Urban and Regional Economic Development (MSc)

Cardiff University

This MSc provides the opportunity to understand socio-economic change in different towns, cities, regions and city-regions globally. Our MSc Urban and Regional Economic Development programme is designed for those who want to understand more about urban and regional economic development and regeneration theory and practice. The economic development and regeneration of cities and regions is becoming increasingly important in a global economy characterised by rapid technological change, transforming economies, geopolitical tensions and sustainability challenges. This programme will equip you with the knowledge, skills and critical thinking to meet the challenge of developing competitive, smart, sustainable and inclusive economies. Our focus is on enabling you to develop your knowledge and understanding about the nature and source of this economic change and recognise its uneven impact on different nations, regions, communities and the environment. Drawing on topical theoretical debates about uneven spatial development and the challenges this presents at particular spatial scales, this programme will provide you with the key skills - data analysis, research and problem-solving - required to shape local and regional development through policy and practice innovation. We also focus on network and consensus building by looking at structures and frameworks for engaging and working across different industries, sectors and organisations - including public, private, third sector and social enterprises. You'll gain the critical skills and robust policy understanding to address the practical challenge of designing strategies which will help cities and regions to become more innovative and resilient places in which to live and work. The course is divided into two parts:
• Part one: a teaching programme of core and optional modules. Options are available in the School of Geography and Planning. The programme includes a field study visit to a UK city where critical issues relating to urban economic development and regeneration are examined, including visits to key regeneration sites and presentations by practitioners.
• Part two: an individual dissertation on a topic of your choice, selected in consultation with members of staff. Whilst there are few constraints on the choice of topic, it must address at least one of the core course themes of the Urban and Regional Economic Development programme. You will be required to take taught modules to a value of 120 credits and dissertation module to a value of 60 credits.