MA in Architecture and Urbanism

MA in Architecture and Urbanism

The future is urban, but what form will urban space take? MA Architecture and Urbanism explores these possible futures, and places advanced design practice and theory within the wider cultural, social and technological questions facing humanity.

Over 50% of the World's six billion people now live in cities. By 2050 this will have passed 80%; the future is urban. Taking an international perspective, this programme explores innovative approaches to design and intervention in the city, investigating relationships between built form, space, culture, developmental processes and sustainability, within an interdisciplinary, project based dialogue. The programme covers research methodologies, cities and urban ideologies and urban futures. In addition you will work in Studios in groupings with complimentary research interests led by a tutor with expertise in the area. In Studio A you will begin to engage directly with a chosen research subject area/proposition. In Studio B you will develop individual research propositions, completing a literature survey, gathering data and formulating an original approach in thinking and/or practice. In Studio C you will synthesise the thesis project culminating in the production of a leading-edge proposition. Finally, in Studio D you will present and contextualise your thesis as an outstanding piece of work suitable for academic and/or public consumption.

Special Features

* Jointly accredited by the University of Manchester with cross-disciplinary connections between Manchester School of Architecture, the School of Environment and Development (UoM) and Manchester Institute for Research and Innovation in Art and Design (MMU).
* Can act as approved prior learning for the MSA RIBA Part 2 accredited BArch in certain circumstances.
* An internationally based course that actively disseminates student's thesis work through conferences, exhibitions, competitions and publications.

Course Elements

Research Methodologies - Consolidates an emergent 'Plan for research' based around research by design methodology.

Cities and Urban Ideologies - Lectures and elective seminars explore contemporary theory and realisation of the design of urban space.

Urban Futures - Seminars and structured group master-classes connect with current leading edge practice and theory.

Studios - Studios are groupings with complimentary research interests led by a tutor with expertise in the area.

Studio A - Begins to engage directly with a chosen research subject area/proposition.

Studio B - Develops individual research propositions, completing a literature survey, gathering data and formulating an original approach in thinking and/or practice.

Studio C - Synthesises the thesis project culminating in the production of a leading-edge proposition.

Studio D - Presents and contextualises the thesis as an outstanding piece of work suitable for academic and/or public consumption.

Assessment

Learning strategies enable students to locate their thesis within the subject. Assessment criteria map onto unit learning outcomes, using self, peer and tutor based assessment methods appropriate to the unit form.

Career Opportunities

Students have graduated to work with leading architectural, urbanism and town planning practices both nationally and internationally including: Asymptote Architetcure (New York), Zaha Hadid Architects (London), Hamzah Yeang Architects (London/Malaysia), Renzo Piano Building Workshop Architects (Paris), Maccreanor Lavington Architects (London/Rotterdam), Eisenman Architects (New York).

Mode

1 year full time or 2 years part time