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University College Dublin

Urban Design - Research

MSc Urban Design
The School offers an interdisciplinary Master of Science in Urban Design by research. It is available to graduates of Architecture, Planning and other professions, such as Landscape Architecture and Engineering, with suitable academic qualifications. The programme seeks to develop and improve the students range of theoretical, research and practical skills in Urban Design. The Course has a strong international outlook, focusing on emerging and developing theory, best practice, and Case Studies in Europe, the US and the UK. Allied to this, the Course seeks to understand the Irish urban condition and to create innovative and place-specific solutions for development and improvement. UCD provides the only fourth level Masters Research Programme in Urban Design in Ireland. It has evolved significantly since its establishment in 1997.

The programme is underpinned by the following key objectives:

to provide a solid base in urban design theory
to provide a comprehensive knowledge of current practice and techniques
to provide a robust set of practical urban design skills, and
to develop the body of research in urban design in Ireland.

The programme is comprised of a series of modules, including taught elements, which emphasise the importance of balancing theory, practice and research. The course is a full time course, running over 4 semesters, beginning in September 2012. The programme offers an opportunity to learn and innovate with a multi-disciplinary group of research students. Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects, Surveyors and Engineers have all undertaken the programme in the past.

The programme is conducted for the most part on the Richview campus, which adjoins the main University campus at Belfield. The Library at Richview is an essential resource for the programme, which has its own studio in an adjoining building.

The aim of the programme is to provide a high quality learning environment and an academic structure for research and development of ideas a methodological framework which could inform and improve the decisions of practice. The programme is also intended to act as an introductory vehicle for those wishing to pursue further research at PhD level.

Difference between MSc. Urban Design and M.Arch.Sc. (Urban Design) Programmes

The principal difference between the MSc. Urban Design (Research) programme and the M.Arch.Sc (Urban Design) (Taught) programme is the scope and ambition of the thesis requirement. The thesis for the MSc. Urban Design degree must contain research warranting the award of 60 credits. The MSc. Urban Design programme requires four semesters full-time attendance for completion. The thesis content of the MSc. Urban Design programme is spread over semesters two, three and four.

Entry requirements

University/College Requirements for the Programme

The MSc Urban Design at UCD is designed for professionals who demonstrate appropriate related experience, and/or knowledge of a specific research area in urban design or urbanism. The Programme is open to graduates of Architecture, Planning and other professions, such as Landscape Architecture and Engineering, with suitable academic qualifications. Candidates will normally submit appropriate selected previously published or completed work at applications stage. Candidates for the Degree must obtain the permission of the Faculty before entering on the course. A candidate who is a holder of the Degree of Bachelor of Architecture, or of an equivalent qualification in Architecture or a degree in a related discipline, shall be eligible to obtain the Degree of Master of Science (Urban Design) on the following conditions:

(a) The Degree of Master of Science (Urban Design) will be taken through a full-time course of study.

(b) The duration of the full-time course of study is twelve months.

(c) The Degree of Master of Science (Urban Design) may be obtained by thesis (Mode I). A candidate must carry out a research project under the direction of the supervisor appointed by the Head of the School. The thesis presented by the candidate is to embody the result of this research project. A candidate may be required to pass an oral examination on the subject matter of the thesis if the examiners so decide.