Programme summary for MA Architecture: Sustainability and Design

This innovative programme explores a new area of intellectual enquiry. Increasingly, environmental legislation is being passed by governments as a result of a major shift in attitude towards the environment, and the new ways in which we operate upon it. There is, therefore, as great a need at the start of the 21st century to consider the position of architecture as there was at the beginning of the 20th century.

The programme addresses new architectural issues and a range of responses which will enable you to apply such thinking to your own practice. It is intended that you will become fellow researchers rather than recipients of an established method and content.

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

The need to consider the position of architecture at the start of the 21st century is as great as it was at the beginning of the 20th: the major shift in attitudes towards the environment, seen in the legislation passed by governments, leads to the obligation to re-think architecture’s practices and programmes. This MA addresses architectural responses to environmental issues and enables architects to apply this new thinking in their own practice.

Programme structure

The MA is offered as a two year part-time programme (one day a week in the school), or a one year full-time programme (two days minimum a week in the school).

Career opportunities

The integration of environmental design with architectural and urban design practice is of ever-increasing importance. Architects equipped with these skills are increasingly in demand professionally 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 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 include: residential/ student finance advice/ careers advise/ study skills development/ IT learning resources.

Admission

The programme welcomes applications from suitable candidates with an honours degree in architecture and/or RIBA Part 1 exemption, with a particular interest in pursuing theoretical studies in architectural and urban sustainability at an advanced level.

It welcomes applications from candidates with a first degree (honours) in interior or urban design, with a particular interest in pursuing theoretical studies in architectural and urban sustainability 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 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 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.

No student will be admitted without an interview, either in person or by telephone..