The Online Master of Science Urban Sustainability from the University of BirminghamThe Online Master of Science Urban Sustainability from the University of BirminghamThe Online Master of Science Urban Sustainability from the University of Birmingham

Urban sustainability is at the heart of creating thriving, equitable, and environmentally responsible communities. In a world facing complex sustainability challenges that require advanced technical expertise and data-driven solutions, professionals who are able to lead and implement innovative sustainability initiatives in urban environments are highly sought after. 

The University of Birmingham’s online MSc Urban Sustainability equips you to become a pioneer in this crucial field – without having to place your professional or personal life on pause. Guided by industry leaders and experienced academics, this online programme offers a comprehensive understanding of urban sustainability principles and practices. Through interdisciplinary exploration and research, you will explore cutting-edge innovations and pressing challenges, acquiring the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to create sustainable urban environments.

30-month programme

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Balance your personal and work obligations with your professional goals – earn a masters degree in 30 months, part time. 

Flexible schedule

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Choose from three start dates per year to best fit your professional and academic schedule.

Interdisciplinary curriculum

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Experience a curriculum shaped by multiple departments to develop a deeper understanding of urban sustainability.

The University of Birmingham seeks applicants from around the world who are looking to develop a global perspective, enhance their cross-cultural communication skills, and gain the theoretical and practical expertise needed to navigate this dynamic field.

Please note that fees are the same for UK and non-UK residents alike. The University of Birmingham is committed to providing accessible education pathways, and this fee structure enables international students to more easily access our research-informed, employability-driven courses.

Learn more about fees and funding options.

The University of Birmingham’s online MSc Urban Sustainability programme provides a comprehensive education in the principles, theories, and practices of urban sustainability. By developing the technical skills needed to create actionable, data-driven solutions, you will be equipped to integrate various initiatives within urban cities and other urban environments. 

With the programme’s interdisciplinary approach, you will have the opportunity to explore the multifaceted challenges of creating sustainable urban environments within the global context, emphasising ethical considerations, social equity, and environmental responsibility.

The online MSc Urban Sustainability covers the following modules:

• Sustainable Cities

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  Engage with contemporary debates on climate change, peak oil, and wellbeing to understand their influence on urban planning. Analyse the impact of sustainable development on spatial planning, focusing on key areas like land use, urban form, and transport, while developing skills in devising creative and sustainable planning strategies through case study analysis.

• Causes and Effects of Urban Air Pollution

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  Explore air pollutants’ sources, behavior, and its impact on human health and the urban environment. Examine natural and anthropogenic factors influencing air quality, pollution phenomena, and personal exposure, as well as airborne particulate matter, monitoring methods, indoor pollution, and microenvironments, while learning to present and bring together complex scientific discussions and data.

• Urban Air Quality Data Analysis and Interpretation

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  Discover statistical analysis techniques like cluster and principal component analysis, time series analysis, while working with programming languages that are utilised in atmospheric pollution management and control (APMC) applications. Learn how to use UNIX to provide basic functions and R for statistical computing and graphics generation.

• Climate Emergency and the City

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  Examine the role of cities in driving and mitigating climate change, with a focus on emissions, energy consumption, and land use. Study case studies from the Global North and South that highlight climate-mitigating urban planning, green infrastructure, low-carbon technologies, and policy frameworks.

• Environmental Management and Governance

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  Discover key principles and approaches in environmental management, such as the precautionary principle, ecosystem services, and environmental impact assessment. Get an introduction to the practical application of these frameworks, monitor their effectiveness, and assess their impact on environmental quality. Examine the legal basis of environmental management, including interventions for regulators, with case studies to illustrate real-world examples.

• Urbanity and Sustainable Wellbeing

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  Explore sustainable wellbeing in urban contexts, focusing on geography, cultural diversity, and urban design. Develop policy analysis skills and learn how to implement input from policy practitioners to identify challenges in improving urban wellbeing, while highlighting living examples to overcome them.

• Urban Mobilities

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  Examine transportation policy development with a focus on stakeholder engagement and sustainable solutions, as well as the relevance of mobility management in both developed and developing regions. Explore local, regional, and national initiatives promoting sustainable transport through case studies and real-world examples.

• Energy Transition and Governance

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  Explore the evolution of environmental and energy transitions, with a focus on technological, political, economic, and sociocultural challenges. Examine governance theories, decision-making processes, and the equity and justice implications of implementation in diverse communities across local, national, and global scales.

