Sustainable Urban Management, MSc, Postgraduate Diploma

Heriot-Watt University, the United Kingdom

Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
MSc, Postgraduate Diploma	Full-time, Part-time, Distance	find out	September, January	GBP 5360	GBP 14520

About Sustainable Urban Management, MSc, Postgraduate Diploma - at Heriot-Watt University

Over half of the world's population now lives in urban areas and the sustainable development of our cities poses key challenges for urban management. There is a need to deliver sustainability while ensuring managed urban environments can adapt to a changing climate and changing economic and social conditions.

This programme represents a new type of degree, focusing on analysing the issues of, and the tools used to address and deliver, sustainable development across the globe, from the scale of the building right up to the regional and national scale. It is designed to equip urban managers and leaders with an academically rigorous and professionally relevant postgraduate qualification relating to changing global circumstances.

Our students

This programme is mainly designed both for those looking to begin a career in sustainable development, urban management and the built environment, and those with existing qualifications and relevant professional backgrounds who wish to improve their knowledge of sustainable development.

Career opportunities

Our graduates are quickly able to make a positive and effective contribution to their working environment. Recent graduates have gone on to work in: private sector real estate development and management; private or public sector urban systems management; urban planning and development; and third sector global development organisations.

Professional recognition

The MSc is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design

This programme is delivered by the Royal Academy of Engineering Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design. This is one of four such Centres established at UK universities that jointly form a national network to demonstrate and exchange best practice in teaching and research for the sustainable built environment.

Flexible study options

This programme can be studied full-time, part-time or via Independent Distance Learning (IDL), ideal for those in employment or with other commitments, providing flexible study options that fit around work or family.

Programme duration

Mode of studyDuration Full-time 1 year Part-time 2 years Independent Distance Learning (IDL) 2-7 years*

*An IDL programme - whether at PgDip or MSc level - can be completed in a minimum of 2 years. On average, our PgDip programmes studied via IDL are completed in 2-3 years, while MSc programmes are completed in 2.5-7 years. Most students intend to complete their studies via IDL within 2-3 years.

Industry links

The School has strong links with professional bodies including the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Town Planning Institute. It prides itself on using these links and wider links with industry, to make teaching and research relevant and applied.

Staff within the Institute are actively engaged in a variety of research projects relating to building design, specification, management and operation.

Notes about fees for this course

Status*Full-timePart-timeDistance learning**Scotland / Non-UK EU£5,360 £2,680 £1185/850England / Northern Ireland / Wales£5,360 £2,680 £1185/850Overseas£14,520 £7,260 £1185/850

* If you are unsure which category you fall in to, you should complete a fee status enquiry form, which allows us to assess your fees.

Additional fees information

**Students pay £1185 per course and £1690 for the Dissertation. This programme consists of 8 courses (modules). MSc students are also required to submit a Masters dissertation.

For questions about IDL fees, please contact our Distance Learning Office: egis-idl-enquiries@hw.ac.uk

Scholarships and bursaries

We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

View our full range of postgraduate taught scholarships.

Entry requirements

For MSc level entry applicants must have:

Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in cognate and semi-cognate subject area. For PG conversion programmes, non-cognate degrees will be considered. Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered.

For PG Diploma level entry applicants must have:

Third class honours degree in a cognate or semi-cognate subject area PLUS 2 years of relevant experience at an appropriate level completed post qualification.
Cognate or semi-cognate ordinary degree PLUS 3-4 years of relevant experience at an appropriate level following graduation.
Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and interview. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Admissions and the number of successful applicants will be restricted.

There is no entry at PG Certificate level except through exceptional agreement with approved learning partners.

Non-graduating study at masters level:

Entry is based on CV or on formal academic qualifications or graduate (or incorporated) membership of a relevant professional institution.

Distance Learning January entry

Distance learning students can choose to start their studies in January or September. The January intake is not available to students studying on-campus.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Heriot-Watt University is committed to providing opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Prior learning at postgraduate level is normally recognised to gain exemption from individual courses within a programme based on an existing academic qualification. Note that the prior learning must have been rated at the level of the courses for which RPL is sought, yet credits from an award already held by an applicant can only contribute to a higher award in the same discipline, e.g. from PG Diploma to MSc. If you believe that you qualify for RPL, please contact the Learning & Teaching Support Team via egis-enquiries@hw.ac.uk, who will guide you through the RPL application procedure.

The school will only consider students' requests for RPL at the time of application for their programme of study.

English language requirements

If English is not the applicant's first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above.

Applicants who have previously successfully completed programmes delivered in the medium of English language may be considered and will be required to provide documentary evidence of this. Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree programme. A minimum of at least one year of full time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.

We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:

14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no more than one skill at 4.5);
10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.0 in all skills);
6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with minimum of 5.5 in reading & writing and minimum of 5.0 in speaking & listening)

Distance learning students

Please note that independent distance learning students who access their studies online will be expected to have access to a PC/laptop and internet.

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Sustainable Urban Management, MSc, Postgraduate Diploma

Study options for this course

About Sustainable Urban Management, MSc, Postgraduate Diploma - at Heriot-Watt University

Notes about fees for this course

Entry requirements

Courses you may be interested in at other institutions

Postgraduate pathways and pre-masters at other institutions

Other courses at Heriot-Watt University

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