IB Pathways
Global Politics and Sustainability

University of Groningen · Netherlands

Global Politics and Sustainability

Climate, biodiversity and energy transitions seen through politics, economics and society, with a specialisation in Planet or Politics and a Living Lab project for outside partners, in a small programme in Leeuwarden.

Image: University of Groningen

Where
LeeuwardenNetherlands
Degree
BSc
Length
3 years
Taught in
English
Starts
Autumn 2027
Apply by
1 May 2027Early Bird 15 Jan; February start: 1 Nov 2026
Admission
SelectiveMotivation letter
EU/EEA fee
€5,3432026/27 institutional fee
More facts
Degree
BSc
Length
3 years
Taught in
English
Starts
Autumn 2027

Deadlines

  1. 1 December 2026*

    Create your Studielink account
    Your own plan
    Details

    Not an official deadline. With a Dutch address you log in with DigiD, which the government says takes about five days. Without one you upload a scan or photo of your passport or EU identity card and Studielink verifies it automatically. Either way, do it well before 15 January.

    Source

  2. 1 May 2027

    Application deadline for all other bachelor's
    Hard deadline
    DetailsSource

  3. 6 July 2027*

    IB results released
    Details

    Both Dutch deadlines fall well before this. How a conditional place pending results is handled is set by each institution; ask yours.

    Source

* Last year’s date, not yet confirmed.

Every date in the Netherlands

What it is

Year one combines environmental systems and climate science, political and economic analysis, research methods, and the sustainable energy transition and leadership for sustainability. In year two you follow a Planet track on energy futures and resource use or a Politics track on power, inequality and political and economic systems. Teachers act as coaches, and living-lab projects with outside partners, such as Amnesty International and Friesland social organisations, tackle real sustainability challenges. Year three has an exchange, internship or minor and a bachelor thesis. Graduates work as policy advisors, researchers or consultants in government, NGOs and business, or continue to a master such as Political Science or Environmental Sciences.

What you need

  • Any IB MathsWith a passing grade.
Requirements in full

Every IB applicant at University of Groningen

The IB Diploma counts as Dutch VWO; no minimum points. An IB taught in English waives the English test.

Where it says so

Its entry requirements

Check it on rug.nl

How places are decided

    • Motivation letter
    Selective: once found eligible, you upload a CV and a motivation letter (max. 500 words) or video (max. 3 min), in English. Apply early: an Early Bird round closes first.
Sources (2)
  1. Global Politics and Sustainability at RUG — checked 2026-09-25
  2. Entry requirements

Other degrees at RUG