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Urban Studies
The city is a central feature of modern societies and economies. The development of cities over the past 500 years has enabled the evolution of the modern world. Academic interest in urban studies spans many disciplines and focuses on understanding cities, how they function, and how they change for the better.
This master of urban studies (MUrb) program develops the knowledge, skills and understanding that individuals, organizations, communities and governments need to improve human lives, strengthen municipal governance and advance urban sustainability. Students seek to understand, develop and diversify the structures, processes and actions that make cities livable. The curriculum integrates traditional understandings with new perspectives, both locally and globally.
Programs are available to both full-time and part-time students, ranging from mid-career professional to those who are simply curious about local politics, urban development, and sustainable cities. The program provides a strong foundation in economic, geographic, political and social analysis techniques and applies these skills to real-world urban problems.
Courses are offered in the evenings at Vancouver campus, located in the core of British Columbia’s principal urban centre.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulation 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. Applicants for admission are normally required to have an undergraduate degree in one of the urban studies base disciplines such as: economics, geography, history, political science, sociology and anthropology. Applications from students with other degrees or with equivalent professional training and experience will also be considered. Admissions decisions will be based on material submitted with the application.
English Language Competence
English is the language of instruction and communication at the university. Accordingly, an applicant whose primary language is not English must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate General Regulations (1.3.3 English Language Competence) for minimum language requirements and further information.
Note that the minimum English language test scores required for this program are higher than the minimum test scores accepted for entry into Graduate Studies at SFU. For details, visit the Urban Studies Program website.
Program Requirements
This program consists of course work and a project for a minimum of 32 units.
Students must complete both of*
and five graduate courses for a minimum of 20 units from Urban Studies**
and a project
* These courses help students prepare an original urban research project to demonstrate integration of concepts and techniques acquired in previous course work.
** Up to two graduate courses beyond those offered by Urban Studies may be substituted with the approval of the Urban Studies program committee.
Accelerated Master's
SFU students accepted in the accelerated master’s within Urban Studies may apply a maximum of 10 graduate course units, taken while completing the bachelor’s degree, towards the upper division electives of the bachelor’s program and the requirements of the master’s degree. For more information go to: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/programs/accelerated-masters.html.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in nine terms.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.