The Cities in the Global South course at Oxford University equips participants with the urban skills to deal with challenges faced by low and middle-income countries.

The majority of the world's population lives in the cities of low and middle-income countries, often referred to as the global south. This course explores current research and practical responses to the rapid growth of many cities in the global south, noting the legacies of the past and challenges for the future.

The course will evaluate the usefulness of the global south as a category, and consider how cities and urban livelihoods in low and middle-income countries have evolved. Students will examine case studies on a range of topics, such as unregulated or informal housing, development economics, climate change, technology and essential urban services.

The course aims to provide a global perspective on global urban issues, while also considering the specific challenges that shape the options and pathways for more sustainable cities in the future.

School: Oxford University, Oxford Lifelong Learning
Course: Cities in the Global South
Type: Short course
Location: Online
Course dates: 16 April to 25 June 2026
Application deadline: 13 April 2026

Find out more about the course and apply ›

What will I learn during this course?

– Explore sustainable urban development in the global south
– Evaluate current evidence to consider the future environmental, economic and social contexts of cities in the global south
– Foundational knowledge of key theories and practices of urbanisation and urban livelihoods in low and middle-income countries
– Global outlook on the current and future challenges
– Opportunities to develop more sustainable cities

What are the requirements?

– This course is open to all and no prior knowledge is required, and is offered at FHEQ Level 4 (i.e. first year undergraduate level)
– Participants will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for assignments and for the weekly webinar
– The 10-week short online course comes with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours, including those spent in live webinars

What facilities and resources are available?

– Access to an online virtual learning environment, which houses the course content, including video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials
– All learning materials remain available to all students for 12 months after the course has finished
– Tutors guide students through the course materials as part of the live interactions during the weekly webinars and will provide individualised feedback on your assignments

Who teaches this course?

– David Howard, associate professor in sustainable urban development

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