OVERVIEW
This programme draws on ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳’s interdisciplinary strengths. You’ll analyse urban projects and policies from rigorous economic, social and environmental perspectives, studying topics such as urban economics, infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
At every stage of this 18-month programme, you’ll apply theoretical concepts to real-world urban issues. Taught in intensive, modular blocks, each block has a live teaching week where you'll have the opportunity to learn with our faculty and high-profile guest speakers with direct governmental, civic and industrial experience of urban change. Through these sessions, participants are exposed to the latest analysis, strategy and delivery tools to address urgent issues of urban inequality, economic development and environmental sustainability. You’ll then complete a six-month consultancy project (in your organisation or externally) – giving you the chance to apply your learning and craft policy and programme interventions.
Throughout the Executive MSc in Cities, you’ll engage with practitioners from local government, research institutions, development and design, urban consultancies, and infrastructure firms. You’ll gain real-life insights and practical experience – setting you up with the skills to drive urban transformation and shape sustainable development in your sector.
Programme Structure and Hybrid Flex
The Executive MSc in Cities is made up of five modules, which are taught over the first 12 months of the programme, and a six-month urban consultancy project. Alongside, the programme’s core curriculum participants will also engage with leadership training designed to make you a better urban leader and social networking sessions.
Each module consists of blended learning materials, live teaching weeks, and collaborative work:
- Blended learning materials, to be completed by participants in their own time, include recorded lectures, readings, and learning activities hosted on the learning platform, LearnWorlds, and made available to participants three weeks in advance of live teaching.
- All participants must attend five one-week live teaching weeks, either in-person at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ or remotely. Live teaching includes a mix of seminars, case challenges, workshops, group work, site visits, presentations and pitches. Live teaching expands on the teaching delivered via LearnWorlds and offers participants the opportunity to discuss, debate, and interrogate.
As part of the hybrid-flex teaching model, all Executive MSc in Cities participants have the option to attend live teaching in-person or remotely. Please see our Hybrid Flex page for further information.
Following the completion of the modules, participants will then undertake a compulsory six-month urban consultancy project, hosted by either your own organisation or an external organisation.
TEACHING MODULES 2025/26
The 2025/26 Programme begins on 8 Septemebr 2025.
What are the world’s major urban challenges? Meet the decision makers who are leading through change and analyse your organisation’s position.
The live teaching week for this module will take place from 29 September to 3 October 2025.
The analytic frameworks to help you understand the latest economic, environmental and social trends in cities, including key performance indicators and understanding multi-criteria assessments.
The live teaching week for this module will take place from 24 to 28 November 2025.
Strategic visions, forecasting and innovation. How are cities positioning themselves for more sustainable futures? How can broader conceptual ideas be translated to specific urban contexts?
The live teaching week for this module will take place from 23 to 27 February 2026.
Delivery vehicles, governance structures and financing mechanisms for environmental, social and economic programmes and projects.
The live teaching week for this module will take place from 27 April to 1 May 2026.
Participants will be working as consultants for one of two city-focused institutions. One organisation will be seeking your taskforce’s advice on a metropolitan level infrastructure project. The other on a master plan for a development area.
The live teaching week for this module will take place from 15 to 19 June 2026.