Urban Studies: Urban Business and Development - Real Estate and Transport, Master's Programme (Two-year)
Interview
https://youtube.com/embed/XdajtrAyurU?enablejsapi=1&rel=0&showinfo=1&controls=1
About the education
This master’s programme focuses on economic and business perspectives of urban development. Urban development is driven by private and public stakeholders at local, regional, national and international levels, and the programme provides you with understanding of the different stakeholders in developing and managing attractive and sustainable cities.
The programme develops your knowledge and understanding of the different incentives and institutions driving the development of sustainable cities. After graduation, you will be able to work in a range of positions within both private and public sectors. Graduates are also eligible for PhD studies.
Rapid urban development poses both possibilities and challenges worldwide. Urban development is driven by a variety of stakeholders and interests, such as the real estate and transport sectors, as well as public and non-governmental organisations. The programme addresses the role and interaction of different stakeholders as well as institutional perspectives on the development of sustainable and livable cities. The education is interdisciplinary with a basis in economics, business administration, real estate management, and economic geography. You will also get a broad training in both quantitative and qualitative methods suitable for analysing urban development.
The programme is part of the research environment at the Department of Urban Studies working with urban business and development. All the teachers in the programme are active researchers. Education and research conducted within the programme has a focus on applied sciences and is highly relevant for actors outside academia, involving public and private sectors. The department and its researchers collaborate closely with stakeholders in the transport and real estate sectors and with local and regional policymakers.
The first semester provides the students with an understanding of the numerous actors in cities continuously interacting to create value out of scarce resources. You will identify and understand stakeholders’ interests and analyse what drives and limits their actions. You will also learn about strategic work and service innovations. During the first semester, you will also improve your understanding and application of qualitative methods used in research, as well as your academic writing.
During the second semester, the focus shifts to more aggregate patterns and current issues of urban development. Using theoretical perspectives from economics and geography, you will analyse urban development with the help of statistical and GIS software.
During the third semester, you can choose between studying abroad at one of the University’s 250 partner universities, taking freestanding courses at Malmö University or joining courses in our other master programmes at the Department of Urban Studies. You can also choose to apply for a research internship and learn how to conduct research by participating in one of the department’s research projects. The second year is completed with a master's thesis (30 credits).
The city is not a static physical entity but a dynamic organism that is in constant flux. Most people will live in a city during their life. Cities are often described as engines of growth, but they face challenges such as carbon dioxide emissions, exclusion, segregation, and de-populated city centres, and there is an urgent need to make our cities more sustainable. To achieve goals of sustainability, a wide range of different actors need to be involved, including the private sector. However, the inclusion of business actors and a business perspective in the field remains somewhat novel. Innovation and development cannot take place without collaboration between different actors.
This master’s programme discusses the prospects and problems of cross-sector collaboration. Holistic perspectives are required to solve urgent challenges.
The programme is based on active learning, and students are expected to participate and come well-prepared.
The courses during the first two semesters employ different teaching methods, combining lectures, peer presentations, practical experiences, cases, academically supervised seminars, readings and group discussions.
You will practice quantitative methods using statistical and GIS software. You will learn to apply methods on the theories you have discussed in class, which will build a good foundation for your future independent analysis and visualisation of quantitative data.
Your master thesis gives you the opportunity to specialise in a specific topic. Here you make use of the skills and knowledge you have acquired and developed during previous semesters, and learn to master the process of planning, structuring, and conducting research.
Urban development requires a broad knowledge of economic perspectives of societal challenges such as transport and property development, as well as deepened insights into innovative processes. These perspectives are important to understand the driving forces behind urbanisation, and to understand spatial development within and between cities and regions. After graduation, you will have a unique understanding of how such challenges affect cities and regions, making you qualified to work with these issues across sectors. Students will be of interest for the private sector in various consultancy firms or bigger construction companies, as well as in the public authorities at a local, regional and national level. The programme also provides a solid basis for PhD studies.
Courses within the programme
Autumn 2025 - Semester 1
- Urban Studies: Urban Business and Development (US710E), 15 credits
- Urban Studies: Strategic Management and Service Innovation (US720E), 15 credits
Spring 2026 - Semester 2
- Urban Studies: Spatial Economics (US730E), 15 credits
- Urban Studies: Applications of Spatial Economics (US740E), 15 credits
Autumn 2026 - Semester 3
Semester 3: Elective courses at the Department of Urban Studies, Malmö University, other Swedish universities or abroad (i.e exchange studies). Possibility for research internship
Spring 2027 - Semester 4
Autumn 2025 - Semester 1
- Urban Studies: Urban Business and Development (US710E), 15 credits
- Urban Studies: Strategic Management and Service Innovation (US720E), 15 credits
Spring 2026 - Semester 2
- Urban Studies: Spatial Economics (US730E), 15 credits
- Urban Studies: Applications of Spatial Economics (US740E), 15 credits
Autumn 2026 - Semester 3
Semester 3: Elective courses at the Department of Urban Studies, Malmö University, other Swedish universities or abroad (i.e exchange studies). Possibility for research internship.
