Education

Understanding how cities work 

Students on The Public Life of Cities study how cities are shaped by public space, planning, government, regulation and social change. The module looks at how people use and share urban space, how cities respond to common problems and how planning decisions affect everyday life. Students can also take modules such as Urban African Economies and Epidemic Cities, both offered in 2024/25, which examine urban development, inequality, health and the way cities change over time. These modules help students understand cities as social, political and physical systems and think critically about how urban places can become more inclusive and sustainable. 

Learning about sustainable urban infrastructure 

The Urban Water in and Beyond the Pipes module uses water to explore how cities are planned and managed. Students look at piped water, rivers, lakes, canals, wetlands and coastal environments, and study issues including sustainability, inequality, governance, privatisation and environmental justice. This gives students a practical way to understand how infrastructure, environmental pressures and social inequality are linked in cities. 

Exploring urban development, inequality and participation 

Since 2019, more than 250 Queen Mary students have taken Latin American Debates: The Politics of Development and Democratisation. The module explores development, democracy and urbanisation, including questions about inequality, political participation and governance. Students look at how urban development affects different groups and how political decisions shape access to services, opportunities and public space. This gives students a wider understanding of how cities can become more inclusive, safe and sustainable. 

Learning how cultural heritage is protected 

Students on Queen Mary’s Heritage Management MA study how cultural heritage sites and collections are managed, protected and made accessible to the public. The programme covers areas including heritage governance, conservation, collection care, strategic planning and public engagement. Students also gain practical experience through placements with Historic Royal Palaces, working with heritage organisations and historic sites. This gives students experience of the practical decisions involved in preserving cultural heritage while keeping it relevant and accessible to different audiences. 

Culture, creativity and environmental responsibility 

Queen Mary also teaches students to think about the environmental impact of cultural activity. The Cultural and Creative Industries and the Environment module examines how cultural production affects the environment and looks at ways the arts and creative industries can become more socially just and environmentally sustainable. The module was offered in 2024/25 as part of the MA Creative Industries and Arts Organisation. Students learn how cultural organisations use resources, respond to environmental pressures and contribute to more sustainable urban life.