Programme summary for MSc Transport, Sustainability and Society

For more information contact: Rachel Aldred - Programme Leader

E-mail: r.e.aldred@uel.ac.uk or tel: 020 8223 4289.

Most Transport Masters courses tend to be relatively engineering-focused. There is less available for professionals interested in broader social-scientific questions, such as, what are the cultural, social, and psychological factors shaping individual transport choices and how have these changed over time? What does it mean to think of transport systems as generating and sustaining social inequalities? Why does policy sometimes stay the same despite widespread calls for change, and sometimes change dramatically? How are we going to meet the transport challenges presented by an ageing society? And how can the transport sector meet its CO₂ goals?

This is the course for people who want to discuss these kinds of questions. We will study the theories and evidence that can help us better understand why people do what they do (and what might make people change what they do). It is intended as a professional qualification that will help build a career in transport or related areas - we are applying for accreditation as an ‘approved Masters’ aiding entry for the Transport Planning Professional qualification. The course is flexible with intermediate awards and you can study part or full time starting in September or February. There will be the opportunity to take a variety of optional modules, some taught by the core team and others in related fields including Engineering and Sustainability.

Why study the MSc Transport, Sustainability, and Society at UEL?

A unique opportunity to study social, political and cultural factors driving transport behaviour.
Critical approach with strong sustainability and environmental focus; up-to-date content on walking and cycling.
Taught by research active staff team at UEL’s Sustainable Mobilities Research Group.
Option modules within the programme focus on cycling, comparative policy contexts, and transport inequalities; additional options are available from outside the programme.
A flexible and practitioner-focused course with the option to take intermediate awards (PGCert, PGDip, PG Associate Certificate)

What future careers and jobs are possible?

Existing practitioners will be able to develop their career through attaining a relevant professional qualification. Destinations will include transport planning and policy roles with local authorities, consultancies, or NGOs, related areas such as urban planning and policy research more broadly. For those interested in continuing in academia the programme provides strong research grounding for continuing to PhD level.

Special Features of the Programme

We are an Approved Masters towards the Transport Planning Professional qualification.
The staff team include academic experts widely published in the area of sustainable mobilities.
The opportunity to study in London where innovative policies such as the Congestion Charge have been implemented.
Unique module on ‘Cycling in Society’

Structure of the Programme

The MSc consists of 2 compulsory core modules, 2 option modules, and a dissertation. If you study full-time the programme should take one year to complete. To ensure flexible access to the programme we will run in full and part time mode and accommodate both a September and a February start. Intermediate awards will be available for those completing 30, 60, or 120 credits. We will begin by offering one module in block delivery (one week intensive study) and subject to demand will offer additional block delivery from the second year onwards.

Core Modules

Planning, Mobility and Sustainability. Focusing on the UK context this module covers planning theory, historical and contemporary trends in mobility in the post-war period, the changing political and policy context for transport, and the main challenges facing transport planning including the relationship between land use and transport, understanding the demand for travel, the need for greater public consultation and participation, and the need to accommodate environmental concerns. In doing so the module introduces the concept of sustainable development and the key elements of the sustainable mobility paradigm.

Mobility, Society, and Culture. This module gives students a thorough grounding in the sociology of mobility, covering how societies are shaped by the movement of people, goods, and information. It studies the socio-cultural implications of rising levels of mobility, and of inequalities between groups and the consequent differences in mobility cultures. The module investigates the social determinants of mobility choices and covers theories and interventions related to changing travel behaviour.

Dissertation

You will gain an understanding of the role of research in both theoretical and policy development. The dissertation module incorporates a series of research workshops where you will learn about qualitative and quantitative methods and data sources related to transport and mobility. This will cover areas including survey data, modelling approaches, interviews, travel diaries and ethnography. From this you will select one or more methods to explore in depth through a 10,000-word research dissertation. Existing practitioners may want to study a topic related to their current work while others may wish to arrange a placement with a local organisations – this is not compulsory, but we can help provide contacts if desired.

Option modules: two of -

Cycling in Society
Comparative Mobilities
Unequal Mobilities
Global Environmental Politics
Transportation Engineering
Sustainability and the Commons

Entry Requirements

Applicants should normally hold a first or second class honours degree in a related area including social science, transportation, and engineering. Applicants who are not graduates but who have relevant research or professional experience may be considered. Eligibility for students without degree-equivalent qualifications will be assessed on the basis of a short essay and statement. Places will be offered to students applying without formal requisite qualifications after this assessment and a successful interview with a member of the programme team. International students may be interviewed by phone or Skype. In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, we require IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or equivalent with no skill below 6.0.

CONTACT

Rachel Aldred R.E.Aldred@uel.ac.uk