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Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Duration
- 1 year
- Entry requirements
-
We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent, in any discipline.
When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
- How to apply
- Apply online
Course options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | Y | N | N | N |
Course overview
- Taught by internationally renowned researchers in their respective fields, drawing upon the departments of Architecture, Geography, Global Development, and Planning and Environmental Management.
- Benefit from the city of Manchester as a learning laboratory, with course units drawing on its rich history and its place in the world today .
- Learn from the experiences and insights of those working on urban challenges around the globe through the international partnerships of those teaching on the programme.
- Prepare for a career as an urban researcher, whether in civil society, consultancy, government or the third sector.
Open days
Find out what it's like to study at Manchester by visiting us on one of our open days.
Fees
Fees for entry in 2024 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2023 were as follows:
-
MSc (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £12,000
International, including EU, students (per annum): £26,000
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students.
In addition, the Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.
For more information on scholarships and bursaries, see our Fees and funding webpages or research the University's postgraduate funding database.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Environment, Education and Development
- Contact name
- SEED Admissions Team
- Telephone
- +44 (0) 161 275 2814
- geography.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
- School/Faculty
-
See: The School .
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent, in any discipline.
When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
English language
For the latest information on demonstrating your English proficiency for those whose first language is not English, please see our language requirements .
This programme also accepts successful completion of the 6 and 10 Week Pre-sessional English Language course. We accept the following qualifications which must be valid on the start date of the Pre-sessional course.
Pre-sessional 6 Week Course Requirement:
IELTS - 6.0 Overall with 6.0 in writing, no more than one subskill at 5.5 and no subskill below 5.5
TOEFL iBT - 80 overall with 20 in writing, and 20 in speaking, with a minimum of 18 in all other subskills
Pearson PTE Academic or Academic UKVI - 65 overall with 65 in writing, no more than one subskill of 59 and no other subskill below 59.
Pre-sessional 10 Week Course Requirement:
IELTS - 5.5 overall with no element below 5.5
TOEFL iBT - 72 overall with 20 in speaking and no other element below 18
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI - 59 overall and no element below 59
English language test validity
Other international entry requirements
We accept a range of qualifications from across the globe. To help international students the university provides specific information for many individual countries. Please see our country-specific information page for guidance on the academic qualifications which may be accepted from your country.
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:
- copies of official degree certificates and transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English, please provide official translations;
- your CV;
- copies of English Language Certification, eg IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report.
Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents to avoid any delays.
How your application is considered
Once your application has been received, our admissions team will contact you. We may ask you to submit additional information, if necessary.
Applications for MSc Urban Studies are very competitive. Due to the high demand for the programme we may not be able to offer places to all applicants who have the entry qualifications that we require. If you meet our entry requirements but we are unable to make you an offer you may be placed on a waiting list. Candidates on a waiting list will receive an offer only if places become available.
Please note, the course may reach capacity before the official closing date of 31st of August, so all students are advised to apply as soon as possible.
Course details
Course description
As the proportion of the world’s population living in urban areas continues to grow, so do the challenges to secure an inclusive, just and sustainable set of futures. These challenges ask questions of traditional academic disciplines, such as anthropology, architecture, business studies, economics, geography, history, political science and sociology – solving these challenges is behind any single discipline. Instead, drawing upon concepts and methods from across these disciplines, the MSc in Urban Studies provides a sophisticated analysis and understanding of urbanisation. This interdisciplinary programme brings together a diverse set of analytic tools, research methods, and theories to better understanding how cities are confronting these challenges .
This programme seeks students who care about the global urban world. You will be committed, engaged, and informed about the current and future challenges facing cities across the planet. Likely, with an undergraduate background in anthropology, geography, planning, political science or sociology, we also recognise that some applications might also have relevant life experience, and this is something we will value.
Special features
- Benefit from the interdisciplinary nature of urban studies as a field of academic research, education, and policy and practice.
- Have the flexibility to combine and mix optional course units from a range of disciplines.
