Urban Studies
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA, iBA
Full-Time, Part-Time
Yes
Yes
Yes
Urban Studies at York stresses the importance of fieldwork when studying the social and spatial fabric of cities.
The city is among the most fundamental human institutions. Across history, cities have been sites of basic innovation in economic, political and cultural life — centres of trade, seats of empire and the locale of scientific, social and artistic creativity. Cities retain these roles today and are the home of a growing majority of the world’s population who increasingly live in large metropolitan regions of several million people. Often, as in many Canadian cities, these urban regions are marked by complex social diversity, striking contrasts of wealth and poverty and a challenging array of planning and environmental dilemmas.
Urban Studies is the attempt to understand cities and city life — how they function, the current and future concerns of their residents. This encompasses the political institutions, economic and social relations, physical landscapes and cultural frameworks that constitute the city.
As a student in Urban Studies, you will focus on cities as distinctive entities and explore the meaning and function of cities in the larger society. You can take courses from a broad range of fields including:
- history
- environmental studies
- geography
- anthropology
- political science
- sociology
- psychology.
You will also examine the processes that produce certain patterns of human settlement and chart the changing relationships among areas shaped by urbanization, such as metropolis and countryside, city and suburb, municipality and region.
Urban Studies can lead to careers in government, regional and urban planning, human services, business, education, and social science research.
- Urban Studies employs a range of perspectives on cities and their citizens and encourages students to develop and pursue their own interests and approaches.
- The following scholarship and award are of special interest to Urban Studies students: The Marion Miller Award, in memory of an Urban Studies graduate who also taught in the Program, and the Otto Friedman Memorial Scholarship, in memory of a distinguished Professor in the Division of Social Science.
Questions?
Contact us at goyork@yorku.ca
Sample Schedule (First-year)
- World of Cities: Journeys Through Urban Space and Time
- General Education courses
- Courses outside the major
Possible Career Paths
Explore what you can do with your degree- architect
- journalist
- municipal government officer
- urban planner
Internationalize your degree
The iBA degree program(s) reflect York's commitment to internationalization and requires you to acquire an international language and to gain international experience on exchange at one of York University's partner institutions abroad. You will benefit from enhanced interdisciplinary and cross-cultural knowledge, which are important components of the department's academic focus. Visit the International program page for more information.
I am a high-school student
I have completed at least one year of full-time study at college or university
I have been away from high-school for at least two years
I have never studied in a formal academic high-school environment
Returning / Reactivating student (previously York)
Visiting Students
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Baccalauréat Français
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Bachillerato
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
- Some programs require a higher GPA.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
- Some programs require a higher GPA.
CAPE
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- A minimum overall average of 3 out of 7 is required. Higher grades required for certain programs.
- CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- A minimum overall average of 3 out of 7 is required. Higher grades required for certain programs.
- CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Chinese High School
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
Turkish High School
- Some programs require higher. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 4.0 or 70%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
GCE
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
Hong Kong
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, successful completion of the Twelfth Year of senior studies with a minimum overall average of %cutoff.hk%/5.0 required.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, successful completion of the Twelfth Year of senior studies with a minimum overall average of %cutoff.hk%/5.0 required.
International Baccalaureat
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
- Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
- Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
Indian High School
- Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 55%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
- Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
- Indian School Certificate (ISC)
- Intermediate Examination Certificate
- Pre-University Examination Certificate
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
- Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
- Indian School Certificate (ISC)
- Intermediate Examination Certificate
- Pre-University Examination Certificate
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
OUAC code YUF
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
OUAC code YUF
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
To be considered a mature student, you must:
Be at least 20 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University
Have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years or have returned to upgrade after a two year absence
Have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited university or college
Have demonstrated potential for success through academic, professional or volunteer activities and other accomplishments
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
To be considered a mature student, you must:
Be at least 20 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University
Have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years or have returned to upgrade after a two year absence
Have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited university or college
Have demonstrated potential for success through academic, professional or volunteer activities and other accomplishments
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Tawjihyah
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
United States High School (including AP exams)
- SATs/ACTs are considered in combination with high school grades.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
- AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO)
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
BALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
iBALiberal Arts & Professional Studies
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
You are required to provide official evidence of academic achievement in secondary education. This can be demonstrated through:
- Final grades under the Ontario curriculum (obtained through correspondence, night school or through TVO)
- Credentials through other curricula, such as results from Advanced Placement (AP) or Advanced-level courses in the General Certificate of Education (GCE). (Students may register to sit for the AP and GCE examinations as private candidates.)
In the absence of final grades in courses:
- You must submit the results of standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with a minimum combined total of 1170 on the Critical Reading and Math components or a composite American College Testing (ACT) score of 24.
- Your application will be reviewed by an admissions sub-committee. If admitted, you will not be eligible for entrance scholarships. You will be considered for continuing student scholarships at the end of your first year of study, if you satisfy those criteria.
You may also be required to provide proof of language proficiency. You will be considered for entrance scholarships on the basis of your overall averages in the six 4U/4M (Ontario curriculum) or equivalent courses.