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Urban Economic Development MSc

London, Bloomsbury

UCL’s Urban Economic Development MSc equips you with the skills to understand the theories of urban economic development and how to create productive, sustainable, and inclusive urban economies in practice. This sustainable development master’s is rooted in real case studies that will enable you to generate creative approaches to development in the city economy, both in London and overseas.

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 closed

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

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

A second acceptable qualification is a degree of lower second-class Bachelor's standard, or an equivalent overseas qualification, in a subject appropriate to the programme, plus excellent work experience.

Please note that the equivalent overseas qualifications displayed here are those equivalent to an upper second-class Bachelor's degree.

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


The Urban Economic Development MSc addresses the major economic challenges facing cities today—from inequality and climate change to technological disruption and the digitalisation of urban economies and services. The course equips you with theoretical frameworks, analytical tools and practical insights to understand how city economies function and how to shape them through the development of strategies based on local capacities and by strengthening cities as economic environments.

Through research-led teaching and interdisciplinary learning, you develop your own grounded perspective on tackling complex urban issues. You gain experience in creative policy formulation and applying cutting-edge research to real challenge. A wide range of optional modules allows you to tailor the course to your interests in urban economic development and beyond.

You also build practical skills through fieldwork and immersive workshops, including an overseas practice engagement focused on city economies in the Global South and a London-based project with communities and global partners. Furthermore, Development Workshops simulate the complexity of real-world strategy-making alongside students from other master’s courses.

By the end of the course, you are ready for careers in government, international agencies, NGOs, consultancies and research institutionsequipped to support inclusive growth and guide cities through rapid economic change.

As a student you:

  • Examine how governments manage city economies, comparing international approaches and policy trade-offs
  • Understand how globalisation, liberalisation, decentralisation, digital technologies and climate change influence urban economic performance
  • Build skills in data analysis, policy evaluation, project management, stakeholder engagement and communication through hands-on work
  • Gain the confidence to design and assess industrial policies and urban development strategies
  • Strengthen your professional capabilities for roles across public, private and international sectors in urban economic development

Who this course is for

This course is designed for those who want to understand and shape the economic future of cities. It is suited to recent graduates, early-career professionals and those looking to redirect their career towards urban economic development. You might come from economics, development, geography, planning, architecture, political sciences, business or another related disciplines. Whether you have experience in public policy, international organisations, NGOs, consultancy or research - or are new to the field - you’ll be supported to build your expertise and develop the practical and analytical skills needed to pursue careers that drive inclusive, sustainable economic growth in cities around the world. The course attracts a diverse, international cohort, creating a collaborative learning environment where you benefit from the varied insights and perspectives of your peers.

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

What this course will give you

Shape economic futures through applied learning
Through fieldwork, you strengthen your ability to navigate complexity, communicate with diverse stakeholders and contribute meaningfully to inclusive economic change. During your UK practice engagement, you work with our collaborators in London on projects focused on inclusion, enterprise and economic transformation. In an overseas practice engagement, you explore urban economic issues working on a project set by a partner organisation. Past engagements have included Yucatan peninsula (Mexico), Tarapoto (Peru), and Mek'ele (Ethiopia), exploring topics including social and environmental impact of transport projects, tourism and agro-industry, and the urban informal economy.

Learn from experts shaping urban economic development
You learn from staff who are deeply involved in applied research, consultancy and international partnerships, as well as from guest speakers working in industry, policymaking and international organisations. Their combined expertise influences development strategies in cities around the world and brings real-world insight into the classroom. This engagement gives you access to critical perspectives, current debates and practical examples that support your academic and professional growth. Explore our Urban Economic Development MSc staff profiles.

Join a global community committed to just and sustainable urban development
The Bartlett Development Planning Unit delivers world-leading teaching and research focused on socially just and sustainable development. Since 1954, we have worked with practitioners, and institutions, to design and implement innovative, sustainable, and inclusive development strategies. By joining us, you become part of global network of practitioners committed to equitable urban transformation. We are part of The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment, ranked #1 in the world for Architecture and Built Environment Studies (QS World University Subject Rankings 2025).

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme
Making an impact
A devlivery rider cycling down an urban street

How technology is reshaping low-skill work in the UK

Discover graduate Steffan Willis’s published dissertation on how automation and labour market flexibility impact workers’ bargaining power, with suggested policy responses.

The foundation of your career

98.1% of Urban Economics Development MSc students we’re in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2023).

Our graduates pursue a variety of careers, predominantly in private consultancies, think tanks, public sector (including government careers at different levels and international organisations), international development organisations, academia and research. Our course also inspires graduates to pursue further research at PhD level.

