Course summary

As the world becomes increasingly urbanised, cities face mounting challenges, including climate change, inequality, housing crises, infrastructure pressures, and more. This dynamic and interdisciplinary course equips you with the tools to understand, analyse, and respond to the complex realities of contemporary urban life. Drawing on insights from anthropology, geography, planning, architecture, political science, sociology, and more, you'll gain a rich, nuanced understanding of how cities function and how they can be transformed. You’ll explore the political, social, economic, and environmental forces shaping urban change, and engage with cutting-edge debates about power, justice, inequality, and sustainability in the city. From global megacities to smaller urban centres, this course challenges you to think critically and creatively about what the urban future could and should look like. We’re looking for students who are passionate about the urban world, curious, committed, and ready to make a difference. You might come from a background in geography, planning, anthropology, sociology, or political science. But we also value lived experience, whether you’ve worked in community organising, policy, activism, or urban development, as your perspective will enrich our conversations and your learning. Through innovative teaching, hands-on research, and an international outlook, MSc Urban Studies will prepare you to shape the cities of tomorrow, whether in academia, policy, planning, or beyond.