Program Overview

Introduction to the Master's Programme in Urban Design

The Master's programme in Urban Design is a two-year, research-based, full-time study programme offered by Aalborg University. The programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the history, theories, methods, tools, and practice of architectural, functional, technical, and societal aspects of urban design.

Programme Structure and Contents

The programme is structured in modules and organized as a problem-based study. A module is a programme element or a group of programme elements that aims to give students a set of professional skills within a fixed time frame specified in ECTS credits, concluding with one or more examinations within specific exam periods.

Specialisation in Urban Architecture

The specialisation in Urban Architecture focuses on urban design as an integrated field and profession, including knowledge of urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, infrastructural systems, and sustainable urban environments and ecosystems. Students will gain knowledge of urban design methods, analogue and digital tools, and critical themes in the history of urban design.

Specialisation in Mobilities and Urban Studies

The specialisation in Mobilities and Urban Studies provides students with extensive knowledge of the social significance of mobilities based on international research within the new mobilities turn. Students will gain the ability to perform scientific reflection on relevant mobilities theories and methods and identify scientific problems within development, technology, politics, and strategies in relation to mobilities.

Admission Requirements

Applicants with a legal right of admission (retskrav) must have a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Engineering (Architecture and Design with specialisation in Architecture and Urban Design) from Aalborg University. Applicants without a legal right of admission must have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as Architectural Engineering or Urban, Energy and Environmental Planning, and must prove that their English language qualifications are equivalent to level B (Danish level) in English.

Programme Specifications in ECTS Credits

The Master's programme is set to 120 ECTS credits, with the following distribution:

• 1st Semester: 30 ECTS credits
• 2nd Semester: 30 ECTS credits
• 3rd Semester: 30 ECTS credits
• 4th Semester: 30 ECTS credits

Competence Profile of the Programme

The graduate of the Master's programme in Urban Design will have the following competency profile:

• Knowledge of the history, theories, methods, tools, and practice of architectural, functional, technical, and societal aspects of urban design
• Ability to apply research-based theories, methods, and digital and analogue tools of urban design
• Ability to communicate urban design problems and proposals to peers and non-specialists
• Ability to integrate architectural, functional, technical, and societal aspects of urban design
• Ability to engage in professional and interdisciplinary cooperation in urban design

Rules Concerning Credit Transfer

The Study Board can approve that passed programme elements from other educational programmes at the same level replace programme elements within this programme (credit transfer). Furthermore, the Study Board can, upon application, approve that parts of this programme are completed at another university or a further education institution in Denmark or abroad (pre-approval of credit transfer).

Exemptions

The Study Board's possibilities to grant exemption, including exemption to further examination attempts and special examination conditions, are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures published on the university's website.

Rules for Examinations

The rules for examinations are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures published on the university's website.

Overview of the Programme

The programme consists of the following modules:

• 1st Semester: Sustainable Urban Transformation, Climate and Hydrology in Urban Transformation, Analysing Urban Transformation
• 2nd Semester: Design for Urban Mobility, Theories of the Network City, Site Morphology: Advanced Analysis and Design
• 3rd Semester: Electives, Independent Choice: Research, Practice or Development in Urban Design
• 4th Semester: Master's Thesis

Additional Information

All students who have not participated in Aalborg University's PBL introductory course during their Bachelor's degree must attend the introductory course "Problem-based Learning and Project Management". The introductory course must be approved before the student can participate in the project exam.