MSc in Urban Analytics
Around the world, city governments are realising the growing importance of harnessing the power of urban big data.
This programme will provide you with the knowledge and skills to design and conduct appropriate analyses, and experience of working with cutting-edge datasets.
- The programme will provide you with a critical appreciation of the potential for big data and urban analytics to inform urban planning and policy making, as well as an understanding of practical and ethical limitations.
- It offers hands-on experience of a range of statistical and GIS software, and of the use of programming tools to capture, process and analyse data.
- You will be exposed to a range of cutting-edge datasets typically encountered by urban analysts and the various challenges they present.
- You will benefit from the programme’s strong connection with the Urban Big Data Centre (UBDC), Glasgow’s world-leading urban analytics centre of expertise.
- The programme will develop your ability to convey the results of complex data analyses in ways which have an impact on policy makers and public debates.
- A wide range of optional courses will provide you with the opportunity to pursue personal interests, enhancing particular skills or domain-specific knowledge such as transport studies or urban design.
Data Lab Masters Scholarships
The MSc Urban Analytics has been awarded the Data Lab Masters Scholarship in 2019-20 and 2020-21 to support 2 full time or part time postgraduate taught places for eligible students resident in Scotland or the EU (with the exception of England, Northern Ireland, Wales). The Data Lab funded places, supported by the Scottish Funding Council and European Social Fund, have been allocated for the September 2020 entry (we anticipate to continue receiving the funding for entry in September 2021). These places are awarded on a competitive basis. The Data Lab funding covers the full tuition fees of the MSc programme and also offers career development opportunities. You may also wish to investigate additional living costs funding options which are available to students undertaking postgraduate taught study.
There is no separate application form. All eligible applicants who are holding an offer of a place for September 2021, by 15th July 2021, will be considered. Decisions will be communicated to applicants by early-August. Please apply using the University of Glasgow’s online application system.
What our students say
We asked students of the MSc in Urban Analytics what they thought of the programme and how it has helped them with their career. Here's what they said...
View the transcript of Réka's video.
Work by our students
- Book chapter: Sarim, M., Zhao, Q. and Bailey, N. (2021) Citizen mobility and the growth of infections during the COVID-19 pandemic with the effects of government restrictions in Western Europe. In: Shaw, S.-L. and Sui, D. (eds.) Mapping COVID-19 in Space and Time: Understanding the Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of a Global Pandemic. Series: Human dynamics in smart cities. Springer. (Accepted for Publication)
- Paper: Beairsto, J., Tian, Y., Zheng, L., Zhao, Q., & Hong, J. (2020). Identifying locations for new bike-sharing stations in Glasgow: An analysis of spatial equity and demand factors
- Award: Jeneva Beairsto received the Steve Tiesdell prize for the best Masters Student in Urban Studies (2019-2020)
- Report: Using Urban Data Science to Predict Property Development Planning Successes: Recommendations to Lumiere Property (PDF 1.68MB)
- Report: Data Study Group Final Report: WWF (report on smart conservation following Réka Vonnák's participation in a hackathon at The Alan Turing Institute)
- Blog: Analysing the effects of COVID-19 Governmental responses on mobility in major European countries
Key facts
- MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
- Contact: Dr Qunshan Zhao
