MA in Urban Design

Program Overview

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The MA, PGDip, and PGCert in Urban Design at Oxford Brookes University equip students with the skills and knowledge to address urban challenges globally. The program combines theory with practice, emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and sustainable solutions. Students participate in international projects and collaborate with local experts to gain a comprehensive understanding of urban environments at various scales. Graduates are highly sought after by employers in fields such as urban design, planning, and architecture.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The MA, PGDip, and PGCert in Urban Design at Oxford Brookes University equips students with the skills and knowledge to address urban design challenges globally. The program aims to:

• Develop critical thinking and creativity in addressing urban design challenges.
• Provide diverse perspectives on urban design through international projects.
• Address the whole spectrum of urban environments, from village to megacity.
• Train students to understand and solve urban design problems from a global perspective.

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Outline:

The program offers a combination of theory and practice. It is suitable for students with a variety of backgrounds, including spatial planners, architecture students, working professionals, and scientists interested in environmental issues.

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Course Structure:

• Theory: The course begins with theoretical foundations, covering topics such as affordable housing, biodiversity, and urban design principles.
• Practice: The course then moves into practical applications, including international projects in various cities around the world.
• Projects: Students participate in one of six global projects, exploring unique urban challenges such as transport infrastructure, flooding, homelessness, and population growth.
• Local Experts: The projects involve consultations with local experts and collaboration with international peers.

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Schedule:

• Full Time: Two days per week for 12 months (MA), 8 months (PGDip), or 4 months (PGCert).
• Part Time: One day per week for 24 months (MA), 20 months (PGDip), or 8 months (PGCert).

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Modules:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Contemporary Approaches to Urban Design (30 credits): This module combines theory and practice, focusing on analytical skills and urban design frameworks.
It covers place-making strategies, townscape design, and streetscape modelling.
• Urban Design Masterplan to Public Realm (30 credits): This studio-based module offers a live design site where students apply theory and practice to develop master planning strategies.
• International Urban Design Theories for Design and Planning (30 credits): This module provides a global perspective on urban design theory and practice, covering topics like climate change, technological innovations, and socio-economic movements.
• Urban Design in Challenging Contexts (30 credits): This module focuses on future-proofing urban design and planning practices by exploring challenging local and international contexts.
• Research Methods in Design (10 credits): This module enhances students' understanding of research methods relevant to urban design, planning, and architecture.
• Final Project:
• Design Dissertation or Major Project (50 credits): This module allows students to conduct an independent research project, thesis, or a critical evaluation of a proposed urban design scheme.

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Assessment:

Assessment combines group work and individual projects. Methods include:

• Reports
• Design Posters
• Videos
• Oral and Visual Presentations

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Teaching:

Teaching methods include:

• Peer Learning: Group work and critical assessment of individual projects.
• Studio-Based Learning: Design studio projects that mirror real-world environments.
• Merged Theory and Practice Modules: Applied in design studio projects.
• Problem-Based Learning: Gaining in-depth understanding of urban issues and solutions.
• International Projects: Exposing students to different cultures and urban phenomena.
• Independent Research: Developing critical thinking and creative problem-solving approaches.
• Multi-Media: Developing communication skills.
• Field Trips and Site Visits: Providing live-in experiences and a sense of scale for spatial forms.

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Careers:

Graduates are highly sought after by employers.

• Typical Job Roles: Urban Designer, Planner, Architect, Researcher, Consultant
• Potential Employers: Arup, WSP, DLA, EdgeUD, Allies and Morrisson, UK city councils
• Other Opportunities: Starting their own companies, applying their skills in existing industries, pursuing PhD studies.

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Other:

• The program emphasizes international perspectives, with each year featuring projects in six cities around the world.
• The course structure allows students to work around other commitments, with classes held on the same days each week.
• The program is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
• The program focuses on addressing real-world challenges and promoting sustainable solutions.

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Home (UK) full time

£9,800 (Masters); £8,800 (Diploma); £4,900 (Certificate)

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Home (UK) part time

£1,090 per single module

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International full time

£16,500

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Home (UK) full time

£10,300 (Masters); £9,300 (Diploma); £5,150 (Certificate)

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Home (UK) part time

£1,140 per single module

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International full time

£17,150 Note for part time students: The per module fee relates to a twenty credit module. The programme consists of four thirty credit modules so the charge per module will be higher.

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How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.