About Comparative Housing And Urban Research in Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh

There has been a growth in interest in comparative housing and urban research over the past 20 years. In part this reflects the growing influence of supranational forms of governance, such as through the European Union, the exercise of ‘soft’ power through the promulgation of certain ways doing things (e.g. OECD) and the growing integration of economies through trade and economies. The Global Financial Crisis began with a crisis in the US sub-prime mortgage market – but continues to have world-wide consequences. Comparative research is also increasingly undertaken in the search of successful policy transfer, especially in an age of fiscal austerity.

Members of the group has a strong track record in conducting comparative and international research and consultancy for a variety of agencies, including the European Commission, European Parliament, OECD, Council of Europe Development Bank, UN-Habitat, UN-Economic Commission for Europe, as well as for overseas governments, including New Zealand and Finland.

I-SPHERE is an institutional member of the European Network for Housing Research (ENHR), and Mark Stephens has been an ENHR Committee member for more than 10 years. Glen Bramley is a co-ordinator of the ENHR Working Group on Metropolitan Dynamics and Mark Stephens is a co-ordinator if its Working Group on Comparative Housing Research. Mark Stephens and Michelle Norris have just produced an edited collection Meaning and Measurement in Comparative Housing Research (Routledge, 2014) based on one of the working group’s meetings.

Academic qualification equivalents

• A post graduate degree with related subject

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS :6.5 
• TOEFL IBT: 90
• PTE: 58-64

Heriot-Watt University Highlights

Heriot-Watt University Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

International students applying through UCAS can find their exact tuition expenses by submitting the Fee Status Enquiry form. The cost of living will be determined by the course opted as well as the applicant's nationality. Edinburgh has a comparatively lower cost than other UK cities. Estimate cost of living on and off-campus for UK Campuses is tabulated below: 

Living in a rented flat may vary according to the type of accommodation and facilities being availed. The estimated monthly cost including food and travel is £923.