MA Urban History and Culture

The University of London Institute in Paris offers a vital connection between Higher Education in the UK and the Francophone world. Forming an academic community which crosses national borders, its research thrives in a multilingual, interdisciplinary environment, addressing contemporary issues in cultural production, urban theory, international politics, and environmental humanities, with a particular focus on social movements and bottom-up approaches.  

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is a leading research-intensive university, ranked among the top institutions globally for its innovative approach to education and commitment to social justice. With a diverse and inclusive community, QMUL fosters academic excellence and impactful research across a wide range of disciplines.

The School of Advanced Study at the University of London brings together eight internationally renowned research institutes to form the UK's national centre for the support of researchers and the promotion of research in the humanities.  

Queen Mary University of London and the University of London Institute in Paris collaborate closely to deliver the MA in Urban History and Culture, combining the academic strengths of both institutions. The programme offers students a truly interdisciplinary and international perspective on urban history and culture, with a focus on Paris and London in particular. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to academic excellence and innovation, further enriched by connections with the School of Advanced Study (SAS), providing access to extensive research resources and networks. 

You will explore the development of urban topography and planning through site visits and analysis, using a primarily bifocal approach to the growth of city living and management, and how that has shaped the fabric of the world.

Teaching

The degree is delivered via small-group seminars where you will be encouraged to discuss key issues and participate through seminar presentations. The programme will also be supported by a hands-on approach, including site visits and workshops.

Seminars will be supplemented by consultations with advisers, option course leaders, and dissertation supervisors, which will include opportunities for one-to-one discussions of course content and plans for written work.

Academic staff

Sessions are led by members of faculty from the University of London Institute in Paris, and the Schools of History, Geography and English and Drama from Queen Mary University of London in weekly seminars led by staff members with original research qualifications and interests in the area.

Study resources and facilities

You will benefit from access to a wide range of study resources and facilities, including print and electronic information services, in a scholarly setting. The University of London Institute in Paris Library is the primary source of support and research material for students and staff, offering subject-specific resources and access to dozens of electronic databases via University of London’s Senate House Library and our partnership with Queen Mary University of London.

Through the University of London Institute in Paris Library, students can gain access to the American Library in Paris which is within walking distance. Postgraduate students may also have access to the Sciences Po Library if they wish.

While in London, make sure to visit Senate House Library. Students studying with the University of London can join the library free of charge. Membership includes a 10-book borrowing allowance, access to all reading rooms and study areas, and on-site access to Senate House Library digital resources. 

The programme is offered in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London's School of History, School of English and Drama and School of Geography, and the University of London Institute in Paris. 

Programme Director

Dr Charlotte Legg is a senior lecturer in French Studies at the Institute, where she is also the programme director of the MA in Urban History and Culture. With a background in History and French Studies and a research focus on the settler colonies of the French and British empires in the 19th and 20th centuries, She is especially interested in how settlers influenced the dynamics of power in these empires, and how these dynamics shaped processes of identification across colonial populations. 

Charlotte’s research highlights connections between and across empires, revealing how processes of identification were, at once, local, national and transnational. Her current research project places French debates about Algeria in the late 19th century in the context of French views of British settler colonies in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. 

Applications for our postgraduate course open 1 November 2024 and must be submitted by 22 August 2025.

Applications remain open throughout the summer and will be considered on a rolling basis, but you should allow enough time to apply for a visa if applicable.

The course start date is in September each year.

Students should have an upper second-class honours degree in a relevant Humanities-related subject. A recognised equivalent from an accredited overseas institution is also accepted.

If English is not your first language, satisfactory evidence of your English language proficiency must be provided. IELTS 7.0 (minimum writing 6.5) is the minimum level for entry to the course.

The degree is taught entirely in English and there is no French language requirement.

