Universities and Online Degrees Guide

University of the Witwatersrand

Master of Urban Studies in Housing and Human Settlements

The Master of Urban Studies in Housing and Human Settlements in Architecture is offered by University of the Witwatersrand.

Program Length: 1 YEAR.

Master of Urban Studies in Housing and Human Settlements offered by the University of the Witwatersrand

The Master of Urban Studies in the field of Housing and Human Settlements (coursework and research) is interdisciplinary, requiring 65% average in an honours degree or equivalent.

The MUS (HHS) aims to develop practical, managerial, analytical, and spatial skills, as well as social and cultural sensitivities, to meet housing challenges in the unevenly developing world. 

Students are offered the unique opportunity to engage with housing issues from a multi-disciplinary, internationalist perspective. The coursework covers theoretical, conceptual, social, technical, managerial, legal, financial and planning aspects of housing and includes electives that deepen the engagement with housing in specialised areas.

Through the substantial research component, students are given the opportunity to critically explore a particular aspect of their interest in housing. Students are taught and supervised by a multi-disciplinary team of scholars.

The MUS (HHS) is offered on a block release requiring presence at Wits University for two full days (8.30am-3.30pm) once a month. However, in the second year of the part time route, part time candidates have to attend the Research Methods for one full day every two weeks for the first quarter of the year. There are several research progress presentations scheduled across the remainder of the year.

Curriculum

The MUS (HHS) consists of coursework and research. The coursework, which has the same credit weighting as the research component, is designed to complement the research enquiry. The elective course allows for individual specialisation beyond the essential housing competencies taught in the compulsory courses. The degree is structured as follows:

• 4 compulsory Category A courses (70 points)
• 1 elective from Category B (20 points)
• Research Report (90 points)