Urban Design MSc/PgDip/PgCert

Recent data and predictions on the forthcoming rate of urbanisation make cities the most common living environment now and in the future. Cities hold tremendous potential, but at the same time are sources of stress, inequalities and pollution. Taught classes give you the theoretical grounding for everything you do in studio and inform the next phase of research. They take you through the history and theory of ideas that shaped cities up to the present day. They illustrate the current challenges faced by cities, with all the approaches available to tackle them This culminates with the very unique principles behind our Masterplanning for Change approach to the design of the city. These classes also aim to provide you with the basic skills to develop and express urban design ideas at best. Finally, they provide you with an understanding of the political, economic and practical realms of urban design. Graduates leave us with a detailed knowledge and innovative skills in an area now in great demand. Students can progress to the MSc after successful completion of the PgCert and PgDip.

Students need to have an honours degree, or equivalent, in a discipline related to the built environment and the city (eg architecture, planning, engineering, and other built environment disciplines). Students with alternative professional experience may also be considered. The course is open to students with various backgrounds related to the built and natural environment. If they come from design-based disciplines (ie. Architecture, landscape architecture). Students need to submit a portfolio of design work, to illustrate the range of scales and variety of projects they have been involved in, as well as their graphic skills.