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Global Urbanism MASc

London, Stratford (UCL East)

Our Master of Arts and Sciences degree in Global Urbanism will equip students with the critical skills and specialist knowledge to operate as an urbanist in today's global environment, collaborating across sectors to tackle urgent challenges and shape fairer cities. 

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£21,500
£10,750
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£35,400
£17,700
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this course is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


Cities are complex, diverse, and globally interconnected. To develop insights into global urban experiences and respond to contemporary challenges we need to collaborate and build knowledge across often very different locations, and to draw on multiple academic disciplines, professions and communities. The Bartlett’s Global Urbanism MASc course is the first urban master's degree to cut radically across arts, humanities, social sciences and built environment studies, giving students the opportunity to specialise in urbanism as a challenge-driven and practice-oriented transdisciplinary field. 

Drawing from the distinctive breadth of UCL’s urban expertise, the course will equip students with state-of-the-art knowledge of urbanism – a term that embraces the social and cultural life of cities, and the numerous approaches and practices which set out to understand and shape urban futures. Students will graduate with the ability to draw from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, conceptual frameworks, methods, and practices, and have the tools to engage across diverse cities and lead in a variety of roles in urban policy, research, and practice.  

The Global Urbanism MASc offers two pathways, ‘Global Studio’ or ‘London Studio’. In addition to a shared core curriculum, each pathway gives students the opportunity to build critical understandings of global urbanism, specialising either in the highly globalised urban context of London, or in a selected international partner city. Students will learn in a collaborative and experimental research setting, engaging with their own environs and the university’s local and international partners. Pathway choices are made in consultation with staff and based on student interest and experience.    

The course will be delivered by UCL Urban Laboratory as part of The Bartlett at UCL East, in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, east London – an area that has undergone huge and rapid change since the 1980s and is unrivalled in the opportunity it offers to study the dynamics of urbanisation.

Who this course is for

The Global Urbanism MASc will appeal to those wishing to pursue further advanced urban research and/or those working (or aiming to develop a career) in a position that requires sophisticated understanding of urban challenges and development in London and other cities internationally. Graduates from this course have found employment related to urban challenges across the public, private and NGO sectors. 

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

Advanced specialist knowledge: Build critical understandings of global urbanism through immersive engagement, specialising in the highly globalised context of London, and in selected international cities.  

Key skills for urban/built environment fields: Gain rigorous training for careers and advanced professional development in urban and built environment fields, building specialist transferrable skills in urban practice (such as development, governance, heritage, community participation, planning, policy and design).

Immersive learning: Enjoy a collaborative, immersive, case-study based approach to learning, grounded in selected urban environments, and in the ethos of trans-disciplinarity, where the arts, humanities, social sciences and built environment disciplines intersect.  

Shape your studies: Proactively shape assessed projects, developing skills and experiences, taking the opportunity to submit work in multiple media, and fuelling creativity.  

Taught by experts in global urbanism: Be guided by faculty who are leaders in the advancement of innovative, ethical, transdisciplinary approaches to global urbanism.  

Career Support: Studying at UCL provides students with access to a range of career services including networking events, career workshops, and internship opportunities.  

The Bartlett is ranked #1 in the world for Architecture and Built Environment studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. We remain global #1 for the third year in a row, and #1 in the UK for the 11th year in a row. Our research is recognised as ‘World Leading' and 'Internationally Excellent' (UK REF 2021).    

London is ranked the best city for students in the UK and Europe and holds third place worldwide (QS Best Student Cities 2026). 

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates in our department find employment in a wide range of careers as built environment professionals internationally, including in academia, government, public service, policy formation and architectural, engineering and media companies (Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2017-22).

Employability

This postgraduate degree trains an emerging generation of urbanists to undertake advanced, experimental, collaborative research, driven by the pressing agendas set by the Sustainable Development Goals and other international policy and practice directives. Graduates will be qualified to address the complexity of cities and urbanisation creatively, and the global challenges and potentials that they present.  

The course provides the relevant skills and knowledge for those working in, or aiming to develop a career in, built environment and urban policy and practice positions that require a sophisticated understanding of the contexts and complexity of urban challenges and development in cities internationally. Graduates will be suited to a wide range of urban and built environment careers that engage with processes of urban change and design, community participation, inclusive urban development and governance. The creative problem-solving, analytical, collaboration and presentation skills which students develop will also provide a good preparation for doctoral study and professional research positions. 

Networking

The Global Urbanism MASc course is taught through a variety of lectures, seminars, workshops, site visits, field trips, and tutorials in partnership with external organisations and experts from a range of practice-based backgrounds that take place outside the classroom. 

Through the UCL Urban Room we also invite external artists, researchers and partner organisations to work with us on new exhibitions which address key themes relevant to our modules. 

Students are encouraged to join student groups specifically designed for networking and peer learning opportunities such as the Postgrad Urbanists group which brings together students from across UCL and other universities. 

Teaching and learning

The MASc course enables students to build critical understandings of global urbanism, specialising either in the highly globalised urban context of London, or in selected international partner cities.

Students will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, site visits, group projects, supervised independent research, and engagement in the UCL Urban Room (e.g. exhibition and object-based learning). Students on the Global pathway will also learn through collaboration with students and staff in a partner city. 

