Urban Studies, Master's Programme (Two-Year)
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About the education
The Urban Studies Master’s Programme equips you with an interdisciplinary and international education, with a deepened understanding of urban processes and developments. The programme allows you to focus on your own areas of interests within the research fields of urban studies. The education takes place in the Öresund region, an area centred around Copenhagen and Malmö that offers an abundance of examples of global urban development issues.
The subject Urban studies explore how cities develop over time through various perspectives: social, economic, political, cultural, and material. At Malmö University, The Urban Studies Master’s Programme is particularly focused on urban justice, housing studies, and urban planning.
The programme is part of the urban research environment at the University, making it an ideal gateway into further academic studies at a PhD level in subjects such as urban studies, human geography, and planning. In the job market, you will have the skills to understand the complexities of urban development; you will also be qualified to connect various professions in strategic roles within public authorities, from local to international levels. Your expertise will be valuable in the private sector, including consulting firms.
The programme lets you explore cities as both stable structures and dynamic flows of people and goods. You will gain an understanding of urban visions, programmes, and plans, along with the processes and projects that shape them. Additionally, you will learn how cities are created through everyday life and spontaneous actions that enhance their atmosphere and appeal.
The programme is interdisciplinary and is based on critical urban research focusing both on the social and the materialities of the urban, including urban history. We welcome students with diverse backgrounds, and you are encouraged to follow and develop your own interests.
In the first semester, you will gain an overview of the research field of urban studies and theoretical debates. The second semester will focus on methodological approaches and forms of research presentation.
The third semester offers the opportunity to develop specialised skills. You may choose either a route that connects more with practitioners, through relevant courses that address forms of practice, or one that provides experience of academic research through acting as an intern with a current project at the University. The fourth semester is devoted to your own research in the form of a master’s thesis.
Course structure
First year
During the first year you will take part in four courses:
- The Field of Urban Studies (15 credits) introduces you to the research field and, thematically, of urban studies from a historical entry perspective.
- The Urban Question (15 credits) introduces contemporary urban challenges within the theoretical framework of critical urban studies.
- Catching Urbanity (15 credits) is a qualitative methodology course, in which you will develop skills in critical mapping, ethnographic investigations, and some basics of GIS, through conducting a minor research project.
- Making Urban Studies (15 credits) is a project-based course where you conduct a smaller research assignment in groups with experimental methods and forms of presentations.
Second year
The second year includes an elective semester of 30 credits. You can choose to go on an international exchange at one of Malmö University's partner universities or chose an elective course at any university. The Urban Studies department offers courses such as project management and research internship. The final semester is devoted to your individual master’s thesis, which is worth 30 credits.
The programme alternates theoretical studies with empirical field studies. You will independently and in groups conduct studies of environments and contexts in the city and the region. To present the results, you will use different presentation forms, such as texts, illustrations, oral presentations, sketches, maps, and potential design solutions.
The education is based on active student learning, where students are expected to contribute creatively and enthusiastically. You will comment on and discuss your own work, as well as critique the work of your fellow students.
An interdisciplinary and broad approach to understanding urban development and transformations enables you to secure qualified positions in various organisations after graduation. This may include working on projects that span different sectors, from public authorities to companies, both nationally and internationally.
Many alumni have pursued further education at a PhD level. Others work as project leaders, project managers, and advisors at consulting firms or in the public sector. Some graduates have become sustainability analysts, focusing on community building or serving as civil servants in the public sector or metropolitan administrations, addressing issues of urban planning or strategic development.
Courses within the programme
Autumn 2025 - Semester 1
- Urban Studies: The Field of Urban Studies (US610E), 15 credits
- Urban Studies: The Urban Question (US620E), 15 credits
Spring 2026 - Semester 2
- Urban Studies: Catching Urbanity (US630E), 15 credits
- Urban Studies: Making Urban Studies (US640E), 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: The Field of Urban Studies (US610E), 15 credits
- Urban Studies: The Urban Question (US620E), 15 credits
Spring 2026 - Semester 2
- Urban Studies: Catching Urbanity (US630E), 15 credits
- Urban Studies: Making Urban Studies (US640E), 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 Studies, 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 supporting document
Prior knowledge and capability to perform in the programme
Part 1: Previous experiences
Education, work or other experiences that have provided insights into urban social processes, urban and community development, and developed the applicant's ability to identify connections between urban everyday life, social movements, the city's development and physical structures.
- Not applicable (0p): Not assessable/ unclear, the applicant's interpretation of their previous education and experiences shows no clear relevance for urban studies.
- To a minor extent (1p): the applicant's interpretation of their previous education and experiences shows some relevance for urban studies.
- To a high extent (2p): the applicant's interpretation of their previous education and experiences shows a clear relevance for urban studies.
- To a very high extent (3p): the applicant's interpretation of their previous education and experiences shows a very high relevance for urban studies.
Part 2: Independent project work
Relevance in relation to the programme, and ability to independently analyse and reflect on topics in urban studies.
