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The aim of this programme is to equip students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds with the research skills, knowledge and understanding required to tackle current and future real-world challenges faced by cities globally, including increasing the resilience of our urban systems, and the infrastructure that supports them, to shocks arising from natural, economic and technological hazards.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Attendance for part-time students will vary depending on their module choices. Part-time students will usually attend the equivalent of one day a week, but this may be spread over several days.
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.
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university in a subject appropriate to the chosen field, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Relevant subjects include, but are not limited to, engineering, science, social sciences, architecture, town planning, economics and geography.
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: Good
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 will learn about the research process and research methodologies, and gain an understanding of policies, processes, technologies and materials available to shape future urban environments. Students can specialise by selecting modules from across a wide range of different topics and disciplines.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of one compulsory taught module (15 credits), one optional research skills module selected from an approved list (15 credits), two elective modules (30 credits) and a compulsory research project (120 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MRes in Urban Sustainability and Resilience.
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
- Interdisciplinary Thinking in Urban Sustainability and Resilience (CEGE0050)
Optional modules
Students choose one optional research skills module (15 credits) from the following approved list of research skills modules:
- Data Analysis
- Spatial-Temporal Data Analysis and Data Mining (STDM)
- Science Journalism
- Geospatial Programming
- Spatial Analysis and Geocomputation
- Researcher Professional Development
Students also take two elective modules, which are any other UCL Master's level module. Elective choices are subject to the programme director's approval.
- Further information about these modules is available on the department website.
Dissertation/research project
All students undertake an independent research project, which culminates in a dissertation of up to 20,000 words, and produce a presentation to be delivered at a dedicated event in September (120 credits).
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, problem classes, workshops and projects. Assessment is through examinations, project reports, coursework and project presentations.
5% of a student's time is spent in tutorials, 10% in lectures, seminars and practical sessions and the remainder in independent study.
Additional costs
The costs associated with course materials such as books will vary depending upon which modules you select. Some modules may also charge for field trips. You may need special protective clothing for laboratory work such as a lab coat and safety boots. You may need to cover the costs of thesis binding and there may be additional costs specific to your project.
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.
CEGE MSc/MRes Bursary
- Note:
- Deadline: 11.59pm, 31 July 2021
- Value:
- Full or partial fee waiver (1yr)
- Eligibility:
- UK, EU, Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and 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 may choose to enter employment as researchers within engineering, planning or consultancy firms and/or decide to undertake further study at PhD/EngD level.
Employability
Our focus throughout the programme of finding practical solutions to global urban challenges gives our alumni strong problem-solving skills, providing them with a distinct advantage as they enter their professional lives. The centre has well-established partnerships with global engineering companies such as Arup and Atkins, and strong links with NGOs and government agencies such as Habitat for Humanity and London Underground. Through these links, and the knowledge and experience our students gain of working across disciplines, we ensure that our students are able to engage with academics and industry, experts and non-experts alike on key urban sustainability and resilience issues.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience (USAR) is based within UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering (CEGE) - a revolutionary department within UCL, distinguished by its radical thinking and interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching.
Students work in a dynamic research environment that provides a critical mass of problem solvers and intellectual resources and offers excellent networking opportunities. USAR is an energetic and exciting environment which draws on staff from across the university.
The programme combines innovative, transformative investigation with practical application to respond to the challenge of making the world a better place.
Department: Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering
What our students and staff say
"London's multiculturalism is one of the main reasons I applied to UCL. I've been in touch with the Chilean community of graduate students in the UK. I receive funding from CONICYT, the Chilean scientific commission, and my next step will be to pursue a PhD at UCL to enter academia."
Felipe Rivera
Urban Sustainability and Resilience MRes
"UCL is an international and well-recognized institution. When I joined UCL a few years ago I was impressed by the vibrant environment and I think that I can hardly find it somewhere else."
Silvia Bertelli
Urban Sustainability and Resilience EngD
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 designed for graduates with a passion for urban sustainability and resilience issues and an interest in research (either academic or in industry) and in working across disciplines. The MRes is available on a full-time, part-time or flexible basis, making it an excellent option for those who want to further their professional development without taking a career break.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 30 July 2021
Please include a brief research proposal (0.5 pages) outlining the topic that you would like to investigate (research question, methodology, case study, references).
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 Sustainability and Resilience at graduate level
- why you want to study Urban Sustainability and Resilience at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- why you want to learn about the research process and to learn through research
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this 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.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 28 August 2021