Coursework:

  • Essays
  • Portfolios
  • Presentations
  • Group collaborative project reports
  • Research thesis 

Each 15-credit module involves 150 hours of learning. In a typical week, during the two main teaching terms, students will receive 10-12 hours of contact time including lectures, practicals, workshops, site visits, and tutorial support. Outside of this, students are expected to learn through independent study, peer-to-peer learning, and assessment preparation. Full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, (35-40 hours). Students can also take advantage of student office hours (two hours per week per member of the teaching team), and the Academic Skills Workshops (four hours in Term 1).

Modules

The Global Urbanism course is comprised of 45-credits of core modules (which everyone on the course takes), 60-credits of dissertation, 45-credits of pathway modules (the London or Global pathway), and 30-credits of electives.

In Term 1 all students will take two core modules (Global Urbanism: Theory and Politics and Engaged Urbanism) and one pathway module (East London Lab or Cities Studio).

In Term 2 all students will take two core module (Cities Methodologies and Dissertation Methods), two pathway modules (Global Urban Theory Lab and City Co-Labs, or Histories of Global London Parts 1 and 2).

In Term 3 and over the summer all students will complete their own original research in the dissertation module.

Elective modules can be taken in Terms 1, 2 and 3. Dependent on availability, these may include (but are not limited to):

  • London: Aspects of Change  
  • Civic Design  
  • Find Your Future
  • Inclusive Design and Environments
  • Exploring Power, Inclusion and Exclusion with Local Communities  
  • Sustainability and Decision-making
  • Protecting and Managing Creative Content  
  • Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice

The London and Global pathway modules provide students with opportunities to build critical understandings of global urbanism, specialising either in the highly globalised urban context of London, or in selected international partner cities.

The Global pathway provides students with the opportunity of taking part in an overseas fieldtrip in collaboration with international students and staff in a partner city. In the first four years of the course, 2022/3-2025/6, students went to Johannesburg, South Africa, to engage in a partnership with the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. The partnership entailed shared online teaching, a 10-day field trip in Term 3. For contingency and in case students are unable to participate in the field trip for medical or personal reasons, the course will offer an alternative blended format. From 2026/7 we expect the partner city to be in Pakistan.  

Part-time, two years: 
Year 1, Term 1: Global Urbanism, Theory & Politics, Engaged Urbanism  

Year 1, Term 2: Cities Methodologies and elective

Year 2, Term 1: East London Lab or Cities Studio according to pathway choice and elective.  

Year 2, Term 2: Histories of Global London or City Co-Labs + Global Urban Theory Lab depending on pathway, and Dissertation. 

Modular flexible mode, two to five years: modules taken in bespoke order with guidance from the Course Director. 

Compulsory modules






Optional modules







Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MASc in Global Urbanism.

Fieldwork

The course is designed to include some urban fieldwork in London and in the international partner city, which was initially Johannesburg, South Africa, (2022/3-2025/6). From 2026/7 we expect the partner city to be in Pakistan.  

London Studio involves local fieldwork specifically as part of the East London Lab and Histories of Global London modules.

Global Studio includes a field trip to the partner city as part of the City Co-Labs module.

An alternative online and blended format will be prepared for short term contingency, and in the longer term for students who find themselves unable to make the field trip for medical or personal reasons.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

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All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Bartlett Promise UK Scholarship

Join our virtual event to explore our postgraduate courses, hear from academic staff and current students, and learn about the application process, scholarships, and career support. A live Q&A will give you the chance to get your questions answered. Take the next step toward shaping a more sustainable built environment with us.

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Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £21,500 £10,750
Tuition fees (2026/27) £35,400 £17,700

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a £350 deposit will be charged.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a £500 deposit will be charged.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Fieldtrip costs include the following:

London Studio: any local field trip travel (East London Lab, Histories of Global London modules) and accommodation where required will be covered by UCL. Students are required to pay for subsistence and any materials required (£200 – £500).

Global Studio: air travel to the partner city for the immersive residential visit (City Co-Labs module) plus local transport will be covered by UCL (airfares (c. £800pp) and local transport (c. £100pp)). Students are required to pay for visas, accommodation and subsistence (£300 - £500). 

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

The Ruth Glass Scholarship is offered to one UK home fees paying student applying to study on the Global Urbanism MASc course full-time. The award is intended to cover tuition costs and a 52-week living stipend for an applicant who is facing financial barriers to further education, and we welcome a range of potential students to apply.

The UCL East Scholarship exists to support east London applicants in applying to a range of courses, including the Global Urbanism MASc, by funding tuition costs and a living stipend for both full-time and part-time study.  

The Bartlett Promise Scholarship aims to enable students from backgrounds underrepresented in the built environment to pursue master's studies. Please see the UK Master's scholarship and Sub-Saharan Africa Master's scholarship pages for more information on eligibility criteria, selection process and FAQs.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website. 

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Ruth Glass Scholarship

Deadline: 1 June 2025
Value: Tuition fees plus stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

UCL East London Scholarship

CLOSED FOR 25/26 ENTRY
Value: Tuition fees plus £16,000 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Global Urbanism at graduate level
  • why you want to study Global Urbanism at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this course
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging academic environment
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is an opportunity to illustrate whether reasons for applying to this course match what the course will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle. 

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

UCL Urban Laboratory
UCL Urban Laboratory

bartlett.pg-ul@ucl.ac.uk

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