Zuyd University of Applied Sciences

Bachelors in Circular Cities & Communities

Heerlen, Netherlands

DURATION

4 Years

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

01 May 2025*

EARLIEST START DATE

Sep 2025

TUITION FEES

Request tuition fees

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

* non-EU students: 1st may | EU students: 1st june | NL students: 1st of july

Key Summary

About: This Bachelor's degree focuses on sustainable urban development, emphasizing the creation of circular cities and communities. By integrating principles of circular economy, students will learn to design urban spaces that minimize waste and enhance resource efficiency over the course of their studies.

Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue careers in urban planning, sustainability consulting, environmental policy, and community development. Opportunities also exist in governmental and non-governmental organizations devoted to sustainable urban initiatives.

Introduction

Smart use of energy and materials - that’s what our bachelor track Circular Cities and Communities is all about. Think about it: we can reuse demolition waste to build new houses, and waste heat from a data centre is perfect for heating homes… Our international programme will equip you with the skills and knowledge to develop green and sustainable solutions and help cities transition to a circular economy.

This program is part of our Dutch bachelor Built Environment. It's the one and only programme for circular building specialists in Europe. Employers are eager to hire these professionals as we aim for 100% circularity by 2050. So, let’s get started and create smart urban solutions!

What can you expect?

Dive into the core principles of circularity, exploring topics such as circular flows, processes, and design. You'll learn to manage resources like energy, water, and CO₂ in a sustainable way while mastering how to design eco-friendly buildings and urban spaces that promote greener cities. Along the way, you'll also develop important professional skills. This includes communication, teamwork, and research skills.

This hands-on bachelor track brings theory to life through real-world projects in partnership with local governments, businesses, and communities. You'll join an international classroom, collaborating with peers from around the globe. This helps you gain a global perspective on circular cities.

What will you learn at Circular Cities & Communities?

We will work on developing a comprehensive understanding of managing resources like energy, water and CO2 in a circular way. You will learn to apply these principles in product design and urban planning. Key skills include:

designing eco-friendly products and urban spaces
guiding cities and communities towards greater sustainability

You will also gain essential knowledge in the built environment, such as drawing. Professional skills, such as communication and co-operation, and research skills are emphasized to prepare for your future career.

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Admissions

Curriculum

International classroom

Our programme welcomes students from all over the world and focuses on circular cities worldwide. You will work with classmates from different countries, making your learning experience richer and helping you see things from a global point of view. Classes are taught in English.

Year 1: basic knowledge

You'll be introduced to three key learning lines: circular flow, circular process, and circular design. Professional and research skills, as well as knowledge in the built environment (such as drawing) are also emphasized.

Block 1
We'll start with the basics of Circular Cities and Communities and focus on developing your professional skills, such as communication and co-operation.

Block 2
The focus is on circular flow: learning how to manage materials, water, energy, CO2, data and people within urban settings.

Block 3
We delve into the circular process. You'll learn how to:

Help systems to change slowly and sustainably
Identify the people who have an interest
Address needs and concerns
Develop circular business cases

Block 4
The focus shifts to circular design: we'll work on creating sustainable urban and product designs.

Year 2: deepening and applying knowledge

Your understanding of Circular Cities and Communities will grow as we tackle more complex and large-scale challenges. We will explore data-driven strategies to develop innovative and sustainable designs. Combining circular solutions with urban dynamics will create effective approaches to real-world problems. Along the way, you will refine your practical skills and strengthen your ability to work in an interdisciplinary way.

Year 3: internship and minors

Now it's time to put your knowledge into practice in real-world settings:

Internships: Spend 2 quarters as an intern, gaining industry experience and valuable insights. This hands-on experience will help you understand the practical aspects of sustainable urban development and build your professional network.
Minors: the other 2 quarters are dedicated to minors, giving you the opportunity to broaden and deepen your knowledge through various specialized courses. These courses allow you to explore new areas of interest and strengthen your expertise in specific aspects of circular cities and communities.

Year 4: minors and graduation

In your final year, you'll continue to refine your expertise and prepare for your future career:

Minors: You'll take 2 more minors, further specializing in areas that match your interests and career goals. These courses cover a range of topics to help you profile yourself and deepen your knowledge.
Thesis: The culmination of your journey! This is your chance to apply all the skills and knowledge you've acquired to solve a real-world problem. Your thesis will showcase your ability to develop innovative solutions for sustainable urban development.