MA Urban History and Culture

at Queen Mary University of London

The MA in Urban History and Culture is a unique opportunity to study the development of the modern city from historical perspectives and through the comparative experience of two of the great urban laboratories of the Western world, Paris and London.

You can choose to spend a full year in Paris with short visits to London, or you can study modules at Queen Mary in London in your second semester. 

You will explore the development of urban topography and planning through site visits and analysis, using a primarily bifocal approach to the growth of city living and management, and how that has shaped the fabric of the world.

With faculty expertise drawn from three Schools at Queen Mary as well as ULIP, the programme will allow you to develop your empirical understanding of and your methodological approaches to what distinguishes and what connects these two cities. You will be able to expand these comparative insights towards a broader engagement with urban history and culture, and the challenges cities face today.  

Additional costs
You will be responsible for your travel costs between London and Paris.

Structure
Full year in Paris

• Three compulsory modules
• Two elective modules
• Compulsory 15,000-word dissertation

Paris/London split

• Three compulsory modules
• Two to three elective modules
• Compulsory 15,000-word dissertation
   

UK
Degree requirements
A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in a relevant Humanities-related subject.

Student Visa Regulations

If you will require a Student visa to study in the UK, you must meet the minimum English Language requirements to meet the UKVI regulations.  The minimum IELTS requirement is 5.5 in all four skills (Writing, Reading, Speaking and Listening).  However, many of our courses require higher grades.

Pre-sessional English Language Courses

If you fall slightly below our standard English language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-sessional English courses.  Please note that you will require a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for entry to our Thirteen week pre-sessional courses.  Currently, only IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic (UKVI), LanguageCert International ESOL SELT and Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE) are accepted. The Pre-sessional English course requirements are published according to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administere

• Full-time study

September 2022 | 1 year

Home: £10,950
Overseas: £20,750

Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
 

• Part-time study

September 2022 | 24 months

Home: £5,500
Overseas: £10,400

Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
 

Studying the MA in Urban History and Culture will provide you with a deep understanding of the history and contemporary organisation of two capital cities through a multidisciplinary approach. You will also develop a range of advanced analytical and research skills.  

Gaining a recognised postgraduate qualification with strong intercultural skills and international experience, along with a range of advanced project management skills will prepare you for many career paths or further study.

Previous graduates now work in a range of careers, including academia, NGOs, the travel industry, filmmaking, galleries, auction houses and photography.