Master of International Cooperation in Sustainable Emergency Architecture
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-10-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
This two-semester Master's degree prepares architects and urban planners to develop and rebuild communities impacted by diverse challenges, emphasizing international cooperation, sustainable development, and emergency architecture. Students engage in a holistic interdisciplinary approach, with an emphasis on citizen participation, through courses, a field trip, and a mandatory internship that provides valuable experience and connections in the field. The program's international faculty and multicultural student body foster a global learning environment and professional network.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of International Cooperation in Sustainable Emergency Architecture is a 60 ECTS, two-semester official master's degree offered by the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC Barcelona). It aims to prepare architects, urban planners, and other professionals to develop and rebuild communities affected by climate change, military conflicts, rapid urbanization, and economic crises in both developed and developing countries. The program provides the theoretical and methodological knowledge necessary to develop an interdisciplinary approach and manage projects in cooperation and sustainable development within urban and architectural fields. The program emphasizes a holistic approach integrating interdisciplinary knowledge and citizen participation, understanding the physical, social, and cultural substrate of the cities or territories where intervention is needed. It focuses on three main themes: international cooperation, sustainable development, and emergency architecture. The program includes courses to implement a multidisciplinary approach with alternative planning and urban and architectural strategies that promote social cohesion. Students will learn to analyze critical situations, solve complex problems, and maximize human resources to work with and support local actors in emergency situations after disasters and address urban improvement strategies in both developed and developing countries. The master's degree, taught in Barcelona, is a second-year option within the Mundus Urbano Master (Darmstadt University), part of the Erasmus Mundus European cooperation program, making it the only Erasmus Mundus master's offered by an architecture school in Catalonia. The Mundus Urbano program is a joint degree program with European masters offered at Technische Universität Darmstadt, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Université Grenoble Alpes, and Universitat Internacional de Catalunya de Barcelona. The program's objective is to provide students with the theoretical and methodological knowledge needed to develop an interdisciplinary approach and manage projects in cooperation and sustainable development in urban and architectural fields. Students will gain the knowledge to manage complex projects in international cooperation, emergency architecture, and sustainable development involving beneficiaries, governmental and non-governmental institutions, and technical personnel. The program is aimed at university graduates in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, engineering, environmental design, and geography.
Outline:
The curriculum includes the following courses (2024-2025):
- Bottom Up Strategies for Urban Regeneration: (OB, First Semester, 3 ECTS)
- Climate Resilient Urban Design: (OB, First Semester, 3 ECTS)
- Environmental Justice.
- Urban Development: (OB, First Semester, 3 ECTS)
- Humanitarian Design and Implementation: (OB, First Semester, 3 ECTS)
- Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements: (OB, First Semester, 6 ECTS)
- Introduction to Emergency and Urban Development: (OB, First Semester, 3 ECTS)
- Participatory Planning.
- Community Design: (OB, First Semester, 3 ECTS)
- Reconstruction and Urban Displacement: (OB, First Semester, 3 ECTS)
- Socio Spatial Workshop for Integrated Urban Upgrading: (OB, First Semester, 3 ECTS)
- Fieldtrip: (PR, Second Semester, 5 ECTS) Includes visits to locations such as Ecuador (post-disaster reconstruction strategies), Brazil (ecological and urban strategies in Rio das Pedras favela), the Tijuana-San Diego border (spatial justice analysis), and Thessaloniki, Greece (urban integration strategies for refugees).
- Internship: (PR, Second Semester, 10 ECTS) A mandatory 3-month internship (June-August) with organizations such as UN Habitat, CRS, MSF, smaller NGOs, and research institutions like BCNUEJ. Students are responsible for finding their own placement, but the program provides support.
Teaching:
The program boasts a prestigious faculty of local and international professors from various sectors and professional practices. The teaching is conducted in English. The program includes a field trip and a mandatory internship.
Careers:
The master's degree prepares professionals and academics to critically intervene in the context of international cooperation and urban development. The mandatory internship provides experience and connections for positions in international cooperation agencies, municipal planning offices, research institutes, and consulting firms working in international cooperation, post-disaster and conflict emergency situations, foreign aid, human settlements, and suburb improvement.
Other:
The program is taught in English and has a multicultural student body from various countries, creating an international learning environment and valuable professional network. The program is accredited by the Agency for Quality of the University System of Catalonia. It is also part of the Mundus Urbano Master program, a prestigious European cooperation program.
Tuition fees: 175€/credit x 60 credits = 10.500€ (plus 494€ registration fee) Payment: 20% deposit upon admission, rest of tuition fee due before start of classes.
Introduction to UIC Barcelona
UIC Barcelona is a private university founded in 1997 and located in Barcelona, Spain. It is recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching methods, and strong ties to the business and professional world. The university operates across two campuses: one in Barcelona and another in Sant Cugat del Vallès. UIC Barcelona is known for its Christian humanist ideology and offers pastoral care through its Chaplaincy Service, reflecting its values of ethics and social responsibility.
Academic Programs
UIC Barcelona offers a wide range of programs, including undergraduate degrees, master’s programs, PhD programs, and continuing education. The university is particularly renowned for its programs in health sciences, architecture, business administration, and law. It also provides double degrees and international programs, with over 300 exchange agreements with universities worldwide.
International Focus
With students from over 99 nationalities, UIC Barcelona fosters a multicultural and inclusive environment. The university emphasizes global perspectives through its international agreements, mobility programs, and courses taught in English, Spanish, and Catalan. This international outlook prepares students for global careers and cross-cultural collaboration.
Research and Innovation
UIC Barcelona is committed to advancing knowledge through research and innovation. Its faculty members are engaged in cutting-edge research across various fields, including health sciences, architecture, and social sciences. The university also collaborates with industry partners to ensure that its research has practical applications and societal impact.
Student Support and Campus Life
UIC Barcelona provides a personalized learning experience with small class sizes and a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.75:1. The university offers extensive support services, including career guidance, internships, and accommodation assistance. Students can also participate in cultural, sports, and social activities, enriching their university experience.
Employability and Alumni Network
The university boasts a 93.75% employability rate, thanks to its strong connections with the professional world. UIC Barcelona has over 5,197 work placement agreements with companies and a network of 20,000 alumni. These connections provide students with opportunities for internships, job placements, and networking.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
UIC Barcelona invests €5.5 million annually in scholarships to attract talented students. These scholarships support academic excellence, international mobility, and social commitment. The university also collaborates with organizations like Banco Santander to provide additional financial aid and research opportunities.
Community Engagement
UIC Barcelona is dedicated to making a positive impact on society. Through its university clinics, such as the Dental Clinic, Psychology Clinic, and Palliative Care Clinic, the university provides essential services to the community while offering students hands-on experience in their fields.
Location and Campus Facilities
Located in Barcelona, one of Europe’s most dynamic cities, UIC Barcelona offers students access to a vibrant cultural and social environment. The university’s modern facilities, including state-of-the-art labs and simulation centers, enhance the learning experience.
Vision and Mission
UIC Barcelona’s mission is to transform society through the transfer of knowledge. The university aims to educate ethical leaders and professionals who are committed to making a positive impact on the world. Its vision is rooted in academic rigor, humanism, entrepreneurship, and an international outlook.
Entry Requirements:
This program is aimed at university graduates in the following areas: architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, engineering, environmental design, and geography. Applicants require a graduate degree or a bachelor's degree plus a master's degree. A minimum of 240 ECTS credits is required.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
A minimum B2 level English language proficiency certificate is required.
