Course summary

The MSc City Design and Social Science focuses on the relations between the social and spatial organisation of cities and urban environments. We see design as a field of research, knowledge and practice that shapes urban environments, responds to urban problems, and integrates social, spatial and political approaches to the city. This ground-breaking programme was launched in 1998. It supports the development of interdisciplinary urban practitioners and scholars who can work across professional divides to have a positive impact on cities as both social and built environments. This innovative, interdisciplinary programme sets the complex challenges of city design and development in their social, economic, environmental and political contexts. It is unique as a studio-based master’s with a strong orientation to practice. The programme attracts students from different academic and professional backgrounds, reflecting the range of skills involved in urban policy, design and development today. Each year, around 40 per cent of our student intake comes from architecture, urban design, planning or engineering, with around 60 per cent coming from backgrounds in social, economic and management science, law, humanities and the natural sciences. You will leave the programme with a well-rounded set of research, analytical and practical skills for the design, development and implementation of urban projects across the public, private and community sectors, and the ability to work creatively and effectively across disciplinary boundaries.