Economic Geography and Spatial Development Policy (M.Sc.)

Overview

The Master's programme economic geography, mobility and spatial development policy combines the field of economic geography (especially knowledge-based regional development and innovation research) with questions on new forms of mobility and interaction and consistently places this in the context of the policy fields regarding regional development. This ensures the teaching of job-related skills.
The programme is aimed at bachelor's graduates of economic geography who wish to deepen their theoretical knowledge on the topic of regional economic development and prepare themselves for the related professional fields. However, the course is also a useful specialisation for graduates of spatial planning who wish to expand their basic knowledge of the causes of spatial development and thus improve their ability to connect with other spatial policy fields outside of spatial planning (e.g. economic development, transport policy). Finally, the programme is aimed at bachelor's graduates of mobility or transport science disciplines who wish to expand their technical knowledge of socio-economic issues relating to new forms of mobility and social trends that affect spatial development.


During your studies you will acquire theoretical knowledge in the subject areas:

• Regional disparities,
• Innovation research,
• Mobility research,
• Policy field research and
• Planning theory.

You will combine two of the three pillars - economic geography, mobility, spatial development policy - to form your personal study focus:

• Economy and Mobility or
• Economy and Spatial Development Policy or
• Mobility and Spatial Development Policy.

Depending on your study focus, the basic courses and a total of three study projects will deal with the current issues of economic geography, mobility topics and policy fields such as spatial planning, regional economic development, transport policy and innovation policy. This always takes into account practical challenges for which integrative solutions are developed. You will acquire methodological skills in the field of modern research methods and instruments (e.g. in-depth qualitative and quantitative methods, mixed methods, evaluation methods). In addition, you will learn methods that prepare you for non-university employment (e.g. moderation techniques, project management, development of new business models or new approaches to regional management). Evaluation methods build a bridge between research and practice.

The course of study is consistently internationally oriented (including semesters abroad) and systematically integrates institutions and lecturers from practice into teaching.

Further information can be found on the website of the department of geography