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Sustainable Cities

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • One year full-time, online

  • One year full-time, flexible learning

  • Two years part-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, online

  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Key information for 2027-28

Start date:
October 2027
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • One year full-time, online

  • One year full-time, flexible learning

  • Two years part-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, online

  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

Our MSc Sustainable Cities combines social and environmental approaches to understanding and responding to the climate crisis in highly unequal cities. It offers you the opportunity to understand environmental risks, such as floods, droughts, inadequate housing, food insecurity and energy crises, and how their impacts are unevenly distributed across geographies and social demographics such as race, class, religion and gender.

  • Why choose this course?
    • It allows you to build a strong theoretical foundation in urban sustainability and climate change while tailoring your learning through a wide range of option modules that reflect your passions and career goals.
    • This interdisciplinary course brings together the unique expertise of staff members working on urban geography, environmental studies, geographic information systems (GIS) and development to explore how environmental and social concerns can inform a strategy towards a more sustainable urban future.
    • You will have the opportunity to join an optional, small-group fieldtrip to Dakar, Senegal, where you will conduct independent research and engage with local academics and NGOs to explore globalisation, urbanisation and development in context.
    • You can also take advantage of our London location through another optional fieldtrip module centred on the River Thames, offering a unique opportunity to explore the critical infrastructures that underpin the sustainable development of this city.

  • What will I learn?

    Modules on this course are taught by academics active in their research and keen to share their insights on political ecology, climate change, environmental sustainability, urban inequality, critical geography, food security and urban governance. You will:

    • explore different theoretical approaches in urban sustainability
    • apply conceptual tools to distinct challenges engendered by the intersection of climate change and urbanisation
    • learn about the limitations and strengths of adaptative solutions, environmental policies and initiatives.

    You will also develop valuable transferable skills through conducting your own independent research project on a topic of your choice with the guidance of an experienced, dedicated supervisor.

  • How will I learn?

    You will be taught via a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures are designed to provide you with an outline or overview of the topic, to engage you with the material and direct you to other resources. Seminars are group sessions where you will contribute to discussion or group work around the topic.

    This course is available to study full- or part-time and follows an evening timetable.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two to three evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One to two evenings a week, October to July.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • We are proud of our vibrant research culture, powered by a shared passion for learning and intellectual engagement among our academics and students. We have a strong commitment to social justice, which is demonstrated in much of our research.
  • We offer a wide range of postgraduate courses in geography, as well as allowing our students to engage with other disciplines. We offer multiple approaches to the study of societies and cultures, human geography, and sustainability, poverty and development, as well as community and citizenship, at local, regional and global levels.
  • As part of Birkbeck’s School of Social Sciences, you will benefit from a research-intensive environment that brings together world-leading experts across geography, politics, psychosocial studies and criminology. This dynamic setting offers access to a wide range of events, public lectures and workshops that will enrich your learning and connect you with cutting-edge scholarship.
  • Our location in central London offers you excellent access to a wide range of research resources, including Birkbeck Library, LSE Library of Political and Economic Science (LSE), the Royal Geographical Society and Senate House Library (University of London).

Modules and Teaching

School of Social Sciences

The school offers an invigorating and enriching educational experience, and students are taught by internationally renowned researchers with an exciting range of expertise. 

Visit the school

Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), in a related area from a UK university, or an equivalent international qualification, or relevant experience combined with a sufficient academic background (subject to interview).

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study  (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Come and meet us

14 October
Postgraduate International Webinar

If you are an international student looking to start postgraduate study in January 2027, this webinar is for you. Book Postgraduate International Webinar

11 November
January Starts 2027: Postgraduate Open Evening

Are you looking to start postgraduate study in 2027? Join us on campus and discover your postgraduate study options. Book Postgraduate Open Evening

Campus tours

Join a current student for a lively 45-minute campus tour available year-round. Book a campus tour

Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2027

Academic year 2027-28

To be confirmed

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2027

Academic year 2027-28

To be confirmed

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2027

Academic year 2027-28

To be confirmed

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this MSc Sustainable Cities you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including in:

  • critical analysis, research and data analysis
  • understanding how interconnected social, environmental and economic factors influence outcomes in urban contexts
  • policy and case study analysis
  • incorporating social inequalities into problem-solving approaches
  • communication and advocacy.

Studying this course will prepare you for a career path in a range of fields and professions including in:

  • central and local government
  • consultancy firms
  • NGOs and charities
  • urban planning, civil service and international organisations
  • research in universities and other public and private research bodies
  • teaching in higher, further and secondary education
  • community organising and activism.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more on our how to apply page.

Related courses

Study routes for Sustainable Cities (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Important: Applications to study starting in 2027/28 will open in September 2026.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time

Starting in October 2027

Full-time

Part-time