Employers of our graduates include: 

  • Public sector: Barranquilla Mayor’s Office, Colombian National Planning Department, Department for Energy, Security & Net Zero (UK), Government of Turkey, Greater London Authority (GLA), London Borough of Bromley, Ministry of Finance (Thailand), Regional government agency for urban development and mobility in Mexico, Secretaria Distrital de Integración Social (Colombia), Yucatán State Government.
  • International agencies and NGOs: Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Reall, Shelter Afrique, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
  • Think tanks, academic and research organisations: Beirut Urban Lab at AUB, Institute for Employment Studies, Webster University.
  • Private companies: Arup, Bosera Asset Management, Boston Consulting, Business of Cities, Cai Tong Securities, Catalyst Housing Group, Connected Places Catapult, Deloitte, Design Council, Goldman Sachs Group, Lendlease, Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners, Peabody Trust, PwC.

Learn more about our alumni’s experiences and careers

My Urban Economic Development master's empowered me to move back to Lebanon after five years abroad, at a time when my country was going through a severe political and economic crisis. I joined the Beirut Urban Lab at the American University of Beirut (AUB) as a researcher and research coordinator, investigating the socioeconomic impact of the 2020 Beirut Port Explosion.

Photo of Antoine

Antoine Kallab

Urban Economic Development MSc graduate

Learn more about Antoine's experience

Employability

To work in private consultancies, think tanks, the public sector, international development organisations, academia or research, and to respond to global inequalities, we equip you with transferable skills in economics and the built environment.

These include:

  • Developing a comprehensive understanding of urban and regional development theories, with the ability to apply these concepts to real-world economic challenges in cities.
  • Mastering the art of conducting economic research, enabling you to position your research at the forefront of urban economic thought and identify emerging trends in city development.
  • Acquiring skills in crafting analytical frameworks tailored to urban economic research, allowing you to systematically approach complex urban issues.
  • Enhancing your oral and written presentation skills for effectively communicating intricate urban economic concepts to diverse stakeholders, from policymakers to community groups.
  • Cultivating teamwork and leadership abilities essential for managing collaborative urban development projects and coordinating with multiple agencies.
  • Learning robust research design techniques to ensure the validity and reliability of your urban economic studies, considering both internal consistency and external applicability to various urban contexts.
  • Gaining proficiency in applied statistical methods and data visualisation, equipping you to analyse urban economic trends and present findings clearly to inform city planning and policy decisions.

We also offer a Dissertation Fellowship Scheme that gives students, selected through a competitive process, the opportunity to work on real-world topics proposed by partner organisations. These fellowships align your dissertation with current development and planning practice, offering opportunities for professional development and, in some cases, leading to research collaborations, internships or employment.

Networking

We host skills development and careers networking sessions with UCL Careers and connect you with partner organisations, alumni, development practitioners and academics. In addition, The Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU) offers a range of extracurricular activities to enrich the student experience. These include:

  • DPU Dialogues in Development, public events where a diverse range of speakers working in the field of development and planning are invited to share and discuss their work;
  • DPU Breakfasts, a series of informal conversations, over breakfast, which provide the opportunity to get insights into the research work undertaken by DPU academic staff;
  • DPU Career Events, a series of events and workshops involving staff, students, alumni and practitioner and industry partners to provide support and inspiration for post study career development.

Teaching and learning

The Urban Economic Development MSc combines classroom learning with hands-on experience to explore how cities can drive inclusive economic change. On campus, you learn through lectures, seminars, workshops and group projects led by academics and professional guest contributors. You apply your learning through case study analysis, policy exercises and collaborative work with peers, while fieldwork and live projects outside the classroom deepen your understanding of economic development in practice.

The course is assessed through unseen examinations, individual essays, coursework, teamwork reports, oral presentations and a dissertation.

In Terms 1 and 2, as a full-time student you can typically expect between 9-12 contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, as a full-time student you typically study approximately 25-30 hours, to undertake self-directed study and complete assignments.

In Term 3, you will complete the overseas practice engagement. The duration of this engagement will depend upon travel arrangements with partner organisations but is typically around two weeks overseas. During Term 3 and the summer period, you will complete your own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with your dissertation supervisor.

Modules

The Urban Economic Development MSc is delivered over three terms when taken full-time in one academic year. In Terms 1 and 2, you take compulsory modules that make up 75% of the taught component of the course (equivalent to 90 credits), covering core topics such as urban economic development and managing the city economy. The remaining 25% (30 credits) comes from optional modules, allowing you to explore specific themes and tailor your learning to your interests. The practice module—which includes the overseas practice engagement—runs across Terms 1, 2 and 3.

