Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.
Competence and skills
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.
Judgement and approach
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.
Learning outcomes specific to obtain a master's degree in Urban Studies after completed education in the programme Nordic Urban Planning
Knowledge and understanding:
On completion of the programme, students should be able to:
• Understand and have critical insight into how economic, political, social and cultural processes create the conditions and frameworks for planning and urban development
• Understand the significance of urban development economies for urban planning, including in relation to business models, profitability and investment
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of strategic planning and urban planning strategies at local, national and global scales
• Show solid knowledge and understanding of intercultural planning, everyday life and cultural diversity as basic conditions for globalizing cities and planning challenges
• Understand and know how to apply geographic information systems (GIS), mapping and visualisation as well as quantitative and qualitative analytical methods
• Show knowledge and understanding of citizen involvement, network management and participatory planning processes
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of project management, innovation and negotiation in complex urban management networks
• Show knowledge and understanding of Nordic planning traditions and welfare planning challenges, opportunities and limitations.
Skills:
On completion of the programme, students should have the skills to:
• Conduct independent, advanced research or development projects in accordance with current research ethics standards, under supervision
• Use relevant theories and methodologies from a critical perspective as well as to translate knowledge and understanding into action, advice and innovation related to challenges in planning and urban development in an international perspective
• Reflect critically on strengths and weaknesses of relevant theories and methodologies, and to use them in analysing concrete urban issues in a local and global perspective
• Analyse urban research questions from the perspectives of multiple actors and from intercultural perspectives, and propose holistic solutions and business models within urban development and planning
• Conduct economic, political, social and intercultural analyses of urban research questions and bring them together for collective analysis. That includes through economic analyses of planning and urban development projects
• Clearly communicate analyses and conclusions to different target groups as well as to engage in dialogue with relevant actors in urban planning and urban development
• Independently and creatively identify, formulate and analyse the city as a spatial field and, against this background, propose action strategies
• Collaborate on and manage defined projects dealing with urban issues and urban regeneration.
Competencies:
On completion of the programme, students should have the competences to:
• Collaborate on new ideas and solutions to complex urban issues
• Engage in negotiation-oriented urban development networks and processes, and coordinate and implement urban development and planning strategies based on a holistic understanding of urban challenges
• Lead and implement urban development projects and enter into agreements with key actors
• Engage in interdisciplinary project collaboration and be a bridge builder between different professions in urban planning and urban development, including through being able to combine design, technical, economic and wider social science knowledge
• Translate, in practice, business, technical and methodological skills into innovative and alternative solutions to urban development and planning problems
• Navigate global urban development networks based on intercultural understanding and competences
• Identify, understand and involve relevant actors in international urban development projects.