- Not applicable (0p): Not assessable/ unclear, the independent project work lacks relevance for urban studies.
- To a minor extent (1p): In the independent project work (problem, purpose and theoretical approach), the applicant shows some knowledge of topics in urban studies.
- 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, topics in urban studies.
- To a very high extent (3p): In the independent project work (problem, purpose and theoretical approach), the applicant shows very good knowledge of, and very good ability to analyse and reflect on, topics in urban studies.
Part 3: Letter of intent
Dedication and interest in the field of the programme and future ambitions in relation to the programme. The ability to write and structure arguments.
- Not applicable (0p): Not assessable/ unclear, motivation not provided.
- To a minor extent (1p): The applicant presents how the programme can contribute to their future work/research career in urban studies. The writing shows 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 their future work/research career in urban studies. 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 their future work/research career in urban studies. The letter of intent displays proficient language skills.
Deadline
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)
Planning bicycle-friendly cities
Upon graduation, Stephanie Patterson went on to work for Copenhagenize, an organisation that works to build better bicycle cultures and infrastructures.
Planning bicycle-friendly cities
Upon graduation, Stephanie Patterson went on to work for Copenhagenize, an organisation that works to build better bicycle cultures and infrastructures.
Having worked quite closely with urban planners in a development company in Melbourne for four years, Stephanie decided she wanted to do go back to school. She chose the Urban Studies programme at Malmö University because of its social focus.
Between two cities
“I wanted to continue my studies in Europe. I moved to Copenhagen from Australia and started the master’s programme in Urban Studies in Malmö, so I would go back and forth on the train. It was very straight forward and I really like both cities. Malmö is a bit cosier and sleepier than Copenhagen, and I feel it has more of an underground scene in terms of culture and music.”
After graduating, Stephanie landed an internship at Copenhagenize, where she helped promote bicycles as a form of everyday transport.
“Copenhagen is applied as an example for other cities, and so the company has a wide, international client base. I was doing a mixture of mapping design work and communication for their blog.”
Finding a social purpose
The Urban Studies programme is an interdisciplinary programme which gives students broad theoretical perspectives as well as the opportunity to work with practical case studies. In the third term, students can choose to study abroad or take elective courses.
“There was a good mixture of fieldwork and analysis on the programme. I also did an exchange in Paris, where I picked up some useful design skills,” says Stephanie.
She also notes that the relaxed and self-driven teaching style at Malmö University suited her well.
“There are no strict guidelines for projects which means students can really follow what they’re interested in, and bring in their own local insights.”
For instance, one of her own projects looked at community gardens and integration agendas.
“The Urban Studies programme definitely gave me a gateway to further opportunities. The studies touch on urban planning, which was linked to my work, and the sociology side of it increased my passion to be involved in urban planning for a better social purpose,” she adds.
Researching cities and cemeteries
After working as a book publisher in Moscow, Pavel Grabalov decided to follow his dream and pursue an academic career in urban studies.
Researching cities and cemeteries
After working as a book publisher in Moscow, Pavel Grabalov decided to follow his dream and pursue an academic career in urban studies.
Urban studies has always been a passion for Pavel. After hosting exhibits and reading books on cities and urban landscapes for many years, he finally took the plunge and applied for the Urban Studies programme at Malmö University. The programme’s focus on research was ideal for him, and he’s now pursuing his PhD in Norway.
“I’ve lived in cities for all of my life, as have my parents, so I’m part of many generations of city dwellers and was always interested in how the environment around me developed. Before starting the programme, I thought urban studies was more connected to architecture, but now I realise how broad the field actually is,” he says.
Pavel’s choice of Malmö University was largely based on how open the application process was.
“It wasn’t a requirement to have a bachelor’s degree in something specific, the most important thing was your motivation for studying. This meant that the class was really diverse in terms of professional and educational backgrounds.”
Learning from the city itself
“Malmö was a great place to study Urban Studies because the city functions so well as a case study by offering examples of challenges and solutions you can find in urban spaces. Everything you read in books you can just go outside and experience in real life,” says Pavel.
His advice to prospective students is to come prepared for a flexible, open learning environment.
“It was very different to my Russian experience. In Russia I was used to a lot of seminars and lectures, but at Malmö University it’s up to you. The fact that you get to shape and control your learning, is something I personally appreciated. You get to study the way you want and pursue your interests, but you also have to be prepared to motivate yourself.”
Graves and recreation
During his studies, Pavel became more engaged in the social sciences side of urban studies, and his PhD project explores the role of cemeteries in contemporary cities.
“In Russia it’s not normal for cemeteries to be places for recreational activities, but in Scandinavia it’s quite normal for cemeteries to be used for leisure activities, like parks.”
“If you’re interested in the academic side of things, the programme really prepares you for a career in research. The PhD I’m doing now is based on a smaller study I did during the programme, on jogging in Swedish cemeteries,” he says.
