Field studies abroad – blended intensive programmes (BIP)

Blended intensive programmes (BIPs) are short, intensive programmes, where transnational and transdisciplinary student teams work on challenges related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other societal challenges in cities and regions.

The Department of Human Geography offers two BIPs as electives within three courses. The BIPs are part of Erasmus+ and are organised together with departments at other European universities.

From field studies in Berlin. Photo: Anders Rickegård, Stockholm University.

Each BIP consists of a virtual part (via e.g. Zoom) and a physical part (field course) where students and teachers meet on site. The Department's BIPs comprise 3 credits each. The language is English.

For the field course period abroad, you who participate in a BIP can apply for an Erasmus scholarship, which is intended to cover your travel and accommodation costs, and you are insured during the education abroad (Student OUT at Kammarkollegiet). Please note that an Erasmus student cannot receive an additional Erasmus scholarship during the exchange period.

Verbal information is offered at the beginning of the semester that includes a BIP.

BIP on Bachelor's level

The BIP ‘Sustainable Transformation of Neighbourhoods in Europe’ (STONIE) is an elective within the courses Essay in Human Geography, 7.5 credits, and Urban and Regional Planning – Practices, 7.5 credits, in the second semester of human geography and urban and regional planning respectively.

Since 2022, STONIE has been offered every spring semester. The BIP will not be offered in spring 2026 but is planned to be offered again in spring 2027. The field course, which is carried out in Berlin, Germany, mainly includes data collection in groups with students from different universities but also supervision, excursions and seminars. The number of days in Berlin is 7 and including travelling days the field course is about 9 days.

10 students from Stockholm University have the opportunity to participate. Selection for the BIP is based on results from the first semester courses in human geography and spatial planning respectively (other students in each course participate in a 5-day course-specific field course in Sweden).

The BIP is a collaboration between the Faculteit Ruimtelijke Wetenschappen, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen; Geographisches Institut, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Dipartimento di Architettura e Studi Urbani, Politecnico di Milano; and the Department of Human Geography, Stockholm University (coordinating institution 2024–2025).

Urban and Regional Planning – Practices, 7.5 credits
Essay in Human Geography, 7.5 credits

BIP on Master's level

The BIP ‘Environmental Planning and Territorial Development’ is an elective within the course Field Project in Urban and Regional Planning, 7.5 credits, in the second semester of the Master's Programme in Urban Planning and the Master's Programme in Human Geography.

The BIP is given every spring semester since 2023 until further notice. The focus is ‘Town Centre Development in Small and Medium-sized Rural Towns’.

The field course mainly includes material collection and work on solutions, scenarios and visions in groups together with students from different universities as well as tutorials, seminars and excursions. The number of days on site is 7 and including travelling days the field course is about 8–10 days.

The field part of the course is conducted in Sweden in 2026. Previously, the field course has been held in Tours in Centre-Val de Loire, France (2025), Herzogenburg in Lower Austria, Austria (2024), and in Rinteln and Hannover in Lower Saxony, Germany (2023).

10 students from Stockholm University are given the opportunity to participate. Selection for the BIP is made by lottery. (The other students on the course participate in another field course the same week.)

The BIP is a co-operation between the Institut für Umweltplanung, Leibniz Universität Hannover; EPU – Département aménagement, Université de Tours; Institut für Raumplanung, Umweltplanung und Bodenordnung, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien; and the Department of Human Geography, Stockholm University. The BIP is coordinated by the institution in the country where the field course is organised.

Field Project in Urban and Regional Planning, 15 credits

Last updated: 2026-01-08

Source: Department of Human Geograpghy