Urban Management, M.Sc.

A first bachelor’s degree qualifying you to work in a profession is required for admission to the Urban Management master’s program, preferably in one of the following disciplines: architecture, geography, landscape architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, law or economics. A further admission requirement is a minimum of one year’s relevant work experience in a professional field.

As the program ist taught exclusively in English, applicants need to provide proof of band score 6 for IELTS or TOEFL level 79 or 550.

Additional qualifications, such as social commitment, publications, participation in extracurricular academic events, language skills, and IT skills will also be taken into consideration.

Further information is available on the program’s website and in the application and admission regulations (see the link "Study and examination regulations").

The master’s program in Urban Management is a three-semester continuing education international master’s degree. Courses take place in Berlin during the first two semesters. You write your master’s thesis in the third semester. For your master’s thesis you can choose a topic in your own country or Germany. 

The program covers the following core areas:

• Theoretical foundations of integrated urban management
• Urban management case studies
• Methods and language education
• Core areas of urban management
• Integrated urban management projects

The Urban Management master’s program contains the following modules: 

• Theoretical foundations of integrated urban management, urbanization trends and critical urban studies, urban governance and planning, sustainable urban systems
• Urban management case studies, project case studies from Germany and abroad, city profiles on participants’ home countries and regions
• Methods and language education: urban research methods and academic paper writing, project management, language education (German)
• Core areas of urban management: land management and housing, environmental management, management of infrastructure and public services

Detailed module descriptions can be found in the module catalog. These provide information about the content, learning objectives, participation requirements, workload, types of assessment, and much more. The module catalogue is based on the study and examination regulations. The most current version of these regulations applies to new students. 

A seven-week internship is a mandatory component of the master’s program. You can do the internship in the period between the first and second course semesters or during the third course semester. The internship should highlight and address typical problems and solutions of urban management based on practical work in the student’s country of origin, Germany or internationally. Full details are provided in the internship regulations. 

The first two semesters of the program are spent in Berlin. You have the opportunity to spend the third semester abroad to do your internship and write your master’s thesis.

The master’s program trains you to be a generalist with a thorough understanding of integrated urban management acquired through both your specialization and a wide range of knowledge of related disciplines. As a graduate you are well versed in topics such as urban economics, resource management, spatial justice, urban planning trends, critical urban planning, environmental protection, urban poverty, and the regeneration of historical urban areas. Additionally, the program equips you with the skills to develop ideas in the area of urban management as well as to apply your knowledge, understanding, and abilities to solve problems in new and unfamiliar situations. You will further acquire skills in interdisciplinary strategy and concept development, in the interfaces between different areas, and transfer skills. The program also places great emphasis on key professional qualifications such as social skills, project management, intercultural communication, and team skills.

Current processes of urbanization mean there is an increasing need for educated specialists. As a graduate of this master’s program, you are able to assume coordination and leadership roles in the conception, implementation, and evaluation of urban development processes. Completing your master’s degree further qualifies you to do a doctorate. An overview of the professional fields where our alumni work can be found on the program’s website. 

Website of the Degree Program

Questions about the degree program: Course Guidance and Alumni Podcast

Recognition of previously acquired credits: Examination Board

Subject-specific Counseling and Services

Office of Academic and Student Affairs of the Faculty

General guidance and choosing the right degree program: Academic Advising Service

Application and admission