Cookie policy

By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to allow us to collect information on and off Studee as outlined in our cookie policy.

Study urbanism abroad

Find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations then apply with reduced application fees, a free assessment and access to a dedicated advisor.

Find your perfect urbanism programs abroad

Find urbanism programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

Find other programs in urbanism

Urbanism degrees abroad

Urbanism is the study of how people interact with their built environments. It explores how towns and cities around the world have been designed and constructed throughout history, and how they have been rejuvenated to meet the needs of their inhabitants.

Urbanism blends elements of sociology, architecture, urban design, and urban policy to form an interesting interdisciplinary subject. You’ll explore key theories, concepts, and philosophies behind urban development, and consider how historical and cultural contexts influence the planning and building of urban spaces. The knowledge you’ll gain will prepare you for a successful career in the built environment sector.

It’s impossible to truly understand how successful cities are planned, built, used, and managed without visiting them and immersing yourself in the infrastructure. Studying in a foreign city is a fantastic way to gain a global appreciation of urbanism, make professional connections, and improve your employability.

Why use Studee?

We maximize your chance of being admitted with our free, 48 hour fast-track assessment (worth $185*)
  1. Find your ideal program

    Filter 10,000s of programs down to a shortlist perfect for you, where you have a strong chance of getting admitted

  2. Apply online via Studee

    Complete our application form and enjoy reduced application fees and access to unique Studee scholarships for many universities

  3. We assess within 48hrs

    We complete an 85-point assessment within 2 business days, help you with improvements then submit to your university

  4. University offer in 2-4 weeks

    We chase the university for your admission decision and keep you updated. We all celebrate your admission!

Carbon compensation - We'll plant trees in your name to compensate for the carbon generated by all your flights to and from university.

All our services are 100% free as we're funded by universities. You pay deposits and tuition fees directly to the university.

* Price based on similar application assessment services from other providers

Urbanism program structure

Urbanism is a relatively new subject that is typically studied as a postgraduate master’s degree. An MSc usually takes one year to complete if you’re studying on a full-time basis, or two years if you’re studying part-time. Most universities will ask that you already have a bachelor’s degree in a related subject area, like architecture or engineering, although this isn’t always a requirement.

There are some undergraduate urbanism courses to choose from, but they’re less common. You’ll study over three or four years, depending on your university and whether or not you undertake a placement year.

If you decide to study in the US, urbanism will be your major. Undergraduate courses in the US take four years to finish. You’ll spend the first half of your degree working on your general education, before focusing entirely on urbanism-specific modules in the second half of the course.

Once you’ve completed a bachelor’s and a master’s, you could study for a PhD. This advanced research degree usually takes between four and seven years to complete.

Most urbanism programs are taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical studio work. Some universities will also arrange for industry experts to deliver guest presentations.

It’s important to bear in mind that your country and city of choice will influence the kind of content you cover on your program. However, most urbanism courses will include these key topics:

  • Contemporary urban design
  • Urban design history
  • Urban theory
  • Sustainability
  • Transport policy and planning
  • Urban economics and politics
  • Cities and the environment
  • The representation of cities

Types of urbanism degrees

Urbanism study abroad programs

Urbanism undergraduate programs

Bachelor's in urbanism

  • false

    Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urbanism - BDA The University of British Columbia, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    44,838 CAD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urbanism
  • false

    Urban and Community Studies (Hartford Campus) - BA University of Connecticut (in partnership with Kaplan International), USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    39,000 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    January, August
    Show program overview about Urban and Community Studies (Hartford Campus)
  • false

    Urban and Intercultural Ministry - BA (Hons) Redeemer University, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    18,567 CAD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Urban and Intercultural Ministry
  • false

    Urban and Metropolitan Studies (Downtown Phoenix Campus) - BSc Arizona State University (in partnership with Kaplan International), USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    32,760 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    January, August
    Show program overview about Urban and Metropolitan Studies (Downtown Phoenix Campus)
  • false

    Urban and Regional Studies - BA University of Lethbridge, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    21,304 CAD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Urban and Regional Studies

Diploma in urbanism

  • false

    Urban and Regional Planning Technician: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - OCDip Mohawk College, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    17,645 CAD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Urban and Regional Planning Technician - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - 406 - 606

Urbanism graduate programs

Master's in urbanism

  • false

    Architecture, Landscape and Urbanism - MArch University of Greenwich, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    16,300 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Architecture
  • false

    Social Global, Urban & Social Studies - MASS RMIT University, Australia

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    31,680 AUD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    February, July
    Show program overview about Master of Social Science (Global, Urban & Social Studies)
  • false

    Urban and Regional Studies - MA University of Lethbridge, Canada

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    14,208 CAD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    January, May, September
    Show program overview about Urban and Regional Studies (MA)

Doctorate in urbanism

  • false

    Global, Urban & Social Studies - PhD RMIT University, Australia

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    31,680 AUD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    February, July
    Show program overview about PhD (Global, Urban & Social Studies)

Future urbanism careers

Rates of urbanization across the globe are continuing to rise. As such, developing safe and sustainable cities is a priority for many countries. Your degree will equip you with the skills needed to excel in any of the following jobs:

  • Urban designer
  • Environmental manager
  • Housing officer
  • Transport planner
  • Landscape architect
  • Urban sustainability consultant
  • Lecturer
  • Researcher

It’s important to demonstrate a real passion for your field and to keep up to date with any developments in the sector. One of the best ways of doing this is to undertake some work experience or an internship at a relevant company or organization. Your university’s career service can help you source and apply for these opportunities.