MA in City Design

at Royal College of Art

The programme is delivered across three terms and includes a combination of programme, School and College units.
 

Term 1

Design Studio 1: Conditions: This unit consists of an introduction to the programme’s field-focused, design-led, and project-based pedagogical model. It familiarises you with particular modes of work, especially design based research methodologies, and collaborative forms of knowledge production.
 

Seminar 1: Positions: The Seminar unit aims to help you situate city design in relation to the collective knowledge, perspectives and experiences of those in the frontlines of urban disputes.
 

College-wide unit – Running across terms 1 and 2, this unit aims to support students to meet the challenges of a complex, uncertain and changing world by bringing them together to work collaboratively on a series of themed projects informed by expertise within and beyond the College. These projects will challenge you to use your intellect and imagination to address key cultural, social, environmental and economic challenges. In doing so, you will develop and reflect on the abilities required to translate knowledge into action, and help demonstrate the contribution that the creative arts can make to our understanding and experience of the world.
 

Term 2

Design Studio 2: Propositions A field trip will help you to gain an in-depth perspective on the research. You are expected to work in relation to multiple scenarios rather than a single proposition. This will require a clear hierarchy of ideas and approaches, in response to changing conditions. A core element in this unit is the understanding of potential externalities such as conflicts between stakeholders or changes in the material, political and economic conditions that structure the project.
 

Seminar 2: Transformations Seminar 2 deepens your understanding of contemporary urban struggles and the processes that underline them.
 

Media Studies In term 2 all School of Architecture students will participate in the Media Studies, School-wide unit. The unit aims to increase students’ critical engagement with media and space. Through this unit you will be supported to increase your cross-disciplinary communication and you will be challenged to expand your media practice beyond architecture’s reliance on media as purely representation.
 

Term 3

Independent Research Project (IRP) The Independent Research Project is a continuation of the work previously developed in the Studio Units ‘Conditions’ and ‘Propositions’. This is an opportunity for you to reflect on the theme of the studio while pursuing your own research interests, either in continuity with studio units or in a new direction. Priority will be given to the use and exploration of digital research, design and visualisation tools.

Candidates are selected entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The selection process considers creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the programme and to achieve high MA standards overall.
 

Prospective candidates will likely be students of architecture with a 3+2-year Bachelor and Master’s degree, or Master's-equivalent five-year diploma, preferably in Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning or other related design discipline looking to acquire expertise in city and urban design projects.
 

Other backgrounds, such as social sciences, geography, urban studies, or economics, will also be considered if prior work is of exceptional merit and students are able to demonstrate their ability to work alongside and contribute to multidisciplinary teams.
 

Evidence of intellectual and professional curiosity and a readiness to engage in a rigorous and demanding period of study is essential.

Portfolio requirements
 

A Design Portfolio is a necessary requirement to enter into the programme if your first degree is in Architecture or related design discipline. Candidates entering from non-design disciplines will have to demonstrate exceptional levels of attainment in prior studies and a strong interest in the field. You should submit a digital portfolio via the School’s online applications portal in a way that best reflects your abilities, skills, experience and interests. The portfolio must follow College guidelines for uploading work, such as the following:
 

• each project should include a title image and up to 6 supporting gallery images;
• candidates should provide a description of maximum of 100 words for each title image and a caption of up to 50 words for each supporting gallery image;
• when submitting collaborative work, students should specify this and clearly indicate their role and responsibility;
• no actual objects, sketchbooks, physical portfolios or other media should be submitted at the point of application. Submission of any material not listed above will not be accepted;
   

English-language requirements
 

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need the equivalent of an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with a 6.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE) and at least 5.5 in other skills. Students achieving a grade of at least 6.0, with a grade of 5.5 in the Test of Written English, may be eligible to take the College’s English for Academic Purposes course to enable them to reach the required standard.
 

You are exempt from this requirement if you have received a 2.1 degree or above from a university in a majority English-speaking nation within the last two years.

Overseas and EU - £32,000*