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Connected Environments MSc

London, Stratford (UCL East)

Advances in digital technology are transforming how we sense, visualise and understand our built and natural environments. This practical Master’s course explores Connected Environment technologies at the intersection of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and Data Science. You’ll gain hands-on experience in electronics, programming, and design - from idea generation to prototyping and deployment. 

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£16,800
£8,400
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£42,700
£21,350
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar 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 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 course 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


Our world is becoming increasingly interconnected. Both our built environments – from our homes to our cities – and our natural environments – with their intricate ecosystems – are rich with activity and stories to be told. Connected Environments harness cutting-edge digital technologies to understand and improve how we live, interact, and sustain our planet. From smart buildings to ecological monitoring, these systems offer powerful new ways to observe, analyse, and shape our world. 

The Connected Environments MSc at The Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) provides you with an opportunity to build this future. This hands-on Master’s course focuses on coding, prototyping, and deploying devices that sense, communicate, and analyse data from both our built and natural environments. You'll gain in-demand skills in programming, data capture, and visualisation that are essential for addressing today's pressing environmental and urban challenges. 

Delivered at the UCL East campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, the course takes full advantage of its cutting-edge facilities. Here, you'll benefit from state-of-the-art teaching labs equipped with the latest technology, a light fabrication workshop for rapid prototyping, and access to the extensive makers' workshop at the Institute of Making – a multidisciplinary hub for hands-on creation. These resources are designed to foster truly interdisciplinary collaboration. This prime location also serves as a dynamic living lab, providing unparalleled opportunities for hands-on, practice-led teaching. We are actively working with collaborators across the Olympic Park to develop a park-wide living laboratory, offering you an environment to build and deploy physical prototypes in real-world settings. 

Students graduating from the Connected Environments MSc showcase their final projects in our end of year show at UCL East. The show highlights a range of projects developed in response to the challenge to sense, deploy, and communicate data: from environmental sensing to data-driven approaches to shape urban environments.

Building on CASA's expertise in the science of cities, this course goes beyond theory by structuring its learning around practical making and real-world application. You'll gain a deep understanding of the infrastructure required to instrument and analyse complex environments. Students will actively develop sensing tools, support data-driven decision-making, and engage directly with stakeholders to analyse real-world systems. 

Key learning objectives include: 

  • Mastering IoT best practices and deployment in urban contexts 
  • Prototyping IoT systems and developing embedded AI techniques 
  • Designing and developing mobile and web applications for data collection and storage 
  • Collaborating effectively with stakeholders to navigate the politics and economics of IoT implementation 
  • Scientifically acquiring, cleaning, and analysing complex environmental data 
  • Developing advanced data analytics and machine learning skills 
  • Mastering communication across academic and business contexts, using diverse written formats and hands-on prototyping to convey ideas 
  • Conducting independent research. 

Co-developed with industry leaders through a five-year academic research collaboration between UCL and Intel, this course provides you with an industry-relevant skillset. It directly prepares you for exciting careers in the Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Cities, Data Science, and Visualisation, equipping you to be at the forefront of shaping our future connected world. 

Who this course is for

This multidisciplinary degree is ideal for curious, creative minds from diverse backgrounds, including the Arts, Computer Science, Geography, Architecture, and Engineering. No prior programming expertise is required, but a strong enthusiasm to learn coding and engage with hands-on making to shape smarter cities and sustainable environments is essential. 

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

What this course will give you

This postgraduate course stands apart by equipping you with a distinct skillset to lead in the application of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the built environment sector. You'll master the entire innovation lifecycle: from shaping initial ideas and gathering stakeholder requirements, through iterative prototyping and refinement, to successful deployment and influencing decision-makers. This practical, holistic approach prepares you to be at the forefront of the field, enabling you to thrive in leading technology firms, establish your own venture, or contribute to cutting-edge research in academia. 

The course is built around "learning by doing" within a dynamic living lab environment. At our UCL East campus, you'll gain unparalleled hands-on experience, working directly with real-world data and systems. This includes site visits, direct access to live UCL data streams, and collaborative projects with operational teams. Your learning is further enhanced by industry case studies and insights from visiting lecturers and alumni, ensuring theory is always linked to current practice. This practical combination provides invaluable skills compared to traditional classroom approaches. 

The Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) is part of UCL’s Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment. For the third year in a row, The Bartlett has been ranked the world’s #1 institution for Architecture and the Built Environment (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025). Our research was rated ‘World Leading’ in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). 

