Urban Design (MA)
1 year (Full-time) / n/a (Part-time) / n/a (Distance / E-Learning)
Course Aims
The course aims to produce students who can:
- Think three-dimensionally and creatively manipulate space at the intermediate scale between architecture and planning;
- Analyse the qualities of localities and places and respond to complex and often contradictory community aspirations;
- Critically appraise development (built and proposed) and make suggestions for improvement, and develop improved policy and control practices;
- Conceptualise and draw development proposals at different scales from the territorial to the block scale;
- Be able to recognise and add quality in all development situations;
- Test developments for their sustainability, economic viability and constituency;
- Understand how to approach implementation through inter-professional and inter-agency collaboration and consensus building.
Special Features
- This MA is recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute as a 'specialist' masters for those who have completed at least a three year RTPI recognised undergraduate spatial planning degree, allowing completion of the RTPI's educational requirements for membership.
- Designed to be policy-relevant and practice-related, the MA allows students to develop close links with a wide array of organisations involved in the design and regeneration of our urban areas and practitioners will assist students through tutoring, presentations and as key sources in their research work.
- All the design modules are complemented by field visits, which include a 2-night trip to another major UK city, day trips to visit major projects, and a one week trip to a major European city.
Course Description
The MA Urban Design is a one year full-time degree jointly run by the School of Planning and Geography and the Welsh School of Architecture.
The course uses design practice, theory, development and control practices to inform design processes, and uses studio teaching focused on local development possibilities to develop creative, practical and sustainable solutions to a range of typical urban design problems.
Study Visits
Study visits are an intrinsic part of this programme. At the start of study we will take a 2-night trip to another major UK city to look at developments there. In addition, we take day trips to visit major projects to consider as precedents and regional cities to consider development and design control. Design studios are also not always local, with project sites having been chosen in Birmingham, Bristol, Newport, Swansea and Chepstow. At Easter we also take a one week trip to a major European city related to the design and taught modules.
The course is structured to provide a set of three design modules and three taught modules. Students then undertake the Research-based Design Project as the culmination of their studies.
Contact time is on Tuesdays and Thursday each week. Students work in the design studio on Tuesdays and have other modules on Thursdays.
Available Modules
The course is structured to provide a set of six core modules:
- Urban Design Thinkers
- Design Guidance and Control
- Urban Design Foundation
- Studio 1
- Studio 2
- Research Methods and Techniques
Students then undertake the Research based Design Project.
For further details and up-to-date information on the course and modules, please see Urban Design (ARCHI).
Entry Requirements
A First or Second Class Honours degree in an appropriate subject is usually required. The course is suitable for graduates in urban planning, architecture, landscape design and engineering. Graduates from other disciplines will also be considered.
A minimum standard in English language of IELTS 6.5 (no sub-score must be below 5.5) or equivalent will be required from students whose first language is not English. No offers will be made until the IELTS score has been submitted with the application. Pre-course English Language tuition is available.
All applicants will be required to demonstrate a competency in graphics and design by way of a portfolio.
Note: International students pursuing part-time programmes of study are not eligible for Tier 4 (General Student) visas and must have alternative leave to remain in the UK if they intend to study at the University in person.
Funding
Cardiff School of Planning and Geography is able to offer a reduction in tuition fees of £500 to all Cardiff University alumni. For other funding opportunities available through the School, please visit their Tuition Fees and Funding webpage.
The fees below are those before bursaries have been deducted.
Tuition Fees:
-
UK & EU Full Time for 2013/14
£6,445.00
-
International Full Time for 2013/14
£16,000.00
Next intake: September 2013
School Contact
Name: Marga Munar Bauza
Telephone: +44 (0)29 208 75961
Fax:
Email: BauzaMM@cardiff.ac.uk
School Website:
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/archi/
