Who is MSc in Sustainable Urban Development at OXford University for?
The MSc in Sustainable Urban Development is designed for those working in a range of urban contexts worldwide, whether in public, private or third sector organisations. Students are able to combine postgraduate study with their professional lives. The course attracts a lively and engaged group of students, who come from a wide range of countries and share a variety of work experiences in urban development and the built environment. The course fosters collaboration, creativity, perspective-sharing and networking skills. There is also an active alumni network.
The course in detail
Course aims
The course aims to provide students with:
- a systematic understanding of core areas and advanced topics in sustainable urban development
- the ability to evaluate empirical or primary evidence critically
- the conceptual understanding to marshal and present arguments and solutions based on data, theory and the application of sound reasoning.
Course content and structure
The course comprises four elements:
- core themes
- urban theory
- research methods
- the dissertation
You will attend eight intensive residential teaching weeks during the two years of study. Six of these eight teaching weeks are held in Oxford at the Department for Continuing Education The remaining two are held at the offices of The Prince's Foundation in London. . Each week addresses a core theme of the course.
Year 1
- Introducing Sustainable Urban Development (Oxford)
- Climate Change and the Built Environment (Oxford)
- Place-making and Urban Design (London)
- Financing Sustainability (Oxford)
- Sustainable Transport (Oxford)
Year 2
- Urbanism, Community and City-Building (London)
- Urbanisation in the Global South (Oxford)
- Leadership, Governance and Future Cities (Oxford)
During teaching weeks, you will also follow foundation courses in urban theory and research methods tailored to sustainable urban development, comprising sessions on the intellectual history of sustainable urbanism, paradigm shifts and challenges in sustainable development, urban economics, research design, research ethics and preparation, bibliography and library resources.
