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Situated Practice MA

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

This programme teaches the principles and skills of situated practice in relation to conceptual spatial theories in art, architecture, performance, urbanism and writing.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£14,100
£7,050
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 and is subject to an increase of up to 5%. 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 (2023/24)
£29,000
£14,500
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 and is subject to an increase of up to 5%. 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.
Duration
4 terms
30 months
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 17 Oct 2022 – 31 Mar 2023

Applications closed

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class UK degree in an appropriate subject or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. 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 programme 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. International Preparation Courses

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


Students learn about spatial theories and practices in art, architecture, performativity, urbanism and writing. They develop a robust understanding of research methods in art and design, and design practice-led research, and create their own site-related projects – from physical installations and digital interventions to site writings. 

Working with practitioners and researchers from The Bartlett School of Architecture, alongside affiliated centres and institutions, this programme empowers students to pioneer new forms of hybrid practice between art and architecture. 

Who this course is for

The programme is suited to those who aspire to work toward understanding and enlivening the environment we live in. We are looking for applications from people with multiple aims, whether you wish to gain core skills for a research degree, are in employment seeking continuing professional development or looking toward an academic career.

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

What this course will give you

Contemporary culture doesn't fit neatly into a box. The overlap between practices, methods and approaches from the fields of architecture, art and design is the fast-evolving terrain of this programme, which examines how architecture cross-pollinates with other creative arts.

Working with practitioners and researchers from The Bartlett School of Architecture, alongside affiliated centres and institutions, this programme empowers students to pioneer new forms of hybrid practice between art and architecture.

Students develop a strong understanding of appropriate research methodologies in art and design practice-led research, specifically relating to approaches towards criticality, performativity and textuality. They make `situated practice projects that are site-related from physical installations and events to digital interventions and site-writings.

The Bartlett School of Architecture helps students to prepare for successful careers in a range of fields. We aim to be an exciting and innovative place to study architecture, located in the heart of London with global perspectives. Our students have the opportunity to develop their creativity, curiosity and dynamism, and learn the skills they need to build a better future for people and the planet. Our school is consistently ranked highly in UK and global league tables, and our staff are at the forefront of international research and teaching with award-winning buildings all over the globe.

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. The Bartlett is ranked #3 globally in the Built Environment and Architecture subject area (QS World University Ranking 2022), and our research is recognised as internationally leading (UK REF 2021).

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

The foundation of your career

Graduates of this programme are critical, innovative and transdisciplinary practitioners who undertake projects addressing the specific concerns of sites and developing appropriate transformations for them.

Employability

The Bartlett School of Architecture is one of the world's top-ranked architecture schools and our graduates enjoy excellent employment opportunities and the practice-led research skills to carry out future doctoral research in the field.

Teaching and learning

Tutorials and seminars are the leading teaching methods, together with lectures, group-working, writing workshops, research seminars, film screenings, and reviews of student work by Bartlett School of Architecture staff and visiting researchers. There are building and gallery visits in London and further afield, and an annual field trip (optional). Modules use these advanced-level teaching approaches to encourage innovative student-led work. 

In terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect around 15 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 final projects.

Modules

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of four compulsory modules (90 credits) and a 'Major Projects' exhibition module (90 credits). 

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MA in Situated Practice.

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.

The programme consists of five modules, two of which are taught in Term 1 and two in Term 2. For one of the modules in Term 2, you have the option to undertake a self – defined project to address specific research questions or to take another relevant module from the Bartlett School of Architecture, Faculty or UCL. In Terms 3 and 4, you complete the last module, a project portfolio with a written element of critical self reflection, this is called the Major Project. 

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 MA in Situated Practice.

Fieldwork

There will be one field trip (optional) annually as part of the programme. Students will also conduct their own original spatial research into a specific site of their own choosing for their Major Project.

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.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) £14,100 £7,050
Tuition fees (2023/24) £29,000 £14,500

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 and is subject to an increase of up to 5%. 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.

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

All students are required to pay a fee deposit of £2,000 for this programme.

There is one optional field trip for this programme, which costs students a maximum of £500 each. We estimate that students spend between £250-£500 on specialist materials throughout the programme.

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 more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

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 Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment are advertised on their respective websites.

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 Scholarship - Master's

Deadline: 31 May 2023
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,364 maintenance/yr (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Masters Scholarship

Deadline: 31 March 2023
Value: Fees, stipend and other allowances (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Brown Family Bursary

Deadline: 8 June 2023
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and 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 and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

We invite applications from candidates with a passionate interest in new forms of situated practice, innovative forms of research dissemination, and new architectures of exhibition and installation. With a clearly trans-disciplinary ethos, we are looking to recruit candidates from diverse backgrounds and previous experience in the fields of art, architecture, curatorship, public engagement, event design, creative regeneration, participation design, performance, ethnography, activism, writing, filmmaking, information design and publishing.

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.

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.

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.

Got questions? Get in touch

Bartlett School of Architecture
Bartlett School of Architecture

j.o'leary@ucl.ac.uk

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