• Environmental Analysis and Modelling

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  Learn advanced environmental analysis and modelling techniques for urban sustainability. Explore spatial modelling, urban ecosystem simulation, and climate risk modelling while learning to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and evaluating urban environmental processes. Gain practical skills in sustainable urban planning and apply data-driven decision-making during a GIS-driven project on a city in the Global North or South.

• Smart Cities

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  Critically explore smart city solutions for problems caused by rapid urban expansion, while engaging with various approaches (e.g., environmental, transport, energy), examining technology, implementation barriers, and social implications. Explore potential downsides like surveillance and inequality, and learn to identify appropriate smart city approaches, interpret data, and communicate findings and solutions effectively.

• Sustainability Assessment Methods

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  Gain a comprehensive understanding of Sustainability Assessment Methods, focusing on their history, controversies, and development. Led by experienced academics and industry and government sector practitioners, explore the outcomes of various methods, as well as their political implications and practical applications

• Advanced Research Methods for Sustainability Experts

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  Learn advanced research skills to complete successful dissertation projects and workplace projects while learning the importance of intersectional approaches. Explore and use methods like interviews, literature reviews, community engagement, data mining, big data analysis, and environmental assessment techniques to develop iterative research and reflect and analyze data effectively.

• Dissertation

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  Investigate a contemporary planning topic, addressing an original research question. Present the results as a written article, consistent with the field’s literature, and address the project’s aims, methodology selection, information sources evaluation, and project execution.

The key learning outcomes of this programme include understanding:

Play your role creating resilient, sustainable cities

Develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to address real-world sustainability challenges. Take the next step towards earning your MSc Urban Sustainability online. 

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Birmingham has been running Distance Learning courses in the UK for over 25 years. As one of the largest providers of distance learning in the UK, we offer you a prestigious online education that matches the on-campus experience, taught by our same expert professors and lecturers. Courses are designed to encourage participation and connectivity through the use of video lectures, case studies, interactive assignments, digital resources, and peer-to-peer social interaction. You have the flexibility to study from wherever you are in the world, control your daily schedule, and still benefit from the academic, wellbeing, and career support as part of our global postgraduate community.

University-provided services that are available to online students include:

University of Birmingham academic staff are forward thinking, diverse, and community orientated, encouraging bold, independent thinking and empowering students like you to turn ideas into reality. 

The online MSc Urban Sustainability is taught and facilitated by the same professors and faculty who teach in-person postgraduate programmes at the College of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. As a student, you will have opportunities to work with leading academics and industry practitioners, as well as benefit from the expertise and experience of research staff and guest instructors. 

Whether you are looking to enhance your expertise, make a positive impact, or advance or change your career, career readiness is a core focus of this programme. The MSc Urban Sustainability emphasises applied learning, providing you with the knowledge and skills that are highly sought after by employers in the urban sustainability sector. You will also develop leadership and problem-solving abilities, empowering you to make a significant contribution to the field. 

Graduates in this field are highly sought after – not only by traditional planning consultancies and government agencies but also by NGOs, within the rapidly expanding sustainability divisions of major corporations, and international organisations such as the World Bank and the UN.

Potential roles include: 

As well as career preparation, we offer a range of employability support services including our Careers Network’s dedicated careers and employability team.

Why choose an online masters degree programme from the University of Birmingham?

When you choose the University of Birmingham, you are choosing to study at an outstanding institution, renowned for changing lives and transforming society.

At Birmingham, we encourage bold, independent thinking and offer a high-quality academic experience to stretch and challenge you. By studying with us, you will be an active part of a diverse university community as you pursue your own interests and develop the career path that’s right for you.

Commonly referred to as ‘the second city’, the city of Birmingham is a vibrant and inspiring place to live, with a rich culture and diverse community. Famous for being the ‘city of a thousand trades’, Birmingham has always been a hub of innovation. For more than a century, the University of Birmingham has been forging a path of similar excellence.

As the UK’s first civic university, we were founded on a vision of social responsibility and equality of opportunity for all. Today, we are a globally ambitious institution prepared to tackle the world’s challenges, to have an international impact, and to equip you to do the same. 

As an online student, you will join a diverse global community that is an integral part of the University, while benefiting from the flexibility online education offers. We are committed to encouraging fresh perspectives, and empowering tomorrow’s leaders to translate ideas into solutions and make a lasting difference to the world. 

This is your time. The future is happening at Birmingham.

¹QS World University Rankings 2025: Top Global Universities. (2024). QS Top Universities. Retrieved 25 November 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

²QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024. (2024). QS Top Universities. Retrieved 25 November 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference