Urban Studies

The two-year Research Master’s in Urban Studies deals with questions surrounding the increasing urbanisation of today’s world. Cities are characterised by economic, social, political and cultural opportunities, but also carry risks of social problems, inequality and security issues. In this programme, you will learn to research and analyse these challenges.The 21st century will be an urban century. Since 2008, more than half of the world population lives in urban areas, and this is expected to rise to sixty per cent in 2030. Cities are simultaneously considered to be engines of economic growth and social, cultural, and political opportunities, as well as places where problems and vulnerabilities such as insecurity and inequality concentrate. Consequently, we need academics who are able to understand and develop knowledge on urban change. Addressing urban issues and processes as they occur in multiple and intersecting academic domains, requires a multidisciplinary approach. The Research Master in Urban Studies (RMUS) combines the disciplines of urban geography, economic geography, urban and regional planning, and urban sociology to provide a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach to studying urban change, as well as the opportunities and challenges this produces. You will learn about contemporary urban phenomena and will be trained in a variety of research methodologies and techniques to understand these from a critical perspective. An important theme throughout the programme is the international comparison of critical urban phenomena, as exemplified by the requirement of an international comparison in your Master’s thesis. A substantial part of the program (72/120 ECTS) consists of methodological and thematic electives and individual research practice, allowing students to develop a unique profile. For the duration of the program students become a member of the urban research community of the University of Amsterdam.The University of Amsterdam is located in Amsterdam where many contemporary urban challenges are visible and experienced daily.