Most Innovative Ranking 2019 - Rank 93

The Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies intends to shape students in an allround set of skills:

Subject-specific skills

• critically evaluate the crucial historical, social, political, and economic processes and structures that have shaped the world.
• generate and critically evaluate different strategies, measures, and approaches to sustainable development, and assess their likely impact on stakeholders, regions and diverse communities.
• demonstrate a grounded understanding of and examine the similarities, differences, and connections between cities and regions with different levels of urbanisation across Europe.
• describe and critically evaluate key concepts, theories, critiques, and debates about the natural, social, economic, developmental, and political environments as they relate to urban sustainability.
• illustrate and critically evaluate the relationships between, and sustainability of environmental, social, and economic systems, at scales from local to global levels.

Research skills

• identify, analyse, and solve problems, applying relevant research methodologies, theories, information technology, data analysis and interpretation, and techniques of writing to present findings and solutions.
• apply the methods and techniques studied to review, consolidate, extend, and apply knowledge and understanding and to initiate, carry out and evaluate projects and research, including logistics, risk assessment and ethical approval where appropriate.
• consider academic norms and ways of thinking across different disciplines and subject areas, bringing them into play as appropriate.
• demonstrate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and exercise independence of mind and thought.

Transferable skills

• communicate ideas clearly, coherently, and respectfully, in a range of disciplines and to various stakeholders, in both written and oral form, using appropriate language and referencing.
• demonstrate the flexibility and adaptability to collaborate in international and intercultural contexts, learning from others, recognising, and respecting diverse perspectives and needs.
• work independently, meet deadlines, manage their own time and workload, and demonstrate initiative.
• reflect on their own learning, to seek and make use of feedback on their own performance, to recognise when further knowledge is required and to undertake the necessary research.

Job opportunities

The YUFE Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies is a brand new programme, starting in the academic year 2025-2026. This means you will be among the first ones to graduate from this international, multidisciplinary programme.

Our programme’s Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for careers in urban sustainability. Covering economics, business, urbanism, engineering, environmental sciences, and the humanities, our interdisciplinary approach bridges professional fields and fosters a global perspective.

With a strong focus on critical thinking, adaptability, and lifelong learning, you’ll enjoy diverse options and flexibility in their learning journey, ensuring you are well-prepared for various roles in making cities sustainable and resilient.

Our university is located in the city of Antwerp, in the heart of Belgium and Europe.
The port of Antwerp is one of the biggest in the world. Antwerp is not just an ancient medieval and baroque city, full of history. It is also a bustling metropolis with a vibrant social scene, impressive architecture and cultural contrasts. This cosmopolitan vibe is also reflected at the University of Antwerp. English is widely spoken in Antwerp, though if you learn Dutch during your stay here you will become a local in no time.

First-rate research and education make the University of Antwerp a wonderful place to study and to work. We foster the nexus between research and education. Internationalisation is key to our mission. It is no coincidence that the University of Antwerp is a partner in a highly promising European university network, the Young Universities for the Future of Europe
(www.YUFE.eu).

As home away from home to over 23,000 students, the University of Antwerp prides itself on operating on a human scale. Our faculty and staff will welcome you into top-notch infrastructure on one of our four
campuses. While you’re here you are also invited to enjoy our vibrant cultural programme, sports facilities and many student services.

Keen to learn more about the University of Antwerp? Visit www.uantwerp.be

Review the study programme for an overview of the courses.

• 180 ECTS credits in 6 semesters (= 3 years for the model path)
• Full programme taught in English
• University of Antwerp as your starting university
• 2 Minors (one semester each) at one of our YUFE partners​
• 10 universities, 1 degree!

If you meet the diploma and language requirements, you can enrol for this three-year Bachelor's programme.
​After you graduate, you have access to Master's programmes at the University of Antwerp, at our YUFE partner universities or wherever your European journey brings you.