At CASA, you'll study in a globally recognised research and educational environment. Our research-led teaching means you're taught by experts at the forefront of IoT innovation, giving you hands-on exposure to cutting-edge projects and real-world insights. This combination of academic excellence and strong industry collaboration, with partners such as Intel, ensures your studies lead to a truly career defining qualification.

Find out more about the benefits of studying at the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis. 

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

The foundation of your career

Equipped with a distinct skillset, our graduates are highly sought after across the digital built environment. Many become IoT managers at top-tier tech firms, while others drive future innovation through doctoral research at global universities (including staying at UCL CASA). A strong entrepreneurial spirit also sees alumni successfully establishing their own consultancies in the domain of Connected Environments. Our growing LinkedIn Alumni group further connects graduates to a global network of opportunities.  

Throughout the course, students benefit from regular guest lectures by industry leaders and participate in projects co-developed with our industry partners, offering direct pathways to potential employers. The final dissertation often involves real-world challenges, with many students collaborating directly with companies or UCL's operational teams, providing a significant portfolio piece.  

Students also benefit from dedicated career support services at UCL and extensive networking opportunities with professionals. Furthermore, studying in London allows you to leverage the city's vibrant tech ecosystem and in particular the emerging innovation district at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

97.2% of The Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2017-22). 

Top industry sectors for The Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis graduates in work are IT, technology and telecommunications (24.1% of graduates); construction, built environment and property (13.9%); manufacturing (8.9%); accountancy and financial services (7.6%); and academic research and HE (7.6%) 

The Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis graduates are working in 17 countries around the world. 

Example employers: 

  • Arup 
  • Accenture 
  • WSP Group 
  • 3D Repo 
  • HereWorks 
  • Fosters + Partners 
  • IBM 
  • YouView TV 
  • Toppan Nexus 
  • SINOPEC 
  • Siemens 
  • UCL 
  • Technical University Vienna 
  • Cambridge University 
  • Queen Mary University

Employability

Students graduating from the Connected Environments MSc will acquire a highly sought-after, interdisciplinary skillset, including: 

  • End-to-end IoT Solution Development: From conceptualisation and stakeholder engagement to prototyping, deployment, and maintenance of connected systems. 
  • Data Acquisition and Analysis: Proficiency in collecting, cleaning, managing, and scientifically analysing complex environmental and urban data. 
  • Physical Prototyping and Fabrication: Hands-on expertise in building, coding, and deploying physical devices and sensors in real-world settings, utilising workshops and fabrication labs. 
  • Embedded AI and Software Development: Skills in developing embedded AI techniques and creating robust mobile and web applications for data collection, storage, and visualisation. 
  • Strategic Communication: Ability to articulate complex technical and strategic information effectively for diverse audiences, through professional reports, compelling presentations, and prototype demonstrations. 
  • Project Management and Collaboration: Experience in leading and contributing to multidisciplinary projects, understanding infrastructure needs, and engaging with stakeholders across academic, industry, and operational contexts. 
  • Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Capacity to identify, analyse, and develop innovative, data-driven solutions for pressing environmental and urban challenges. 
  • Independent Research: Skills in conducting rigorous independent research, contributing new knowledge and solutions to the field of connected environments. 
  • Business Acumen and Entrepreneurship: Understanding of the politics, economics, and business models within the IoT sector, preparing graduates to manage projects or launch their own ventures.

Networking

At CASA, your networking extends far beyond the classroom. You'll gain invaluable insights and connections through our weekly seminar series, featuring leading academics and industry professionals. Further broaden your horizons with regular talks from a variety of UCL East faculties, fostering interdisciplinary connections right on campus. Crucially, invited guest speakers embedded within several of your modules will provide direct engagement with experts at the forefront of the field.  

Additionally, you'll gain access to our extensive alumni network through dedicated careers and alumni events, connecting you with professionals currently shaping the built environment sector globally. 

Teaching and learning

Our core curriculum blends lectures with extensive hands-on making. You can expect a ratio of one hour lecture to two hours in the lab where you will put theory into practice. You'll engage in practical workshops, site visits to museums in London, and lab demonstrations – all supported by online materials on Moodle, Google Colabs and GitHub. Prototyping is supported through both student IoT kits and lab resources.

You will be assessed through a range of methods across the course, including individual and group projects, written research reports, reproducible code documented on GitHub 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 exhibition attended by academics, industry partners and the public. 

Full-time students can typically expect between 13 (Term 1) and 16 (Term 2) contact hours per teaching week, through a mixture of lectures and practical workshops in the lab. In Term 3, students’ time will be dedicated to practical work towards their dissertation and contact time will take the form of weekly one-to-one tutorials with a Dissertation Tutor.

