UCL unveils economic support for UK design community

Link:

bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/index.php" target="_self">Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment

The UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment has announced four initiatives to support the UK design community during these difficult economic times.

The initiatives are aimed at recent graduate architects, engineers and young practitioners and form part of UCL's commitment to the Economic Challenge Investment Fund (ECIF) and Short Knowledge Transfer Programmes.

UCL has waived general overhead costs for all ECIF-supported programmes.

Professor Stephen Gage (UCL Bartlett School of Architecture) said: "The design industry has been among those hardest hit by the problems facing the economy, which is common in a downturn. That is the reason why I was particularly concerned that we respond very positively to this initiative."

UCL Bartlett will offer:

1) Short Knowledge Transfer Research Programmes

UCL Bartlett offers built environment architecture and design engineering companies and practices the chance to carry out a funded research project with UCL Bartlett as an academic partner. Projects must be short, of around 12 weeks duration, and must be designed to help the tactical development of the company or practice. Up to £500 per week is available to help fund the company's employment of a KTP Associate who can be an incoming graduate or postgraduate, or an existing company employee or partner. Up to 20 projects will be supported. Contact Professor Stephen Gage for initial advice on projects.

2) Advanced cadcam/rapid prototyping training course

This cutting edge course is based in UCL Bartlett's new £500,000 facility and offers places for up to 50 qualified applicants. Students will learn how to export handmade models into a digital format, and how to construct digital models for 3D printing or prototyping in nylon, wood and steel. A short RHINO course will be offered for those not conversant with this programme. The course is 50 per cent funded through the ECIF programme. Students will pay £1,200 for a four-week intensive full-time course. All materials will be provided. Contact Indigo Rohrer for further details.

3) Module seats on UCL's MSc Environmental Design and Engineering

These places will be offered to appropriately pre-qualified students (primarily architects and engineers). Three of the course's modules have been developed in direct response to industry demand. Another covers two topics important in designing high quality low energy buildings, while a specialized module covers more efficient business parks. Applications for the full course are already closed for 2009, but places are still available for these specialized modules. The courses are 50 per cent funded though the ECIF programme. Students will pay £250 for a part-time ten-week course. Contact Indigo Rohrer on  for application details. Visit the website for details of the modules on offer.

4) Assisted full-time places for the Bartlett Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Architectural Research

Students who successfully complete the Bartlett Graduate Diploma in Architecture/MArch programme, normally with Distinction or Commendation in one or more elements, may be allowed to undertake further study to receive the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Architectural Research. Suitably qualified diploma graduates are invited to apply for up to 20 places, 50 per cent funded through the ECIF programme. Students will pay £1,000 for a three-month full-time course commencing June 2009. A further course will be run over the summer in 2010. Contact Indigo Rohrer for further details. 

Image: top right, Bartlett School of Architecture, Wates House.

UCL context

The Bartlett is made up of the Schools of Architecture, Construction and Project Management, Graduate Studies, Planning, the Development Planning Unit and the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis. In recent years, teaching and research at the Bartlett have achieved international prominence and it is unique in offering a multidisciplinary approach to the built environment.

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