Introduction to the programme
In a rapidly urbanizing world, cities face huge challenges around climate, mobility, sustainability, housing and much more. In this programme, you will train to tackle these challenges and shape urban futures on a local, regional, and global level.
Our profile
This programme studies global urban planning through a Nordic lens, seeking to learn from the region’s innovative approaches to sustainable urbanization. We explore themes such as public space and liveability, mobility and forms of transportation, citizen empowerment and climate adaption. Through perspectives from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, you will learn international and interdisciplinary perspectives on urban planning and development. You will investigate how economic, political, and social processes create frameworks for urban planning, and you will train to analyse complex urban problems using both qualitative and creative methods, and quantitative techniques of spatial visualization and geographical information systems.
Throughout this programme, you will work with all aspects of urban planning and development, from the social and cultural to the more technical, thus training you to be a bridge builder between different professions in the field – not least through group projects and the potential to do an internship during your time with us. We equip you to navigate the complex networks of urban planning and to offer solutions to both local, regional, and global challenges.
One education – three universities
This programme is based across three universities: Roskilde University in Denmark, Malmö University in Sweden, and UiT The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. During the programme, you will attend at least two of these universities and can choose to attend all three. This gives you a uniquely international perspective on urban planning and an opportunity to pursue your specific interests in the field.
Roskilde University specialises in research on urban development and the globalization of cities in relation to welfare, mobility, immigration, sustainability, minorities, social innovation, and social inclusiveness.
Malmö University specialises in research on economies of urban development, housing, the real estate market, smart cities, and social sustainability in planning.
UiT The Arctic University of Norway specialises in research on planning theory, local democracy, culture and place, sustainability, and the planning and development of Arctic areas.
Funding to support programme mobility is available from the Nordic Council of Ministers and Erasmus+.
For more information see also: Three universities - one programme
Study environment
We attract students from all over the world and from a variety of backgrounds, and this diversity makes for a vibrant study environment. From South American architects to Dutch social scientists, our students are joined by a keen interest in Nordic urban planning and a willingness to critically examine its many aspects in a global context. Although students may choose different tracks from the second semester, they form a tight-knit group along with our staff of leading researchers from the three universities. We have an informal tone and an open-door policy with close contact between students and faculty. At the start of your first semester, you will be welcomed with a week of social activities and excursions, and throughout the programme, field trips are a natural part of the curriculum.
Career and qualifications
As a graduate in Nordic Urban Planning Studies, you will be attractive to all businesses, public authorities, and organisations that work nationally and internationally with cities, regions, and urban life. Our graduates often work as urban planners, consultants, and innovators. Many find jobs at international architect and engineering consultancies, working trans-nationally with city development, with others take up advisory positions for public authorities at all levels, or push urban innovation as project leaders and facilitators in NGOs. Examples of employments include:
- Project consultant at Rambøll, working with sustainable urban solutions in projects worldwide
- Urban planner in the city of Paris, working with urban development
- Community Advisor at StrategyNorth. In Yukon Territory, Canada, working with local governance, planning and evaluation
- Technical manager at the municipality of Copenhagen, working with mapping urban spaces for development
- Project manager at Cycle Superhighways in the Capital Region of Denmark, working with strengthening cycling infrastructure
Degree: Master of Science (MSc) in Social Sciences in Nordic Urban Planning Studies. Graduates of the joint programme will be awarded a degree from either two or three universities, depending on their chosen programme of study (double or multiple degree).
