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This programme explores digital theory, history, and cultures, in all their guises: from design and fabrication, to many related fields and disciplines that are being affected and transformed by the new digital paradigm.
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. Part-time and flexible 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 full-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £1,000 for this programme. All part-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £500.
Entry requirements
The normal minimum qualifications are an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in architecture or an associated design discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.
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 on this programme gain an advanced understanding of the history, theory and criticism of computational design and fabrication.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of two core modules (60 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and a dissertation (90 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MRes in Architecture and Digital Theory.
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
- History and Theory of Digital Design (30 credits)
- Architecture and Digital Theory: Mini Research Project (30 credits)
- Architecture and Digital Theory: Main Research Project (90 credits)
Optional modules
Students choose two of the following:
- Design as a Knowledge-Based Process (credits 15)
- Introduction to Programming for Architecture and Design (credits 15)
- Architectural Design: Historical, Cultural and Theoretical Skills (credits 15)
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 15,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of informal and formal presentation to critics, lectures and seminars, and personal tutorials. Assessment is through coursework, written papers and public presentations.
Additional costs
If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc. on this programme, please get in touch with the Programme Administrator, Ms Kim Van Poeteren, by e-mailing k.vanpoeteren@ucl.ac.uk or telephoning +44 (0)20 3108 7872.
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
You will gain highly specialist knowledge throughout this programme, in a field of burgeoning global importance.
You will also develop skills in communicating, presenting, advocating, interrelating and responding to people from a wide variety of backgrounds within a professional context.
Why study this degree at UCL?
Conceived as a research laboratory, this programme offers a hybrid pedagogical format where learning and experiments, inspired by today’s evolving design technologies, are conversant with the culture of the design community, and informed by relevant recent scholarship in the arts and humanities.
Students’ projects will be mentored by the programme’s leading instructors and by invited lecturers. Students will be encouraged to pursue a curatorial or research topic leading to an actual exhibition and/or publication.
The Bartlett School of Architecture enjoys an exceptional international reputation and is currently ranked first in the UK by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020. Students on this programme will be joining a community of academics and practitioners dedicated to better understanding and designing the built environment for the future, based in the cultural and creative epicentre of Bloomsbury, London.
Department: Bartlett School of Architecture
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.
Who can apply?
The programme is suitable for candidates considering a career in the design professions, with a particular theoretical or critical interest in digital design and fabrication, including architecture graduates holding a BSc or MArch or equivalent overseas qualifications. It is also suited to professionals specialising in digital theory and with careers in academia, museums, publishing, digital media, video game design, software development, geographic information systems, and construction industry consultants.
Application deadlines
- Full-time
- 30 July 2021
- Flexible/Modular
- 30 July 2021
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- what particularly attracts you to this particular programme
- why you want to study this subject in the UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, rather than elsewhere
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
- if you are aware and comfortable with the fact that the programme includes courses on statistics and quantitative analysis, as well as a general emphasis on the scientific method and empirical research
- 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.
Interest in and/or experience of research and writing on historical, theoretical, or critical topics.
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
