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Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Management in Urban and Regional Studies

Urban & regional studies (URS) delves into the physical, social, economic and political factors that shape our cities. It looks at the role of planning to manage dynamic forces of change such as immigration, global warming, aging populations, energy conservation, congestion, urban forests, homelessness and smog, to name just a few.

As a URS student at the University of Lethbridge, you will learn to approach contemporary development challenges from various frames of reference. Issues include the evolving social, ethnic and architectural character of urban neighbourhoods, the decline of agricultural service centres in the west or the governance of urban sprawl.

This multidisciplinary major will provide you with a broad range of conceptual and practical tools to understand cities and regions. URS is housed in the Department of Geography & Environment, but as a multidisciplinary major, the program includes courses outside the department’s offerings, such as anthropology, economics, political science, sociology and statistics.

The knowledge and experience you gain in the URS program will provide an exceptional stepping stone, whether you choose to continue your studies to the master’s or doctoral level or to enter the working world. Either way, you will have the educational background to play an important role in providing an understanding of, and solutions for, some of our most pressing urban and regional concerns.

Geographical Information Systems | URS majors are encouraged to develop more advanced research methods in geographical information systems (GIS). A notable area of strength at uLethbridge, GIS has become a growth area in research, teaching and employment for our graduates. Courses in GIS, remote sensing, spatial models and spatial statistics provide relevant training for students interested in careers related to cities, public administration at the municipal level, planning and land development.

Minors | Adding a minor to your degree is a great way to explore academic interests beyond your major. A minor is a set of courses comprising a secondary focus of interest. It is generally not related to your major. A minor may be required or optional. Pursue a second passion by adding a minor to your degree.

Honours Thesis | If your GPA is high enough in your fourth year, you can opt to complete an undergraduate thesis course. This is an excellent opportunity for you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree.

Experience learning | Our students have a number of experiential learning opportunities available to them including co-operative education, international exchanges, independent and applied studies as well as volunteer opportunities. uLethbridge is the only university in Alberta to offer co-operative education to all majors in the arts & sciences, at both the undergrad and grad level.

Student clubs and exchanges | URS students join with the Geography Club to enjoy a range of activities, such as attending provincial planning conferences associated with the Alberta Professional Planning Institute and annual meetings of the Canadian Association of Geographers. Our students regularly participate in the Hokkai Gakuen summer student exchange in Sapporo, Japan, or in an exchange with Canterbury Christ Church University in England.

Skills acquired | In addition to developing exceptional communication skills, you will develop critical and analytical problem solving skills, research and information management skills. You will leave the program with a strong ability to summarize research findings, to use field methods of data collection, apply descriptive and inferential statistics and use geographical information systems to solve a wide variety of spatial problems.

Campus Information

Lethbridge

Located on the west side of the city of Lethbridge, the University stretches across the coulees and has a great view of the Oldman River valley. It combines a beautiful setting with green space, gardens, and trees with high-tech facilities and classroom and research space. Spanning more than 500 acres, our campus is designed to ignite new ideas and encourage collaboration across disciplines.

Intakes

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description	IELTS (1.0 -9.0)	TOEFL IBT (0-120)	TOEFL CBT (0-300)	PTE (10-90)
Expert	9	120	297-300	86-90
Very Good	8.5	115-119	280-293	83-86
Very Good	8	110-114	270-280	79-83
Good	7.5	102-109	253-267	73-79
Good	7	94-101	240-253	65-73
Competent	6.5	79-93	213-233	58-65
Competent	6	60-78	170-210	50-58
Modest	5.5	46-59	133-210	43-50
Modest	5	35-45	107-133	36-43
Limited	4	32-34	97-103	30-36
Extremely Limited	< 4	< 31	< 93	< 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Possible careers
Regional Planning
Economic Development & Tourism
Housing Design & Policy
Environmental Consulting
Resource Management
International Development
Land Appraisal
Government Administration
Social Planning
Land Use Policy Analysis
Professional disciplines & graduate studies | Your undergraduate degree in urban & regional studies provides an excellent foundation for environmental or property law, journalism, management and education. The University of Lethbridge’s School of Graduate Studies offers programs at the master's and doctoral levels spanning over 60 disciplines — so why not consider pursuing grad school right here in Lethbridge! Whether you choose to do your advanced studies at uLethbridge or another institution, know that your undergraduate degree has set you on the path to post-graduate success.

