Programme summary for MA Architecture: Urban Design

The programme sets out to explore and develop new forms of urban practice in cities undergoing rapid change. It aims to develop responsive positions that are both specific and responding to the particularities of context, topographical, social, cultural economic and political.

Contact Information

Christine Wade: Admissions Administrator
Telephone: +44(0) 20 8223 3295
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8223 7504
Email:c.wade@uel.ac.uk

About the programme

This programme explores and develops new forms of urban practice in cities undergoing rapid change. It aims to develop practical and innovative urban design strategies and positions, from neighbourhoods to whole cities. It is designed to develop tools for the urban designer and examines the boundaries between urban and landscape practice through emphasising their interdependence. The programme also explores how the relationship of climate, weather and materiality in a urban territory may give rise to specific solutions to generic questions.

Programme structure

The MA programme can be followed over twelve month full time (3 Semester) or twenty four months part time.

Career opportunities

The integration of environmental design with architectural and urban design practice is of ever-increasing importance. Architects and designers able to address these issues are likely to strengthen their career prospects in both the private and public sectors.

Support

The programme offers students a personal tutor, 1:1 tutorial support as well as support of small group working.

Personal Development Planning (PDP) is a University requirement to engage formally in reflective practice, through a learning log or a professional development portfolio. This includes creating and maintaining a continuously updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), a review of progress in modules, review of assessment outcomes and feedback, a semester based action plan and an annual submission of the PDP.

The University provides a comprehensive range of support services to students, which includes: residential/ student finance advice/ careers advise/ study skills development/ IT learning resources.

Admission

The programme is particularly designed for already qualified design professionals who wish to specialise in urban development practice.

It welcomes applications from suitable candidates with an honours degree in architecture and/or RIBA Part 1 exemption, with a particular interest and ability to contribute to the development of urban designs and alternative urbanisms at an advanced level.

It also welcomes applications from candidates with a design based first degree with a particular interest and ability to contribute to the development of urban design at an advanced level.

Applications are welcomed from the EU and overseas, in particular, lecturers from Higher Education Institutions wishing to increase their qualifications.

This programme has also been designed to attract professionals from public sector and private practice who are seeking to upgrade their qualifications, or who are looking for the opportunity to validate aspects of their professional remit, or to research and develop internationally relevant urban issues that they have encountered in professional practice.

Students whose first language is not English will have achieved a score of 7.0 in ILTS or equivalent. Eligibility for students without degree equivalent qualifications will be assessed on the basis of a short essay, statement and a portfolio. Places will be offered after a successful interview with a member of the programme team. All applicants will be interviewed.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.