MA Urban Studies

Overview

This MA is a high profile international programme in Urban Studies, drawing on the critical urban research traditions developed in the Centre for Urban Research on Austerity, to explore the transformation and challenges in the political economy, governance and geography of cities. By bringing together scholarship from politics, urban studies, urban geography, political economy, the programme provides theoretical and analytical tools to address urban topics such as local governance, local socio-political and economic innovation, social inequalities and urban sustainability.

The MA programme in Urban Studies is informed by up-to-date scholarship and makes use of materials that ensure that students are engaging with debates that are at the forefront of the discipline. Students on this course will benefit from our local and international networks, whose contributions are embedded in the curriculum. In addition, we offer three unique opportunities that are all relevant to the programme.

Teaching and assessment

The programme uses a range of teaching and learning methods aligned to the University’s Teaching and Learning Strategy, the QAA framework for national qualifications, the work of the Higher Education Academy. The learning and teaching methods embrace a range of approaches that have demonstrated effectiveness in postgraduate management education. These include traditional lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops. Academic staff use a variety of innovative approaches to assist with the delivery of the programme and to encourage student participation. Material on a typical module is taught through a variety of means. These typically include interactive lectures, debates, group work, document analysis, presentations, e-learning tools, visiting lecturers, practitioner master-classes and class discussions. Class discussions are a key aspect in the delivery of modules as it provides the opportunity for students to engage in challenging discussions that promote independent critical thinking.

In addition, we make wide use of the e-learning platform Blackboard in order to encourage increased student participation and involvement. Blackboard is used as an integral part of the teaching and learning experience at DMU. All of the modules will have a Blackboard site, which Module Leaders will use to post information to support formal, face-to-face teaching. Student work will be submitted through Turnitin via the specific module Blackboard sites.

On this programme, it is expected that participants should take major responsibility for their learning. Participants are expected to engage in their learning environment in a meaningful and proactive manner in order to aid learning. This learning approach aims to utilise the valuable learning opportunities provided by the diversity of knowledge and experience within the cohort. The teaching philosophy is one of mutual commitment to the educational process from both the faculty and the students.

Graduate careers

The programme is aimed at students who are willing to carry on towards a PhD degree, but also to those who are willing to develop a professional career in the field of urban governance and management.

The students concluding their studies will be equipped with a range of high-level skills that will open up a variety of professional career opportunities in the public and private sector, as well as in NGOs and voluntary and community sector. The degree would be useful for graduates interested in becoming, among other things: civil servants, community development workers, environmental managers, estates managers, landscape architects, sustainability consultants and planning and development surveyors