For the first time in history, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. At the same time, cities and urbanised regions in general are increasingly linked and influenced by “smart” technologies. Urban Analytics and Visualisation is an emerging interdisciplinary approach to addressing the urban challenges arising from these developments. Our unique MSc develops both the practical and theoretical skills needed – such as data analytics, urban theory, and visualisation techniques – to tackle these challenges, combining practice with cutting-edge theoretical and methodological understanding of urban systems.

Our course offers you:

• Deep understanding of the nexus between urban life and digital technology
• Thorough knowledge of interdisciplinary urban analytical methods
• Practical and analytical skills to explore, visualise, and make sense of city-scale spatial data
• Interdisciplinary methodological skills to design solutions to the world’s urban challenges
• Capitalising on emerging developments in big data analytics and digital technologies

Core Modules

• Spatial Methods and Practice in Urban Science
• Urban Data: Theory and Methodology
• Dissertation

Optional Modules

Previously, a selection of the following options have been offered:

• Media Activism
• Urban Resilience, Disasters and Data
• User Interface Cultures: Design, Method and Critique
• Visualisation
• Digital Cities
• Digital Sociology
• Ethnography, Knowledge and Practice
• Ecological Futures: Science, Culture and Media
• Data Science Across Disciplines: Principles, Practice and Critique

Teaching

Online virtual learning environment; student group and project work; lectures; seminars; reading and directed critical discussion; independent research by students; practice-based activities to learn from each other and have a productive exchange of ideas.

Contact Hours

Typically 7-9 hours per week, depending on optional modules chosen.

Class Sizes

Typical seminar size 12-16 students.

Assessment

A combination of essays, reports, design projects, technical report writing, practice assessments, group work and presentations and an individual research project (10,000 word dissertation).

Skills from this degree

• Software skills: R including geospatial R packages; GeoDa (a spatial visual analytics tool); QGIS (an open-source geographical information system); (possibly more, depending on optional modules chosen)
• Communication of scientific results to different audiences (including the general public)
• Interdisciplinary discussion and collaboration skills
• Application of urban theories to real-world problems
• Critical reflection about data, information, tools/methods
• Project management and team working skills (managing extensive group work projects)

Minimum requirements 2:i undergraduate degree

English language requirements Band B
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above

International Students
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information please visit the international entry requirements page.

For up-to-date information concerning fees, funding and scholarships for Home, EU and Overseas students please visit Warwick's Fees and Funding webpage.

Scholarships

A range of scholarships is available, including a CIM scholarship providing a £4,000 contribution towards tuition fees for Home/EU students (two awards are available for each of our three taught postgraduate degrees).

Additional course cost
All students on CIM degrees require a laptop computer for their studies. This is provided by the department for students to use and keep, and the cost is included in course fees.

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including: AXA, BaiDu, GroupM, Just Eat, Skyscanner, The Labour Party and University of Warwick. They have pursued roles such as: authors, writers and translators; business and financial project management professionals; buyers and procurement officers; data analysts and product managers; marketing associate professionals; quality assurance and regulatory professionals and researchers.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Careers in AI and Data Science
• Discovering Careers in the Creative Industries
• Discuss What’s Next After Your CIM Master’s Degree

There are a number of different ways to visit the University of Warwick throughout the year. We host bespoke PG visits, where you can talk directly with your chosen department and explore our campus through a personalised tour. Some departments also host their own events and open days, where you can learn more about your department or course of study. To find out more about all of these opportunities, visit our Postgraduate Visits page.