Urban Studies and Practice IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University

Overview

This Urban Studies and Practice degree from the IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University is designed to create ‘system integrators’ who work across the silos of disciplines and sectors within the urban, as well as a generation of interdisciplinary urban researchers, who work across disciplinary boundaries.

The Programme has two distinct parts. Taking a systems approach, the first roots urban studies and practice into key systems: governance, financing, infrastructure development, and planning, as well as economic and environmental systems, with an emphasis on India. It trains urban practitioners to see how these systems are interconnected and builds a foundational and interdisciplinary understanding of the urban and the rural–urban transition. The second part then equips learners to delve deeper into particular kinds of urban systems through a wide range of Elective Courses that form the majority of course offerings, which help learners gain depth either in applied and interdisciplinary urban research or intersectoral urban practice.

Across these two parts, the Programme focuses equally on theory, as well as policy, programmes, and practice. Learners will be equipped with a core understanding of policies and programmatic interventions within urban studies and practice, and trained to design and implement interventions and programmes in the complex reality of Indian cities, regions, towns, and villages. This is complemented by rigorous training in interdisciplinary methods of urban research and practice.

Career opportunities:

Graduates of the MUSP will have a wide range of career options:

• Private Sector, across firms in the building, infrastructure, finance, manufacturing and services sectors; consulting and professional service firms; in line functions in key areas like urban development, sustainability, and others.
• Entrepreneurship, as commercial entrepreneurs, including start-ups, addressing market needs through innovative solutions; as social entrepreneurs working for the common good; or as public entrepreneurs working within and on public agencies.
• Government and Public Sector,at the Centre, state, and local levels, including relevant civil services; public sector organisations; parastatal agencies and government SPVs.
• Development Sector, including domestic, UN, multilateral, bilateral, and international organisations; think tanks; development consulting firms; not-for-profit organisations; and philanthropies.
• Academia, in pursuit of higher education; or as educators, researchers, and trainers across India and internationally.