Architectural and Urban Design MA (PGCert PGDip)
Program Overview
This experimental MA in Architectural and Urban Design equips graduates with the skills to creatively shape future urban environments. Students engage with research on analyzing cities and explore current issues of global urbanism, leading their own projects and speculating on the evolution of urban environments. Graduates leave with a significant portfolio of work and are prepared for diverse careers in architectural and urban design.
Program Outline
Architectural and Urban Design MA (PGCert PGDip)
Degree Overview:
This experimental and collaborative Master's course equips graduates with the skills to creatively shape future urban environments – encompassing building design, larger developments, and landscapes. Students work across architecture, art, and cultural geography, combining critical debate and artistic practice to develop as designers of physical settings. The program is highly experimental and aims to challenge students' imaginations and critical abilities. Students will engage with research on analyzing cities and explore current issues of global urbanism. They will lead their own projects, speculating on the evolution of urban environments. Graduates will leave with a significant portfolio of work. Brighton's vibrant backdrop provides a supportive studio environment and diverse workshops and seminars led by renowned architects and urban designers.
Outline:
The course is taught in three semesters over 12 months and encompasses six core modules:
Situate:
This module introduces key principles, theories, and thematics in design. It helps students situate themselves, their interests, and practices within contemporary design discourses and global contexts. Themes may include sustainability, power and politics, decolonizing design, equity and equality, systemic complexity, and creating change.
Urban Strategies:
This design module introduces urban design strategies, methods, and issues as students evolve their critical stance. These are explored through textual and material examples. Students analyze a specific city space, informed by methodologies discussed in the studio. The analysis is tested through designing a site-specific project in response to a brief.
Design Lab:
In this module, students further develop their design approaches through experimental practices. The module allows them to explore and develop their ideas through individually defined methods, enabling them to progress to positions of authority in their chosen area of specialization. This approach supports them in confidently and critically developing individually defined and research-informed design practices. The module also provides a reflective and productive environment for students to develop self-directed projects that critically engage with current design discourses.
Critical Readings:
This module focuses on developing critical practice skills through a self-reflective analysis of historical, theoretical, and practical issues in architectural, spatial, and urban design. The module emphasizes the culturally situated character of the issues raised.
Research Practices:
This module focuses on introducing research literacy specific to design disciplines. It proceeds from the observation that research (including scientific research) is a specific form of design activity and that design may inform research (and vice versa). Through the module's activities, students re-articulate the design expertise they are developing as postgraduate students as expertise in (designing) research. In doing so, they will develop their own integrations of design research and design practice across their studies.
Masterwork:
This module takes the form of a self-directed design research project. It requires students to develop and present the culmination, integration, and application of experiences, methods, skills, and mastery accrued throughout their studies. A key feature of this module is identifying and preparing for professional life after graduation.
Assessment:
- Each module has its own assessment criteria and methods, which are clearly communicated to students.
- Assessment methods vary and may include essays, design projects, presentations, portfolios, research papers, and critical reviews.
- The program emphasizes developing critical thinking and research skills alongside design expertise.
Teaching:
- The course is taught by experienced and passionate staff, including architects, urban designers, and academics with expertise in various design fields.
- Teaching methods are diverse and include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, studio work, site visits, and guest lectures from leading professionals in the field.
- The program fosters a supportive and collaborative learning environment where students are encouraged to experiment, take risks, and develop their individual voices.
Careers:
- The program equips students with the skills and knowledge to pursue diverse careers in architectural and urban design, including:
- Architect
- Urban designer
- Landscape architect
- Town planner
- Researcher
- Academic
- Design consultant
- Graduates are prepared for professional practice and have the skills to work in various settings, including architectural firms, urban design consultancies, government agencies, research institutions, and universities.
Other:
- The course offers exceptional opportunities for students to develop their professional networks through guest lectures, industry visits, and collaborations with leading professionals in the field.
- Students have the opportunity to participate in international study trips and research projects, gaining valuable experience and expanding their global perspectives.
- The program provides a stimulating and challenging environment where students can develop their design skills, critical thinking abilities, and research expertise.
