Across millennia, cities have been centres of political and economic power, orchestrating the social and cultural life of their populations. Today, rapid and widespread urbanisation is creating new challenges. Cities come to reflect global inequalities, acting as hubs for transnational mobility, concentrating difference, and generating new forms of cultural expression and activism.

Understanding the complex and multi-layered aspects of cities requires an interdisciplinary approach which the MA/MSc Cities uniquely provides by bringing together the strengths of urban research and teaching in Birkbeck’s Schools of Arts and Social Sciences, History and Philosophy.

Using real-world case studies, you will explore a variety of methodological and theoretical approaches. You will follow your interests, choosing from modules incorporating a range of disciplinary perspectives as well as historical periods, including: cultural and visual studies; communications, digital design and networked technology; geography; history (including ancient history, history of art and architecture); linguistics; literature; museum studies; politics; and psychosocial studies.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

Graduates go on to careers in local and national government, urban planning, housing NGOs and community organisations, civil service and private sector consultancies, and international NGOs working on issues of habitat and urban redevelopment.

We offer a comprehensive Careers Service to help you advance your career, while our in-house, professional recruitment consultancy, Birkbeck Talent, works with London’s top employers to help you gain work experience that fits in with your evening studies.