Home

Design for Performance and Interaction MArch

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

What happens when we design not in three dimensions but four? The Design for Performance and Interaction MArch is a radical, transdisciplinary master's degree that teaches students to understand and design performances and interactive experiences. 

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£19,300
£9,650
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£39,200
£19,600
Duration
4 terms
30 months
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026

Applications closed

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


The Design for Performance and Interaction course welcomes students from an array of artistic and technical backgrounds to work with interactive technologies to consider objects, space, people, and systems as potential performers.

Throughout this master’s degree, students gain advanced skills to design for performance and interaction, informed by multidisciplinary theories taken from architecture, performing arts, digital media, spatial interaction, anthropology, sociology, psychology, cybernetics, cognitive neuroscience, or aesthetics.

Structured to offer the widest scope for creativity, this degree facilitates and empowers students to find their own unique design vision, with an emphasis on prototyping, from interactive objects to staged events or performance architecture.

The course is taught in UCL’s cutting-edge facilities at Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, east London - a space renowned as a hub for technological innovation and home to some of the UK’s leading performance and design companies. The world-class facilities at Here East provide an ideal space for the large-scale construction of installations, as well as for public events.

Who this course is for

The course is designed for students who wish to develop careers in physical and virtual interaction design, interactive architecture, the design of performance spaces, or the creation of performative events at a range of scales and venues.

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

On the Design for Performance and Interaction postgraduate degree, students will learn to design and make individual and collaborative projects that will feature in an end-of-year public exhibition of interactive objects, spaces, installations, and performances.

Students will learn to communicate ideas in three and four dimensions through animation, film, live presentation and staged events, real-time simulation, podcasts, or virtual, physical, and hybrid environments.

Students have the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge and experience of:

  • the design and production of well-considered spaces
  • performances and interactive assemblies
  • presenting work in a portfolio context
  • the application of analytical and sensing programmes
  • the application of digital and analogue setting and performance techniques
  • the production of an illustrated written research report in an academic context.

The course provides working knowledge of technical systems including sound, lighting, interactive computation and electronics, as well as an understanding of virtual and analogue simulation tools required when designing or adapting performance spaces, including acoustics, lighting, and simulation of occupant and performer behaviour.

The Bartlett School of Architecture helps students to prepare for successful careers in a range of fields, and a place where students can develop their creativity, curiosity, and dynamism and learn the skills needed to build a better future for people and the planet.  

The Bartlett is ranked #1 in the world for Architecture and Built Environment studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. We remain global #1 for the third year in a row, and #1 in the UK for the 11th year in a row. 
Our research is recognised as Our research is recognised as ‘World Leading' and 'Internationally Excellent' (UK REF 2021).  

London is ranked the best city for students in the UK and Europe, and holds third place worldwide (QS Best Student Cities 2026). 

In a typical year, The Bartlett School of Architecture hosts a number of exhibitions, both physically across our London locations, and digitally via our online exhibition platform bartlettarchucl.com. This includes The Bartlett Autumn Show, The Bartlett Summer Show and The Bartlett B-Pro Show. These exhibitions act as a showcase for the extraordinary work produced by our students and are visited by thousands of people from across the globe each year.  

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

The foundation of your career

93.9% of Bartlett School of Architecture graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2017-22)

Top industry sectors for Bartlett School of Architecture graduates in work are construction, built environment and property (74.9% of graduates); academic research and higher education (6.5%); and performance and creative arts (5.6%).

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

Example employers:

  • Foster and Partners
  • Zaha Hadid Architects
  • Adjaye Associates Ltd
  • Wilkinson Eyre Architects
  • ARUP

Employability

Students will gain skills that can help them to progress into careers in physical and virtual interaction design, interactive architecture, the design of performance spaces, or the creation of performative events, one of the most vibrant parts of global design endeavour in the 21st century. They are also the subject of extensive academic research that students could explore after graduating.

Networking

The Design for Performance and Interaction MArch participates in a range of external and internal showcase events throughout the teaching year. For example, international arts and technology festivals, open studio events, or public exhibitions. These include extensive networking opportunities.

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.

Additionally, there are a broad range of university-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.  

The Design for Performance and Interaction MArch is delivered through design, fabrication, and performance tutorials, skills workshops, seminars, lectures, site visits, and group work, as well as an optional field trip. 

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

On average, across Terms 1 and 2, full-time students can typically expect around 18 hours per teaching week through lectures, workshops, and tutorials. In Terms 3 and 4 (summer term included), students will be completing their own design and dissertation research, keeping regular contact with design and dissertation supervisors.

Outside of lectures, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using remaining time for self-directed work and completing theses and portfolios, approximately 18 hours per week.

Modules

The course consists of six compulsory modules, taken over fifteen months of full-time study.

The master’s degree is structured so that Term 1 introduces students to design projects and design research courses. Supporting this are lectures, theoretical study, and skills training. Students will be asked to focus on a research programme at the start of Term 2 and undertake preliminary ‘proof of concept’ design work supported by further skills teaching.  

Students will develop preliminary projects into a design project (as ‘Prototypes’) commencing in Term 3. This is supported by a written design thesis where the theoretical background to a key aspect of the student’s design project is investigated. This is presented to incoming students in Term 4 (the autumn term). The design project is concluded in Term 4 (as ‘Productions’) and is exhibited at the end of the term.

Part-time students must complete 180 credits over two academic years. Students should select half taught modules in Year 1 and half in Year 2 plus the final project module.
 

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

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 MArch in Design for Performance and Interaction.

Fieldwork

There is an optional field trip as part of the course.

Past field trips have included destinations such as Iceland, Austria, or Scotland. 

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

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.

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.

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

There is one optional field trip for this course, which 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 this 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 Performance and Interaction at graduate level
  • why you want to study Design for Performance and Interaction 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 the opportunity for students to illustrate whether reasons for applying to this course match what the course will deliver.

We recommend that students apply for a maximum of two courses. Multiple applications are less likely to result in an offer of admission.

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 the offer, students must pay the non-refundable fee deposit within four weeks and decline any other offers for courses at the Bartlett School of Architecture. If you do not respond within three weeks, the offer will be withdrawn.

A design/creative portfolio is required from applicants. Applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio of their design work once the completed application has been received and should not send or upload work until it has been requested. Submitted portfolios should show a range of design work from an applicant’s previous degree, as well as any personal and/or professional projects. Portfolios should be formatted in a standard landscape format and should be clearly annotated to differentiate between group and individual project work. Shortlisted applicants may be asked to attend an online interview with the admissions tutor. 
 

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

Bartlett School of Architecture
Bartlett School of Architecture

bartlett.pg-bsa@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.