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MSc
Cities and Local Development*

Location
Southwark

Duration
2 years (part-time)

Start date
September

Number of places
15

Simple timetable info
3 days block per month for 6 months (Oct/Nov/ Dec/Feb/Mar/May) in first year
3 day block for 6 months equivalent in second year including 3 day field trip and dissertation

How to apply
Direct to LSBU

LSBU code
3649

Campus code
L75

Course contact
Lynn Vickery

Course Director
Local Economy Policy Unit (LEPU)
vickerl@lsbu.ac.uk – 020 7815 7154

Non-standard entry requirements
First degree (minimum 2:2) in a cognate subject area such as social science or economics. Non-graduate applications will be considered from those working at a senior level within public and private sector organisations with at least 10 years experience.

Course units

Year 1:

4 units

– Local Economic Development (Cities and Regeneration)

– Local Economic Development (Sustainable Local Economies)

– Practice-based Learning: Project (1)

– Practice-based Learning: Project (2)

Year 2:

4 units

– Research Methods (inc GIS)

– Economic Development (Governance and Institutions and Interventions)

– Practice-based Project: Changing Organisations (1/2 unit)

– Field trip to European city(1/2 unit)

– Dissertation (20,000 words)

*subject to validation


Course description

This course has been developed in response to public and private sector employers concerned with local economic development. Applicants will be in employment or based in working environments where the work-based projects that form a key part of this course can be fulfilled. The course is designed to give students an opportunity to acquire advanced expertise in policy and theory behind urban development and the economies that underpin them. Students are encouraged to apply knowledge to practical projects with the support of employers.

The field trip in the second year is to a major European city.

Assessment is by coursework including work-based learning projects

Career opportunities

The course is intended to enable postgraduate career progression for experienced practitioners working in local government, policy-based organisations, regeneration agencies and research.

It is intended that Cities and Local Development MSc will be accredited by the RTPI and gain access to the Institute of Economic Development.

Typical background of applicant

Applicants will have experience in local government departments or agencies concerned with local economic development and who require in-depth understanding of their field to develop appropriate responses to the needs of communities.

Professional contacts/industry links

This course is directed by LEPU which undertakes education, research and consultancy and has a long history of working with academics, practitioners and policy makers through its journal Local Economy and established seminars and conferences.

Recent guest lecturers

This is a new course beginning 2009. It will include guest lecturers drawn from academics and senior practitioners from the UK and Europe, and the US.