Urban studies focuses on the theories and concepts that explain historical and contemporary patterns of urbanisation and their social, cultural, economic, political and environmental impact.

In this major, you’ll acquire and apply in-depth knowledge of the interconnections between cities, equity and social justice in a rapidly changing world as you critically analyse institutions, power dynamics and policy processes that influence urban lives. And you’ll develop desirable – and transferable – research skills to investigate the social, cultural, economic, political and environmental aspects of cities.

Key Features

• You’ll benefit from our interdisciplinary approach to the study of urbanisation as you study units from geography, planning, sociology and anthropology.
• This flexible major allows you to tailor your studies to your interests, with a wide range of optional units in areas such as tourism and heritage, social policy and urban planning, and more. 
• Learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom – you’ll have the opportunity to kickstart your career and put your new skills into practice as you undertake a PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) project with one of our many partners, such as local government.
• Macquarie is ranked in the top five in Australia for arts and humanities (Best Global Universities, US News & World Report, 2018) and in the top 100 in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2018).
• Macquarie is ranked number one in Sydney for overall student experience, and for teaching quality and learning resources in humanities, culture and social sciences (QILT, 2017).

• Environmental and resource manager
• Health planning adviser
• International development worker
• Journalist
• Market researcher
• Social impact analyst
• Social or environmental consultant
• Social policy adviser
• Social services and welfare officer
• Teacher (after further study)
• Tourism and recreation planner
• Urban and environmental consultant
• Urban, regional or social planner
• Community sector organisations in urban development, housing and planning
• Consultancy firms
• Environment protection authorities
• Government agencies in a wide range of environmental, resource and social fields
• Government departments (federal, state, local)
• Heritage bodies
• Local councils
• National parks and wildlife services
• Non-government community, development and environmental organisations
• Residential developers 
• Social and health policy bodies