COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Urban Design offers a comprehensive program that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to become proficient in contemporary urban design practice. In the first year, the program combines theoretical and applied learning through a series of core modules designed to develop both critical understanding and practical capabilities. Students explore key concepts and ideas through modules such as Urban Design Thinkers, which introduces influential figures and theoretical frameworks, and Urban Design Foundation, which provides essential knowledge of design principles and processes. Studio-based modules, including Autumn Studio and Spring Studio, enable students to apply this theoretical knowledge to real-world urban sites, developing creative, practical, and context-sensitive proposals. Additional modules such as Urban Development Debates encourage students to engage critically with contemporary issues in urbanism, while Urban Design Research Methods equips them with the tools to conduct rigorous, methodologically sound research. The program culminates in the Urban Design Dissertation, where students undertake an in-depth, independent research project that integrates theory, practice, and research skills. Through this combination of critical thinking, applied design, and research, the course prepares graduates for professional practice, policy-making, or further academic study, fostering the ability to address complex urban challenges with creativity and analytical rigor.