Introduction to the Urban Sustainability and Resilience MRes

The Urban Sustainability and Resilience MRes is a one-year program at UCL, designed to prepare students for a research career in urban sustainability and resilience. This program explores urban systems, policies, processes, technologies, and materials that shape future cities, providing students with the research skills and methodologies needed to impact this rapidly evolving field.

Program Details

Study Mode

• Full-time
• Part-time
• Flexible

Tuition Fees (2026/27)

• UK students: £6,400 (full-time), £3,200 (part-time)
• International students: £38,300 (full-time), £19,150 (part-time)

Duration

• 1 calendar year (full-time)
• 2 calendar years (part-time)
• 5 calendar years (flexible)

Programme Starts

• September 2026

Applications Accepted

• Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 27 Mar 2026
• Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026

Entry Requirements

Academic Background

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university in a subject appropriate to the chosen field, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Relevant subjects include, but are not limited to, engineering, science, social sciences, architecture, town planning, economics, and geography.

English Language Requirements

The English language level for this course is Level 2. UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are available for international students aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL.

ATAS Statement

If intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete UCL studies, students may be required to obtain ATAS clearance, which can take up to six months to process.

Equivalent Qualifications

Country-specific information and equivalent qualifications can be found on the International Students website.

About this Degree

Overview

This program brings together relevant theory with research project-based experience, covering diverse subject matter from urban sustainability and resilience to tackling challenges faced by urban systems and cities globally. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a specialized knowledge base, allowing them to tailor their learning journey according to their interests.

Who this Course is For

This program is ideal for those passionate about addressing the multifaceted challenges of urban sustainability and resilience. It is suitable for applicants with a first degree in civil engineering, urban planning, architecture, social sciences, or similar fields, who want to pursue a research-oriented career in academia or industry.

What this Course Will Give You

• A postgraduate degree from a top-ranked university
• The opportunity to learn from expert academics and researchers in UCL Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
• Collaboration with industry and NGOs on research projects
• Strong collaborative skills, working alongside experts from UCL and industrial partners
• Access to research and industry links, including seminars and exhibitions by industry leaders
• A transformative curriculum designed to help build a successful research career

The Foundation of Your Career

Graduates of this department have found successful careers with engineering consultancies, construction firms, charities, utility companies, government, and non-governmental bodies. The program provides a combination of theory, practice, and innovation, giving students a strong technical and contextual foundation to progress into a career in either research or industry.

Teaching and Learning

Delivery

The MRes program is delivered through a mix of seminars, lectures, laboratory work, projects, and practicals, frequently drawing upon real-life industry case studies.

Assessment

Assessment is through examinations, presentations, essays, coursework, and a substantial research project submitted as a dissertation.

Contact Hours

Students can expect on average 6-8 hours of contact hours a week, which encompasses lectures, workshops, and tutorials. Outside these sessions, students are expected to engage in significant self-directed study and complete assessments.

Modules

Full-time

• Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits, comprising 2 compulsory modules, 2 optional modules, and a substantive research project (120 credits).
• Compulsory modules offer an introduction to sustainability and resilience from interdisciplinary and systems perspectives.
• Research skills and transferable skills modules equip students with the skills needed to investigate their research topic and for a future career in research.

Part-time

• Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits: 2 compulsory modules, 2 elective modules, and a substantive research project (120 credits).
• The research project is split over two years.

Flexible

• Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits: 2 compulsory modules, 2 elective modules, and a substantive research project (120 credits).
• It is recommended that students complete the research project in the final year.

Fees and Funding

Fees for this Course

• UK students: £6,400 (full-time), £3,200 (part-time)
• International students: £38,300 (full-time), £19,150 (part-time)

Additional Costs

There are no additional costs associated with this program, as costs for site visits are covered by the department.

Funding Your Studies

For a comprehensive list of funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Next Steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. When assessing an application, the admissions team would like to learn why you want to study urban sustainability and resilience at graduate level, why you want to study at UCL, and how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this program. A brief research proposal outlining the topic you want to investigate is also required.

UCL is a top-ranked university with life-changing research and a_x000D_ progressive approach to academia, making it different from the rest. At UCL,_x000D_ postgraduate students learn by doing—shaping the world around them with a_x000D_ hands-on approach.

Services

Student services