Home

Bio-Integrated Design MArch

London, Bloomsbury and London, Hackney Wick (Here East)

Our habitat today is being fundamentally shaped by revolutions in biotechnology, computation and climate change. Bio-Integrated Design takes these life-changing phenomena as the foundation to explore radical, sophisticated, yet also critical, design solutions that will shape our future society.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2022/23)
£14,700
Full-time students undertake 180 credits in Year 1 and 120 credits in Year 2. As such, the fee in Year 1 will be £14,700 (UK) or £29,400 (Overseas) but the fee in Year 2 will be approximately two-thirds of the Year 1 fee (subject to UCL's annual fee increase). For Modular (Flexible) students, the full-time fee indicated will be pro-rated based on module selection.
Overseas tuition fees (2022/23)
£29,400
Full-time students undertake 180 credits in Year 1 and 120 credits in Year 2. As such, the fee in Year 1 will be £14,700 (UK) or £29,400 (Overseas) but the fee in Year 2 will be approximately two-thirds of the Year 1 fee (subject to UCL's annual fee increase). For Modular (Flexible) students, the full-time fee indicated will be pro-rated based on module selection.
Duration
2 academic years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2022
Applications accepted
All applicants: 18 Oct 2021 – 31 Mar 2022

Applications closed

Notification

Application closes at 17:00 GMT.

Where required, the English language conditions will need to be met by 21 June 2022.

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class UK degree in an appropriate subject or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. A design/creative portfolio is also expected. Applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio of their design work along with a short piece of writing 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.

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


This Master's degree combines iterative design experimentation and conceptual work methods with laboratory testing protocols using new modes of production and simulation. Students embrace radically new design agendas that are informed by advances in biotechnology and synthetic biology, material science and computation, applying real biologic growth to the built environment with the aim to create innovative spaces and products that will help shaping life in our future cities. 

Who this course is for

This programme is ideal for students with an undergraduate degree in architecture, landscape architecture and design-related degrees such as product design, graphic design and fine art. 

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

What this course will give you

Bio-integrated Design MArch is an interdisciplinary, design-led programme, which empowers students to discover and innovate with new modes of architectural simulation and production over two years. Students work with world-leading designers and practitioners at The Bartlett School of Architecture, along with scientists and researchers from Biochemical Engineering, Ecology and Life Sciences, to create multi-layered designs which are biologically, materially and socially integrated. 

There is an urgent need for more sustainable and environmentally conscious design that is creative yet also critical about our future built environment. This programme enables students to gain advanced skills and knowledge of technologies and working methods in an area of growing global significance. 

In REF 2014 46% of The Bartlett's research was rated 4* i.e. 'world-leading', with a further 35% recognised as 3* i.e. 'internationally excellent'.* The Bartlett submitted the largest quantity of 4* world-leading research outputs (156 items) of any university submitting to the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning sub-panel. On 'Research Environment', which grades the 'vitality' and 'sustainability' of the research environment, the Bartlett received the highest score for submission to the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning sub-panel.

Students learn in a community of diverse, world-leading experts, learning alongside a sister Master's degree with a scientific and analytical focus, Bio-integrated Design MSc. Workshops will be held throughout the year, led by experts from a wide range of fields including art and design, robotics, biotechnology and synthetic biology, material science and bio-chemical engineering. 

This programme is part of B-Pro or Bartlett Prospective, which groups together five of the architecture school's graduate programmes with a unique philosophy and shared approach to the future of design, architecture and the urban environment. Students studying  Bio-integrated Design will participate in The Bartlett's annual B-Pro Show, an exhibition of student work in Bloomsbury attended by the industry and public alike each autumn. 

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

The foundation of your career

The programme has been structured to empower students to develop specialist skills and a unique design vision that merges expertise in design, biology and engineering.

Students will be prepared for a broad scope of jobs in teams of artists, designers, architects or engineers and especially equipped to join companies and organisations with a focus on experimental and advanced design, computation and bio or environmental integration. 

They will also be prepared to pursue research either in academia, such as PhD programmes or laboratories, or industry in integrated Research and Development groups that develop innovative products or work for the built environment. 

Employability

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. 

Teaching and learning

This programme is taught through continuous workshops, seminars and crits. The programme promotes learning via research and enquiry, in particular through iterative design and simulations, prototyping, environmental analysis, along with material studies and laboratory work. 

Assessment will be mainly via coursework, but also through on-going evaluation of physical outputs and transferable skills including presentations, criticism, evolving design skills and general teamwork. Your key assessed elements include design portfolios, physical prototyping, laboratory experiments, illustrated essays and reports, and final oral presentation. 

Modules

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.

Students undertake modules to the value of 300 credits. Upon successful completion of 300 credits, you will be awarded an MArch in Bio-Integrated Design.

Fieldwork

Students have the opportunity to join an annual field trip, subsidised by the school.

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.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Applying to The Bartlett Promise UK Master's Scholarship

Presentation and Q&A about the Bartlett Promise UK Master’s Scholarship.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Applying to The Bartlett Promise Sub Saharan Africa Master's Scholarship

Presentation and Q&A about the Bartlett Promise Sub Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2022/23) £14,700
Tuition fees (2022/23) £29,400

Full-time students undertake 180 credits in Year 1 and 120 credits in Year 2. As such, the fee in Year 1 will be £14,700 (UK) or £29,400 (Overseas) but the fee in Year 2 will be approximately two-thirds of the Year 1 fee (subject to UCL's annual fee increase). For Modular (Flexible) students, the full-time fee indicated will be pro-rated based on module selection.

Additional costs

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

There is an optional field trip for this programme annually, which costs students a maximum of £500 each. Additionally, we estimate that students spend up to £1000 on specialist materials, prototypes and printing 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

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
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.

Bartlett Promise Scholarship - Master's

Applications Open: 1 March 2022. Deadline: 31 May 2022
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,364 maintenance/yr (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Masters Scholarship

Deadline: 18 April 2022
Value: Fees, stipend and other allowances (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Brown Family Bursary

Now Closed for 2022/23
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

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 Bio-Integrated Design at graduate level
  • why you want to study Bio-Integrated Design 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.

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. 

This programme welcomes students with a background in architecture, landscape architecture, design, including product design, textile design and graphic design, and art who will be asked to demonstrate high-level design skills and experience.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Bartlett School of Architecture Department
Bartlett School of Architecture Department

bartlett.pgt-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.