MA: 12 months full time; 24 months part time
Diploma: 9 months full time; 21 months part time
Fees per academic year 2013-14
UK and EU: full time £5,500 (MA); £3,670 (Diploma) part time £2,750 (MA); £1,835 (Diploma)
International: full time £11,500 (MA); £7,665 (Diploma) part time fees
More information is available about tuition fees and discounts.
The MA in Urban Design is aimed at a varied range of built environment professionals who want to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of urban design in order that they may contribute towards an improvement in the quality of the built environment. The programme can also be studied as a 9-month Diploma route from Town Planning or it can later be upgraded to an MA through studying the Thesis Only programme, involving a dissertation or Design Thesis.
The programme is structured around three main design projects that each explore key contemporary issues in urban design, currently: urban regeneration; housing; and public space/engagement. These projects are underpinned by theoretical and practical lectures, seminars and workshops. The programme is therefore heavily studio based and there is an emphasis on independent learning. Year groups are encouraged to cultivate a studio atmosphere where students benefit from each other's diverse disciplinary backgrounds.
Typical modules include: principles and practice of urban design; cities and buildings - contemporary issues in urban design; planning in developing countries; economics of development; communications techniques and technologies; urban design project 1 and 2; and a European study visit.
The Diploma can be undertaken by students from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds, including architecture, planning, landscape architecture, property development, art, community engagement as all of these disciplines are relevant and contribute to place-making. The programme builds on the strengths of the multidisciplinarity of its cohort and complements existing skills and experience in built environment related disciplines with new skills in understanding and designing in physical, social and economic contexts.
Find out more detailed information about the programme modules
A minimum of a second-class Honours degree or equivalent in any subject and the ability to show, by portfolio or other means, an aptitude for design work. An upper-second-class Honours degree is preferred. Candidates with non-traditional qualifications and/or significant work experience in the field should contact the School for further advice. Applicants whose first language is not English require IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 90 (Internet-based), or equivalent. Applicants whose IELTS score is between 6.0 and 6.5, or equivalent, at the time of application must complete a pre-sessional course at INTO Newcastle University before the programme begins.
If you are an international student and you do not meet the academic and English Language requirements for this degree programme, you may want to consider a preparation course at INTO Newcastle University. INTO Newcastle University is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses to help you prepare for study in the UK including the Graduate Diploma in Architecture.
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has rules for international students regarding minimum English language requirements.
International Students, consult your own government for funding. The University offers International Scholarships, and there are funding opportunities by external organisations available.
Students should consult their employers for sponsorship opportunities.
Visit our postgraduate application site.
Your application must include a personal statement (500 words maximum), which outlines the core experience and skills you have that make you a suitable candidate for this programme. It should also cover your main motivations and objectives for undertaking this programme. Be concise and to the point.
As part of the application process students are required to submit a portfolio demonstrating their design ability and creative flair. The portfolio should contain images from a variety of projects using a range of different media; those most relevant to Urban Design should take priority. It is important to provide some explanatory text alongside images but please keep this to a minimum. Portfolios should be submitted as one PDF document, containing a maximum of 15 pages. Portfolios should be attached as supporting evidence to your online application or can be e-mailed to pgadmissions@ncl.ac.uk. Please note we do not accept hard copy portfolios, only electronic submissions will be progressed. Applicants should be aware that portfolios will not be returned after review.
There is no closing date for this programme. However, international students applying for September 2013 entry should apply by Friday 12 July 2013 to ensure that they have time to put appropriate arrangements in place.
Please note: As a formal condition of the offer to study at Newcastle University, students from outside the UK/EU are required to pay a deposit of £1,500 or submit an official letter of sponsorship for their chosen programme. The deposit payment is non refundable, but will be deducted from tuition fees upon registration.
Extra costs may be incurred for materials and travel as part of these programmes
For further information please contact:
Vicky Watson or Nicola Rutherford
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 222 6004
E-mail: apl-taught@ncl.ac.uk
www.ncl.ac.uk/apl/study/postgraduate/taught/urbandesign
Programme Blog : http://nclurbandesign.org/
This programme is within the subject area of Architecture, Planning and Landscape.