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Architectural Computation MSc

London, Bloomsbury

How should tomorrow’s built environment be designed and constructed? This is the central question at the heart of our Architectural Computation MSc programme. Taught by architects, experts in artificial intelligence and human computer interaction, this programme equips students with the skills to create generative and responsive forms, through exposure to real programming environments. 

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£18,400
£9,200
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
£18,250
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 30 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

The normal minimum qualifications are a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Some basic computing experience is expected.

Applicants with lower standard of degree may be considered if the degree is in a subject appropriate to the programme and the applicant has considerable experience as a professional at a senior level, Please note that a special qualifying examination may be set. Details of this route can be obtained from the Built Environment Faculty Office. Please see contact details below.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

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.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

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. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


Our Architectural Computation MSc, at UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture, equips students to design the built environment of tomorrow, by teaching them the key skills to create generative and responsive architectural forms through exposure to real programming environments, the latest AI techniques and AI-focused architectural theory.  

Students acquire computational design skills applicable at the highest levels of architecture, design, research, and industry. These skills enable graduates to tackle complex design challenges with innovative solutions. The programme emphasises scientific research that has the potential to revolutionise the way the built environment is designed, constructed, and utilised. Students are encouraged to explore and develop new computational methodologies that could significantly impact the field. The curriculum also integrates programming skills with advanced theoretical knowledge, fostering the ability to create forward-thinking designs.  

Students work in research clusters, which are specialised teaching groups that enable studio-based research in specific areas of architectural computation. This collaborative approach allows students to delve deeply into their chosen discipline, guided by experienced professionals.

The programme culminates in the prestigious B-Pro Show, an annual exhibition showcasing student work. This event attracts thousands of visitors to UCL’s central London campus, providing students with the opportunity to present their projects to a wide audience, including industry professionals and academics.

This unique master’s course in architectural computation is designed for those who aspire to push the boundaries of architecture through the integration of computational methods, innovative design practices and disruptive theory.

Who this course is for

The programme is primarily intended for graduates and professionals from a range of engineering (civil engineering, computer science, electronics, etc.) and design backgrounds, including architecture, interior, graphic and urban design, who wish to develop computational techniques in architecture and gain the ability to use programming as easily as any other form of communication. 

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

Computational design skills: Learn computational design skills and artificial intelligence for application at the highest levels of architecture, design, research and industry.

Exciting and innovative studies: The Bartlett School of Architecture helps students to prepare for successful careers in a range of fields. We aim to be an exciting and innovative place to study architecture, located in the heart of London with global perspectives. Our students have the opportunity to develop their creativity, curiosity and dynamism, and learn the skills they need to build a better future for people and the planet.  

Exhibit your work: You will have the opportunity to display your work at the annual B-Pro Show.

‘World leading’ research: You will have the opportunity to conduct scientific research that can impact how the built environment is designed, constructed and used. The Bartlett School of Architecture is part of UCL’s Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, where 91% of research has been deemed ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’ in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). The Bartlett is also ranked #1 for Research Power in the built environment.    

Top Ranked: For the second year in a row, The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment was ranked #1 in the world for ‘Architecture and Built Environment’ (QS World University Subject Rankings 2024). It was also ranked #1 in the UK for Architecture, in The Guardian Good University Guide 2025.

Career Support: Studying at UCL provides students with access to a range of career services including networking events, career workshops, and internship opportunities.  

Study in London: Across all of our programmes, we encourage students to engage with London as an environment and a cultural melting pot, as well as a hub of some of the most important architectural practices in the world. 

Find out more about the benefits of studying at The Bartlett School of Architecture.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

93.3% of Bartlett School of Architecture graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2017-21).

Top industry sectors for Bartlett School of Architecture graduates in work are construction, built environment and property (68% of graduates); performance and creative arts (7%); academic research and higher education (6%) and technology (6%).

Bartlett School of Architecture graduates are working in 52 countries around the world.

