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The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction

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Learning Environments MSc

Learn to understand the complex intersections between learning and the physical environments in which it takes place, so as to improve future educational spaces.

learning environments at BREI

Course highlights

  • Develops an advanced interdisciplinary knowledge of learning environments, bringing together policy, design, estates and pedagogic perspectives and agendas
  • Offers a variety of routes, for adapting to your own personal and career interests and intentions
  • Provides an engaged and collaborative forum for deep engagement with the challenges and opportunities posed by contemporary education world-wide
  • Enables you to deal effectively with complex issues by honing your problem-definition and problem-solving abilities 
  • Offers routes to bolster your research and consultancy expertise in learning environments

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Programme overview

The Learning Environments MSc is an innovative programme that focuses on the creation, renewal and management of sustainable learning environments for positive educational and social outcomes. Educational places from early years, primary and secondary schools, to college, universities, through to learning on the job and lifelong learning, are the focus.

Themes covered include the expanding investment in education worldwide, innovative modes of teaching and learning, the changing impact of digital technologies on learning environments, and the interplay of teachers, pupils/students and physical facilities in improving learning, shaping communities and in advancing the institutional mission.

The programme is based in the heart of London at our Bloomsbury campus. Several modules, shared with students specialising in other facilities such as healthcare, enrich the range of learning opportunities. You benefit from The Bartlett faculty’s research in evidence-based design and management of learning facilities, access to expert invited speakers from built environment professions - architecture, planning, interior design, project management, facility and estate management, project and real estate management, and education experts. Your study will also include visits to innovative facilities in London and other locations.

Modules

Full time

The full-time one year MSc programme consists of 9 modules in total, 8 of which are taught through intensive one-week block study periods. The remaining module, the dissertation, runs in parallel throughout the year and is supported through customised tutorials.

The core 8 modules combine 4 more general property development modules with 4 that specialise in learning environments across pedagogy, policy, procurement, building, management and use.

Part time

The part-time two year MSc programme consists of 9 modules in total, 8 of which are taught through intensive one-week block study periods. PT students undertake 4 modules a year.

The remaining module - the dissertation - runs in parallel throughout the second year and is supported through customised tutorials.

The core 8 modules combine 4 more general property development modules with 4 that specialise in learning environments across pedagogy, policy, procurement, building, management and use.

Flexible

The part-time flexible MSc programme consists of 9 modules in total, 8 of which are taught through intensive one-week block study periods. Students on this route have up to 5 years to complete all modules, with the order and amount per year negotiated with the MSc progamme director.

The remaining module - the dissertation - runs in parallel throughout their final year and is supported through customised tutorials.

The core 8 modules combine 4 more general property development modules with 4 that specialise in learning environments across pedagogy, policy, procurement, building, management and use.

Compulsory Modules 

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. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Learning Environments. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Learning Environments. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Learning Environments. For more information, visit the UCL Graduate Prospectus.

Fieldwork

The programme will include some site visits where appropriate, as well as case study analyses (undertaken both face-to-face and remotely via online collaborations).


Industry links

The Learning Environments MSc already has strong relationships with industry, particularly through current research and consultancy partnerships. This includes professional organisations such as AoC (Association of Colleges), AUDE (Association of Directors of Estates), Universities UK, HEFCE, Higher Education Quality Design Forum (HEDQF), Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) as well as practitioners specialising in the master-planning and design of learning spaces; commercial property advisors, facilities and project managers; senior education policy-makers and managers; and pedagogic experts, academic developers and educational technology specialists. Students will have many opportunities to engage with the industry at a variety of different levels, through guest lectures, building visits, case study analyses and live projects.


Key information

Duration

This MSc is designed to provide a variety of routes. We offer a full-time Learning Environments Masters across one calendar year. Or you can take a flexible/modular pathway, completing the course over two years, or over a longer period of time. 

Learning Environments MSc modules are taught in week-long blocks, so can be aligned easily with employment demands.

Entry requirements

Read the full entry requirements for this programme on the UCL Graduate Prospectus.


Personal Statement

Tell us why you want to study the Learning Environments MSc. Tell us about an experience that has influenced your intellectual and professional development, and how it has made you interested in this subject. What do you consider to be one of your key strengths, relevant to the Learning Environments MSc? How do you hope your studies will help your future individual and career development? If there is a particular area you plan to research for your MSc dissertation please include this in your statement.


Fees and funding

Fees

Information about tuition fees for this programme is available on the UCL Graduate Prospectus.

Funding

There are a range of loans and other funding opportunities available to help prospective students with their studies. 

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding section of the UCL website.


Teaching and learning

The course is based on intensive week-long teaching blocks, centred on problem-based and collaborative learning.  We use a wide and relevant range of learning approaches, from online exercises, debate and quizzes to small group-based problem resolution, scenario-building, simulations and real world investigations. You will also develop your independent study and essay-writing skills, with assessments asking you to communicate critical and creative responses to different audiences (such as report writing, a critical review paper, group and individual presentations). The 10,000 word illustrated dissertation enables research and analysis of a topic of your choice at a deep and substantive level. 

Key Staff

Dr Kell Jones, Interim Programme Lead

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Careers and employability

The Learning Environments MSc is mainly aimed at people experienced in some aspect of education who want to know more about learning estates and design for physical learning environments; and at those from a background in the built environment who are may have worked with aspects of real estate, property design and management, and who want to gain more in depth knowledge of educational environments.

The course will enhance the knowledge and skills needed to shine in this expanding specialised area. Graduates will also have additional possibilities to carry out future research and consultancy in the field, or may want to go on to do a PhD.


Alumni

UCL’s Alumni Community allows students from all levels of study to connect with volunteer alumni mentors. There is a dedicated Built Environment Network and international groups from Japan to the USA, so you can build new connections with alumni from over 190 countries worldwide. Whether you are seeking professional advice to perfect your CV or want to explore a particular career path, a global network of experienced UCL alumni is ready to support you.