King's College London

Our Urban Informatics MSc explores how data and computational methods can be used to understand cities, improve public services and enhance the wellbeing of urban communities. You will learn how to collect, analyse and interpret complex behavioural and urban data to support better decision-making across the public and private sectors. Applications range from improving emergency healthcare and community policing to managing air quality and supporting public transport.

This interdisciplinary course combines advanced data science techniques with an in-depth understanding of cities and public services. Teaching draws on expertise from Informatics, Mathematics, and Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, including the use of data to explore mental health. You will begin by developing a strong foundation in data science and the theories that underpin the study of cities, alongside data visualisation and communication skills that will help you present evidence clearly and inform policy and decision-making.

As the course progresses, you will develop advanced skills in urban data analysis, spatial and network analysis, and data mining. You will also have the opportunity to explore a specialist area of city life, such as human mobility or mental health, allowing you to apply and refine your analytical skills while gaining experience of working with complex urban data.

Throughout the course, you will work with real-world data and case studies, including datasets provided by public and private sector partners. This practical experience culminates in a substantial individual project focused on an urban informatics challenge. Previous project topics have included modelling crime hotspots in London, exploring the impact of the Ultra Low Emission Zone on air quality, and analysing trends in traffic data. Some students have gone on to publish their findings in academic journals, present their work publicly or contribute insights that inform policymaking.

You may also have the opportunity to undertake a 10-week professional placement with one of our public sector or industry partners. Following a competitive application and interview process, selected students work one day a week with a partner organisation, applying their learning to real-world challenges. Partners include Westminster Council, HMRC, the NHS, the UK Health Security Agency, Transport for London and WSP. The placement provides valuable experience of applying urban informatics in a professional setting and can help you build connections with potential employers.

Most teaching takes place at King’s College London’s Strand Campus, with some sessions at the Waterloo and Denmark Hill campuses. Your teaching location will depend on the modules you choose. The Department of Informatics is based in Bush House on the Strand Campus.