Architecture Planning & Environmental Policy - Architecture Urbanism & Climate Action
MSc Architecture, Urbanism & Climate Action
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
Urban environments and their buildings are at once both acutely responsible for the climate crisis, and present some of the most achievable solutions. Climate action is urgently required to mitigate their environmental impact and unearth creative solutions.
The MSc programme equips graduates and returning professionals with specialist skills to respond to the challenge of planning, designing, and actioning a sustainable built environment. The School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy (APEP) brings together four key disciplines to provide a unique graduate learning experience.
Core modules are specifically designed to enhance knowledge of Sustainable Development Goals, climate science and policy as well as skills for sustainable building and urban design. Options will allows students choose from a wide range of architecture, planning and policy based modules, as well as energy and sustainability modules from around the University. Linking to prestigious industry-collaborative research projects will allow students action their research and knowledge to advance careers in sustainable practice, consultancy, policy and academia.
The UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy has an established international track record as a leading research centre in sustainable building and city research with large national and international funded projects. It is in the Top 150 QS World University Rankings by subject area, and has long led the way in architectural study and practice in Ireland.
Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
Programme Outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of climate change, its causes and design and policy strategies to mitigate it, particularly related to the built environment.
- Ability to work effectively as an individual, in multidisciplinary teams, to tackle the essential challenge of our time.
- Demonstrate the ability to consider the environmental impact of buildings, including matters of resource depletion, energy consumption, life cycle performance, carbon intensity and in-use performance when designing buildings.
- Understand and participate in current debates within the areas of sustainability and climate change.
- Demonstrate an advanced ability to apply concepts and theoretical knowledge to climate change related challenges in Europe and globally.
Subjects taught
90 credits: 60 credits taught and 30 credits linked research project
In the final trimester students will complete a linked research project.
This can take the following 3 forms;
Option 1: Placement with a linked employer. The student will undertake a programme of work for an industry or public body. The work will be agreed between the student, academic supervisor and the placement host if a suitable option is available.
Option 2: Working on established industry-collaborative research projects as part of a research team in the fields of architecture or urbanism, or related areas including; energy efficient buildings, smart cities, climate action policy research etc.
Option 3: Individual study in a research area of choosing by the student and agreed with the module coordinator.
Stage 1 - Core
Introduction to Urban DesignARCT40660
Architecture in a Climate EmergencyARCT41210
Linked Research ProjectARCT41230
Urban Resilience and EthicsARCT41240
Climate Carbon Cities ChangeARCT41260
Research for Environmental PolENVP40170
Stage 1 - Option
Historic Urban LandscapesARCH41080
Realising Built ProjectsARCT40030
Urban Design Theory (UDT)ARCT40180
Postgraduate StudioARCT40680
Urban Design StudioARCT40690
Agency: Design / BuildARCT40870
Computational DesignARCT40930
Concrete ResearchARCT40950
Retrofit Existing BuildingsARCT41270
Air PollutionBSEN30030
Energy System & Sustainable EnvironmentsBSEN40700
Tools for Sust DevelopmentENVP40040
Environmental Economics & Climate PolicyENVP40100
European Environmental PolicyENVP40180
Reimagining Dublin: An Interdisciplinary Exploration in Urban RegenerationGEOG40750
Physical Geography of CitiesGEOG40780
Practical Environmental AssessmentGEOG40860
Remote SensingGEOG40890
Coastal RisksGEOG40960
Climate Change Law and PolicyLAW41090
Planning, Society and DiversityPLAN40030
Rural & Landscape PlanningPLAN40040
Urban and Regional DevelopmentPLAN40060
Housing Policy and PlanningPLAN40070
Nature-Based SolutionsPLAN40200
Geographical Information Systems for Policy and PlanningPLAN40220
Economic Globalisation and Social ChangeSOC40230
Entry requirements
- An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalent in subjects related to the built environment including architecture, urban design, engineering, environmental sciences, or humanity degrees involving social or natural sciences.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
Application dates
The following entry routes are available:
MSc Architecture, Urbanism & Climate Action FT (T339)
Duration 1 Years Attend Full Time
Deadline Rolling*
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised
Credits
90
Duration
1 year full-time.
Fees
MSc Architecture, Urbanism & Climate Action (T339) Full Time
EU: fee per year - €8085
nonEU: fee per year - €25600
***Fees are subject to change.
Enrolment dates
Next Intake: 2020/2021 September
Post Course Info
Careers & Employability
Careers include sustainable architecture and practice, engineering consultancy, sustainability consultancy, energy efficiency agency, public and environmental policy, sustainable development, energy management, and academia.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunity
The range of climate change response, and environmental sustainability, related careers is broadening. This sector is set to expand rapidly in coming years. This MSc gives students a unique set of skills to allow them stay ahead of the curve and apply for exciting and fulfilling job opportunities. Potential careers include sustainable architecture and practice, sustainability consultancy, engineering consultancy, energy efficiency agency, public and environmental policy, sustainable development, energy supply and management and NGOs.
This MSc can be a springboard into exciting careers in research and academia. It will allow students pursue further research opportunities into anthropologic and architectural responses to climate change. Achieving masters students will also be invited to continue onto PhD study in UCD either via in-house project opportunities or by applying for funding through national funding schemes.