| Obtaining this degree requires students to complete 32 units of URB courses, which usually means eight courses, including an independent research-based thesis. Students may substitute one or two graduate courses from other departments, with permission of the Urban Studies Program. Students must take three required courses (URB 670, 696, and 697) in sequence as preparation for researching, writing and defending an independent research project. Students have written projects on topics such as urban transportation, affordable housing, pedestrian street design, food security and urban agriculture, cultural policy, risk management, social inequality and collaborative planning. For summaries of M.Urb projects, see our Research Summaries page. The master's degree may be completed in six semesters, or two calendar years, if pursuing studies full-time. For part-time studies, nine semesters, or three calendar years, is typical. |
These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 is required for application. Because admission to our M.Urb program is competitive, successful applicants often have substantially higher CGPAs than the minimum requirement. We welcome applications from students with a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds. While many of our students hold an undergraduate degree in the social sciences that is directly relevant to the study of cities, we have also admitted students with academic backgrounds in the humanities, sciences, engineering and fine arts, especially when they have urban-related academic, professional or community experience.
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| Test Scores: | - International English Language Testing System (academic or immigration) [min. 7] or Test of English as a Foreign Language (Internet Based) [min. 93] or Test of English as a Foreign Language (Paper Based) [min. 580]
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| Application Notes : | English is the language of instruction and communication at the University. Accordingly, an applicant whose primary language is not English must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field. Applicants normally will be required to achieve a minimum score of 7.0 on the International English LanguageTest System (IELTS - the academic NOT the general test) with a minimum of 6.5 in each section. The Test of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL) may be used as an equivalent test provided a score of 93 or better is achieved with a minimum of 20 in each section (TOEFL-internet based exam), or TOEFL 580 and the Test of Written English(TWE) 5.0 (paper-based). All test scores are valid for a period of two years from the date of the test. Some graduate programs have higher English Language Proficiency requirements as described elsewhere in this Calendar.
International applicants whose primary language is not English will not be required to complete an English-language test if they have completed a degree at an institution where the language of instruction and examination was in English in a country where English is the primary language.
An applicant requesting a waiver of the English language proficiency test should do so in writing and submit it with their application. The Dean of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the department, will make determinations in these cases. It should be noted that in order to maintain a high academic standard, very few waivers are granted. Therefore, it is recommended that those applicants whose primary language is not English submit an English language proficiency test with their application.
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| Additional Admission Requirements: | - Letter(s) of Reference
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Research Interests
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* We make every attempt to provide accurate information on prerequisites, programs, and tuition. However, this information is subject to change without notice and we highly recommend that you contact the school to confirm important information before applying.