Course Structure

-

Subject Summary

MSc Future Urbanism, based around an understanding of landscape systems and processes, provides a transdisciplinary, platform for advanced design thinking. Connecting cognate areas to develop leading edge spatially informed environmental design thinking, closely connected with reciprocal research activity. This is contextualised with globally relevant themes and expertise within the range of professionally accredited disciplines offered by the School of Natural and Built Environment including Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering.

Year 1 Core Modules Full time 48 week (180 CAT total)

*Studio 1: 30 CAT Design challenge *Studio 2: 30 CAT Design challenge *Research Theory + Practice: 30 CAT Theory-based *Professional Theory + Practice: 30 CAT Theory-based *Thesis: 60 CAT Design based or written Semester One: 2. Research: Theory + Methods (30 CAT) Content: Introducing techniques, processes and readings that directly inform design as a spatial practice. Output: Seminar/Report + Event 3. Studio 1 (30 CAT) Content: Identification of issues, themes and intellectual positions, enabling trans-disciplinary dialogue and creativity. Develop responses and propositions towards live and theoretical issues facing future cities and landscapes. Engages with physical, technical, cultural, theoretical and ideological territories of future cities and landscapes. Output: Design portfolio Semester Two: 4. Professional Theory + Techniques (30 CAT) Content: Preparation for employment, developing knowledge and understanding of professions and related procedures, industries and organisations in the contemporary setting of future city, architecture and landscape design. Output: Seminar + Report + Event 5. Studio 2 (30 CAT) Content: Identification of issues, themes and intellectual positions, enabling trans-disciplinary dialogue and creativity. Develop responses and propositions towards live and theoretical issues facing future cities and landscapes. Engages with physical, technical, cultural, theoretical and ideological territories of future cities and landscapes. Output: Design portfolio Semester Three: 6. Thesis (60 CAT) Content: The Thesis as a showcase for interests and capabilities, and an important contributor to employability. It is a forum for developing and demonstrating analytical and problem solving abilities and competence as an independent researcher. Output: Route i. or Route ii. Drawn modelled thesis or written thesis.

Teaching Times

Morning / Afternoon / Evening. The programme includes on site fieldwork.

Career Prospects

Introduction
Design thinking is widely applicable across a range of areas concerned with advanced thinking and practice in contemporary environments. It provides you with core advanced skills applicable to a range of work-based and professional environments.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Learning and Teaching

> Developed around the best proven design-based model for wide-entry professionally accredited PGT design education

> The teaching delivery is based around on-site, fieldwork and on-line modes supporting modules delivered in studio/lecture /seminar/workshop modes.

> Project based learning vehicles enable students to acquire, research and apply knowledge through the course.

> Mixture of group and individual working methods students engage with multi-disciplinary expertise and external partners.

Assessment

The programme is assessed by coursework. In studio modules this typically consists of diagrams, drawings and models but can also encompass other media such as, for example, written texts, film-making, sound recording, etc. Students may also be assessed on:

Entrance requirements

Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any design engaged discipline by agreement with the School of Natural and Built Environment. A 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any design engaged discipline by agreement with the School of Natural and Built Environment may be considered alongside a strong design portfolio on a case by case basis. Relevant professional experience alongside a strong design portfolio may be considered on a case by case basis.

The MSc offers a route accredited by the Landscape Institute (candidate status 2021-22), the Royal chartered professional body for landscape architects in the UK.

Entrance requirements for the route accredited by the Landscape Institute are below:

Either:

Direct entry requires a minimum of a 2.1 (with the possibility of joining the course with a 2.2 following academic and portfolio review) from an accredited UK BA/BSc Landscape Architecture. International candidates will have achieved an equivalent level on an IFLA (International Federation of Landscape Architects) accredited undergraduate course in Landscape Architecture of at least 3 years duration.

Or:

Students who do not meet the above criteria, require a minimum of 2.1 undergraduate degree (with the possibility of joining the course with a 2.2 following academic and portfolio review). Entry is via PGCert Future Landscape Architecture (https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/future-landscape-architecture-pgcert/#overview) where 60 credits are undertaken to fulfil the Landscape Institute requirement for 240 credits of MSc level education post an initial BA/BSc.


All applicants must submit a digital Portfolio of Work in PDF format; 15 pages maximum length, 5MB maximum file size.

The Portfolio of Work should demonstrate ability to edit your work in an appropriate and succinct expression of your abilities and ambitions. Work should be clearly laid out and logically presented using appropriately sized legible text for graphic clarity and ease of comprehension.

Format of Portfolio of Work:

1. Cover page: Your name and contact details and an image that graphically and succinctly represents your interests, ambitions or capabilities (this should be different from the project images contained within the portfolio).

2. A table of contents: Information regarding the duration of projects and the undergraduate academic year / level or professional context in which it was completed.

3. A short introductory statement of you and your personal practice (this can be an extract from the statement in your application).

4. Three pieces of work, with one project or piece of coursework shown in detail. A written summary (100 words) describing the significance of each piece of work, demonstrating the rigour of the discipline from which you come.

5. Additional work: your portfolio can include examples of work undertaken in an employment context or similar experience.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last two years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1	£6,450
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2	£6,450
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1	£7,250
EU Other 3	£21,400
International	£21,400

¹ EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

² It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees, in line with the Common Travel Agreement arrangements. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2021-22, and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Future Urbanism costs

Students are responsible for additional costs for books, materials and software for drawing and consumables (including final portfolio). A budget of approximately £1,850 for the course is appropriate to support equipment (inclusive of graphics capable laptop), consumables and fieldwork costs. The amount required for equipment, consumable materials and printing will vary depending on how students decide to represent their work.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

---

Download a prospectus