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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 Environment technologies are the forefront of an emerging science, interlinking the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and Data Science. This programme will introduce you to electronics, programming and the design process. You will gain hands-on experience of everything from idea generation to prototyping and deployment.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
£7,550
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
£18,750
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 – 31 May 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

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.

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


UCL Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis has a long history of thinking about the science of cities and how data can help us understand our complex environments. Our goal for the Connected Environments programme is to extend this activity further and focus on the research challenges that relate to the infrastructure required to instrument and understand our built and natural environments from an end to end perspective – i.e from understanding what to sense, through to developing tools to support decision making. As such the course builds on the need for a skill set in programming, data capture and visualisation, and prototyping with stakeholders to support the analysis of complex systems. 

The course will be delivered at the brand new UCL East campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London. This is the biggest development in our 200-year history, and our accessible, state-of-the-art facilities will have shared labs and workshop spaces open to all, to facilitate collaboration across different disciplines. Research staff in the Connected Environments Lab have been working with stakeholders in the park for the past 10 years and have established a living lab environment in both the buildings and the surrounding landscape.

The programme has been co-developed with industry as a result of a 5 year industry academic research collaboration between UCL and Intel. A number of key learning objectives motivated the programme:

  • Understanding of current state of art IoT best practice in an urban context.
  • Enable skills to prototype IoT systems
  • Develop skills in embedded AI techniques
  • Develop mobile and web applications to collect and store time-series data
  • Work with stakeholders to gain insight into the politics and economics of IoT
  • Scientifically acquire and analyse data
  • Use data analytics skills
  • Communicate effectively through academic writing and oral presentations
  • Carry out independent research

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. Our research led teaching is delivered by staff who are working on live research projects providing exposure to experts working at the cutting edge of developments in IoT. 

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.

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 academia.

Networking

A regular series of seminars given by guest lecturers provides students with an opportunity to learn form, and network with, academics and professionals from UCL and other prestigious organisations.

Additionally, students gain access to our extensive alumni network of professionals via our careers and alumni events.

Teaching and learning

The programme’s core curriculum is typically delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and lab classes, as well as directed and self-directed learning supported by teaching materials and resources, published through the online virtual learning environment. Each module employs a teaching strategy that aligns with and supports its intended learning outcomes.

Hands-on work is a key element of this programme, and practical classes and workshops are integrated throughout the curriculum. Lectures, seminars, and tutorials build up theoretical learning that can be applied to practical work. Demonstrations and site visits allow you to understand and visualise the real-world implementation of digital technologies, while guest speakers from industry provide yet more context.

 

You will be assessed through a range of methods across the programme, including individual and group projects, written research reports, other coursework, programming tests, and a final research project/dissertation. The dissertation is an opportunity for you to work on a specific topic that is of particular interest to you. You will be invited to showcase your work at an end of year show attended by academics, industry partners and the public.

Contact time takes a variety of forms, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervisions, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, visits, placements, office hours (where staff are available for consultation), email, videoconference, or other media, and situations where feedback on assessed work is given (one-to-one or in a group).
Each module has a credit value that indicates the total notional learning hours a learner will spend on average to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is typically described as being equal to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.

The contact time for each of your 15 credit taught modules will typically include 22-30 hours of teaching activity over the term of its delivery, with the balance then consisting of self-directed learning and working on your assessments. You will have ongoing contact with teaching staff via each module’s online discussion forum, which is typically used for discussing and clarifying concepts or assessment matters and will have the opportunity to access additional support via regular office hours with module leaders and programme directors.

Your research project/dissertation module is 60 credits and will include regular contact with your project supervisor(s), who will guide and support you throughout your project. You will dedicate most of your time on this module to carrying out research in connection with your project and writing up your final report.

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 and Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis

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. Join this event to learn more about the two MSc courses offered within the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis: Urban Spatial Science MSc/MRes and Connected Environments MSc.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100 £7,550
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500 £18,750

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

X22 scholarships worth £10,000 each are available for UK students on the Urban Spatial Science MSc and Connected Environments MSc. The CASA Urban Futures scholarships are part of the Office for Students’ (OfS) nationwide drive to expand access to the data science and AI industries.

UCL offers a range of financial awards aimed at assisting both prospective and current students with their 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: 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

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Deadline: 14 December 2023
Value: Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

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.

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: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis
Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis

casa-teaching@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.