Urban Studies (BA)
Career prospects
Labour market surveys show an increasing demand for graduates in the field of Urban Studies, particularly those trained in broad programmes that combine social and cultural perspectives on cities and urbanisation.
Labour market
With your degree in Urban Studies, you’re more than a specialist in the complex and multi-layered issues that cities face. Alongside your subject expertise, you’ve developed a broad set of academic skills that give you a strong start to your career. Urban Studies graduates often work in roles where analysing complex information, communicating effectively in writing and verbally, collaborating with others and developing well-reasoned perspectives are key skills. There are many directions you can take after completing your studies.
Why employers value Urban Studies graduates
Urban Studies graduates often secure roles that require a high level of education. Within two months of graduation, 50% of graduates find a job, and 75% are employed within six months. Research among alumni shows that for 50% of graduates, their first job was at a higher professional or academic level. This rises to 80% after several years of experience.
Gaining relevant experience alongside your studies strengthens your position. Alumni say that internships – whether abroad or in the Netherlands – and studying abroad contributed most to the start of their careers.
Where can you work after graduating?
Your expertise opens doors to many different sectors. Our alumni work at Dutch and international organisations across a wide range of sectors.
Source: Labour Market Survey 2025 among Urban Studies graduates (2020–2024).
Many graduates continue with a master’s degree after completing their bachelor’s. Further study pays off: those with a master’s degree are more likely to secure higher-level positions.
Graduates at work
Examples of positions held by recent Urban Studies graduates include:
- Research Officer at United Cities and Local Governments
- Strategic Urban Planning Advisor at Witteveen+Bos
- Project Manager at the Dutch Ministry for Defence
- Mobility Advisor at Goudappel