Urban Systems
Degree Benefits
A Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) degree from UBC gives you the credentials and knowledge to confidently take on positions of greater responsibility or make the shift into a new industry sector.
Update your technical skills
The program introduces you to the critical aspects of designing, constructing, operating, maintaining and deconstructing built infrastructure. You’ll gain the broad technical understanding needed to support strategic-level decision making that carefully considers the complex interdependencies that underpin urban infrastructure systems.
Learn the language of business
Technical knowledge is not enough. Through courses offered by UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School, you’ll gain foundational business skills, improving your understanding of broad-based management concepts.
Become a confident leader
Leadership development is embedded throughout the program, giving you ongoing opportunities to lead teams and projects and strengthen your interpersonal skills.
Gain a professional master’s degree from a world-class university
UBC is one of the world’s top 40 universities and its programs and professors have a global reputation for excellence. UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science is home to one of North America’s premier engineering schools and the School of Community and Regional Planning offers a world-class instructional environment with faculty who are acknowledged experts in social, long-term and regional-level planning.
UBC Sauder School of Business is ranked first in Canada and 38th in the world for business and management studies, and the school is known for its commitment to rigorous, relevant and experiential teaching.
Expand your network
As a student in the MEL in Urban Systems program, you will grow your personal and professional network by:
- learning from world-renowned faculty members from both UBC Engineering and the School of Community and Regional Planning
- studying alongside motivated peers who bring a diverse range of work experience and perspectives to the program
- taking business courses with students from other professional graduate programs in the Faculty of Applied Science – engaged and ambitious professionals from the other multidisciplinary MEL and Master of Health Leadership and Policy programs
- attending workshops and presentations featuring industry leaders (discover our professional development sessions to see the most recent speakers and topics), offering you opportunities throughout the year to gain insight into the latest issues and trends in your field
“The multidisciplinary nature of the Urban Systems program reflects how urban infrastructure projects are actually designed and managed, where people with expertise in urban planning and engineering come together to address large and complex issues.” – Stephanie Chang
Go further
Students who have broad technical knowledge and an understanding of business have a distinct competitive advantage. In demand locally, nationally and internationally, our graduates have successfully moved into roles with municipalities, utility companies, transportation providers and engineering consulting firms as planners, policy advisors and entrepreneurs.
“Our graduates are job-ready for work in both the public and private sectors, bringing innovative thinking to enable urban centres to thrive as they grow.” – Susan Nesbit
Learn more about this innovative professional master’s degree from our professors.
Application Deadlines
2023 Application Deadlines
The online application portal for 2024 admission opens on January 1, 2023.
Round 1: March 30, 2023
Round 2: June 30, 2023
Round 3 (Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, and US citizens only): August 30, 2023
See how to apply section for full details.
How to ApplyFeatured Alumni
Grace Sonmezsoy
Urban Systems
A management consultant with 20 years of experience, a degree in civil and environmental engineering, an MSc in Transport and an MBA, Grace Sonmezsoy pursued the MEL in Urban Systems to update her skills so she can better address the complex challenges facing our cities.
