Postgraduate taught degree programmes

search postgraduate taught degree programmes

Related links

Other programmes in the subject of Urban Studies:

Global Cities MSc

The Masters in Global Cities is a challenging and innovative programme which offers students the opportunity to engage with in-depth theoretical, empirical and methodological knowledge about cities in both historical and contemporary contexts. Covering a wide range of analyses of urban changes and challenges, the programme takes a comparative approach to urbanism and engages with the industrialised cities of the global North as well as fast growing cities in the global South.

  • You will gain a broad understanding of the social, political, economic, and environmental forces that shape our cities; the processes of urban development; urban challenges at the global, regional and local levels; and innovative policies and practice to address these challenges.
  • Critical thinking will be developed in urban theories and research, and knowledge of contemporary government and governance of cities.
  • You will benefit from the impressive and significant built environment offered by the city of Glasgow, which went through many different stages of urbanization, industrialization and regeneration. You will be taught by a group of world leading urban researchers whose expertise cover many international and regional cities in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asian.
  • A programme of guest seminars offered in the School of Social and Political Science will be available for you to benefit from, therefore enhancing your study.

Programme overview

  • MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

You will attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and take part in field trips, projects and team work. The programme includes core courses, optional courses and a dissertation. Most courses will be taught through weekly lectures and seminars during semesters 1 and 2. Other courses will use the block teaching method; students are required to undertake preliminary directed reading prior to an intensive period of teaching.

Core Courses

  • Global cities
  • Urban theory & research
  • Governance and markets
  • Development process
  • International urban challenges
  • Social science research methods

Optional Courses

There is a wide range of options available within the School of Social & Political Sciences. The range of courses available may change from year to year, but may include:

  • Spatial planning strategies
  • Regenerating cities
  • Housing, inequality and society
  • Sustainable housing development
  • International real estate analysis
  • International real estate markets
  • Researching, evidencing & evaluating policy
  • Asian cities

Career prospects

This programme is for students wishing to pursue a career in urban policy development and research in major international, national and regional cities, national government departments and international agencies. The programme is also ideal for anyone interested in further academic study in a relevant field through a PhD programme.

Further information: Professor Ya Ping Wang
email: yaping.wang@glasgow.ac.uk

Academic entry requirements

Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject. Applicants with a lower second Honours degree may be accepted, subject to strong references and/or relevant work experience.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

Further information regarding academic entry requirements: student.recruitment@glasgow.ac.uk

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

  • overall score 6.5
  • no sub-test less than 6.0
  • or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
     

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

  • ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
  • CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
  • CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
  • PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

FAQs

What do I do if...

my language qualifications are below the requirements?

The University's Language Centre offers a range of Pre-Sessional Courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching; see Links.

my language qualifications are not listed here?

Please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

my academic qualifications are below the requirements?

Glasgow International College offers Foundation courses to upgrade your academic qualifications.

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk