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Architectural Design at The Bartlett is invested in the frontiers of advanced architecture and design and its convergence with science and technology. Composed of an international staff of experts and students, this programme is designed to deliver diverse yet focused strands of speculative research, emphasising the key role computation plays within complex design synthesis.
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.
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.
Fee deposit: All students are required to pay a fee deposit of £1,000 for this programme.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second-class UK degree in an appropriate subject or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants with extensive experience in the field may also be considered. A design/creative portfolio is also expected. Applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio of their design work once their completed application has been received, and should not send or upload work until it has been requested.
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
Students engage critically with new developments in technology, which are rapidly changing the landscape of architecture, its social and economic role and its effectiveness in industry applications. Placing advanced design at its core, Architectural Design MArch devotes a high proportion of its time to studio-based design enquiry, culminating in a major project and thesis.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
Students are introduced to the theoretical concepts which underpin Architectural Design through lectures and initial design projects. Students then undertake a thesis project, a report and work in specialist teaching groups. Modules are design-based with specialist lecture input.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MArch in Architectural Design.
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
Students undertake six compulsory modules to the value of 180 credits
- Architectural Design: Historical, Cultural and Theoretical Skills (15 credits)
- Design Thesis Report (30 credits)
- Bartlett Architecture Skills Elective (B-Pro Courses) (15 credits)
- Architectural Design Thesis Initial Projects (45 credits)
- Architectural Design Thesis Final Project (75 credits)
Optional modules
There are no optional modules for this programme.
Research project/design project
The programme culminates with students undertaking a major design project, the 'Architectural Design Final Project' in combination with an individual written submission, the 'Design Thesis Report'.
Fieldwork
Students have the opportunity to join an annual field trip, subsidised by the school.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, site visits and workshops, and incorporates both individual and group working. Assessment is through coursework assignments, essays, presentations and portfolio examinations.
Additional costs
There is an optional field trip for this programme annually, which 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 limited 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
The Bartlett School of Architecture is recognised as one of the world's leading schools of architecture and graduates from our Master's programmes are highly sought after.
Employability
With the opportunity to develop expertise in many of the cutting-edge design technologies shaping the global built environment, graduates from this programme are equipped for an exciting career in architecture or design.
Why study this degree at UCL?
Students develop an advanced, practical understanding of design-based, speculative research, spending around two thirds of their time in student-based design enquiry. The programme is organised into research clusters, each with their own research agendas, underpinned by the shared resources of technical tutorials, and theoretical lectures and seminars.
The programme brings together internationally renowned experts in cutting-edge design and fabrictaion. Students are introduced to theoretical concepts through lectures and introductory design projects, supported by computational and robotics skills-building workshops.
The Bartlett School of Architecture is renowned for preparing students for successful careers and has been ranked as the top architecture school in the UK by the Architects' Journal AJ100 for seventeen consecutive years. The school also enjoys an exceptional international reputation and is currently ranked number one in the UK by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020.
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?
We are looking for applications from graduates or professionals who wish to be part of a speculative architectural design environment, and who would benefit from The Bartlett's unique studio culture.
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 Design at graduate level
- why you want to study Architectural Design 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.
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
