These programmes are approved by the Institution of Economic Development and are designed for those who want to extend their field of academic knowledge and understanding of issues in economic development and policy, as well as for those who are more interested and concerned with policy in practice.
They will appeal to those working in local authorities, learning and skills councils, business links, and other national and local economic development and urban and regional development agencies.
Programme content
MSc students study four core modules, plus any two specialist option modules and a dissertation of up to 15,000 words.
Core modules are:
• The Political Economy of Cities and Regions
• Research Methods in Urban and Regional Studies
• Economic Development Policy
• Knowledge and Creative Economies
Option modules include:
• Urban Regeneration and Renewal
• Place Making and Urban Design
• Urban Property Development
• Towards Urban Renaissance – Community Involvement in the Built Environment
Graduate Diploma (H-level) and Postgraduate Diploma (M-Level) students have the same module choices as their MSc colleagues (as above) but are exempt from the dissertation element. Graduate Certificate (H-Level) and Postgraduate Certificate (M-Level) students choose two of three core modules plus one other module of their choice.
Skills gained
This programme explores current debates around economic development. It will give students a multidisciplinary research-based knowledge of key processes and issues at the local and regional level arising from economic and industrial change in the global economy.
Learning and teaching
Our students benefit hugely from the diversity of activity undertaken by CURS. Our extensive research and consultancy work ensures that our teaching is relevant, up-to-date and research-led, while losing none of its intellectual rigour.
Studying with us you will enjoy a favourable staff–student ratio and a supportive tutorial policy. Students have full use the University’s main library and the increasingly large variety of learning materials and library research services (e.g. e-journals and WebCT) via the internet.
The programme uses a mix of teaching methods, with a focus on participative learning.
Related links
CURS website: www.curs.bham.ac.uk
Geography, Earth & Environmental Science www.gees@bham.ac.uk