Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal
MURR
Duration
12–18 months full-time
Entry times
February or July (Semester 1 or 2)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Duration
12–18 months full-time
Entry times
February or July (Semester 1 or 2)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
In the 21st century, cities and urban areas are facing increasing challenges associated with flood risk, coastal erosion, and sea level rises. In many growing areas these are coupled with challenges of demographic growth and urban spread.
While there are many university postgraduate degrees that focus on local planning legislation, there are no other identifiable programmes that focus specifically on how communities respond to challenges that cities are facing today. This programme will be of interest to students wishing to address broader urban issues and engage with communities.
The Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal (MURR) will focus on:
- the urban renewal of Ōtautahi Christchurch, a city that faces many of these issues as it recovers from the 2010/11 earthquakes
- how communities respond to challenges that cities are facing today
- community engagement with students working with community groups and local government, within compulsory courses and through their chosen research project.
Normally the minimum requirement is a three-year bachelor’s degree from an Aotearoa New Zealand university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered to be equivalent. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to make sure they are of an equivalent standard.
You are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
Specific entry requirements
Every candidate for the degree of Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal shall have:
- qualified for a university degree which is relevant to urban resilience and renewal (eg, Geography, Environmental Science, planning, Sociology, or any other relevant degree subject to approval of the Programme Director and/or Academic Dean of Science); and
- normally at least 90 points in relevant 300-level courses from the Bachelor of Science Regulations; with an appropriate grade average (the normal requirement is at least a B grade average); and
- been approved as a candidate for the degree by the Academic Dean of Science.
A special application is required for this programme – see 'How to apply' below.
For the full entry requirements see the Regulations for the Master of Urban Renewal and Resilience or use the admission requirements checker.
How to apply
Students must apply for admission to the MURR programme. Contact the Department of Geography | Te Tari Mātai Matawhenua for an application form. Applications for admission must be submitted no later than 30 January in the year of desired entry.
Find out more about how to apply for graduate and postgraduate qualifications.
The programme comprises 180 points made up of six courses (at 30 points each).
The 180-point programme is taught over two 12-week semesters, plus a project. Students can study on a full-time or part-time basis. This Master's usually takes between 12–18 months to complete (up to 3 years part-time).
All students in the MURR take these courses:
- GEOG 402 Resilient Cities
- GEOG 409 Coasts and Rivers: from natural processes to urban environments
- GEOG 415 Internship
The compulsory project GEOG 692 Community or Workplace Based Project comprises an individual project in the field of Urban Resilience and Renewal, under the supervision of one or more staff members. The project will involve working with a community partner on a project of direct relevance and real value to that community.
Another 30 points of courses are chosen from 400-level courses which have more specific interests, for example Geography, Environmental Science, Statistics, Transportation Engineering, Water Resource Management. These chosen courses will be approved by the Programme Director.
The MURR is part of a suite of postgraduate qualifications at UC that deal with the the interactions between physical environments and human responses, with a focus on resilience and environment-society dynamics – see also the Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience (led by staff from UC's Department of Geological Sciences | Te Tari Pūtaiao ā-nuku and Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki).
There are multiple related subject areas available for further study as part of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (eg, Disaster Risk and Resilience, Environmental Science, Geography, Water Resource Management).
The Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal will provide students with the skills, knowledge, and competencies to be employed professionally in any organisation involved in urban resilience and renewal. It will enable graduates to seek out careers in areas such as environmental management, disaster risk reduction, hazard management, environmental consulting, as well as local and regional government.
The project component will provide students with the opportunity to work for a community/organisational partner on a research problem they have helped identify. By partnering with local organisations, graduates will have experience in how to influence , shape, and make a significant difference to the communities they live in.
Useful information:
- Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student and graduate profiles.
- Our Careers, Internships & Employment team can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers or find a job.
- For research into career destinations by qualification, visit the Universities New Zealand website.
- Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
- Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2019 | 180 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $12,021 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2019 | 180 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $54,900 |
Contact us
For full requirements see the Regulations for the Master of Urban Renewal and Resilience.
For study planning help contact the Department of Geography | Te Tari Mātai Matawhenua or the College of Science:
College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Phone +64 3 369 4141
Email collegeofscience@canterbury.ac.nz