Spring 2027 - Semester 4
Entry requirements and selection
Here you can find the entry requirements, as well as how the available study places are distributed between applicants in the selection.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degree, consisting of 180 credits. The equivalent of English 6 in Swedish secondary school.
Selection
Applicants are selected in rank order based on the submitted three-part supporting document.
Apply with a supporting document
It is recommended that you submit a supporting document with your application to this programme. If you meet the eligibility criteria but do not submit a supporting document, you may only be considered for admission if places are available.
To complete your application with the supporting document, follow the steps below:
- create an account and apply to the programme via universityadmissions.se or antagning.se (in Swedish).
- upload your documentation as a PDF on universityadmissions.se, antagning.se or send the document by post. You will need to demonstrate both a bachelor's degree and English proficiency to be considered eligible for the programme.
- Download and fill in the supporting document for Urban Business and Development, master's programme. We only accept submissions that use this document.
- Upload the supporting document to universityadmissions.se or antagning.se (in Swedish) by the deadline.
Assessment matrix for the supporting document
Prior knowledge and capability to perform in the programme
Part 1: Previous experiences
Education and work experiences that have provided insights into opportunities and challenges in urban business and development.
- Not applicable (0p): Not assessable/ unclear, the applicant lacks education and experiences of relevance for urban business and development.
- To a minor extent (1p): The applicant’s previous education and experiences show some knowledge of relevance for urban business and development.
- To a high extent (2p): The applicant’s previous education and experiences show knowledge of high relevance for urban business and development.
- To a very high extent (3p): The applicant’s previous education and experiences show knowledge of very high relevance for urban business and development.
Part 2: Independent project work
Relevance in relation to the programme, and ability to analyse and reflect in relation to the programme.
- Not applicable (0p): Not assessable/ unclear, the independent project work lacks relevance for urban business and development.
- To a minor extent (1p): In the independent project work (problem, purpose and theoretical approach), the applicant shows some knowledge of urban business and development.
- To a high extent (2p): In the independent project work (problem, purpose and theoretical approach), the applicant shows good knowledge of and good ability to analyse and reflect on urban business and development.
- To a very high extent (3p): In the independent project work (problem, purpose and theoretical approach), the applicant shows very good knowledge of and good ability to analyse and reflect on urban business and development.
Part 3: Letter of intent
Dedication and interest in the field of the programme, ability to write, structure arguments, and capability to perform in the programme.
- Not applicable (0p): Not assessable/ unclear, motivation not provided.
- To a minor extent (1p): The applicant presents how the programme can contribute to his/her future work/research career in urban business and development. The writing show that the applicant can communicate on a sufficient level for advanced studies.
- To a high extent (2p): The applicant writes in an articulated, dedicated and reflective way how the programme can contribute to his/her future work/research career in urban business and development. The letter of intent displays proficient language skills.
- To a very high extent (3p): The applicant writes in a very articulated, dedicated and reflective way how the programme can contribute to his/her future work/research career in urban business and development. The letter of intent displays proficient language skills.
Deadline supporting documents
The supporting document must be uploaded no later than:
- 3 February for students applying in the first application round (international admission round, 15 October–15 January).
- 15 April for students applying in the second admission round, (national admission round, 15 March– 15 April).
Supporting document submitted after these dates will not be accepted.
Final year of bachelor’s studies
You can apply to the programme if you are in your final year of bachelor’s studies and will receive your diploma before the programme starts. To apply you must follow specific instructions.
How to apply in your final year of bachelor’s studies (Universityadmissions.se)
“I want to contribute valuable insights to address the challenges faced by urban environments worldwide”
Callixte Dushimiyimana's decision to pursue the Urban Business and Development programme was fueled by witnessing the need for passionate urban development professionals in different community development projects. Growing up in Rwanda with post-genocide societal problems sparked his desire to make...
“I want to contribute valuable insights to address the challenges faced by urban environments worldwide”
Callixte Dushimiyimana's decision to pursue the Urban Business and Development programme was fueled by witnessing the need for passionate urban development professionals in different community development projects. Growing up in Rwanda with post-genocide societal problems sparked his desire to make a contribution to restoring the country's sense of life. In the programme, he now gains insights into the interplay of real estate and transportation in crafting sustainable cities.
