Programme summary for MSc Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies

About the programme

This stimulating and important programme is validated by UEL but run and operated by the Centre for Alternative Technology in mid-Wales. Examining the relationship between human beings and their environment, the programme offers an ecological perspective on building. Topics covered range from the political, economic and social background of environmental issues to local environmental considerations affecting occupant health and well-being.

Programme structure

The programme is delivered by staff from CAT and specialist visitors from the profession, and runs as a series of ten five-day residential events, which all take place at CAT. This brings the advantage of combining an academic programme with the practical application of research and development that has established CAT as Europe's leading Eco-centre.

The programme comprises of 15 modules in total. All modules are 15 credits. Each module is a five-day residential teaching event which takes place every month except December and August at CAT. The thesis is a 60 credit module. There are a number of options available ie modules that run at the same time and students choose which to follow.

After acquiring 120 credits from the available teaching modules and associated coursework, students are eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma; those who wish to obtain an MSc then complete the Thesis Module which is the culmination of the work done on the programme. A formal start to the thesis is made in March for September start and September for March start students.

Formal tutorials are available at CAT; others by Email.

Career opportunities

There is a significant skills shortage in the area of environment and energy, particularly where it relates to the built environment. There are employment opportunities in local government, private industry, architectural practices and non-governmental organisations. The skills acquired and areas considered during this programme are excellent preparation for work in any of the above areas and many other professional practices.

Support

All students studying this programme are allocated to a Seminar Group of about twenty students and are supported by a personal tutor who is responsible for providing advice and guidance throughout their term of study. All seminars and tutorials take place within seminar groups. Support is also given during specific stages of progression, such as research methods for the thesis, as well as extra support for those that require it such as English / study skills and IT training. Small group teaching is acknowledged as being beneficial to students as it allows for individual attention and enables peer review and group discussion.

Admission

The programme is intended to cater for a broad range of interests. For acceptance onto the programme the following requirements apply:-
First degree.
Students who do not possess formal qualifications but who can demonstrate that they have gained appropriate knowledge and skills equivalent to degree standard and that they will benefit from and contribute to the programme, may be accepted. Students may be admitted with advanced standing through the recognition of credit or the accreditation of experiential or certificated learning according to the University of East London Accreditation of (Experiential) Learning (A(E)L) policy.
A student may gain admission to a programme, with advanced standing, with up to half of the credits associated with the award being achieved through accredited experiential learning, or up two thirds through accredited certificated learning. (Where a combination of experiential and certificated learning is involved up to one half of the credits for the award may be achieved through accredited experiential learning with further credits being achieved through accredited certificated learning up to a maximum of two thirds of the credits for the award).
The University and CAT are strongly committed to widening participation and equal opportunity for all.
You must be able to understand and express yourself in both written and spoken English and some evidence e.g. TOEFL at 650 or an IELTS score of 7.0 will be required.

Application to this programme can only be made on line at http://www.cat.org.uk/graduateschool