Overview
The UN estimates that by 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas; an extra 2.5 billion people on today’s number. This rapid urbanisation is occurring at a time of global targets for reduced emissions. Cities are also estimated to be responsible for 80% of CO2 emissions. The challenge for today’s governments, urban planners, technical specialists and architects then, is how to support the sustainable development of our cities that reduce emissions and maximise efficiency whilst providing the basis for a culturally rich and exciting space to live.
Our MSc Technology in Sustainable Cities offers a multidisciplinary approach to planning sustainable urban solutions, developing computing expertise with urban planning technologies to prepare students for exciting careers applying technologies to more sustainable urban living.
Key facts
- You will work in QGIS or a similar cross-platform to view, edit and analyse spatial data and will be introduced to C++ or Python to create plugins
- You will develop a career plan and reflective log considering how your learning from the programme can accelerate the achievement of this plan
- Design an IoT solution for a sustainable smart city as part of your assessment
- This programme has been designed to meet the accreditation criteria of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional
- Upon completion of your programme, you will be eligible for the QA Professional Pathways programmes which will enable you to further develop your skills with one of the UK’s largest providers of IT and project management training
- The Advanced Practice includes an Internship or Group Consultancy Project, enhancing your employability with all-important work experience
What will I study?
This MSc will explore the potential of technological solutions to some of the most pressing challenges faced by cities today. You will learn how big data technologies enable new opportunities for resource efficiencies, how IoT applications are empowering communities and the urban planning technologies (GIS, spatial data, building information modelling) available in designing sustainable cities.
You will be exposed to theories and principles relating to the design, development and testing of applications used in smart cities. This includes the use of different methods and tools to collect, represent, manipulate and manage spatial data using Geographical Information Systems.
The programme introduces IoT infrastructure principles, and as part of your assessment, you will design an IoT solution for sustainable smart cities. You will also explore the value of blockchain to sustainable cities, using the Ethereum platform, you will develop practical skills through the programming of smart contracts in Solidity.
This programme is part of our computing framework which develops the essential skills required to develop you as a digital leader, building your knowledge of information governance, cyber security and research methods, as well as skills in communications, problem solving and commercial reasoning.
How will I be taught and assessed?
- Teaching is delivered through lectures, workshops and tutorials totalling between 10-13 hours per week
- You’re expected to engage in independent study, around 30-32 hours per week
- Assessment includes coursework, critical report writing, practical exercises, individual, group and research project work
- Taught by experienced lecturers and academics who use their industry experience to demonstrate how theories translate into real-life situations.
- Technology-enhanced learning is embedded throughout the course to guide your preparation for seminars and independent research
- Benefit from weekly academic support sessions designed to build your ability and confidence as an academic learner
- You will be assigned a guidance tutor at induction who you will meet with regularly during your studies
Careers and further study
This Masters programme prepares you for a range of careers in the field of urban planning for smart cities, including management and leadership in computing. Possible career routes available include:
- Urban planning in local and national government
- Government roles responsible for sustainability
- Technology and software development companies involved in smart city applications
- Consultancy firms
Typical job roles include:
- Sustainable City Designer
- Smart City Planner and Data Scientist
- IoT Infrastructure Designer
- Machine Learning Scientist
- Data Scientist
- Geospatial and Mapping Scientist
- Urban Informatics Analyst
- Blockchain Architect/Developer
Furthermore, this programme will prepare you to meet the educational requirements of the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
Advanced Practice stage
The Advanced Practice version of this course offers you a valuable opportunity to secure a work placement, complete a group consultancy based project on a real organisational issue or work with a research team on a research project. Successful completion of this Advance Practice stage will provide you with experience of the workplace environment or live computing issues and an excellent way to put your learning into practice.
This stage of the programme will take place between your second and final semester and is a semester-long (15 weeks) in duration. Internships as part of the Advanced Practice stage may be paid or unpaid. The alternative research module allows you to work with an academic or applied research team within the university on a range of research topics. Whether you choose the Internship, Group Consultancy Project or the Research Project, you will successfully develop your business or research skills and further enhance your employability.
Upon successfully completing your course, you may undertake further professional development and training through Professional Pathways programmes. These are offered to our graduates for free, from our partner, QA. Find out more information on Professional Pathways and your eligibility.
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