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Master in Urban Planning and Development – Urban Innovation and Sustainability
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Tuition Fee
AED 45,344
Per course
Start Date
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
24 months
Details
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Urban Planning
Area of study
Architecture and Construction | Natural Science
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
AED 45,344
Intakes
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-08-29 | - |
About Program
Program Overview
About the Programme
The Master in Urban Planning and Development – Urban Innovation and Sustainability (UPD-URBIS) programme is designed to train professional experts in two main directions in line with current urban development issues in the Emirates and elsewhere in the world: (1) the eco-sustainable approach and (2) urban and ecological innovation in planning, urban projects, and mobility.
Programme Structure
- Programme duration: 2 years
- Delivery language: English
- Degree awarded: Master in Urban Planning and Development – Urban Innovation and Sustainability
- Accreditation: The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris. This programme is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation.
- Admission deadline: 29 August 2025
- Interview dates: TBA
Programme Details
Semester 1
| Modules | Courses | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of Urban Planning | From Inner Cities to Metropolitan Areas | 32 |
| Urban Heritage and Sustainable Development | 23 | |
| Urban Planning Law and Regulation | 23 | |
| Digital Engineering for Urban Planning | Advanced Urban Analysis | 14 |
| GIS Applied to Urban Planning | 14 | |
| Professional Practice of Urban Planning | Urban Planning Practices | 18 |
| Studio: Sustainable Urban Landscape | 12 |
Semester 2
| Modules | Courses | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable Urban Planning and Design | Urban Planning, Climate Adaptation and Social Inclusion | 36 |
| EcoDesign and Reversibility | 18 | |
| Strategies for Healthy and Sustainable Cities | Health, Mobility, and Built Environment | 22.5 |
| Urban Metabolism | 13.5 | |
| Digital Engineering for Urban Design | 18 | |
| Professional Practice of Urban Planning | Urban Engineering | 13.5 |
| Studio: Reversible and Sustainable Building | 12 |
Semester 3
| Modules | Courses | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Eco-Technological Innovations | Urban Energy System & Energetic Efficiency | 32 |
| Building an Ecocity : Innovation clusters and districts | 32 | |
| Infrastructures and Urban Innovation | 23 | |
| Professional Practice of Sustainable Urban Engineering | Land Use Planning for Low Carbon City Studio : | 14 |
| Building an Eco-Technological City | 12 | |
| Innovative Research in Urban Studies | Research Methodology | 23 |
Semester 4
| Modules | Courses | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research Project | Master Thesis | 5 |
Admission Requirements
- General entry requirements:
- Bachelor in a relevant field with a CGPA of 3 out of 4 or equivalent.
- GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 (or equivalent scores as per the equivalency table) may be conditionally admitted under probation during the first semester.
- Bachelor with minimum of 2nd class honours
- Bachelor with an average of 12 out of 20
- English language proficiency:
- IELTS certificate with minimum overall band of 6.0 with a validity of 2 years or TOEFL certificate with minimum score of 79 (or equivalent) with a validity of 2 years
- Native English speaker who completed 3 full years in an English-medium institution within a maximum period of 3 years or equivalent
Tuition Fees and Scholarships
- Programme tuition fees (over 2 years): AED 166,400 (approximately US$ 45,344)
- Payment of Fees: Payment schedules available
- Scholarships:
- 25% academic excellence scholarship
- 20% Alumni discount
- 25% discount upon enrolment on a second master’s degree
- 5%-15% corporate rate
- 10% Family discount
Career Prospects
The master UPD-URBIS programme opens up a wide range of career opportunities in Government, Private Enterprise, non-profit and International Organisations, for positions as:
- Urban Planners
- Transportation Planners
- Housing and Community Development Planners
- Economic Development Planners
- Urban Designers
- Real Estate Developers
- Smart Cities Consultants
- Sustainable Development and Resilience Consultants
- Geographic Information Systems Analysts.
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