Example jobs:

  • Architect
  • CAD, drawing and architectural technician
  • Chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultant
  • Programmers and software development professional
  • Higher education teaching professional
  • Civil engineer
  • Design occupations
  • Graphic and multimedia designer
  • Interior designer

Example employers:

  • Foster and Partners
  • Zaha Hadid Architects
  • Adjaye Associates Ltd
  • Aecom
  • Wright & Wright
  • AHMM
  • ARUP
  • Wilkinson Eyre Architects

Employability

After completing the programme, most graduates go on to join leading architectural and engineering practices, either directly with design teams or with specialist modelling groups. Alumni have also joined (or founded) cutting-edge emerging digital design practices such as United Visual Artists and Moving Brands, or moved into academic research in highly respected universities. 

Networking

The Bartlett School of Architecture hosts numerous events throughout the year that feature industry guests and networking opportunities. These include lecture series, seminars, conferences, symposiums, book launches, and show launch events. The school also hosts a Future Practice event each year that links students with employers.  

Additionally, there are a broad range of university-wide career events to help current students and recent graduates develop their employability skills, explore different sectors, increase commercial awareness, build professional networks and more. 

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars as well as individual and collaborative projects.

Outside of directed teaching full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Note that an interim qualification (120 credits Postgraduate Diploma, full-time nine months) is offered. 

Assessment is through unseen examination, coursework (including a 3000-word essay, learning log, and digitally fabricated piece with written and video documentation), practical exercises, and a 10000-word final dissertation. 

In terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect between 10 and 12 contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, crits and tutorials. In term 3 and the summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

The contact hours might include a one-week field trip organised by AC studios.

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time nine months) is offered.

Modules

The programme consists of five compulsory modules (75 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits), plus students take optional modules to the value of 45 credits.

Compulsory modules:

  • BARC0015 Design as a Knowledge-Based Process: 15 credits, Term 1
  • BARC0030 Computational Analysis: 15 credits, Term 1
  • BARC0031 Computational Synthesis: 15 credits, Term 2
  • BARC0034 Morphogenetic Programming: 15 credits, Term 2
  • BARC0035 Introduction to Programming for Architecture and Design: 15 credits, Term 1
  • BARC0141 Built Environment Dissertation: 60 credits, Term 3 and Summer Term
  • Optional modules:
  • BARC0032 Creative Complexity Digital Studio: 15 credits, Term 1
  • BARC0038 Creative Complexity Digital Ecologies: 30 credits, Term 2

Part-time students must complete 180 credits over two years. Students should select half taught modules in year one and half in year two plus the major research module. 

Modular/flexible students can choose any modules per year as long as they complete 180 credits within 5 years. Students will select all taught modules first and take the final research module in their last year of study. 

Compulsory modules








Optional 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 are 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 Architectural Computation. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Architectural Computation.

Fieldwork

The programme includes an optional fieldtrip. 

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £18,400 £9,200
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500 £18,250

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

The optional field trip costs students a maximum of £500 each. We estimate that students spend between £750-£1000 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.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

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.

In our faculty, The Bartlett Promise Scholarship aims to enable students from backgrounds underrepresented in the built environment to pursue master's studies. Please see the UK Master's scholarship and Sub-Saharan Africa Master's scholarship pages for more information on eligibility criteria, selection process and FAQs.

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

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Masters Scholarship

Deadline: 28 March 2025
Value: Fees, stipend and other allowances (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Bartlett Promise UK Master's Scholarship

Deadline: 31 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,864 maintenance/yr (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 26 June 2025
Value: Tuition fees plus £16,000 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

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.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Architectural Computation at graduate level
  • why you want to study Architectural Computation at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • 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. Applicants who have who have a portfolio are strongly recommended to submit it when they apply.

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 4 weeks and decline any other offers for programmes at the Bartlett School of Architecture. If you do not respond within 3 weeks, your offer will be withdrawn.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Bartlett School of Architecture
Bartlett School of Architecture

p.morel@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.