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Bio-Integrated Design MArch

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

UK students International students

Study mode

UK tuition fees (2026/27)

£19,300

Full-time students undertake 180 credits in Year 1 and 120 credits in Year 2. As such, the fee in Year 1 will be £19,300 (UK) or £39,200 (Overseas) but the fee in Year 2 will be approximately two-thirds of that.
For Modular (Flexible) students, the full-time fee indicated will be pro-rated based on module selection.

Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)

£39,200

Duration

2 academic years

5 calendar years

Programme starts

September 2026

Applications accepted

Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

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.

The English language level for this course 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 urban environments are increasingly shaped by breakthroughs in biotechnology, computational design, and the urgent challenges of climate change. The Bio-Integrated Design MArch responds to these transformative forces by exploring radical and sophisticated design solutions that integrate living systems directly into the built environment.

Nature is at the heart of the course—not just as inspiration, but as an active agent within the design process. Students explore solutions that integrate biological, material, and social systems to envision more resilient and responsive future cities.

Jointly taught by The Bartlett School of Architecture and the Department of Biochemical Engineering, this pioneering master's degree brings together an interdisciplinary community of academics, practitioners, and students. The course blends conceptual design thinking with laboratory-based experimentation, combining iterative design processes with emerging techniques in synthetic biology, material science, and computational modelling.

Students engage with living matter as a design material, applying biological growth and biofabrication techniques to create innovative products, systems, and environments that address the needs of the built environment.

Bio-Integrated Design MArch is taught at UCL's Here East campus which offers students a unique, hands-on learning experience in a hub that’s focused on technology, design, and creative industries. Located in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the campus provides access to advanced labs and studios, close collaboration with industry, and a more intimate, interdisciplinary environment. It combines UCL’s academic excellence with a forward-thinking, practice-based approach in a modern and dynamic setting.

Two distinct Bio-Integrated Design postgraduate courses are available: MArch and an MSc. The MArch is design-led, tailored for those from architecture or design disciplines, and centres on architectural innovation, design simulation, and creative exploration. In contrast, The MSc is science-focused, suited for students from scientific or technical backgrounds and emphasises laboratory research, computational modelling, and material experimentation.

You can apply to the MSc version of this programme here.

Who this course is for

The Bio-Integrated Design MArch is ideal for students with an undergraduate degree in architecture, architectural engineering, landscape architecture and design-related degrees such as fine art, industrial and graphic design.

What is it like being a student with us? Explore the stories from our students and alumni as they share their experiences, insights, and advice. Plus, connect with a current Bartlett student via our Unibuddy platform to have your questions answered.

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 course, 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 course enables students to gain advanced skills and knowledge of technologies and working methods in an area of growing global significance.

Students studying Bio-integrated Design MArch will participate in The Bartlett's annual Autumn Show, an exhibition of student work in Bloomsbury attended by the industry and public alike each autumn. In the past three years, students also exhibited at a 2-day open-house exhibition that is part of the London Festival of Architecture.

Our students disseminate their work through a number of International exhibitions and publications. Selected conferences and peer-reviewed publications include the ICSA conference proceedings; Structures and Architecture/CRC Press; Biocalibrated/Biodesign-CSM; SigraDi conference; Design for Rethinking Resources; Frontiers Architectural Research/Science Direct; Architectural Research Quarterly. Work developed in Bio-ID has received numerous international awards, including The New Bauhaus competition for Circular Economy Innovation (2024); Forbes Poland 25 under 25 (2024); Forbes Kazakhstan 30 under 30 (2024); Green Product Award (2024); Paris Design Award (2024); shortlist for the Mayor’s Entrepreneur Competition, London (2023); ICSA best paper award (2022); selection for the Lisbon Triennale (2022); British Phycological Society best paper award (2021).

For the third 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 2025). In addition to this, 91% of its research has been deemed ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’ in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

The Bartlett is the UK's largest multidisciplinary Faculty of the Built Environment. Find out more about the benefits of studying at The Bartlett School of Architecture.

Explore the Bio-Integrated Design MArch/MSc Instagram and LinkedIn

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

The foundation of your career

The Bartlett School of Architecture is one of the world's leading architecture schools and our graduates enjoy excellent employment opportunities. Bio-ID is highly multicultural, attracting students from 34 different countries who in both full-time and flexible mode often undertake paid work within or related to the field. The Bio-Integrated Design MArch 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 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 courses or laboratories, or industry in integrated Research and Development groups that develop innovative products or work for the built environment.