Outside of directed teaching, full-time students will display a level of independent study, approximately 22 – 25 hours per week, working through coding workshops in the lab and completing coursework assignments.

Modules

The Connected Environments MSc consists of 8 compulsory taught modules, worth 15 credits each (120 credits total). Four of these take place in Term 1, with the other four taking place in Term 2.  

In the final term, students will complete a dissertation worth 60 credits in total. 

Term 1: Taught Modules – all compulsory (60 credits): 

  • CASA0014 Prototyping with Internet of Things (15 credits)  
  • CASA0016 Making, Designing & Building Connected Sensor Systems (15 credits)  
  • CASA0017 Web Architecture (15 credits)  
  • CASA0019 Sensor Data Visualisation (15 credits)  

Term 2: Taught Modules – 4 in total selected from below (60 credits): 

The following two modules are compulsory: 

  • CASA0020 Ethics, Sustainability and Business of the Internet of Things (15 credits)  
  • CASA0021 Connected Environments Group Prototype and Pitch (15 credits)  

In addition to the above two modules, a further two modules are selected. The following two have been designed specifically to support the Connected Environments course: 

  • CASA0015 Mobile Systems & Interactions (15 credits)  
  • CASA0018 Deep Learning for Sensor Networks (15 credits) 

Other optional modules are also available in the UCL module catalogue and students can contact module leaders to request permission to join those modules. Examples at CASA include Urban Data Visualisation, Agent-based modelling for Spatial Systems, Remotely Sensing Cities and Environments etc. and UCL East run a variety of cross faculty modules to encourage collaboration across student cohorts. 

Term 3: Compulsory Research Module (60 credits): 

  • CASA0022 Dissertation (60 credits) 

Students studying part-time (two years) should follow the course structure given below:

Part-time Year 1

  • CASA0014 Connected Environments (15 credits) 
  • CASA0016 Making, Designing & Building Connected Sensor Systems (15 credits) 
  • CASA0020 Ethics, Sustainability and Business of the Internet of Things (15 credits) 

Part-time Year 2

  • CASA0017 Web Architecture (15 credits) 
  • CASA0019 Sensor Data Visualisation (15 credits) 
  • CASA0021 Connected Environments Group Prototype and Pitch (15 credits) 
  • CASA0022 Dissertation (60 credits)

For the optional modules we recommend splitting them across the two years. For example, most part-time students have taken: 

  • Year 1: CASA0015 Mobile Systems & Interactions (15 credits)  
  • CASA0018 Deep Learning for Sensor Networks (15 credits) 

For students who enrol on modular/flexible study (with five years in which to complete the course), it is recommend that students enrol on each module in the below sequence: 

  1. CASA0014 Connected Environments (15 credits) 
  2. CASA0016 Making, Designing & Building Connected Sensor Systems (15 credits) 
  3. CASA0017 Web Architecture (15 credits) 
  4. CASA0020 Ethics, Sustainability and Business of the Internet of Things (15 credits) 
  5. CASA0015 Mobile Systems & Interactions (15 credits)
  6. CASA0018 Deep Learning for Sensor Networks (15 credits) 
  7. CASA0019 Sensor Data Visualisation (15 credits) 
  8. CASA0021 Connected Environments Group Prototype and Pitch (15 credits) 

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

Mobile Systems & Interactions (CASA0015) AND Deep Learning for Sensor Networks (CASA0018) both require prior programming experience before being studied. 

Connected Environments Group Prototype and Pitch (CASA0021) is intended to be a final activity of the course and should be left to the final year. 

Compulsory modules









Optional 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.

Fieldwork

Throughout the course, you'll gain practical experience through varied fieldwork opportunities. This includes engaging 'Walkshops' in London's urban environment, where you'll observe IoT sensors deployed in public spaces firsthand. We also conduct termly visits to London Museums to explore innovative research communication. Crucially, you'll have direct, hands-on experience deploying and working with sensors within our living lab around the UCL East campus.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800 £8,400
Tuition fees (2026/27) £42,700 £21,350

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course 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

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.

CASA supports your hands-on learning by providing a personal IoT Kit to all students for workshops and practical assessments. Many additional resources can be borrowed from our shared lab equipment, minimising your out-of-pocket expenses. Standard general costs you might consider include the optional purchase of books, stationery, and extra prototyping materials for personal projects.

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

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. 

The UCL East London Scholarship supports talented East Londoners by fully funding tuition fees and living costs for Master's courses at UCL East.

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

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 course
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging course
  • 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 course match what the course will deliver.

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.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis
Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis

bartlett.pg-casa@ucl.ac.uk

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