In Term 3 and over the summer, you focus on your dissertation—an independent research project supported by a dedicated tutor. You explore an area of the course that most interests you, using secondary data and/or primary data that can be accessed without fieldwork, such as online or archival sources. This project builds your skills in research design, evidence analysis, and academic writing. The final output is a 10,000-word dissertation, submitted at the end of the summer.

The Urban Economic Development MSc is delivered over two years when taken part-time.

In Year 1, the taught modules are delivered in Terms 1 and 2 and you will study:

  • Managing the City Economy
  • Urbanisation and Development
  • An Introduction to Public Economics and Public Policy.

In Year 2, the taught modules are delivered in Terms 1, 2 and 3 and you will study:

  • Practice in Urban Economic Development
  • Dissertation

In Year 2, you will also have a choice of optional modules which can either be:

  • 1 x 30 credit optional module, or
  •  2 x 15 credit optional modules.

In the summer of Year 2, you focus on your dissertation—an independent research project supported by a dedicated tutor. This is your opportunity to explore an area of the course that interests you most, using secondary data and/or primary data that does not require fieldwork, such as online or archival sources. Through this project, you strengthen your skills in research planning, literature review, evidence analysis and academic writing. The dissertation is submitted at the end of the summer.

The Urban Economic Development MSc is delivered over a period of two to five years when taken on a flexible basis. You may structure your core and optional modules in any format you wish, noting that the practice module and dissertation must be taken in your final years of study.  

You complete a dissertation as an independent research project, supported by a dedicated tutor. This allows you to focus on a topic that interests you most, using secondary data and/or primary data that does not require fieldwork, such as online or archival sources. The project develops your skills in research design, literature review, evidence analysis and academic writing. The dissertation is submitted at the end of the summer.

Compulsory modules


Practice in Urban Economic Development

Development and Planning Dissertation




Optional modules









Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture: Knowledge Systems in the Global South


















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 MSc in Urban Economic Development.

Fieldwork

As part of the Urban Economic Development MSc, you take part in two applied research projects designed in collaboration with external partners.

For the London project, you work as part of a student consultancy team responding to live briefs from public agencies and other organisations. These projects strengthen your ability to work collaboratively, engage with real data, and develop strategic recommendations around inclusion, enterprise and economic development.

In Term 3, you join an overseas practice engagement, where you co-design and carry out field research with local partners and communities. You prepare through seminars, workshops, guest lectures and data sessions that help you refine your research focus and approach. The engagement offers hands-on experience of working in a cross-cultural environment, addressing economic challenges through applied research and field collaboration.

Together, these projects prepare you to work with stakeholders in real urban settings—building the skills, confidence and experience to shape economic change.

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.

Where you'll study

Students gathered having a discussion in a colourful graffitied site during their fieldwork.

At The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, you will join an international community of practitioners working towards socially just and sustainable development through collaborative learning, research, partnerships and practice. You will be supported to challenge assumptions, test ideas, and explore inclusive, participatory approaches to development.

Find out more

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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.

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

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.

Core costs related to mandatory overseas practice engagement are covered by tuition fees. This includes partner and facilitation expenses, travel-related costs where travel is possible (eg transportation, visas, travel insurance) and accommodation costs where required. Students should anticipate to budget approximately £200-300 to cover their personal expenses whilst on the overseas practice engagement, for example food, mobile data and additional leisure activities, however costs will depend on the location and exchange rate at the time.

For the Development Workshop and London project, which are mandatory parts of the course, students cover the cost of their travel within London and subsistence. You should expect to budget up to £80 for these activities.

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

Any additional funding available will be advertised on The Bartlett Development Planning Unit scholarships and funding webpage and The Bartlett faculty webpage.
 

The Bartlett Promise Scholarship aims to enable students from backgrounds underrepresented in The Bartlett to pursue master's studies. Please see the UK Master's scholarship and Sub-Saharan Africa Master's scholarship webpages 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.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Masters Scholarship

Deadline: 29 March 2026
Value: Fees, stipend and other allowances (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: Overseas

Bartlett Promise UK Master's Scholarship

Deadline: 31 May 2026
Value: Full tuition fees and an annual stipend of £17,096 for a 12 month master's or £15,864 for a 9 month (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Deadline: 9 December 2025
Value: Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

GREAT Scholarship

NOW CLOSED FOR 2026/27 ENTRY
Value: £10,000 towards tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

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.

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

  • Why you want to study Urban Economic Development at graduate level
  • Why you want to study Urban Economic Development at UCL
  • What considerations particularly attract you to the chosen course
  • How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging course
  • Where you would like to go professionally with your degree

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

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

Development Planning Unit
Development Planning Unit

bartlett.pg-dpu@ucl.ac.uk

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