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Connected Environments MSc

London, Stratford (UCL East)

Advances in digital technologies are providing us the means to sense, visualise and increasingly understand our built and natural environments. These `Connected Environments are the forefront of an emerging science, interlinking the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Mixed Realities and Data Science, via a unique a hands-on, learning through doing approach to sensing, visualising and analysing these emerging environments.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£18,000
£9,000
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
£35,000
£17,500
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 17 Oct 2022 – 30 Jun 2023
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

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

The programme addresses the increasing demand for a skill set in programming, data capture and visualization, and prototyping. With a focus on research challenges relating to the infrastructure required to instrument our built and natural environments, the programme builds upon the excellence and expertise of CASA.

Who this course is for

We aim for a multidisciplinary cohort and therefore are looking for prospective students with undergraduate qualifications ranging from the Arts, Computer Science, Geography, Architecture and Engineering. 

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

What this course will give you

The UCL Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) is one of the leading research centres in the science of cities, generating new knowledge and insights for use in city planning, policy and design, and drawing on the latest geospatial methods and ideas in computer-based visualisation and modelling.

The programme is unique in that it develops a skill set required to deliver end-to-end solutions from developing stakeholder requirements, understanding technology, building prototypes, through to understanding how to influence decision makers.

The programme will enable you to: apply your skills in problem solving, communication, information retrieval, working with others and the effective use of general IT facilities; plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning / continuing professional development; monitor and adjust a personal programme of work on an on-going basis; exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or lead.

Key Highlights from REF 2021:

  • The Bartlett is where the UK’s most ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’ built environment research is undertaken. 
  • 91% of our research has been deemed ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’.
  • The Bartlett is number one for Research Power in the built environment.  It is the UK’s largest faculty of the built environment and REF 2021 has confirmed both our unique breadth, and excellence across this portfolio.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

This programme takes a holistic view toward developing the skill sets digital practitioners require. You will learn how to deliver end-to-end solutions from prototyping in hardware and software, to maintaining live sensor installations for the duration of the course. The technical activity is equally balanced with an understanding of the socio / economic factors such as stakeholder engagement and business model development for connected environment infrastructure.

The end-to-end approach, the focus on learning through making, and prototyping real-world solutions are all critical to developing the transferable skill set which is employable in this emerging market place.

Employability

Alumni from programmes at the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis have gone on to work in a variety of roles across the sector including Movement Strategies, Arup, Westminster Council and Lendlease with placements around the world. Many have also gone on to acquire Doctorates either with UCL or at other leading institutions around the world with those further advancing into Assistant Professor posts.

Teaching and learning

You will be assessed via a variety of methods including building physical objects, creating software workflows and visualisations as well as written assessments, reports and group-work. You will also complete a dissertation as the assessment method for the final research project.

Students spend about 27% of their time working on independent projects, 27% in laboratories and studios, 20% on assessments, 13% in lectures, and 13% on independent study.

Modules

Compulsory Taught Modules (120 credits):

CASA0014 Connected Environments (15 credits)

CASA0015 Mobile Systems & Interactions (15 credits)

CASA0016 Making, Designing & Building Connected Sensor Systems (15 credits)

CASA0017 Web Architecture (15 credits)

CASA0018 Deep Learning for Sensor Networks (15 credits)

CASA0019 Sensor Data Visualisation (15 credits)

CASA0020 Ethics, Sustainability and Business of the Internet of Things (15 credits)

CASA0021 Connected Environments Group Prototype and Pitch (15 credits)

Compulsory Research Modules (60 credits):

CASA0022 Dissertation (60 credits)

Students studying part-time (2 years) should follow the programme structure given below:

Part-time Year One

• CASA0014

• CASA0015

• CASA0016

• CASA0020

Part-time Year Two

• CASA0017

• CASA0018

• CASA0019

• CASA0021

• CASA0022

For students who enrol on modular/flexible study (with 5 years in which to complete the programme), it is recommend that students enrol on each module in the numerical sequence given: CASA0014, CASA0016, CASA0017, CASA0020, CASA0015, CASA0018, CASA0019, and CASA0021 .

CASA0014 is the required first module, taken before any other (to be completed in Year 1).

CASA0015 AND CASA0018 both require prior programming experience before being studied .

CASA0021 is intended to be a final activity of the programme and should be left to the final year.

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 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 Connected Environments.

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.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) £18,000 £9,000
Tuition fees (2023/24) £35,000 £17,500

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

There are no additional costs for this programme. Standard general costs may include the optional purchasing of books or stationery, plus the cost of printing, thesis binding and photocopying.

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 Centre for Advanced Spatial Planning and the Built Environment Faculty Office are advertised on the respective websites.

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 Scholarship - Master's

Deadline: 31 May 2023
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: 31 March 2023
Value: Fees, stipend and other allowances (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Brown Family Bursary

Deadline: 8 June 2023
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

CASA Urban Futures Master's Scholarships

Deadline: 01 July 2023
Value: £10,000 (1yr)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Deadline: 13 December 2022
Value: Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

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 Connected Environments at graduate level
  • why you want to study Connected Environments 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.

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: 2023-2024

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis
Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis

casa-teaching@ucl.ac.uk

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