Close
This programme aims to develop and extend your knowledge of the complex intersections between learning and the physical and digital environments in which this takes place, so as to improve future educational spaces. Having an understanding of learning spaces procurement, design, infrastructure, management and pedagogy gives you an important specialism in a crucial emerging field worldwide. Never has such knowledge been more important than in this COVID-19 era.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
The full MSc programme consists of 9 modules in total, 8 of which are taught through intensive one-week block study periods. The dissertation module is supported through customised tutorials.
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.
Entry requirements
Normally a minimum of a second-class UK Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate subject, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Candidates who hold a professional or other qualification obtained by written examinations and approved by UCL together with at least three years of appropriate professional experience may also be admitted. As the programme is designed to enhance the knowledge base of practitioners in educational policy, and the design, construction and operation of learning facilities, it is useful for candidates to have some knowledge, demonstrable competence, and a skill set related to these aspects of professional practice, in addition to the academic qualification requirements.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Standard
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.
International students
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.
Select your country:
About this degree
You will gain valuable insight and expertise on the many dimensions that come together to create successful learning environments planning, design, delivery and management. You will develop multidisciplinary skillsets, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of how to positively affect different types of learning environments, from pre-school to post-compulsory, and across a variety of local, regional and international contexts.
For this programme, students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of eight 15-credit compulsory modules plus a 60-credit dissertation.
A Postgraduate Diploma, eight compulsory modules (120 credits) full-time (between four and seven months) or flexible study (up to five years), is offered.
A Postgraduate Certificate, four compulsory modules (60 credits) full-time (between four and seven months) or flexible study (up to five years), is offered.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Learning Environments. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Learning Environments. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Learning Environments.
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 is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Development and Capital Projects (15 credits)
- Real Estate Solutions and Systems (15 credits)
- Modern Economics and Finance for Real Estate (15 credits)
- Forms of Value for Real Estate (15 credits)
- Effective Learning Environments (15 credits)
- Towards Sustainable Learning Environments: Strategies and Tools (15 credits)
- Learning Environments in the Digital World (15 credits)
- Learning Places in the Local Context (15 credits)
- Dissertation (Learning Environments) (60 credits)
Optional modules
There are no optional modules for this programme.
Students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words, having developed a topic of their choice in consultation with tutors.
Fieldwork
The programme will include some site visits where appropriate, as well as case study analyses (undertaken both face-to-face and remotely via online collaborations).
Teaching and learning
Class activities include:
- Lectures and group-work with presentations
- Peer-based and collaborative learning
- Problem-based learning, e.g. scenario-building, simulations and live projects
- Case study analysis and site visits
- Independent study and essay-writing
The Dissertation is undertaken over a longer period, through independent research, supported by one-to-one tutorials with an allocated dissertation supervisor, underpinned by group seminar discussions.
Each module is delivered through one-week immersive block teaching; supported by pre- and post-session readings and exercises on Moodle.
Additional costs
There may be additional costs for occasional short local and national site visits (travel and overnight stay), and also an option for an international study visit. Students who wish to investigate a non-UK based subject for their dissertation should also take into account any associated travel, accommodation and expenses this is likely to involve.
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
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.
Funding
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Interest internationally in learning environments continues to increase, as the global student population develops exponentially; as changing business models and new technologies are shifting learning space development and typologies; and as changing attitudes to teaching and learning demand different kinds of environments for learners. By exploring these issues in depth, the course increases employment opportunities for:
- People experienced in some aspect of education who want more expertise in learning estates and design for physical learning environments
- People from a background in the built environment who are well versed in aspects of real estate, property design and management, and who want to develop an educational specialism.
Employability
The UCL Faculty of the Built Environment has a strong existing track record of its graduates being in employment from their specialist MSc Programmes.
This is an emerging field, with the MSc Learning Environments at UCL one of the first on offer, giving our graduating students a valuable and scarce expertise in an expanding market.
Why study this degree at UCL?
You will gain an advanced interdisciplinary knowledge of learning environments, through dialogue with key experts in the field, as well as through live projects and case scenarios.
The MSc offers a variety of routes, to match your own personal and career interests and intentions. This includes a FT one-year and a PT two-year programme. Modules are taught as intensive one-week full time blocks, enabling flexibility for those in employment.
The cross-disciplinary nature of the MSc brings together experts and students from across real estate, facilities, architecture and educational fields. Collaborative and problem-based learning will prepare you for effectively dealing with complex problems in the real world, as well as both extending your knowledge across disciplines and developing a preferred specialist area.
Department: Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction
Application and next steps
Applications
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.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
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: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
Designed for people in employment seeking continuing professional development; for graduates in related subjects (such as architecture, estates management, planning, education, academic development) who want to deepen their knowledge and skills; and for those who are aiming to develop a research and consultancy specialist field.
Application deadlines
- Full-time applicants
- 31 May 2021
- Part-time and modular/flexible applicants
- 31 May 2021
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Learning Environments MSc at graduate level
- why you want to study Learning Environments MSc at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Tell us why you want to study the MSc in Learning Environments. Tell us about an experience that has influenced your intellectual and professional development, and how it has made you interested in this subject. What do you consider to be one of your key strengths, relevant to the MSc in Learning Environments? How do you hope your studies will help your future individual and career development? If there is a particular area you plan to research for your MSc dissertation please include this in your statement.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 28 August 2021
