International Urban Design MSc

By 2050 75% of the world’s people will live in cities. The International Urban Design MSc offers a global perspective that responds to the challenges that 21st century urbanisation presents.

Overview
Structure and assessment
Facilities and features
Opportunities and careers
more about your DMU
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Overview

Due to high application demand and COVID restrictions for teaching on campus, we have now closed applications for international student places onto our Postgraduate Taught 12 month programmes starting in September/October 2020, and are no longer accepting deposits for this intake. If you have already paid your deposit and requested (but not received) your CAS we will be in touch to clarify your individual situation. Many of our courses benefit from multiple intakes, including options to start in January 2021, please contact us for more information.

Reasons to study International Urban Design MSc at DMU:

Leicester School of Architecture (LSA)
was established in 1897 making it one of the oldest schools of architecture in the UK; it is part of our vibrant Faculty of Arts Design and Humanities and offers a range of architecture and design undergraduate and postgraduate courses;

DMU – the Global Hub for UN Sustainable Development Goal 16
the School is integral to the University’s commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and supports its role as the Global Hub for SDG16

International/ global curriculum and study trip opportunities
the programme focuses upon understanding global challenges and theories for responding to them; it provides opportunity to attend overseas study trips to underpin and extend learning
Develop city scale proposals and strategies to address current and future issues and challenges
the programme focuses upon understanding 21^st century urban challenges and applying this understanding to the development of design proposals and strategies
Skills and research themes
will develop your academic acuity and cultivate your independent position with regard to urban design thinking and strategies
Equip, train and inspire
you to become responsible global citizens in the face of the new global urban and environmental challenges ahead and prepare you for potential career in the urban design professional field
Industry placement opportunity
you can choose to undertake a year-long work placement, gaining valuable experience to enhance your practical and professional skills further

The new Vijay Patel building
has been designed to provide the space and facilities where ideas can develop and flourish for all of our art and design courses - find out more

The course focuses upon developing a spatial understanding of the underlying principles and current theories needed to understand and respond to (design) the challenges that 21^st century urbanisation presents across the globe. It supports you in developing a spatial design skill-set able to respond to the complex array of social, economic and environmental factors affecting cities, as well as to cultural issues, such as spatial traditions and histories of city form and design. Opportunities to attend study trips overseas underpin the learning and form an integral part of key modules. In recent years the School has run many successful overseas study trips to a wide variety of cities in Europe, South and North America Asia and the Global South; the School also benefits from research/ collaboration links to Schools of Architecture overseas.

The programme concludes with a ‘thesis’ module. Two pathways are available. Whilst both focus upon ‘design’, one offers opportunity to conclude your studies in an extensive written thesis, whilst the other offers opportunity to conclude your studies in a thesis comprising of drawn/ modelled/ illustrated outputs in combination with a shorter written text. All students also have the option of a year of industry placement prior to commencing their thesis studies.

At the end of the programme students will have developed key skills in articulating, communicating and illustrating complex city analysis and proposal, underpinned by knowledge of theories relevant to current practice and global urban issues. It is anticipated that employment opportunities will arise in city planning offices and consultancy, urban and commercial development consultancy and architectural design offices. Graduates will also be able to join the Urban Design Group as a member and as a recognised practitioner.

Scholarships:

At DMU, we are committed to helping our graduates enhance their careers and personal development through further study.

Vice-Chancellor’s 2020 Scholarship
Up to 50 per cent of tuition fees offered to Home/EU DMU alumni for students who wish to continue their studies at DMU by enrolling on a Postgraduate taught course. For more information visit our Vice-Chancellor’s 2020 Scholarship page.

Vice-Chancellor's Sports Scholarship
Apply for the Vice-Chancellor's Sports Scholarship, worth up to £6,000.

More courses like this:

Architecture MArch
Architecture and Sustainability MSc
Architectural Design MA

UK/EU
International

Key facts for UK/EU students

Programme code: K19072

Duration: One year full-time

Start date: September 2020
January 2021 (full-time only)

Fees and funding: For 2020/21 tuition fees for UK/EU students will be £8,100 (full-time) per year, £4,050 (part-time) per year

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

Additional costs: Here at DMU we provide excellent learning resources, including the Kimberlin Library and specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs for this programme.

Contact us: For more information complete our online enquiry form or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Key facts for international students

Programme code: K19072

Duration: One year full-time

Start date: September 2020
January 2021 (full-time only)

Fees and funding international: For 2020/21 tuition fees will be £14,100 per year

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

Contact us: For more information complete our online enquiry form or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

Typical entry requirements

You should have the equivalent of a 2:2 or above UK bachelor’s honours degree in a relevant subject Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Town Planning, Geography, Urban Studies, Engineering Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Product Design. Offers are based on a criteria that includes first degree results, a portfolio of work and professional experience.

