The programme examines the relationship between human beings and their environment, and in particular offers an ecological perspective on building. It ranges from the political, economic and social background of environmental issues, including global examination of energy provision and consumption and climate change to local environmental considerations affecting occupant health and well being. Choice of materials, bioclimatic design, building methods, designing for energy efficiency and the principles and practice of renewable energies are examined through written and practical work and the lecture programme.

The programme is intended to cater for a broad range of interests - for acceptance onto the programme the following requirements apply:

• Degree in a relevant subject.
• Students who do not possess formal qualifications but who can demonstrate that they have gained appropriate knowledge and skills equivalent to Honours 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 550 or an IELTS score of 6.0 will be required.
• The formal entry requirements will be interpreted in a way that is most advantageous to the applicant.

Application is online at http://gradschool.cat.org.uk/graduateschool/

Click on ‘MSc Architecture by Distance Learning’
Find the blue ‘Apply Online’ button.

Technical requirements for DL modules:-

'UEL Plus' is the software platform used by UEL to deliver this programme. To participate in the programme you need:

1. A PC or Mac, with at least 10 hours unrestricted access per week
2. 56 K modem with Internet access (although broadband is strongly recommended)
3. A supported Internet browser
4. Reliable email
5. Access to a printer

The programme has a modular structure and can be taken over one year or two. Students choose eight out of the ten DL modules on offer. Details of the modules are below. After completion of eight taught 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. The programme can be taken over one or two years.

DL modules

DL modules are based on a combination of print and internet based materials. A Virtual Learning Environment is used that consists of chatrooms, discussion boards, lecture materials, links to useful internet resources and various other facilities. The VLE is run on UELPlus software and is accessible over the internet. Students are sent printed materials prior to the start of each Module. These consist of the lecture notes and papers, both of which are studied prior to the online seminar sessions. The seminar sessions encourage discussion of the lecture topics and are used to provide feedback on the discussion questions that are in the print material. Students receive two key texts at the beginning of the course and a voucher for discounted book sales, by reference to a ‘recommended texts’ list. Practical studies are internet based and often involve group work. Coursework is submitted on-line. Tutorials are either by telephone or by email.

Teaching and learning strategies include;

• Tutor guided reading and independent study
• Discussion questions related to lectures
• Seminars
• Presentations
• Tutorials
• Practical studies

The practicals are related specifically to the particular material of the module, are internet based, and are run through a discussion board where students can interact and carry out group work. Data is provided where analysis is required. Presentations are made electronically (using for example PowerPoint) and uploaded to the website.

All students have access to the Athens electronic journal database, membership of the SCONUL scheme (providing access to other University libraries), and the programme website.

Assessment is through coursework, which builds to form the students’ academic portfolio, culminating in a thesis. The coursework aims to test that the Learning Outcomes have been met and takes the form of an essay on a subject chosen from the Module material and a presentation of the essay topic. The essay and presentation are sent in by email or loaded to the website at the next scheduled hand-in date.

The programme is suitable for those students with an interest in developing expertise in an area of rapidly increasing importance, where skill shortages are being reported and increasing specialist knowledge is required. The programme is continually being developed to meet the specific demands that industry require and strives to use the latest information.

The Thesis (of 14,000 words) gives the student an opportunity to apply the discipline and skills of the programme to an individually selected research topic, requiring a measure of original development, providing a vehicle for conducting an in-depth investigation, analysis and critical review of relevant material. The thesis work is the culmination of all that has been learnt on the programme and each student is allocated a thesis tutor for this work. Thesis workshops are held online three times a year and run over a period of two weeks in February, May and October.

There is a significant skill shortage in the area of environment and energy, particularly where it relates to the built environment. There are significant employment opportunities in Local Government, Private Industry, Architectural Practices, NGO's associated with the Environment, and in Private Practice. The many skills acquired and areas considered during this programme are excellent preparation for work in any of the above areas.

All students studying this programme are allocated to a Seminar Group and are supported by an allocated personal tutor who is responsible for providing advice and guidance throughout their term of study. 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 study skills and IT assistance.

On registration, students receive an induction pack which contains all information relating to DL study. Students have access to DL study guide materials and their personal tutor will have been trained in DL provision.