What did you do before enrolling in the master’s programme Urban Business and
Development – Real Estate and Transport?
Talking about what I was doing before my master's studies requires me to recount my background. I was born and raised in Rwanda in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi. Growing up with post-genocide societal problems raised my desire to make even a small contribution to restoring the country's sense of life. This led me to dedicate most my time to my studies and community work through different civil society organisations.
Since 2009, I have been an active member of AERG (Genocide Survivors Student Association), an organisation represented in almost all high schools and higher education institutions in Rwanda. I’ve held leadership roles within the organisation, including being a member of the National Executive Committee, where I was responsible for information, documentation and memory from 2016 to 2018.
Towards the end of my bachelor’s studies, I joined Tower Property Consultant Ltd, a real estate startup, where I focused on real estate and valuation. Drawing from my engagement in civil society activities, I also became an employee of Unity Club Intwararumuri. This club serves as a forum for current and former Rwandan cabinet members and their spouses to network and collaborate in addressing post-genocide Rwandan community issues. My responsibilities centred primarily around communication, and I later took on the role of a project officer in a youth involvement project.
Why did you choose this programme?
My interest for this programme originated from a couple of reasons. Firstly, I observed the need for a new generation of urban development professionals with enthusiasm for solving urban problems while participating in different community development projects. This included one project involving the construction of model villages around Impinganzima homes for elderly people widowed by the Genocide Against Tutsi. The second reason was the focus of my bachelor's thesis, which explored the impact of traffic congestion on property values. With the interest I had already developed in urban development, particularly real estate, I found it irresistible to apply for this programme.
What do you learn at the programme?
The programme combines urban studies, business and development strategies, providing an understanding of the dynamics of urban development and how different stakeholders, including private, public and civil society sectors, are involved in city development. Specifically, the programme places a greater emphasis on the intersection of real estate and transportation within urban environments and offers insights into how these elements impact the development of sustainable cities. It also provides the opportunity to conduct projects within credible companies in Malmö, where you can apply your acquired skills in practice and enhance your understanding of potential knowledge gaps.
Which courses and moments have you liked the most so far?
I liked the course on strategic management and service innovation, especially the part of design thinking for service innovation. It helped me understand how a human-centric approach can be utilised to solve complex problems in the community and to create meaningful, user-focused services.
I also particularly enjoyed the exchange week with students from Groupe ESPI – France. I liked the vibrant social atmosphere that characterised all activities, including class seminars and field visits.
What do you want to do after graduation?
After graduation, I’m seeking a position that not only allows me to develop my skills but also enables me to pursue research on global urban affairs, addressing the challenges faced by urban environments worldwide. My main aspiration is to find a PhD position where I can contribute to the development of research-based innovative solutions, particularly focusing on housing disparities, sustainability and the overall wellbeing of urban communities.
"I believe looking at the urban context can offer us sustainable solutions"
After completing her bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Cajsa worked as a project planner at Karlskrona Municipality. While being involved in an EU project on sustainable mobility, her interest in transport and urban context began to take shape. She decided to apply for the master’s programme...
"I believe looking at the urban context can offer us sustainable solutions"
After completing her bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Cajsa worked as a project planner at Karlskrona Municipality. While being involved in an EU project on sustainable mobility, her interest in transport and urban context began to take shape. She decided to apply for the master’s programme Urban Business and Development – Real Estate and Transport to deepen her knowledge of the topic and to learn the necessary skills to make city life more sustainable. She is now studying her second semester in the programme.
What will you learn in Urban Business and Development – Real Estate and Transport?
The programme introduces you to concepts and theories within business administration, urban economics and urban planning, and the methodology needed for writing a master’s thesis. It also equips you with skills in statistics, geographic information systems and innovation generation.
The programme is interdisciplinary and international, which enables you to gain new, different perspectives from your teachers and classmates. The international environment will improve your ability to cooperate with a wide range of people, which will benefit you in your future workplace.
During the third semester, you get the opportunity to focus on your own area of interest. For my third semester, I want to go on exchange to South Korea to study courses such as climate change and urban development, which relates to my studies.
Which parts of the programme have you enjoyed so far?
As my background is in social sciences, I’ve enjoyed learning more about organisational structures, institutions and stakeholders in an urban context. It’s also been fun to challenge my preconceptions and learn more about economics, strategic management and innovation.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I hope to, in some way, help our society address the climate challenges we are facing; I believe looking at the urban context can offer us sustainable solutions. It doesn’t really matter whether I’ll work in the public or private sphere. I could also see myself getting a Ph.D. at some point, as I enjoy the academic life and would like to contribute to urban research.