How to apply

You can submit your details via our web form by clicking on the "Apply now" button above. Please note that you will need to submit the application in one go. Once you have completed the web form, you will be asked to email the following documentation:

• A copy of your university transcript(s) and degree certificate(s). If you have not yet completed your degree, please provide a record of courses taken and grades achieved to date.
• Two letters of reference. Please provide two references from your previous academic institution. If you have left university you may provide one academic and one employer reference. Letters of reference can be emailed to contact@ulip.lon.ac.uk.
• A photocopy of a statutory identification document such as a passport.
• A Statement of Purpose. To be written in English, this should explain your reasons for wanting to study on this programme, and include reference to relevant (academic and/or occupational) experience. It should be no more than one side of A4.
• A Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV). Please provide a recent version of no more than two sides of A4.
• Two samples of written work. These must be written in English and should take the form of short academic essay of approximately 2000 words.
• Proof of English Language ability (non-native speakers only)

Important UK immigration information

Please note that applicants for the MA in Urban History and Culture cannot be sponsored by Queen Mary or the University of London Institute in Paris for a Tier 4 (General) Student immigration permission to study in the UK. This means that non-UK students who wish to study modules in London in Semester 2 will need to apply for immigration permission as a Short-Term Student and, if successful, will not be able to stay in the UK more than 6 months. Depending on their nationality, students will need to apply for a Short-Term immigration permission before they enter the UK or on entering the UK. Further information can be found via the Queen Mary University of London website.

The fees below relate to new students registering for the 2024-2025 session. On average, fees are subject to a five per cent year-on-year increase. Subject to confirmation in January 2025.

There is a variety of funding available for the MA Urban History and Culture. These include University of London scholarships, external scholarships and government loans.

We also offer an alumni bursary to University of London Institute in Paris and University of London graduates, with 10% off tuition fees. If you would like to find out more, please contact alumni@london.ac.uk.

To be eligible for the University of London Scholarships and Aziz Scholarship, students must have an accepted place on the MA Urban and History and Culture.

University of London Scholarship: Nathan, Quinn & Esmond Fund

Thanks to the generosity of the University of London Nathan, Quinn & Esmond Fund, the University of London Institute in Paris will be offering up to two fee waivers or equivalent tuition fee reductions per academic year for this course. To be eligible, applicants must hold an offer for the course. The awards will be made on the basis of academic and/or professional merit.

To apply, students should submit a 300-word statement elaborating why they should be considered and detail how the award will further their professional development. The statement should be emailed to: contact@ulip.lon.ac.uk. 

Applications for the scholarship programme close 6 June 2025 (11:59pm BST).

Aziz Foundation Scholarship

Enabled by the generous support of the Aziz Foundation, a scholarship covering tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year will be awarded to an exceptional student on the MA in Urban History and Culture who is active in British Muslim communities and keen to build bridges with all parts of British society. 

For more information about eligibility and how to apply head here.

Applications for the scholarship programme close 6 June 2025 (5pm BST).

UK Government Postgraduate Master’s Loan

Those undertaking a master’s degree at the University of London Institute in Paris can access a UK Government loan under the study abroad criteria. Loans of up to £12,000 are available for eligible students, paid in three equal instalments for full-time students, or six equal instalments for part-time students.

Please note that students wishing to apply for this loan, are required to complete 50% of the course in the UK. Therefore, students must choose to study the second term at Queen Mary in London with our split-site option.

Applicants must seek government eligibility specifications before applying for this loan, including previous study, age, residency and location of study.

Further information is available at the gov.uk website.

External sources of funding

The level of competition for scholarships is generally very high and prospective students are encouraged to investigate sources of funding early on.

Findamasters.com provides detailed information about sources of postgraduate funding.

Loans for US students

US students studying at the University of London Institute in Paris are not eligible for US Federal Loans but can apply for a private loan from Sallie Mae. Students applying for a private loan need to notify University of London Institute in Paris Student Services for further instructions to ensure their loan can be confirmed.

Students who receive government funding do not have to pay anything up front, and do not have to start repaying loans until the April after they graduate and are earning above an income threshold. Learn more about funding your studies at University of London Institute in Paris.

For students not receiving government funding, payment is made online through Queen Mary University of London. Find out more about paying fees.

Studying the MA in Urban History and Culture will provide you with a deep understanding of the history and contemporary organisation of two capital cities through a multidisciplinary approach as well as develop a range of advanced analytical and research skills.

Gaining a recognised postgraduate qualification with strong inter-cultural skills and international experience, along with a range of advanced project management skills will prepare you for many career paths or further study.

Previous graduates now work in a range of careers, including academia, NGOs, the travel industry, filmmaking, galleries, auction houses and photography.

Students can access a range of services and tools from Careers and Enterprise at Queen Mary University of London as well as benefit from the experience of the University of London's Careers Group. Find out more about careers support.