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Urban Design MArch is a design-oriented and project-based programme, with a strong research component. Students work within a studio environment to explore how our our cities can be improved with innovative design, and informed by theoretical research on the special structure of urban form.
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
The programme aims to bridge the gap between architecture and urbanism, and has a strong emphasis on physical design and radical experimentation, combined with rigorous analysis and state-of-the-art theories and methodologies. Students explore design decisions at both a strategic level and the more detailed level of urban regeneration.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules (105 credits) and an urban design final project (75 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MArch in Urban 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
- Introduction to Urban Design Theory (15 credits)
- Design Thesis Report (30 credits)
- Bartlett Architecture Skills Elective (B-Pro Courses) (15 credits)
- Urban Design Thesis Initial Projects (45 credits)
- Urban 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 'Urban Design Final Project' in combination with an individual written submission, the 'Design Thesis Report'.
Fieldwork
This programme includes one annual, optional field trip.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, case-study presentations, site visits and field trips. As a project-orientated programme, all theoretical research work and experimental design exploration culminates in physical design propositions for specific design projects. Assessment is through design portfolio, essays, oral presentations and a written design report.
Additional costs
There is an annual, optional field trip for this programme, which costs students a maximum of £500 each. We estimate that students spend between £250-£500 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
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
Having built up a specialist expertise in urban design, gradates from this programme enjoy a reputation as forward thinkers in cities around the world. Recent graduate destinations have included design agencies and architectural practices, as well as further academic research.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The programme brings together designers and thinkers from across the world for design-led research into the challenges of urban living. Students explore new ideas for the city through the development of design experiments, which speak to the most pressing contemporary issues, such as climate change and the role of digital technologies.
Students work with internationally renowned experts in cutting-edge design and fabrication. They are encouraged to pursue an experimental approach, which combines design techniques, theoretical investigations and digital skills, using specialist tools and technology. They develop an awareness of computation as a cultural condition shaping our culture, and a powerful paradigm for generating design proposals.
The architecture coming out of the UCL 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
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 designed for both recent graduates and qualified professionals who wish to be part of an experimental design environment dealing with the future of our cities. The majority of candidates come from an architecture background, but a small percentage come from other disciplines including social sciences, planning, engineering and geography.
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 Urban Design at graduate level
- why you want to study Urban Design at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
- what your intellectual ambitions are
- your understanding of working practices in the field
- your awareness of issues relating to the subject
- 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
