Master in Urban Studies

The program engages with current intellectual and political concerns about urbanization and urban spaces from international and interdisciplinary perspectives. Situated in core debates around these issues, the program responds to current demands for training informed urban researchers and practitioners able to address urban challenges and potentials. It has a strong research basis and courses provide several novel and exciting dimensions.

In the first year, students will acquire an overview of the field of urban studies and its development. Students will then deepen their knowledge of current urban challenges from a global perspective as well as the growth of different urban conditions and forms. After this, students will hone their ability to investigate the relation between people's everyday lives and the physical forms of the city. At the end of the first year, an independent project is conducted.

During the second year, students will take elective courses amounting to 30 credits. To complete this part of the program, students can choose to do an international exchange at one of Malmö University's partner universities or take elective courses at the Department of Urban Studies. The second year concludes with a master's thesis (30 credits).

The program aims to deepen students' knowledge of urban studies, preparing them to participate in research or qualified urban development investigations. It is aimed at those genuinely interested in cities, urban life, and all expressions of urbanity. The way that methods and skills are taught in the program makes the curriculum particularly suited for students who dare to explore and experiment.

The necessity of urban studies

Working with urban development has increasingly come to require an understanding of social and spatial processes, rather than viewing the city as a static physical entity. Urban studies provide an understanding of contemporary urban development, planning, and management strategies, based on broad and advanced expertise. This is important since projects that consciously deal with time, experiments, and development processes question the results of planning in the form of specific products and thus leave more space for spontaneity and creativity. Furthermore, participatory processes involving wider and alternate groups in society open up possibilities for deepening democracy and increasing equality, not least by making use of everyday users' experiences.

Malmö University strives to be part of society at every level. Whether that is regional, nationally or globally, its focus is making the world a better and fairer place.

We have a mission to be an active hub for research, education and innovation. Our research is often multidisciplinary and pursued in collaboration with partners from outside of the university.

Why choose Malmö University?

Malmö University is...

Collaborative

Offers high-quality education where teachers and students work closely together, and undergraduates are seen as important contributors to the learning process.

Entrepreneurial

Promotes an entrepreneurial and innovative learning environment that influences and is influenced by the education and research at Malmö University.

Multidisciplinary

Boasts multidisciplinary programmes whereby students learn from different faculties, crucially important in an increasingly complex job market.

Diverse

Truly international classrooms where around a third of students have an international background – invaluable for students who are looking for a global career.

Big, but not too big!

The ninth largest higher educational institution in Sweden, with 24,000 students.

Global

Students have the opportunity to study abroad. We have agreements with approximately 250 universities around the world.

Convenient

Copenhagen international airport Kastrup (Denmark) is only 20 minutes away by train, and Copenhagen city 30 minutes away. Network links from here can take you by train throughout Europe and by plane, anywhere in the world!