The international URC Curriculum (MA) consists of 120 ECTS, including master’s thesis.
In combination, there are seven URC Study Tracks (three European and four transatlantic), based on national accreditations.
All students start in October their first URC semester at University of Augsburg/Germany {Humanities}, then continue in the second semester at University of Santiago de Compostela/Spain {Geography}, and in the third semester at University of Coimbra/Portugal {Sociology} their Urban Cultural Studies.
For the final URC semester there are multiple options, where students can decide whether they want to accomplish their master’s thesis with placement in Augsburg or Santiago de Compostela, or more research-oriented in Coimbra (tracks 1-3); or combine their thesis with a Latin American study activity in Buenos Aires/Argentina or São Paulo/Brazil between the third and fourth semester (tracks 4-7).
Module Structure
The joint URC Study Program consists of six interdisciplinary modules, and two practical and field study modules:
First Semester [30 ECTS] / Augsburg, Germany (Humanities)
- A: Basic Modules I (Compulsory): Urban Aesthetics (U Augsburg, Germany)
The modules are dedicated to fundamental aspects regarding the creative construction and aesthetic perception of urban space. [15 ECTS] - B: Basic Modules II (Compulsory): Urban Discourses (U Augsburg, Germany)
The modules are dedicated to fundamental aspects regarding the discoursivity of urban space and historical concepts and forms of urbanity, as well as traditions of urban thinking. [15 ECTS]
Second Semester [30 ECTS] / Santiago de Compostela, Spain (Geography)
- C: Extension Modules I (Compulsory): Urban Spaces (U Santiago de Compostela, Spain)
The modules are dedicated to central aspects of urban planning and urbanism. [15 ECTS] - D: Extension Modules II (Compulsory): Urban Governance (U Santiago de Compostela, Spain)
The modules are dedicated to central aspects of urban governance. [15 ECTS]
Third Semester [30 ECTS] / Coimbra, Portugal (Sociology)
- E: In-Depth Modules (Compulsory): Urban Transformation (U Coimbra, Portugal)
The modules are dedicated to cultural planning and community-centered interventions in the context of urban cultural sustainability. [30 ECTS]
Fourth Semester [30 ECTS] / Europe + Latin America
- F1: Practical Module (Elective): Urban Practices (Augsburg / Santiago dC)
The module is constituted by a European in-situ work experience. [10 ECTS*] - F2: Research & Field Studies Modules (Elective): Transatlantic Urban Cultures (Buenos Aires, Argentina / São Paulo, Brazil)
The module group consists of elective Latin American modules absolved abroad. [10 ECTS*]- F2.1: Research & Field Studies Modules (Elective): Urban Palimpsests (U Del Salvador, Buenos Aires)
The modules are dedicated to the study and examination of diverse socio-cultural inscriptions in Latin American urban societies. - F2.2: Research & Field Studies Modules (Elective): Urban Diversities (U São Paulo)
The modules are dedicated to the study and examination of socio-cultural diversity and interactions in Latin American urban dynamics.
- F2.1: Research & Field Studies Modules (Elective): Urban Palimpsests (U Del Salvador, Buenos Aires)
- F3: Final Module (Compulsory): Urban Cultures (U Augsburg / U Santiago dC / U Coimbra)
The module is constituted by a joint supervised master’s thesis (< 90 pp.) [20/30 ECTS]
URC National Degrees
If you are interested in the two URC National Degrees (Germany & Portugal), please visit the information sites of the University of Augsburg and the University of Coimbra, respectively.