Entry year
2022
2022
Entry requirements
2.1
2.1
Duration
1 year (Full Time)
2 years (Part Time)
1 year (Full Time)
2 years (Part Time)
Places available
40 (Full Time)
40 (Part Time)
40 (Full Time)
40 (Part Time)
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Overview
Future Urbanism explores, defines and designs the nature of 21st century urbanism. Reimagining the idea of the urban in a digitally infused, spatially attenuated age facing a climate emergency.
* Leading edge
An innovative MSc addressing key global issues of urbanisation and sustainability. Cities have a 6000 year history and by 2050 68% of the world’s population will be urban.
* Embedded Research by design
Experimental, testable proposals which capture unique spatial opportunities. Critique ideas of place, environment, culture, technology and sustainability through project vehicles.
* Collaborative + interdisciplinary
Dynamic trans-disciplinary testbed with multi-partner design studio. Co-designed projects with external partners, collaborative networks and practitioners.
* Diverse employment opportunities
The course supports employment pathways by developing knowledge and understanding of professions and related procedures, industries and organisations in the contemporary setting of future city, architecture and landscape design.
COURSE CONTENT
Five core modules address contemporary and future aspects of urbanism through developing design thinking in studio projects, research training, professional development and theoretical propositions.
Core Modules : Full Time 48 week
>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
*Studios 1 + 2
Develops design thinking through a creative laboratory exploring issues in the design of cities, urban space, landscape or architecture.
*Research Theory + Practice
Develops design thinking through exploring techniques, processes and readings that directly inform design as a spatial practice.
*Professional Theory + Practice
Develops design thinking through knowledge and understanding of professions and related procedures, industries and organisations in the future city.
*Thesis
Demonstrates design thinking through research process, problem definition and creative synthesis to produce an independent research project based on the future city.
Key themes:
* Understanding of the relationship between natural and built systems of the city
* Communicating complex ideas and research into a range of visual media and written form
* Engaging with professional modes of behaviour
KEY OPPORTUNITIES:
You will work in live trans-disciplinary contexts to address complex, open-ended and dynamic challenges with radical, realisable, testable projects and proposals.
* engage with leading edge academia and practice globally.
* develop individual propositions on the future of the urban condition.
* develop advanced evidenced-based creativity.
* orchestrate engaging research-based events.
* pioneer new research directions and professional trajectories.
QUB ENVIRONMENT
Belfast and Northern Ireland offer a unique context from which to explore wider global themes of:
* complex territorial dynamics
* digital infrastructural potentialities
* reconceptualising notions of urban and rural
* international border dynamics
* contested identities
The programme benefits from an extensive internal and external network of aligned institutions, practitioners, professional networks and industrial connections. The studio draws on a diverse range of global expertise with an established network of external expert critics to guide your studies and expand your professional networks.
The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2022. However, we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.Future Urbanism highlights
Innovative New Programme
Global Opportunities
- Developing a career in design thinking: The programme meets the need for design thinking as identified by bodies including the World Economic Forum and the Design Council. This develops capacity for working creatively across disciplinary boundaries, based on subject expertise and advanced design research methodologies to understand complex problems.
https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/resources/report/design-perspectives-design-skills
Industry Links
- Extensive internal and external network of aligned institutions, practitioners, professional networks and industrial connections
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Course content - Developing a career in design thinking: The programme meets the need for design thinking as identified by bodies including the World Economic Forum and the Design Council. This develops capacity for working creatively across disciplinary boundaries, based on subject expertise and advanced design research methodologies to understand complex problems.
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Course content
Course Structure
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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.-
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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:
Individual projects
Group projects
Presentations (group & individual)
Essays
Case Studies
Reflective reports on skills development and learning outcomes
Public events
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Entry requirements -
Entry Requirements
Entrance requirements
Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Architecture or in any discipline by agreement with the School of Natural and Built Environment. A 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Architecture or in any discipline by agreement with the School of Natural and Built Environment may be considered alongside a very strong design portfolio on a case by case basis. Relevant professional experience alongside a very strong design portfolio may be considered on a case by case basis.
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.
The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2022. However, we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.International Students
Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
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.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
- Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
- Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
INTO - English Language Course(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)
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Fees and Funding -
Careers
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/Additional Awards Gained(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)
Prizes and Awards(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
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Fees and Funding -
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £6,650 Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £6,650 England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £7,470 EU Other 3 £22,050 International £22,050 1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees, in line with the Common Travel Agreement arrangements.
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 2022-23, 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 do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £10,609 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
More information on funding options and financial assistance.
International Scholarships
Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/International-scholarships.
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Apply -
Apply
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
When to Apply
The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2021. In the event that any programme receives a high volume of applications, the university reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Entry Portal (DAP) against the programme application page.
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.
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