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Light and Lighting MSc

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

UCL offers one of the world's most comprehensive master’s degrees in Light and Lighting. We bring together the technical and creative sides of lighting design, to offer an extensive package of knowledge and skills for your career as a lighting professional working in the built environment. You will learn to design lighting as an integrated component of architecture, utilising exciting advances in science and technology whilst taking into consideration human responses to the lit environment.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£20,500
£10,250
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
£18,250
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 30 May 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

The normal minimum qualifications are a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

If you do not meet this requirement then we will still consider your application if you have any qualification in an appropriate field, in addition to extensive relevant work experience.

Please note that in very rare cases, a special qualifying examination may be set. This only applies if the applicant does not meet the 2:2 minimum entry threshold, and their work experience is limited and at a junior level. Details of this route can be obtained from the department at the email address at the bottom of this page.

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

From gas lamps to LEDs, as technology has progressed, the lighting industry has become increasingly specialist. UCL's Light and Lighting MSc is designed to provide you with a comprehensive knowledge base and skill set to build a successful career in the lighting profession, whether as a lighting designer, luminaire manufacturer, or as part of an architectural or engineering firm. As a student, you will gain in-depth expertise in the science of light, lamp and luminaire technologies, and the impact of light on architectural form and human response to both daylight and artificially lit spaces. This knowledge will equip you with the vision to design beautiful lit environments that promote user wellbeing and the skills to ensure they are successfully engineered. You will join a global cohort of students studying pioneering sustainable approaches to lighting design, operation and research.

During your degree you will:

  • Study the fundamentals of lighting, including natural daylight, lighting technologies, design calculations, and the human response to lit environments.
  • Utilise advanced design techniques to produce conceptual and detailed lighting designs and luminaire product designs.
  • Be taught mathematical models and physical concepts for illumination, applied to the reality of the lit environment.
  • Learn how to design a lighting control system that meets people’s needs in different environments.
  • Gain experience using computational design tools used in the lighting and architectural industry such as Rhino 3D, Grasshopper, Ladybug/Radiance and DIALux.
  • Explore the evolution of lighting design and innovation over time, giving the historical context for lighting design practice in the present day.
  • Understand essential lighting practice, regulations and standards required for lighting designers.
  • Delve into current research in lighting, sustainability, health and wellbeing.

Who this course is for

This course is ideal for recent graduates as well as early to mid-career professionals seeking to expand their knowledge in the field of lighting. Individuals passionate about lighting are encouraged to apply. While applicants typically come from backgrounds in architecture, interior design, industrial design, engineering, science, arts, and theatre, we welcome all prospective students with an interest in lighting.

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

What this course will give you

Industry and research-led education at #1 faculty of the built environment
We draw on the expertise of specialists from leading companies and our industry advisory board to enrich this master’s course and keep it industrially relevant. You will be taught by academic experts in The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment. The Bartlett, has been ranked #1 for Built Environment studies in the world (QS World University Rankings) and is where the UK’s most ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’ built environment research is undertaken (REF 2021).

Study in London, the world’s centre for architectural lighting
London is an international hub for top engineering and architecture firms, and a centre for lighting in the UK. During your degree, you will have the opportunity to visit various sites and facilities across the city to study lighting. These visits will enrich your studies by showcasing the real-world impact of light and lighting. London has also been named the best city for students in the world (QS Best Student Cities 2025).

State of the art equipment and facilities
During your degree you will have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities including The Bartlett Lighting Simulator, an advanced sunlight and daylight modelling facility employing both computer simulation and a sophisticated variable luminance artificial sky. You will also have access to a variety of field equipment, for example luminance meters, luminance distribution analysers, illuminance meters, spectrophotometers and more.   
 

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

The foundation of your career

“This course offers a forward-looking research-led academic foundation for the next generation of lighting professionals.” – Industry advisory board member Florence Lam, Arup Fellow and Visiting Professor in Lighting Design and Engineering

We have an extensive network of alumni who have been driving change in lighting design, technological development, and research for the past 36 years. According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey (2017-2021), 100% of our graduates were in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating from the Light and Lighting MSc. Our graduates work in global engineering consultancies, lighting design practices, architectural offices, and luminaire manufacturers.

Several have also used the MSc as a foundation for MPhil/PhD research. Employers of our graduates include Isometrix Lighting Design, Lux Populi, Archtube, Arup, Buro Happold, Hoare Lea, Mott MacDonald, Caribbean LED Solutions, Stantec Architecture, JFA Architects, and more.

Many of our alumni have gone on to win international awards in the field of lighting, such as the Light Play Prize at the Total Lighting Show, the RHS Silver Gilt Medal, and Lighting Designer of the Year. Additionally, several graduates have received the Society of Light and Lighting's Young Lighters of the Year award.

Read about careers in light and lighting ►

Alumni experiences

“The course was challenging and stimulating, with approachable and knowledgeable tutors. It balanced the scientific side of lighting with the artistic element and has given me invaluable tools both in lighting application and in technical knowledge. I learned so much, which has stood me well in my career in lighting that has followed. I would thoroughly recommend this course for anyone who aspires for a career in the lighting industry.” – Willie Duggan, Light and Lighting MSc graduate

Read our alumni profiles ►

Employability

Through the degree, you will learn skills and knowledge that are sought-after by leading employers in the lighting industry.