Academic staff
Academic staff Nordic Urban Planning Studies
Brochure about the programme
Follow Nordic Urban Planning Studies on Facebook and Instagram
Study Programme
| 1. year | 2. year | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Semester Roskilde University |
2. Semester Choose university |
3. Semester Choose university |
4. Semester Choose university |
| Courses Critical Urban Studies (5 ECTS) Livable Cities (5 ECTS) Approaches to Urban Planning (5 ECTS) Project Project: Urban Planning in a Welfare Context (15 ECTS) |
Malmö University Courses Catching Urbanity (15 ECTS) Making Urban Studies (15 ECTS) or Roskilde University Courses Cities, Culture and Politics (5 ECTS) Methods in Community Planning (5 ECTS) GIS and Visualisation (5 ECTS) Project Project: Mobilities and Globalizing Cities (15 ECTS) or Projectoriented internship (15 ECTS) |
UiT The Arctic University of Norway Courses Arctic Cities Field Course (20 ECTS) Culture, Politics and Planning (10 ECTS) or Roskilde University Courses Urban project management (5 ETCS) Etnography and Visualization for Planning Practice (5 ECTS) Project Project: Planning in Practice (20 ECTS) or Projectoriented internship (20 ECTS) or Live case project + elective course (15 ECTS) + (5 ECTS) |
Thesis
in Nordic Urban Planning Studies (30 ECTS) Choose between Roskilde University Malmö University UiT The Arctic University of Norway |
Mobility for at least one of the first three semesters is required. More information on the specific courses: Roskilde University, Malmö University, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Study regulations: Study regulation for Nordic Urban Planning Studies (pdf)
How does gentrification of neighbourhoods affect climate adaptation?
How are Nordic municipalities addressing the right to adequate housing?
What are the potentials of tactical urbanism in the neoliberal city of Santiago de Chile?
How can public space design better include the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ groups?
Liveable cities. What can we learn from the Nordic countries?
Scandinavia is famous for its liveable cities, but is it possible to replicate one particular region’s approach in other contexts? Are Nordic cities really as “liveable” as they claim, or is this just a case of clever marketing?
Three Universities - one programme
Nordic Urban Planning Studies is jointly delivered by universities in Roskilde, Malmö and Tromsø. You have the possibility to participate in courses at all three universities. Through this programme you will develop international interdisciplinary perspectives that draw on the research strengths and networks of each of the three universities.
Nordic Master
Nordic Urban Planning Studies is a Nordic Master - an international study programme, jointly delivered by universities from at least three Nordic countries. The label ‘Nordic Master’ is awarded to programmes based on research, excellence and high quality. Nordic Masters programmes are funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and seek to attract students from all over the world.
”Understanding the Nordic planning tradition is very important. No doubt that the Nordic welfare model and planning tradition will be subject to export”
Master’s degree from Roskilde University - why?
You will be part of a strong academic environment where you will be in close contact with researchers, in dialogue about everything from academic issues, possible methods and theories, ways to create new insights and your wishes for the academic direction of your master’s degree study. You will become part of a social environment typically centred in one building on campus, where researchers and students work next door to each other. You will study within the university's project format, where identification of a problem, in-depth analyses, choice and implementation of a methodological approach, as well as setting up a strong theoretical framework are your responsibilities under academic guidance from a researcher. You will participate in a number of courses which expand your methodological and theoretical knowledge. During a semester, you will identify a significant problem within your subject field and develop the knowledge to produce scientific arguments for possible solution(s). You will gain concrete experience with the entire scientific process.
Student life
Roskilde University’s Campus
The university is situated on one single physical campus. There are multi-purpose sports courts, a football field, a disc golf course, nature trails along the lake, stream and the fields, a training centre, innovation workshops, a canteen, and a cinema. Our joint meeting place is called Student House RUC, where there is a student-run café and lounge. Both outdoors and indoors, we work to make the campus as sustainable as possible. Among other things, we have reduced energy consumption by 38 percent over the last 5 years and are converting our outdoor areas to wild nature.
Be inspired: Other options
Other international master's programmes
Other enrolment opportunities at Roskilde University
Roskilde University welcomes both exchange and guest students and you will find suggestions for semester packages taught in English.
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Contact the Study Guidance office
Contact us if you need advice on choosing a course of study, more information about the content of a degree, or about applying and admission to Roskilde University.
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