Program Overview

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Architecture and Urbanism MA

Overview

The MA in Architecture and Urbanism builds upon UEL's legacy of world-leading form generation through computational design explored through the work of the University's late senior lecturer, Paul Coates. This involves using parametric and object-oriented design methodologies seamlessly with rapid manufacturing and visualisation techniques available within the school.

Whether you want to expand your field of expertise or deepen it, this unique one-year course will enrich your knowledge and enhance your career in the fields of computational design, design for digital and robotic construction, or urban design.

The course is aimed at architecture graduates wishing to specialise in advanced digital design processes, and at those within the 'built environment' - such as planners, engineers, or designers.

Course Options

• MA: Full-time, 1 year
• MA: Part-time, 2 years

Entry Requirements

• Academic Requirements: Bachelor's degree with minimum Second Class (2:2) or equivalent in a Built Environment discipline.
• International Qualifications: We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications.
• Portfolio Requirements: A portfolio is required and should be relevant to this course. It should include a wide range of work that shows your creativity, technical competence and understanding of the subject area.
• English Language Requirements: Overall IELTS 6.0 with minimum 6.0 in writing and speaking, and 5.5 in listening and reading (or recognised equivalent)

Fees

• Home Applicant: £9,000 per year
• International Applicant: £16,740 per year

Funding

• Postgraduate Loans Scheme: £10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
• Postgraduate Scholarship: Apply for a 50 per cent discount on your tuition fees
• Alumni Discount: Up to 15% fee waiver (exclusions apply)
• Early Payment Discount: 5% fee waiver
• Asylum Seekers Scholarship: 100% fee waiver
• Civic Engagement: £1,000
• Hardship Bursary: Up to £2,000
• Sport Scholarships: Up to £6,000

Additional Costs

• Textbooks: Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to, or be required to, buy your own copy of key textbooks.
• Computer Equipment: There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences.
• Printing: In the majority of cases, coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees.
• Travel: Travel costs are not included but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses and halls of residence.

Course Modules

• Design 1 Core Module: This module aims to teach advanced design and fabrication techniques through the development of a project-based portfolio.
• Design 2 Core Module: This module builds upon the work developed in Design 1 during semester A.
• Mental Wealth Core Module: The overall objective of the module is to enable you to work with complex, spatial and contextual design tasks that are developed through a critical understanding of theoretical, societal and ethical positions on architecture and the built environment.
• Theory and Processes 1 Core Module: The aim of this module is to study and critically reflect on key issues in the theory of architecture and the culture of the built environment, with specific regard to their relationship to advanced architectural design and urban design at a postgraduate level through a choice of particular perspectives (the chosen theory route).
• Theory and Processes 2 Core Module: The aims of this module are to study and critically reflect on key issues in the theory of architecture and the culture of the built environment, with specific regard to their relationship to advanced architectural design an urban design at a postgraduate level through a choice of particular perspectives (the chosen theory route).
• Applied Project Core Module: The key objectives of this module are to become familiar with the procedures and conventions of academic scholarship, extend and consolidate an understanding of the practice and theory of the chosen study route, develop, discuss and refine both practical and innovative design-based research, strategies and projects, within the framework of a thesis.

What We're Researching

At the University of East London we are working on the some of the big issues that will define our future; from sustainable architecture and ethical AI, to health inequality and breaking down barriers in the creative industries.

Your Future Career

This course is ideal if you are a practitioner or recent graduate wishing to diversify your knowledge of built environment disciplines. This course will help you shift your architectural practice into a new field or direction, give you a better understanding of contemporary practice within European and global contexts and help you develop your critical design or writing and thinking skills and offer you specialised expertise that could help to take your career in an upward, and perhaps different, direction.

Industry Links

Our excellent industry links will give you the opportunity to expand your network of contacts and get in touch with globally renowned practitioners, manufacturers, and researchers.

Job Roles

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.

Further Study

If you are considering further study, the course will provide an ideal route towards PhD-level work.

How We Support Your Career Ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed.

Career Zone

Our dedicated and award-winning team provide you with careers and employability resources, including online jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work, mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts, 1-2-1 career coaching services, careers workshops and employer events, and learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight.

Mental Wealth Programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme which issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you’ve mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

We Are Careers First

Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top. We offer enterprise and entrepreneurship support, ranked 2nd for graduate start-ups (2023/24), networking and visits to leading organisations, support in starting a new business, freelancing and self-employment, and London on our doorstep.

How You'll Learn

You will explore digital design as a collaborative journey, learning how to control inter-disciplinary dynamics that are occurring in contemporary architectural practices and are the key to a successful design. Advanced 3D software and BIM processes will be taught and implemented as the backbone of the research.

The Digital Fab Lab

The course is developed in synergy with UEL Digital Fabrication Lab, a cutting-edge facility including an ABB robotic arm, CNC, laser cut, and 3D printing. All digital tools will be available across the year to support students' research. During the final term, students will be asked to develop and manufacture a large-scale (up to 1:1) component/ assembly of their project.

How You'll Be Assessed

The two taught modules are assessed through an essay/report and design portfolio and by your contributions to seminar discussions and design exercises. The work culminates in your master's thesis which will focus on the digital fabrication of parts of the projects developed across the year.

Campus and Facilities

Our waterfront campus in the historic Royal Docks provides a modern, well-equipped learning environment. Join us and you'll be able to make the most of our facilities including contemporary lecture theatres and seminar rooms, art studios and exhibition spaces, audio and visual labs and a multimedia production centre.

Who Teaches This Course

This course is delivered by the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering. The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers.

Related Courses

• MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA PART 2)
• MA Interior Architecture and Design
• MA Professional Landscape Architecture