MSc Urban Studies

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Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

• copies of English Language Certification, eg IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report. Applications without an English language qualification may initially be placed on a waiting list;
• copies of official degree certificatesand transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. Ifthese documents are in languages other than English, please provide official translations;
• your CV.

Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents to avoid any delays.

Staged admissions process

As there is a high demand for our courses, we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year.

Due to the competition for places and high quality of applications that we receive, we give preference to students from high-ranking institutions and with grades above our minimum entry requirements.

Please ensure you submit all supporting documentation with your application before the application deadline to avoid a delay in processing.

•Stage 1: Application received by 07 December 2024 ; Application update by 21 February 2025

•Stage 2: Application received by 02 March 2025 ; Application update by 01 May 2025

•Stage 3: Application received by 04 May 2025 ; Application update by 05 June 2025

•Stage 4: Application received by 01 July 2025 ; Application update by 25 July 2025

While we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date.

Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.

Please note, all places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be reaching capacity or be closed to further applications. We, therefore, recommend that you apply early in the cycle to avoid disappointment.

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.

• 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).

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

• changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
• a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
• changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
• changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
• the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
• the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
• where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
• where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

• a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
• a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

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. 

Find out how our students feel about studying at The University of Manchester in Student Spotlights .

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.

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.