Urban Sustainability Studies

Introduction to the programme

In a world shaped by rapid urbanisation, both cities and rural areas are vital for a sustainable future. The Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies, designed by the Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) Alliance, offers an innovative, interdisciplinary education to tackle real-life challenges head-on. Customise your learning path, explore diverse landscapes, and lead the way in urban sustainability across Europe with YUFE!

Over three dynamic years, you’ll shape your learning journey to match your strengths and interests. The first year covers essential skills at your starting university. In the second and third years, you’ll personalise your studies through YUFE Minors and study at a minimum of three different universities across Europe. The programme culminates in a dissertation to showcase your expertise. Throughout your Bachelor’s programme, you’ll work internationally with students, teachers, and businesses to address real-world issues in a creative, international and interactive setting.

With input from 10 European universities, each a YUFE partner, the programme offers a diverse curriculum that explores sustainability issues in urban and rural settings!

Programme structure

In your first year with YUFE, you’ll begin your bachelor’s studies at the University of Antwerp (or another chosen university) to build a common foundation in urban sustainability through a mix of on-site and online courses.

As you continue your studies, you have the freedom to personalise your curriculum by choosing from 20 different minors. With this flexibility, you can select three minors, with at least two of them to be taken at other partner universities. This allows you to travel and study at a minimum of three universities, creating a unique and diverse learning experience. The travel is made possible with Erasmus Funding, which provides financial support to help cover the costs of studying abroad, ensuring accessibility to this international academic opportunity. You’ll round off your academic profile with a Bachelor’s thesis project and your choice of elective courses at your starting university. 

Further studies

The YUFE Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies offers you the opportunity to explore insights from a wide range of fields, including social sciences (e.g. economics, business, urbanism, and sociology), natural sciences (e.g. environmental engineering, biology, and ecology), technical sciences (e.g. civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and artificial intelligence), and the humanities.

With this degree, you can pursue various master’s programmes, with even more options available depending on your chosen minors. You’ll find opportunities at the University of Antwerp, our YUFE partners, and other universities worldwide.

Job opportunities

The YUFE Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies is a brand new programme, starting in academic year 2025-2026. This means you will be among the first ones to graduate from this international, multidisciplinary programme.

Our programme’s Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for careers in urban sustainability. Covering economics, business, urbanism, engineering, environmental sciences, and the humanities, our interdisciplinary approach bridges professional fields and fosters a global perspective.

With a strong focus on critical thinking, adaptability, and lifelong learning, you’ll enjoy diverse options and flexibility in your learning journey, ensuring you are well-prepared for various roles in making cities sustainable and resilient.

Enhance your employability and become a leader in urban sustainability! An international outlook, with strong language proficiency in other languages, for example English, further strengthen your position. As the programme sets a leading example in international joint education, it also prepares you to grow in international collaboration. As a graduate of the Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies, you’ll have already built an international network with students, teachers, and businesses across Europe.

Orientation year 

As an international student, you can choose to look for work opportunities in Belgium after completing your studies. You can apply for an orientation year and extend your stay in Belgium by 12 months. Guidance and administrative assistance with this process is available through the university.