PSW Opportunity

Eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):
Graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.
Desire to stay in Canada temporarily for work.

Important Note:
Graduating from a DLI doesn't automatically qualify you for a PGWP.

Validity of PGWP:
Depends on the length of the study program or the expiry date of your passport, whichever comes first.

Duration of PGWP Based on Study Program Length:
Less than 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec credentials): Not eligible for PGWP.
At least 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec credentials), but less than 2 years: PGWP may be granted for the same length as the study program (e.g., a 9-month program results in a 9-month PGWP).
2 years or more: PGWP may be valid for 3 years.

Completion of Multiple Programs:
PGWP may combine the lengths of each program if:
Each program is PGWP eligible.
Each program is at least 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec credentials) in length.

Important Restriction:
You cannot obtain a PGWP if you already had one after completing an earlier program of study

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Academic Standard XII certificate (e.g. Higher Secondary School Certificate, All-India Senior School Certificate, Indian School Certificate) with Second Division standing. Vocational Standard XII certificates will be considered on a case-by-case basis

The ELP requirement must be met prior to registration in a graduate program. The University reserves the right to use discretion in determining adequate levels of language proficiency to ensure success in academic programs. In all cases, the decision of the School of Graduate Studies shall be final.

Required Documentation
All proof of English proficiency must be provided on official academic transcripts or standardized test score reports. Standardized test scores must be valid and verifiable.

High School

Alberta English Language Arts 30-1, or equivalent, with a minimum final (blended) grade of 75 percent.

A grade of 5 or higher in IB Higher or Standard Level English.

A grade of 4 or higher in AP English.

A grade of B or higher in GCE A/S-level or A-level English.

Successful completion of a minimum of three consecutive years of full-time academic study in English at a secondary school in Canada or another country where English is recognized as the primary language (see Recognized Countries, below). English as a Second Language of study is not considered academic.

Post Secondary

Successful completion of a minimum two years of full-time academic study in English at a post-secondary institution in Canada or another country where English is recognized as the primary language (see Recognized Countries, below). English as a Second Language of study is not considered academic.

Successful completion of an academic diploma, applied degree, or baccalaureate degree, requiring at least two years of full-time study, at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada where the language of instruction is English.
English for Academic Purposes
(Must have been completed within two years prior to the date of application).

Successful completion of the Advanced Level of the University of Lethbridge English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program.

A passing grade in an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program accepted as a means of satisfying ELP by another recognized Canadian university, and whose ELP requirement is at least as demanding as that of the University of Lethbridge.

A passing grade in an EAP program approved by the Manager of Admissions.
ELP Assessments
(Must have been completed within two years prior to the date of application).

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL (iBT) or TOEFL iBT Home Edition) with a minimum total score of 80, with minimum scores of 16 in each of Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and a minimum score of 18 in Writing.
Academic International English Languages Testing System (IELTS or IELTS Online) test with a minimum overall score of 6.0, and a minimum 6.0 in each band. IELTS One Skill Retake results are accepted.

Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced (C1 Advanced), with a minimum score of 169, and a minimum 169 in each subscore.

Cambridge English Qualifications: C2 Proficiency (C2 Proficiency), with a minimum score of 169, and a minimum 169 in each subscore.

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic score with a minimum overall score of 54.

Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL or CAEL Online) assessment with a minimum overall score of 60, a minimum of 50 in each of Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and a minimum of 60 in Writing.

Duolingo with a minimum score of 105.

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University of Lethbridge

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada