Architectural Computation MSc

London, Bloomsbury

How will tomorrow's built environment be designed and constructed? Architectural Computation at The Bartlett School of Architecture equips students with the skills to create generative and responsive forms, through exposure to real programming environments, including latest AI-based techniques.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£17,300
£8,650
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
£17,200
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 05 Apr 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

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


On completion of the programme, students will be able to use computational techniques in architecture, understand and predict the consequences of their design actions through computational processes, integrate their predictions into the design process, and carry out self-sufficient research into new methods and processes.

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.

What this course will give you

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. Our school is consistently ranked highly in UK and global league tables, and our staff are at the forefront of international research and teaching with award-winning buildings all over the globe.

The Bartlett is the UK's largest multidisciplinary Faculty of the Built Environment. Our work is all about human spaces. That means physical structures like homes, buildings and cities, but also the invisible structures that govern these things: political and legal systems; financial frameworks and social norms; even our understanding of the past, present and future. Combining design, history, theory, digital representations and models across all of these areas, we understand the structures shaping society today – and we work to make them fairer and more prosperous.

The Bartlett is ranked #1 in the world for Architecture and the Built Environment and remains #1 in the UK for the ninth year in a row (QS World University Subject Rankings 2023), and our research is recognised as internationally leading (UK REF 2021). Architectural Computation offers a unique perspective on the application of technology to the built environment.

The programme team, drawn from the Space Syntax Laboratory - the originator of the discipline - comprises both architects and experts in artificial intelligence.

The foundation of your career

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.

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.

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.

Assessment is through unseen examination, coursework (including 3000-word essay, learning log, digitally fabricated piece and documentation, short video piece, and physical piece with video documentation) practical exercises and the 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 often include a one week field trip organised by individual studios.

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.

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

Modules

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

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.

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Architectural Computation. Alternatively, upon completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Architectural Computation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Architectural Computation MSc/MRes, Architectural Design MArch and Urban Design MArch

Whether your ambition is to design better buildings, plan better cities, build sustainable communities or help meet the challenge of climate change, The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment could be a big step towards it. Learn more about our courses through a range of taster lectures, Q&As and info sessions.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £17,300 £8,650
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400 £17,200

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

All students are required to pay a fee deposit of £2,000 for this programme.

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. 

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

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.

Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Masters Scholarship

Deadline: 3 April 2024
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 2024
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,364 maintenance/yr (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 20 June 2024
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 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 and £115 for paper 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.

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 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: 2024-2025

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.