The future master aims to attract international students that want to study in Brussels. In doing so, both universities wish to play out the unique position of Brussels as the capital of Europe and the largest student city in Belgium. By joining forces they are able to offer a high quality and interdisciplinary curriculum. Both universities rely on their numerous research groups that are active in the field of ‘urban studies’ as well as their experience in coordinating the very successful Erasmus Mundus programme 4CITIES (www.4cities.eu).
At VUB it was the Brussels Centre for Urban Studies that played the leading role in developing this project. The centre was only established recently and combines 28 research groups and more than 200 researchers from all 8 faculties in a broad research network (www.urbanstudies.brussels). Establishing this new master programme furthermore fits into the strategic policy choices of the new VUB rector, Caroline Pauwels, who wishes to focus on collaboration between VUB and ULB as well as emphasizing our position in Brussels and the challenges that face our urban and diverse society.