Urban Studies | Faculty of Arts

Program overview

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Urban Studies is more relevant than ever. With almost 60% of the world’s population living in urban areas, the concept of “the city” has become an attractive, challenging topic. Cities are key to meeting current global climate change and human rights challenges, as recognized by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Given that each city is a complex system requiring insight from multiple fields of study, we offer you the opportunity to study cities through a range of perspectives and spatiotemporal scales. Our faculty members have a variety of connections, from global organizations to local communities, to help you build your network.

Why choose this program

Advanced Technical Skills Development: Explore cities as complex systems shaped by culture, economy, mobility, human rights, and climate challenges. You develop key skills in urban analysis, critical thinking, and understanding social and spatial dynamics.

Flexible and Interdisciplinary Program: The microprogram in Urban Studies can be added to any Major or Specialization. It allows you to study cities through multiple disciplines — geography, social sciences, environment, culture — while strengthening your main program.

Diverse Career Opportunities: This microprogram prepares you for fields such as urban planning, public policy, community development, municipal management, and urban research.

Understanding Urban Sustainability Challenges: Gain a deeper understanding of how cities address major sustainability issues such as climate adaptation, housing, transportation, and social equity. You will learn to evaluate the long‑term resilience of urban systems and analyze how planning, policy, and community action contribute to more sustainable and inclusive urban environments.

Program structure

Get a glimpse into how uOttawa’s Urban Studies program is structured and the courses you’ll have the opportunity to take.

Understand program path and options

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Opportunity to acquire a solid foundation in urban Studies while following a Specialization or a Major in another discipline.

Must be taken in addition to a main program.

Program structure

Admission requirements and deadlines for Urban Studies

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After your studies

After completing your undergraduate studies in your main field of study within your Specialization or Major (for example, an Honours BA in Environmental Studies or Geography) with the Urban studies microprogram, you have two main paths to consider: continuing your studies or entering the workforce.

You may choose to pursue graduate studies in your main program, such as a Master’s degree (MA), to deepen your knowledge and develop advanced research, analytical, and critical‑thinking skills. A research‑based MA is ideal if you wish to specialize in a specific area or eventually pursue a PhD.

You may also decide to enter the job market directly. Your degree can lead to a variety of careers in fields such as Urban planner and Urban geographer. These opportunities allow you to apply your analytical, spatial, and social skills in real-world settings.

Whether you choose to continue your studies or transition into the workforce, your degree provides a strong foundation for building a career.

Potential Career Paths

Tuition and fees

Learn about the costs associated with your program and explore the scholarships and funding options available to help support you along the way.

Tuition fees

Scholarships and bursaries

Student experience

Student Association of the Faculty of Arts (SAFA)

SAFA represents the interests of undergraduate students of the Faculty of Arts within the UOSU, the Faculty, the University, the community, and the provincial and federal governments. The students’ association also works to foster a sense of community through social, academic, and cultural events, while at the same time offering a variety of services to its members.

Geography Graduate Students Association GGSA

The GGSA is a departmental organization responsible for supporting and representing graduate students in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics at the University of Ottawa. We allow the voices of graduate students to be heard by sitting in and voting at department assemblies. We also organize social events to encourage human geographers, physical geographers, and geomatics specialists to interact with and learn from each other.

Undergraduate Students Association GAIA

Gaia is the Geography, Environment and Geomatics Student Association. They serve and represent the student bodies of these programs and to help better your university experience.

“Gaia“ (pronounced guy-a), according to Greek Mythology, is the goddess of the Earth. James Lovelock used the term in the 1970s to describe the earth as a living, self-regulating organism.