MSc Smart and Climate Neutral Cities

University College Dublin

Ireland, Dublin

University RankQS Ranking

127

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Home/Ireland/Dublin /University College Dublin/MSc Smart and Climate Neutral Cities

University College Dublin

Ireland , Dublin

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

Mix

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines25-Sep-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

EUR 29,100 / year

Next Intake 25-Sep-2026

MSc Smart and Climate Neutral Cities

About

Cities play a pivotal role in achieving climate neutrality by 2050, the goal of the European Green Deal. They take up only 4% of the EU’s land area, but they are home to 75% of EU citizens.Furthermore, cities consume over 65% of the world’s energy and account for more than 70% of global CO2 emissions. Since climate mitigation is heavily dependent on urban action, we need to support cities in accelerating their green and digital transformation. In particular, European cities can substantially contribute to the Green Deal target of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030 and, in more practical terms, to offer cleaner air, safer transport and less congestion and noise to their citizens. Cities though are currently struggling to develop coherent plans on how to achieve these ambitious but necessary targets because of the lack of relevant inter- and trans- disciplinary skills to tackle wicked long term sustainability challenges.The MSc in Smart and Climate-Neutral Cities is aiming to provide this inter- and trans- disciplinary knowledge to a new generation of skilled workforce to meet the goals of the smart cities and climate adaptation missions by contributing to a decrease of harmful industrial emissions while favouring renewable energy sources.

This programme offers students the opportunity to work on an established research project with experienced researchers in the fields of smart cities, climate neutral cities, spatial data analysis or related areas including: urban planning, climate action, participatory planning, citizen science, environmental studies, climate change impact, circular cities, sustainable mobility.

Modules are delivered in real-time to full-time students and made available online (via online material) to off-site learners.

This programme is delivered by a highly research-intensive school, which is in the top 150 in the QS world subject rankings. An example of this research activity is the coordination of the €13 million EU Horizon Europe REALLOCATE, to transform streets into inclusive, green, safe and future-proof urban spaces, where communities live and thrive. The project enables researchers, mobility experts, urban planners and local citizens to collectively re-imagine our cities and redesign how we move from one place to another.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalent in architecture, urban planning, urban design, engineering, physical or natural science, humanities, politics, economics or environmental related degree programme.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

English Program Requirements

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Taught Master's: A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. The non-academic version is not accepted.

Research Programmes: A minimum overall score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. The non-academic version is not accepted.

IELTS Indicator: A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band. This test will be accepted for 2022/23 and 2023/24 intake.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Taught Master's: A minimum score of 100 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

Research Programmes: A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

TOEFL iBT Home: A minimum score of 100 is required with a score of at least 20 in each section.

Duolingo Test of English (DET)

UCD has approved the use of the Duolingo Test of English (DET) for the 2024/25 intake.
An overall score of 130 will be accepted with no section below 110.

Please note that this does not apply to the CEMS MiM / MSc in International Management. In the case of the CEMS MiM the Duolingo English Test will not be accepted.

Career

Graduates of the programme will have a pivotal role in making cities in Europe and worldwide climate neutral. Medium and large organisations and global consulting firms are looking for specialists who can understand how to use technology and engage citizens and stakeholders in making cities more resilient to climate change and reduce their carbon footprint.

Specifically, graduates will have a skill set affording opportunities to work in a variety of industries and companies, including:

Urban Planning firms: ARUP, AECOM, Tom Phillips Associates
Sustainability Consultancy firms: Jacobs, AWN, Deloitte
Government agencies: European Environment Agency (EEA), Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Non-Profit Organizations: CODEMA, Irish Environmental Network