Interviews; face-to-face or via Skype may form part of the application process; applicants with a 2.1 or above will not normally be interviewed.

If you have no formal academic qualiﬁcations but have extensive industry experience, we will consider your application on an individual basis.

Interview and Portfolio

Applicants with relevant qualifications should submit a portfolio of work (please see our International Urban Design application portfolio advice for full details). Overseas applicants will be invited to send samples of their work.

International students

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band, or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Structure and assessment

Modules

Term one

Introduction to Urban Design

The module introduces the subject of urban design including key theories and concepts relative to urban design research and practice. The content is constructively aligned with an assignment that is based upon an urban design project.

Research Methods and Urban Design Theory

The module involves focussed study of classic urban design text(s). Study is led by small group seminars in which tutors facilitate informed debate and discussion based upon directed research. The seminars prepare students for a written assignment that requires critical analysis of a key text.

International Design Research Studio

The module offers students studio-based learning focussed upon a design ‘project’ or ‘challenge’. The ‘project’ will be devised in response to ‘live’ context in a UK city, and address issues that resonate with international, topical urban pressures and issues. The module content introduces techniques, methods and skills which are then revisited in the Semester 2 design studio module; it prepares the student for the Semester 2 design studio module.

Term two

Urban Design Studio

The module introduces Urban Design as a set of practices drawn from the fields of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning. This is primarily a studio-based module. Studio exercises are constructed around case studies, models, and scenarios within which students develop both a technical proficiency with, and a conceptual understanding of, design as tool for transforming urban contexts.

Comprehensive Dissertation

The Dissertation allows students an opportunity to undertake a detailed investigation of a chosen architectural topic.

(Optional: Year Industry Placement between term 2 and term 3)

Term three

Urban Design Thesis

This ‘Major Project’ Module offers opportunity for students to demonstrate clearly that they have exercised initiative, personal responsibility, complex decision making and have acted autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level. The module has two pathways: whilst both focus upon ‘design’, one offers opportunity to conclude your studies in an extensive written thesis, whilst the other offers opportunity to conclude your studies in a thesis comprising of drawn/ modelled/ illustrated outputs in combination with a shorter written text.

Note: All modules are subject to change in order to keep content current.

Overview

The mode of delivery considered appropriate in individual modules will vary, as will the assessment regime, so that both are carefully matched to the learning outcomes. The course provides a learning environment that enables students to develop an integrative approach to their learning as the course develops. A primary learning environment is the architectural design studio, in which students will be supported by a design tutor, typically on a weekly basis whilst undertaking design and or strategy based assessments. Other teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, field visits, case studies, and directed reading. The academic team is committed to a rich range of teaching, learning and student support which is mainly project based giving you the opportunity to work as individuals and in groups.

Assessment and feedback is ongoing and is usually carried out during workshops and reviews. Assessment of the main projects takes place at the end of the term or the academic year and looks at your ability to analyse and implement your knowledge in the projects and will be measured against the learning outcomes of each module.

Contact hours

In your first two terms you will normally attend around 8 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials and workshop and studio sessions each week, and be expected to undertake at least 27 hours of independent study each week. Your third term will be pre-dominantly self-directed (including meetings with your supervisor), during which you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week.

Facilities and features

Studios

The university offers suitable facilities that support a range of sustainability and design disciplines. These include a range of tools and simulation software, including design studios

Library

The main Kimberlin Library is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (other than in exceptional circumstances) and offers a huge range of online resources, all of which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose.

The library is run by dedicated staff who offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching and reference management and assistive technology, and mathematical skills for non-maths students. There is also a Just Ask service for help and advice, available via email or telephone.

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Opportunities and careers

Enterprise

Starting a business
If you are thinking of starting your own business or working for yourself, the Enterprise Team can help provide you with the right advice and guidance to get your business off the ground.

#DMUglobal

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

While overseas DMU Global opportunities are not currently possible, DMU will continue to review government advice and if travel is permitted, we hope to offer a small number of extra-curricular opportunities in the summer of 2021.

Graduate careers

This course will prepare and equip you with appropriate skills and capacity to address challenges of sustainable architecture and development. Such skills are in high demand by businesses, governments, multilateral and unilateral organisations contending with issues of environmental sustainability. You could also continue with your postgraduate studies and progress onto a PhD.