Bio-Integrated Design MArch and MSc prepare graduates for practice, innovating within established architectural and landscape architecture offices such as Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners, Peter Cook / CHAP, McGregor Coxall, Building Design Partnership, SOM, as well as biodesign, product and science companies, including Faber Futures, Vivobarefoot, UN Habitat, Miyako Kagaku, GTS/Greentown Scape. Tattva, Nuna Studio, Phyta Biodesign, Casa Tamarindo are start-ups that have been established by Bio-ID alumni. As an emerging field, the programmes also equip students for further teaching and PhD research at various universities, including Yale School of Architecture, Institute of Experimental Architecture/University of Innsbruck, Oxford University, HBBE/Newcastle University, University of Greenwich, VAX HUB Sustainable, The Bartlett School of Architecture and Department of Biochemical Engineering at UCL.

Employability

Students on UCL’s Bio-Integrated Design MArch develop interdisciplinary skills that bridge architecture, biology, and materials science. They gain expertise in sustainable and regenerative design, biofabrication, and biomaterials, while learning to integrate living systems into the built environment. The course emphasises hands-on lab work, computational design, and environmental analysis, preparing students to work across scientific and architectural disciplines. Graduates are equipped for careers in bio-design, sustainable architecture, research and development, or further academic study in innovative areas shaping the future of ecological design.

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 UCL 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

Over 400 staff from around the world teach at The Bartlett School of Architecture. Many of our academic staff are part-time, working at the school while also carrying out highly successful work in practice across a diverse spectrum of activities related to architecture. Explore expert teaching.

Bio-Integrated Design MArch is taught through continuous tutorials, workshops, seminars and project reviews. The course promotes learning via research and enquiry, with a strong focus on iterative design and simulations, prototyping, environmental analysis, along with material studies and laboratory work.

Students become part of a diverse and collaborative learning community, working together with the Bio-Integrated Design MSc students, which strengthens the scientific and analytical perspective. Throughout the year, workshops and seminars are led by experts from a wide range of disciplines, including art and design, robotics, biotechnology, synthetic biology, materials science, and biochemical engineering.

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.

For year 1 students:
In terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect between 12 and 20 contact hours per teaching week through lectures, workshops, laboratory work and tutorials.
In term 3 students will be completing their own large project and keeping regular contact with their tutors.

For year 2 students:
In terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect between 12 and 18 contact hours working towards their final project.

Outside of lectures full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job,17-25 hours, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Modules

Bio-ID MArch Students undertake modules to the value of 300 credits.

The course consists of six compulsory modules in the first year (180 credits) and 2 compulsory modules in the 2nd year (120 credits).

Upon successful completion of 300 credits, you will be awarded a MArch Bio-Integrated Design.

Modular/flexible students can choose any modules per year as long as they complete 300 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

Comprehensive Project Thesis

Bio-Integrated Design: Computational Skills

Bio-Integrated Design: Design Specialisation and Interdisciplinary Context

Bio-Integrated Design: Literature Review

Bio-Integrated Design: Year 1 Thesis Report

Bio-Integrated Design: Preliminary Design

Bio-Integrated Design: Year 1 Design Project and Fabrication

Bio-Integrated Design: Introduction to Scientific Methods, Laboratory and Environmental Practices

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 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, optional field trip that is partly subsidised by the school. Previous field trips have included Cornwall, Italy, France and Spain, where students had an opportunity to visit and investigate important architectural sites and specific natural environments in relation to their ongoing research projects.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Bio-Integrated Design at The Bartlett School of Architecture

Join our virtual event to explore our Bio-Integrated Design MSc and Bio-Integrated Design MArch. Hear from academic staff and current students, and learn about the application process, scholarships, and career support. A live Q&A will give you the chance to get your questions answered. Take the next step toward shaping a more sustainable built environment with us.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Bartlett Promise UK Scholarship

Join our virtual event to explore our postgraduate courses, hear from academic staff and current students, and learn about the application process, scholarships, and career support. A live Q&A will give you the chance to get your questions answered. Take the next step toward shaping a more sustainable built environment with us.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£19,300
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£39,200

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a £350 deposit will be charged.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a £500 deposit will be charged.

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

There is an optional field trip for this course 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 course.

Architecture students can expect to incur additional costs as part of their course; however, the school aims to minimise these where possible.

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.

For in-person teaching, 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 £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. 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

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: 29 March 2026

Value: Fees, stipend and other allowances (Duration of programme)

Criteria Based on financial need

Eligibility: Overseas

Bartlett Promise UK Master's Scholarship

Deadline: 31 May 2026

Value: Full tuition fees and an annual stipend of £17,096 for a 12 month master's or £15,864 for a 9 month (Duration of programme)

Criteria Based on financial need

Eligibility: UK

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 25 June 2026

Value: Tuition fees plus £17,096 stipend ()

Criteria Based on financial need

Eligibility: UK

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this course 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 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.

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.

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 courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This course requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.