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How will tomorrow's built environment be designed and constructed? Architectural Computation at The Bartlett School of Architecture equips students with the skills to create generative and responsive forms, through exposure to real programming environments.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Full-time students study for 37.5 hours per week during term time. Typically, lectures and seminars occur on two days per week. Flexible mode students normally attend half this amount.
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.
Fee deposit: All students are required to pay a fee deposit of £1,000 for this programme.
Entry requirements
The normal minimum qualifications are a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Some basic computing experience is expected.
Applicants with lower standard of degree may be considered if the degree is in a subject appropriate to the programme and the applicant has considerable experience as a professional at a senior level, Please note that a special qualifying examination may be set. Details of this route can be obtained from the Built Environment Faculty Office. Please see contact details below.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Standard
UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
On completion of the programme, students will be able to use computational techniques in architecture, understand and predict the consequences of their design actions through computational processes, integrate their predictions into the design process, and carry out self-sufficient research into new methods and processes.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of five compulsory modules (75 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits), plus students take optional modules to the value of 45 credits.
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time nine months) is offered.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Architectural Computation. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Architectural Computation.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Computational Analysis (15 credits)
- Computational Synthesis (15 credits)
- Design as a Knowledge-Based Process (15 credits)
- Introduction to Programming for Architecture and Design (15 credits)
- Morphogenetic Programming (15 credits)
- Built Environment Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional modules
Students choose 45 credits of optional modules from the below:
- Digital Studio (15 credits)
- Embodied and Embedded Technologies: Body as Interface (15 credits)
- Embodied and Embedded Technologies: City as Interface (30 credits)
- Digital Ecologies (30 credits)
Dissertation/report
All MSc students submit a 10,000-word report related to the main themes of the programme, typically involving the development of an interactive installation or a system to improve the design process.
Fieldwork
The programme includes an optional fieldtrip.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars as well as individual and collaborative projects. Assessment is through unseen examination, coursework (including 3000-word essay, learning log, digitally fabricated piece and documentation, short video piece, and physical piece with video documentation) practical exercises and the dissertation.
Additional costs
The optional field trip costs students a maximum of £500 each. We estimate that students spend between £750-£1000 on specialist materials throughout the programme.
All students work differently so costs incurred depend on the approach they take to the brief given. The school encourages students to use recycled materials in their models and presentations – not only is it sustainable, but also cost effective and potentially innovative. The school also offers subsidies for exhibition costs.
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
UCL offers a range of financial awards aimed at assisting both prospective and current students with their studies.
Any additional funding available from the Bartlett School of Architecture and the Built Environment Faculty Office are advertised on the respective websites.
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
Bartlett Promise Scholarship - Master's
- Note:
- Deadline: 31 May 2021
- Value:
- Tuition fees plus £15,364 maintenance/yr (Duration of programme)
- Eligibility:
- UK
- Criteria:
- Based on financial need
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
After completing the programme, most graduates go on to join leading architectural and engineering practices, either directly with design teams or with specialist modelling groups. Alumni have also joined (or founded) cutting-edge emerging digital design practices such as United Visual Artists and Moving Brands, or moved into academic research.
Employability
Our MSc provides a full learning experience with set projects and structured learning. It can be taken by those without any computational experience or those looking for industry-applicable skills.
Why study this degree at UCL?
In REF 2014 46% of The Bartlett’s research was rated 4* i.e. “world-leading”, with a further 35% recognised as 3* i.e. “internationally excellent”.* The Bartlett submitted the largest quantity of 4* world-leading research outputs (156 items) of any university submitting to the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning sub-panel. On “Research Environment”, which grades the “vitality” and “sustainability” of the research environment, The Bartlett received the highest score for submission to the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning sub-panel.
Students on this programme are taught by experts and architects in a unique studio environment with access to state-of-the-art technology and facilities.
Located in London, we are at the heart of a large cluster of creative architects and engineering firms, next to the UK's seat of government and finance and with all the resources of a world city to hand.
The new architecture coming out of The Bartlett is characterised by a high level of invention and creativity. The school is internationally known as a centre for innovative design.
Department: Bartlett School of Architecture
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Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
The programme is primarily intended for graduates and professionals from a range of design backgrounds, including architecture, interior, graphic and urban design, who wish to develop computational techniques in architecture and gain the ability to use programming as easily as any other form of communication.
Application deadlines
- Full-time
- 31 May 2021
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Architectural Computation at graduate level
- why you want to study Architectural Computation at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver. Applicants who have who have a portfolio are strongly recommended to submit it when they apply.
We recommend that you apply for a maximum of two programmes. Multiple applications are less likely to result in an offer of admission.
Tier 4 Student Visa holders are advised to meet the English language proficiency of their offer no later than the end of June, in order to allow sufficient time to obtain a CAS number and visa.
To accept your offer, you must pay the non-refundable fee deposit within 6 weeks and decline any other offers for programmes at the Bartlett School of Architecture. If you do not respond within 6 weeks, your offer will be withdrawn.
Please note that the School of Architecture does not allow deferred entry to any of its postgraduate programmes. If you have an offer of admission but cannot take it up, you will not be able to defer it and will have to apply again for entry the following year.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 28 August 2021