These include:

  • Fundamentals of photometry and radiometry
  • Health and well-being aspects of lighting
  • Dynamic daylight and thermal simulation modelling using Radiance through Rhino Grasshopper, as well as climate-based modelling using Ladybug, Honeybee tools
  • Multidisciplinary integrated design approach 
  • Advanced lighting control systems
  • Advanced lighting design
  • Python coding

Networking

During the master’s we welcome design practitioners, manufacturers, and researchers to give presentations to students. This connects you with lighting innovators who share the latest industry developments and enhance your studies through their practical insights. The course also offers networking opportunities with national and international lighting societies, such as The Society of Light and Lighting (SLL), the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), and The Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP), as well as with leading lighting designers and practitioners. Additionally, you will have opportunities to connect with our Light and Lighting alumni who are now leading innovations in lighting design, technological development, and research.

Accreditation

The Light and Lighting MSc has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE) as meeting the further learning requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. The course is recognised by the American National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions - NCQLP, making it easier for students achieve LC Certification.

Teaching and learning

In this course, lecture-based modules delivered by experienced academics and lighting practitioners will equip you with knowledge, skills and experience in lighting research and design. Teaching will be supported with project-based workshops, forums, and informative online materials, enabling you to develop deeper understanding of the subject and to engage with academics and practitioners. Small group and one-on-one teaching will be provided to support your learning, design projects and research dissertation.

The course has lectures and tutorials, complemented by design and project work. Modules are assessed through coursework such as essays and design projects, as well as a written examination. Students will complete a 10,000-word dissertation.  See the Lighting and Lighting MSc modules for the 2025/26 academic year webpage to find out more about what you will learn and the different types of assessment for each module.

In terms 1 and 2, full-time students can typically expect between 8 and 15 contact hours per teaching week through lectures, workshops and tutorials. In term 3, 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 study and completing coursework assignments.

Modules

You will take eight compulsory modules and one optional module which will provide you with the knowledge and skills that underpin lighting research and design. See the Lighting and Lighting MSc modules for the 2025/26 academic year webpage to find out more about the individual modules.

In Term 1, you will learn about lighting fundamentals, the evolution of lighting design philosophies and innovation over time, lighting principles relevant to ancient and modern town planning, as well as applied calculations, lighting practice, advanced lighting design and the use of lighting simulation and light measure equipment.

In Term 2, you will deepen your knowledge in applied calculations and lighting design. You will also learn how to design a lighting control system to meet people’s needs in different environments and to understand the practical implications and consequences of your design, as well as lighting research results and the resulting theoretical models in human factors in lighting and illuminating engineering.

In Term 3, you will undertake a research or design project that will allow you to demonstrate a deep understanding of the lighting knowledge base, sustainability, health and wellbeing which will lead to a dissertation worth a third of the MSc.

Throughout the degree you will have the opportunity to undertake design project work, both on an individual basis and as part of a group. Design briefs are drawn from real-world lighting projects, and to engage with professionals in the field.

Part-time students take the course over two years, typically taking four modules in Year 1, and four modules and the dissertation in Year 2. See the Lighting and Lighting MSc modules for the 2025/26 academic year webpage to find out more about the individual modules.

Throughout the degree you will have the opportunity to undertake project work and design work, both on an individual basis and as part of a group. Design briefs are drawn from real-world lighting projects, and you will have opportunities to engage with professionals in the field.

In Year 1 Term 1, you are recommended to learn about lighting fundamentals and applied calculations, and in Term 2 advanced lighting design.

In Year 2 Term 1, you are recommended to learn about the evolution of lighting design philosophies over time, lighting principles relevant to ancient and modern town planning, and lighting practice. In Term 2, you will learn how to design a lighting control system to meet people’s needs in different environments and to understand the practical implications and consequences of your design, as well as lighting research results and the resulting theoretical models in human factors in lighting and illuminating engineering. You will undertake a research project in Term 3 that will allow you to demonstrate a deep understanding of the lighting knowledge base, sustainability, health and wellbeing which will lead to a dissertation worth a third of the MSc.  
 

Flexible students take all modules and complete their dissertation research between 2 and 5 years of starting the degree. See the Lighting and Lighting MSc modules for the 2025/26 academic year webpage to find out more about the individual modules.

Flexible students will be encouraged to discuss their plan for completing the MSc with the Programme Lead. 
 

Compulsory modules






Integrated Lighting Design

Computational Design for Sustainable Buildings



Optional modules

Post Occupancy Evaluation





Aesthetics and Creative Lighting


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 Light and Lighting.

Fieldwork

The course includes visits to sites, laboratories, and other facilities to study lighting.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £20,500 £10,250
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500 £18,250

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

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

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

Travel for fieldwork and site visits outside London that are part of the degree will be provided. Travel costs for site visits or fieldwork within the London area (zones 1-6) accessible by public transport are covered by students. Based on London site visits and fieldwork that took place last year, it is estimated that the public transport costs for students in 2024-25 will be approximately £80 if you choose to reside in London.

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 £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. 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.

The Bartlett Promise Scholarship is a long-term project from our Faculty to attract students from a broader range of backgrounds and tackle the lack of diversity in the built environment. Please see the UK Master's scholarship and Sub-Saharan Africa Master's scholarship webpages 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: 28 March 2025
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 2025
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,864 maintenance/yr (Duration of programme)
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 programme 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 Light and Lighting at graduate level
  • why you want to study Light and Lighting 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: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources
Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources

bseer-studentqueries@ucl.ac.uk

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