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The Bartlett School of Architecture

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Programme overview

This programme explores architecture and urban design through the prism of people and space. It offers an increased specialism to those interested in the research and design of the built environment intending to take either an academic pathway or a specific direction within their current professional practice.

Key information

Programme starts

September 2021

Modes and duration

Full time: 1 year
Part time: 2 years
Flexible: 2-5 years

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

Full-time
Open: 9 November 2020
Close: 31 May 2021

Tuition fees (2021/22)

UK:
£14,300 (FT)
£7,150 (PT)
Overseas:
£28,500 (FT)
£14,250 (PT)


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.

Location: London, Bloomsbury

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of a lower second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an equivalent overseas qualification in an architectural or urban design related subject is usually required. Consideration will also be given to applicants from other fields, particularly human geography, anthropology and archaeology, and to applicants with degrees of a lower classification if they have considerable senior-level professional experience in the field. For applicants without a first degree or full professional membership, but with relevant and substantial work experience in the field, a special qualifying examination may be set; details are available from the Bartlett's Graduate Faculty Office.

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

Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English

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

The programme addresses the study of architecture and cities using the theoretical and analytical framework of space syntax as well as wider theoretical and analytical approaches. Students learn to specialise in one of several streams related to contemporary world challenges: architecture and computing, sustainable urbanism, social inclusion and exclusion, informal settlements, spatial cognition, the physical and immaterial dimensions of social networks and design innovation.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of five compulsary modules (75 credits), two optional modules (45 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Space Syntax: Architecture and Cities.

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

  • Design as a Knowledge-Based Process (15 credits)
  • Buildings, Organisations and Networks (15 credits)
  • Space Syntax Methodology and Analytical Design (15 credits)
  • Spatial Cultures (15 credits)
  • Architectural Phenomena (15 credits)
  • Space Syntax: Architecture and Cities Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional modules

  • Analytical Design Research Project (30 credits)
  • E-Merging Analysis and Design Project (30 credits)
  • Spatial Dynamics and Computation (15 credits)
  • Spatial Justice (15 credits)

Dissertation/report

All MSc students submit a 10,000-word dissertation related to the main themes of the programme, typically involving a directed research project on a building or urban site. MSc Spatial Design: Architecture and Cities Dissertation (60 credits).

Fieldwork

There is an optional annual field trip. 


Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through seminars, lectures, design studios, hands-on computer workshops, a variety of field trips in and around London and an international trip (optional). Assessment is through essays, written and take-home examinations, oral presentations, project reviews, debates, group and individual projects, classroom exercises and the dissertation.

Additional costs

The annual field trip is subsidised by the school and costs students a maximum of £500. 

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

Graduates of the programme go on to many different careers. Many have ploughed their knowledge back into furthering their architectural/design careers. Recenlty, an increasing number of graduates have obtained jobs at prestigious architectural, urban design and urban planning firms working within top multi-diciplinary design and planning teams. Some others have gone into policy-making and worked for local or regional authorities; and some have progressed to PhD degrees and have obtained academic positions in top universities worldwide.

Employability

This programme enhances students' intellectual and design abilities in the field of urban/architectural theory, architectural/urban morphology and the social aspects of the urban environment. Graduates of this programme can be involved in both professional and academic activities. Graduates who choose to go into practice will have a leading edge in evidence-informed and research-based design. Those who choose an academic path will have the advanced knowledge and skills required for high-level academic positions.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The programme provides a unique approach to the study of architecture and cities worldwide, equipping students with exceptional theoretical and analytical skills. It is located at The Bartlett, one of the UK's largest multidisciplinary built environment faculties, bringing together scientific and professional specialisms required to research, understand, design, construct and operate the buildings and urban environments of the future.

The programme is unique in integrating architecture and urbanism, and adopting a user-centred approach. Students receive advanced and exceptional training in theories, data analysis and their creative integration with design thinking.

The degree draws on the rich design industries in London, including Space Syntax Ltd, and provides networking opportunities to help advance students in their academic and professional capacities during and after the programme.

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 attracts architecture and design students from across the world as well as the UK. The ability to model, analyse and research buildings and urban environments is a sought-after skill in the major architectural practices in the UK and worldwide, improving employment opportunities on graduation.

Application deadlines

Full-time
31 May 2021

For more information see our Applications page.

Apply now

What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Space Syntax: Architecture and Cities at graduate level, and at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how you see the proper role of research in design; whether you have experience of using space syntax or other built environment research methodologies
  • 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.

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