MSc in Urban Systems Engineering

MSc in Urban Systems Engineering

Last modified: 29. September 2026

The aim of the programme is to train professionals who are prepared to undertake planning tasks related to the sustainable development, spatial planning, rehabilitation and conservation of settlements, sub-regions and regions, as well as the improvement of environmental quality. Taking into account architectural, ecological and technical considerations, graduates are equipped to perform technical and administrative duties and to hold positions in technical authorities, specialised authorities and local government bodies related to planning and development, including managerial positions, in accordance with the needs of society. They are also prepared to continue their studies at doctoral level.

Qualification and Degree Awarded:
In accordance with the relevant training and outcome requirements:

  • Degree level: Master’s degree (MSc)
  • Professional qualification: Certified Urban Systems Engineer

Duration of the programme: 4 semesters
Mode of study: Full-time
Funding: State-funded scholarship or self-funded
Programme Leader: Dr Anna Andrea Szövényi, associate professor
Location: Budapest (Buda Campus)
Language of instruction: Hungarian or English
 

Professional practice

The accredited curriculum of the Master’s (MSc) programme in Urban Systems Engineering requires students to complete a four-week professional internship, in accordance with the relevant Training and Outcome Requirements. The internship may be completed either in Hungary or abroad. The four-week (160-hour) internship should preferably be completed continuously during the summer break. Any alternative arrangement (e.g. 2+2 weeks or 3+1 weeks) must be agreed in advance with the course coordinator.
The professional internship is primarily intended to provide practical experience in planning and design. Students are therefore encouraged to seek host organisations with a broad range of professional activities. As the qualification of Certified Urban Systems Engineer may, following the acquisition of the required professional experience, provide an opportunity to obtain a professional authorisation as a Settlement Planner (TT), students should preferably seek placements at practices employing lead planners who hold the relevant authorisation.
As settlement planning is a related professional field to architecture (É), students may also consider applying to practices employing a lead architect with “É” professional authorisation, even if the practice does not employ a specialist planner holding a TT authorisation.
Based on these criteria, the host organisation should be a company or professional practice engaged in settlement planning, urban development, or real estate development.

Obligations During the Internship

The requirements and regulations governing the professional internship are set out in Section 61 of the Study and Examination Regulations (TVSZ) and Appendix 1 to the TVSZ: Regulations on Professional Internships.
For further information on the requirements and procedures related to professional internships, please visit the following page: Professional training.
 

Assessment and Recognition of the Professional practice:

Upon completion of the internship, the student is required to submit a professional internship report.
According to the standard curriculum, the course associated with the professional internship is scheduled for the second semester. However, students are required to register for the course in the second semester only if they completed their professional internship during the summer period between the first and second semesters. At the student's discretion, the professional internship may also be completed during the summer period between the second and third semesters or between the third and fourth semesters.
The professional internship must be registered as a course in the NEPTUN Student Administration System in the semester following its completion (i.e. in the second or fourth semester).
Upon completion of the internship, all students are requested to prepare notes, copies and photographs—subject, of course, to the permission of the host organisation—documenting the work and activities in which they were involved. These materials should provide a sufficiently professional and engaging basis for a 15-minute presentation to fellow students and members of the teaching staff.
Further information on the professional internship for the Master’s (MSc) programme in Urban Systems Engineering is available on the Institute’s website

Skills, Competencies and Professional Authorisations Acquired Upon Completion of the Programme

Graduates holding the qualification of Certified Urban Systems Engineer possess specialised, advanced-level professional knowledge grounded in fundamental scientific disciplines. This knowledge qualifies them to take up managerial and senior management positions in the following areas:

  • Urban and settlement planning, spatial development and regional planning, including related planning and design tasks;
  • Mid-level and senior management positions in the fields of spatial development, urban affairs and environmental affairs;
  • Technical management positions within local governments, as well as positions involving responsibilities related to urban planning, settlement development and the duties of a Chief Architect / Municipal Chief Architect;
  • Managerial positions within specialised authorities, including positions as responsible mid-level managers in public authorities or local government bodies;
  • Professional administrative and regulatory positions at mid-level and senior management level within inter-municipal associations, county governments and regional administrative bodies.

Conditions of obtaining pre-degree certificate (absolutorium)

The requirements for obtaining the pre-degree certificate (absolutorium) are:

  • successful completion of all compulsory courses of the programme, all courses belonging to the selected module, the number of elective credits required by the curriculum, and the credits awarded for the preparation of the thesis, amounting to a total of 120 credits;
  • successful completion of the required 4-week professional internship.

Final exam
Condition to attend final exam:

  • obtained pre-degree certificate (absolutorium);
  • submission of thesis and its acceptance by reviewers;
  • the student shall not be in debt to the University.

Parts of final exam:

  • thesis defense;
  • comprehensive complex exam. 

Final Examination Subject Areas and Examination Subjects
Applicable from the 2021/2022 academic year on a rolling basis:
The Programme Director updates the final examination question sets annually, in consultation with the respective course coordinators. The current final examination question set must be published on the website of the Directorate of Education no later than 45 days before the final examination, and must be made available to students enrolled in the programme.

Master’s Thesis Defence

Master’s thesis topics are announced by the departments responsible for the programme. By completing the Master’s thesis, students demonstrate their ability to independently apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies.
The Master’s thesis must include the student’s own investigative, survey, analytical, proposal and design components. Students may select a topic from the announced topics or may propose the development of a topic corresponding to their own academic and professional interests in consultation with the relevant department.
The Master’s thesis must be prepared under the supervision of the relevant department and the thesis supervisor, in accordance with the schedule specified in the educational programme and the standard curriculum of the degree programme.

Evaluation of final exam and qualification of degree from 2020/21 academic year

Accordingly, to Final exam and Degree certificate.

Model curriculum of the program