Explore Urban Studies at UCL

This programme draws on UCL’s wide range of urban expertise. It offers a unique, interdisciplinary, and creative way to study cities and urban life.

About this degree

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Cities are at the heart of global change, making them a key focus for research, policy, and public discussion.

More than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and this is expected to increase to three-quarters by 2050 (United Nations). These shifts are complex, and understanding them requires new, innovative approaches. This MSc will provide you with the tools to address pressing urban issues and contribute to important discussions in both academic and professional fields.

You will explore topics such as urban regeneration, gentrification, public space, and multiculturalism. You will also tackle critical challenges such as slums, poverty, and access to basic services. These issues are closely linked to the social, cultural, and environmental changes shaping cities today. This is seen in new ideas about identity, collective memory, and the impact of technology on everyday life.

By completing this MSc, you will gain a deeper understanding of urban debates and develop the skills to apply your knowledge throughout your career. Whether through further research or a more impactful role in urban planning, policy, or practice, you will be equipped to make a difference.

We attract students from diverse backgrounds, including professionals working part-time in fields like journalism, architecture, graphic design, and transport planning.

Learn more about this course

Highlights

• Located on UCL's Bloomsbury campus, you will engage with a broad range of urban expertise from the UCL Urban Lab. This includes fields such as Geography, English, Engineering, Urban Planning, and the latest developments in Architectural History.
• You will think carefully and critically about the latest international, comparative and historically informed perspectives on cities and urbanisation.
• You will use London as a key laboratory to introduce and explore a series of interconnected critical themes within Urban Studies.
• Choose optional modules that match your interests from a wide range of options across different UCL Departments.
• You will develop the knowledge and skills needed for careers in academia, public and private research, and other professional fields. These are fields where an advanced understanding of cities and urban change is essential. 

Who is this course for?

You will need a first or upper-second-class Honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK university to study the MSc Urban Studies programme. Alternatively, an equivalent qualification from overseas is also accepted.

We are not necessarily looking for students from a specific academic background. Instead, we seek those with intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for studying and researching cities and urban life across a broad range of subjects.

Academic Staff

Staff closely affiliated with the Programme include:

Testimonials 

Yifan Li Read more

Tofunmi Kayode Read more

Nurin Huda Hanif Read more

Funding

For a full list of funding opportunities at UCL, including those for your nationality, visit the Scholarships and Funding section on the UCL website.

MSc Urban Studies is a central training programme for the Urban Studies, Planning and Spatial Science pathway of the UBEL ESRC DTP. For more information, visit the UBEL page. There are opportunities for 1+3 PhD awards, which includes MSc Urban Studies study. You will need to develop a proposal by November, ahead of the intended start in September.

Visit the Prospectus for information on Fees:

Prospectus

Careers 

The Urban Studies MSc programme equips graduates with the advanced knowledge and skills needed for a diverse range of careers in both academic and professional fields. Our graduates are well-prepared for roles in academia, public and private research, and other sectors that require a deep understanding of cities and urban change.

Our alumni have successfully pursued careers in municipal and local government, urban political organisations, art consultancies, financial services, social enterprises, and cultural institutions. Many have also contributed to community development initiatives and think tanks, where their expertise in urban studies is highly valued.

Additionally, the programme has a strong track record of graduates securing funded PhD positions. These students have gone on to conduct research at prestigious institutions, including UCL departments such as Geography, the Development Planning Unit, Planning, CASA, and Architectural Design. Our graduates have also pursued doctoral studies at leading universities across Europe and North America, including the University of Zurich, LSE, Cambridge University, King's College London, Universidade do Porto, Harvard, Humboldt University Berlin, TU Berlin, Oxford University, and the University of Minnesota.

News from MSc Urban Studies

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	UCL student Vivien Lee tells us about her experience presenting at the GISRUK 2025 Conference Vivien Lee is studying a BA in Geography with Social Data Science in the UCL Department of Geography & reflects on her experience giving a presentation on 'Connecting London: The Impact of the Elizabeth Line on Job Accessibility and Spatial Equity' at the GISRUK 2025 Conference. Read more
	Hustle Urbanism: Making Life Work in Nairobi Celebrate the launch of Hustle Urbanism by Tatiana Thieme - Stories of struggle, solidarity and soul. Read more