The master’s programme in Spatial, Transport, and Environmental Economics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has been named the best economics master’s programme in the Netherlands for 2025, according to the latest results of the National Student Survey (in Dutch abbreviated as NSE*). The programme ranks highest in nearly all evaluated categories, outshining other economics master’s programmes. The 2025 NSE survey was completed by nearly 260,000 students from both higher vocational education (hbo) and universities (wo).
Top scores in overall satisfaction, content, and lecturer engagement
With an overall satisfaction score of 4.27 (on a scale of 5), the VU master programme leads the rankings convincingly. It also scores remarkably high in other areas such as content (4.19), lecturer engagement (4.14), and assessment (4.00). Compared to other economics master’s programmes, this course stands out for its consistency and high quality across all areas.
Environmental issues, urban development, transport, and real estate from an economic perspective
“While this recognition is of course fantastic, it’s not a surprise for us,” says Hans Koster, Full Professor of Urban Economics and Real Estate, and programme director of the master Spatial, Transport and Environmental Economics. “Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam houses one of the largest and best research groups in the world focused on environmental issues, urban development, transport, and real estate within an economic context. Many of the most urgent global challenges – such as climate change, housing affordability, and growing spatial inequality – lie precisely at the intersection of these four areas. It is our task to prepare students to directly address these challenges.”
*About the NSE
The National Student Survey is a large-scale nationwide satisfaction survey in which students share their opinions about their higher vocational or university programs and institutions. The results of the NSE are used for study choice guidance and are published on the website Studiekeuze123.nl. Universities and universities of applied sciences use the results to improve their education.