Background
In recent years, the nature of urban management has changed drastically. Whereas the constant growth of towns and cities once meant that urban development concentrated on planning and developing new sites, nowadays most places are struggling against demographic shrinkage and are rated as successful if they manage to maintain their size. In fact local authorities frequently face challenges such as how to deal with wasteland and develop new forms of housing. Accordingly, the MSc in Urban Management doesn’t focus solely on planning and construction. Instead, the individual modules also address topics like planning and policy, sustainability, economics and administration, and land and infrastructure.
Course
The MSc in Urban Management was first introduced by the University of Leipzig in 2003. Since 2007, it has only been a part-time course. It is designed to give people an opportunity to take further training in a highly qualified field without interrupting their career by means of partly online-based coursework. In addition, students are required to personally attend lectures and seminars four or five times each semester on Fridays and Saturdays either at the University of Leipzig or somewhere else as agreed. For the remainder of the time, students work on this multimedia-based distance course on their own, requiring nothing more than a computer with internet access.
We recommend that students spend 10–20 hours per week studying on the e-learning platform (with the exception of during the project exercise and personal attendance). The exact amount of time of course depends on students’ previous knowledge of the subject in question.
Please note that the course is only taught in German.
Modules and related lectures and seminars
Admission requirements
In order to be considered for the MSc in Urban Management, students must have passed a degree taking at least six semesters at a university, college or some other establishment of higher education. Additional practical experience of at least one year is expressly desirable. The course is aimed at graduates in the following subjects:
- Town and development planning, architecture
- Geography, landscape planning
- Business management, economics
- Engineering
- Communication studies
The MSc in Urban Management is an internationally recognised university qualification and holders are entitled to progress to a doctorate. The standard period of study is two years (i.e. four semesters). The rudiments are taught by professors from various faculties at the University of Leipzig.
Fees
The Master of Science in Urban Management is a supplementary course run by the University of Leipzig. Accordingly, students are charged tuition fees of €2,500 per semester. These fees cover all lectures and seminars etc, examinations, supervision of the Master’s thesis, and the small contribution towards the student union and other administrative charges. Note that the tuition fees do not cover additional items such as excursions.
Applications
For organisational reasons, there is only a winter semester intake. Applications for an admission interview must be received by the previous 30. August. In order to ensure proper supervision and group work, no more than 25 applicants can be accepted.
The application procedure comprises a written application and an admission interview. During the interview, applicants have the opportunity to raise any queries they have and to make sure the course meets their expectations. Moreover, the teaching staff can draw up a shortlist of the most suitable applicants.
To apply for an interview, please send a plain paper application (including an explanation of why you want to take the course, your CV, copies of your main qualifications and if possible samples of your work) to the following address:
Universität Leipzig
Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät
Institut für Stadtentwicklung und Bauwirtschaft
Grimmaische Straße 12
D-04109 Leipzig
Germany