Programme Director's Message
Our postgraduate programmes in Asian Urbanisms offer a blend of taught core and elective courses, followed by a sustained period of independent study, which culminates in a dissertation. Students will be primarily supervised by CIS faculty, but have the option to be co-supervised by faculty from SMU’s other Schools as well. In this vein, we offer a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to advancing the study of Asian cities. That is, an approach that starts from the urban studies paradigm, but which reaches out into other disciplinary fields as well.
Our graduates will comprise a new breed of urban scholar who is trained to develop empirical insights and theoretical perspectives that speak from Asia. Whilst our PhD graduates will be trained to fill either academic roles, or those that speak to the policy and research-related domains, our MPhil graduates will be equipped with the skills needed to make an impact as urban professionals working in research, policy or consulting-oriented domains that span the public, private and people sectors.
Whether you are interested in studying the effects of changing food consumption practices on sustainability in Singapore, the economics of ride-hailing apps in Bangkok, the effects of sea-level rise on Jakarta, or how the state competes with other political structures to plan smart cities in China, our students will have access to world-class faculty that boast a wide range of research interests in, and expertise on, Asian cities.
Orlando Woods
Professor of Geography
Associate Dean (Research and Postgraduate Programmes)
About the Postgraduate Research Programme
Our postgraduate programmes in Asian Urbanisms provide students with a unique interdisciplinary approach to the study of Asian cities. The programme combines coursework with a sustained period of independent study culminating in a dissertation. Students receive primary supervision from faculty in the College of Integrative Studies but have the option for co-supervision from faculty in other SMU Schools. This blend of expertise fosters a comprehensive understanding of urban dynamics in Asia. Whether you are interested in studying the effects of changing food consumption practices, to the economics of e-commerce and waste management, or the effects of sea-level rise, our graduates are equipped to make impactful contributions in various sectors.
PhD graduates are prepared for academic roles or positions in policy and research-related domains, while MPhil graduates gain the skills necessary for careers as urban professionals in research, policy, or consulting roles encompassing the public, private, and people sectors. With access to world-class faculty with diverse research interests in Asian cities, our students are well-positioned to make meaningful contributions towards real and emerging issues in Asian cities.
Three Distinctive Features
Interdisciplinary &
Integrative
A new paradigm of study designed to tackle the most complex problems facing Asian cities.
Study Asia,
from the Heart of Asia
As the only university located in the centre of Singapore, itself located in the heart of one of the most dynamic regions in the world, SMU is uniquely positioned to offer students the opportunity to study urbanising Asia.
World-Class
Faculty
Primarily supervised by faculty members from the College of Integrative Studies who are committed to building an understanding of the pasts, presents and futures of Asian cities, students will have the chance to tap into SMU’s vibrant intellectual community and secure co-supervision from faculty in other Schools.
MPhil in Asian Urbanisms
MPhil & PhD in Asian Urbanisms
The MPhil in Asian Urbanisms is an interdisciplinary programme that is rooted in the urban studies tradition, but which also exposes our students to cognate ideas emerging from the humanities, economics, public policy, business, climate science, information systems/computer science (specifically, areas like geographic information system, smart city management and urban systems).
The programme purposefully combines taught and research components so that students are equipped not only with knowledge, but also the ability to develop new understandings of how we can tackle complex urban problems.
PhD in Asian Urbanisms
Master of Sustainability
jointly offered with SMU School of Social Sciences
The PhD in Asian Urbanisms is unique in its interdisciplinary and integrative approach. The programme is designed to purposively go beyond the traditional urban studies paradigm. In doing so, the programme exposes students to cognate ideas emerging from the humanities, economics, public policy, business, climate science, and information systems/computer science (including but not limited to areas like geographic information system, smart city management and urban systems).
Critically, this is a postgraduate programme that focuses – both theoretically and empirically – on Asian cities. Students will be taught and supervised by world-class scholars that are committed to building an understanding of the pasts,