- Develop the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for employment as a researcher or as a practitioner in urban studies, or for progression to postgraduate research in urban studies, including initiative, independent learning, personal responsibility, and decision-making in complex situations.
- Study at a University home to world-class researchers and the Manchester Urban Institute (MUI).
Teaching and learning
Teaching occurs through lectures and seminars, meaning you will benefit from small and large group learning environments. Assessment happens through a range of individual and group presentational and written formats, enabling you to develop a wide range of skills, such as critical analysis and rigorous theoretical engagement, communication skills, creative presentations and information dissemination techniques, and more.
Those delivering the compulsory course units include:
- Dr Caitlin Henry (Lecturer in Human Geography)
- Prof Deljana Iossifova (Architecture)
- Prof Kevin Ward (Geography)
- Prof Cecilia Wong (Planning and Environmental Management)
- Dr Yawei Zhao (Geography)
Coursework and assessment
Course unit details
The MSc in Urban Studies teaches you using a variety of teaching and assessment methods and allows you to tailor your degree choosing from a range of course units. It offers a broad training in urban studies concepts, methods, and theories. Course units involve a range of formative and summative assessments, including individual and group work, oral presentations and long essays, project work and reports. The design of coursework allows you to pursue your particular areas of interest within urban studies. In the summer semester, you work independently but in a supported manner, to undertake dissertation work based on primary and/or secondary data, or else a more philosophical/theoretical dissertation.
The programme consists of four compulsory course units and four optional course units offered through a range of departments, including business studies, development studies, geography, history, planning, and sociology. You will also complete a dissertation unit of 60 credits, which involves designing, conducting, and producing an independent research project on a topic of your choice related to urban studies.
The compulsory course units are:
- Critical issues in urban studies;
- Researching the city;
- Policy and politics in action in Greater Manchester;
- Global urban future.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Studies Dissertation | URBN70000 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Critical Issues in Urban Studies | URBN70001 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Policy and Politics in Action in Greater Manchester | URBN70011 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Researching the City | URBN70022 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Global Urban Futures | URBN70032 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Place and innovation, from Silicon Valley to Graphene City | BMAN62062 | 15 | Optional |
| Qualitative Research Approaches | EVDV70012 | 15 | Optional |
| Quantitative Research | EVDV70022 | 15 | Optional |
| Energy and the City | GEOG70201 | 15 | Optional |
| Sustainable Urban Mobilities | GEOG70971 | 15 | Optional |
| Displaying 10 of 22 course units | |||
| Display all course units | |||
What our students say
Facilities
By bringing together work from across the arts and humanities, the social sciences, business and health, the MUI is committed to an increased understanding of the global urban condition and is positioning The University of Manchester as one of the leading global locations for urban research, with a combined and comparative focus on both the Global North and Global South.
The University's Main Library is the largest university library system in the UK apart from the copyright libraries and has a number of different working spaces. It is home to the University Map Collection, which comprises about 100,000 map sheets of every part of the world.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
This programme brings together a diverse set of analytical tools, research methods, and theories to better understand how cities are confronting the challenges to securing an inclusive, just and sustainable set of futures. By studying this MSc, you will not only gain an understanding of key concepts and theories in the interdisciplinary field of urban studies, but also develop a range of intellectual, practical and transferable skills to proceed into your chosen career path.
Studying MSc Urban Studies provides opportunities to draw upon a range of interrelated disciplines, including geography, planning, sociology, political science, architecture, anthropology and more. You will therefore develop the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for employment as researcher or practitioner in urban studies, or for progression to post-graduate research in urban studies, including initiative, independent learning, personal responsibility, and decision-making in complex situations.
Careers support
The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester, you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability.
Careers support for international students
The Careers Service provide specialist resources, advice and events for international students to help with career planning and making the most of your time while studying in Manchester.
- Working in the UK after study
- Working during study
- Professional and alumni networks for international students
Global networks
The University of Manchester is proud to have the largest global alumni community of any campus-based university in the UK.
International alumni groups are a great way to keep in touch with fellow Manchester graduates in your country. It is an opportunity to build professional and social networks.