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Design for Manufacture MArch

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

UK students International students

Study mode

UK tuition fees (2026/27)

£19,300

£9,650

Full-time: Published fee is for the whole programme and must be paid in Year 1. No fees are charged in Year 2..
Part-time: Published fee is for half the programme and must be paid in Year 1. The other half must be paid in Year 2. No fees are charged in Year 3.
Note: SLC instalments and UCL fee payment deadlines do not align. You will therefore have a shortfall in your fees to UCL. You will need to personally fund any shortfall until the remainder of your loan is paid to you by SLC.

Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)

£39,200

£19,600

Duration

4 terms

30 months

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. Applicants with extensive experience in the field may also be considered. A design/creative portfolio is also expected. Applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio of their design work 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

Design for Manufacture MArch is a dynamic and forward-thinking postgraduate degree that blends architectural design, advanced manufacturing, and digital fabrication. Set within the internationally renowned Bartlett School of Architecture, this course empowers students to radically rethink how buildings and components are conceived, designed, and made—pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the built environment.

The UK is home to a wealth of advanced design and engineering tools, developed and deployed by a world-leading workforce whose expertise is in high demand globally. Yet, there is a growing skills gap at the point of production—where complex, high-specification projects must be delivered in response to rising client expectations, tighter regulations, and increasing demands for quality.

UCL’s unique Design for Manufacture MArch addresses this gap by equipping students with cutting-edge design and engineering skills. Through hands-on exposure to emerging technologies such as robotics, 3D scanning, and digital fabrication, students will learn to redefine how we shape, produce, and retrofit the built and manufactured environment.

Based at the state-of-the-art facilities at Here East in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the course offers a collaborative and practice-led environment, where students work alongside interdisciplinary academics, designers, and industry practitioners to develop their own innovative approaches to making.

Who this course is for

The course is suitable for students who have a strong portfolio of design and/or fabrication work and wish to develop careers in design for manufacturing in the architecture, engineering and construction fields. It is also suitable for those from other disciplines involving design and making.

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

Taught by The Bartlett School of Architecture, one of the world’s most prestigious centres for architectural innovation and creativity, Design for Manufacture MArch is based at UCL’s state-of-the-art facilities at Here East. Students benefit from access to state-of-the-art fabrication labs and expansive prototyping spaces designed to support full-scale, 1:1 experimentation.

Situated within an interdisciplinary environment, the course places students in close proximity to leading expertise across civil engineering, computer science, architectural computation, environmental and performance design. This collaborative environment encourages cross-pollination of ideas and methods, enriching both individual and group work.

Students are immersed in advanced manufacturing processes and technologies, including robotic fabrication and assembly, 3D printing, CNC milling, waterjet cutting, 3D scanning, and laser cutting. Under the guidance of expert tutors and practitioners, students are supported to explore new design methodologies, material systems, and construction techniques.

A hallmark of the course is its cluster-based approach to learning. Students work within small design groups, typically 15 to 20, each led by two tutors who define a unique but evolving research agenda. This structure fosters close collaboration, critical discourse, and a shared commitment to design-led innovation.

The course culminates in our exhibition -The Bartlett Fifteen Show. The exhibition acts as a showcase for the extraordinary work produced by our students and is visited by hundreds of people from across the globe each year, both physically across our London locations, and digitally via our online exhibition platform bartlettarchucl.com

For the third year in a row, The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment has been 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. Our work is all about human spaces. That means physical structures like homes, buildings and cities, but also the invisible structures that govern these things: political and legal systems; financial frameworks and social norms; even our understanding of the past, present and future. Combining design, history, theory, digital representations and models across all of these areas, we understand the structures shaping society today and we work to make them fairer and more prosperous.

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

The foundation of your career

Graduates from Design for Manufacture MArch typically pursue diverse careers at the intersection of architecture, advanced fabrication, and technology-driven design. Many enter roles in architectural and design practices that specialise in digital construction, computational design, and sustainable building systems. Others work in manufacturing, robotics, or digital fabrication companies, where they apply their expertise in automation and prototyping.

A number of graduates also take on innovation-focused roles within construction tech startups or research institutions, contributing to the development of new materials, construction methods, or smart building technologies. Additionally, some pursue academic or consultancy careers, using their skills to influence future thinking in the built environment.

85% of Bartlett School of Architecture graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation. (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-22)

Top industry sectors for Bartlett School of Architecture graduates in work are construction, built environment and property (75% of graduates); academic research and higher education (7%) and performance and creative arts (6%).

Bartlett School of Architecture graduates are working in 46 countries around the world.

Employability

Graduates of UCL’s Design for Manufacture MArch develop a strong set of career-focused skills, including advanced computational design, digital fabrication, and integrated building systems. They gain hands-on experience with robotics, automation, and innovative construction technologies, alongside project management and collaborative problem-solving abilities. These skills equip them to lead in design innovation and efficiently translate complex digital concepts into real-world manufacturing and construction solutions.

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 wide 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.

Design for Manufacture MArch is delivered through design and fabrication tutorials, skills workshops, seminars, lectures, site visits, group working and an (optional) field trip. 

Assessment is via design and skills portfolios, written coursework submissions and verbal presentations.

In terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect around 16 contact hours per teaching week through lectures, workshops and tutorials. In terms 3 and 4 (Summer term included), students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

Outside of lectures full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed work and completing their thesis and portfolios, approximately 21 hours per week.

Modules

The course consists of theory and preparatory modules (30 credits), a skills module (30 credits), and two design thesis projects and a design thesis dissertation (120 credits).

In Term 1, groups will develop initial projects that provide the basis of learning and assessment in skills as well as preliminary contextual theory. In Term 2, individual and group research questions are agreed with each student for development in terms 2, 3 & 4, culminating in an exhibition –The Bartlett Fifteen Show. In Terms 3 and 4 you will work on your design thesis report and work in groups with your specialist design tutor to prepare a final design portfolio.

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MArch in Design for Manufacture.

Part-time students must complete 180 credits over two years. Students should select half taught modules in year one and half in year two plus the final project module.

Modular/flexible students can choose any modules per year as long as they complete 180 credits within 5 years. Students will select the introductory taught modules first before taking the design thesis or final design project modules.

Compulsory modules

Design for Manufacture: Introductory Design Workshops

Design for Manufacture: Design Portfolio, Initial Project

Design for Manufacture: Design Portfolio, Final Project

Design for Manufacture: Contextual Theory

Design for Manufacture: Design Thesis Report

Design for Manufacture: Skills Portfolio

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 MArch in Design for Manufacture.

Fieldwork

The course includes an optional field trip.

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: 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	Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£19,300	£9,650
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£39,200	£19,600

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.

The optional field trip costs students a maximum of £500 each. We estimate that students spend between £400-£800 on specialist materials throughout the course.

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 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.

Any additional funding available from The Bartlett School of Architecture and the Built Environment Faculty Office are advertised on the respective websites.

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

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.

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 Design for Manufacture at graduate level
why you want to study Design for Manufacture 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.

All applicants are asked to present a portfolio of design work, and will be contacted regarding this once the application has been received by the department. The nature of the applicant's portfolio will depend on their first degree or prior experience. No specific skills are required but a design and/or making capability must be demonstrated.

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 only requires one reference in support of your application. Your reference should be academic unless you have been out of university education for more than four years. 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.