Urbanism and Strategic Planning

The Master of Science in Urbanism and Strategic Planning (MaUSP) is a four-semester academic degree offered within the Faculty of Engineering Science by the Department of Architecture. The programme interacts with research conducted by the research groups active in the department.

The MaUSP programme is part of the European Postgraduate Masters in Urbanism (EMU), and students can apply to attend one or two semesters abroad at one of the partner universities - UPC Barcelona, TU Delft or IUAV Venezia - to obtain the additional European Postgraduate Master of Urbanism.

The joint EMU programme is a collaborative effort bringing together the best components of existing curricula, creating new courses and offering a top-ranking professional degree by combining the specificity and strengths of the participating universities. The consortium functions as a platform for promoting an exchange of knowledge, ideas, and research projects on current urban trends in Europe and the world.

General Compulsory Courses

• Studio Concepts and Analysis
• Theory and Practice of Urbanism since 1945
• Relevant Practice & Introduction to Research Methods & Study Trip
• Strategic Spatial Planning
• Relevant Practice and Study Trip
• Studio Urban Design and Planning
• Project Development and Management
• Landscape Architecture
• Urban Design Strategies

Options

Students have to choose one of both options.

Spatial Planning

• Human Settlements in Development
• Studio Strategic Spatial Planning
• Critical Review of Sustainable Development Policies and Planning
• Institutional Aspects of Spatial Planning

Urbanism

• Studio Urbanism
• Landscape Urbanism

Optional Courses

• Modernity and the Architecture of the City
• Urban Studies: Research Methodology, part 1
• Human Settlements in Development
• Design of Infrastructure
• Geomatics for Urbanism and Spatial Planning
• Independent Study
• Economic and Sustainability Aspects of Architectural and Urban Design
• Urban Anthropology
• Urban Ecology and Green Management
• Verkeerskunde
• Critical Review of Sustainable Development Policies and Planning
• Project Management: Building Economics and Cost Control
• Landscape Urbanism
• Project Evaluation & Effect Assessment
• Institutional Aspects of Spatial Planning
• Colonial & Postcolonial Urbanism
• Urban Studies: Research Methodology, part 2
• Independent Study
• Cultural Anthropology: Material Culture
• Culture Philosophical Topics in Architecture and the City
• Housing
• Conservation of Architectural Heritage: History, Theory and Practice

Master's Thesis

Requirements

• Be a graduate (with minimum 5 years of university education) in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Urban or Physical Planning with a good academic record (normal level of 70 %, of GPA 2.8/3.0, second class upper). The relevance of the academic record will be compared for each university and/or country of origin.
• Have a good command of English, certified by a score on al language test (e.g. TOEFL/IELTS) indicating a C-1 level on the Common European Framework of the Council of Europe (www.culture2.coe.int/portfolio). Further information about language requirements is available on our web pages at www.kuleuven.be/english/admission/language.htm. Candidates who can prove that their entire university education was taken in English (for example in a Commonwealth country) can be exempted from this requirement.
• Submit a letter of motivation and a portfolio which clearly demonstrate their sound professional intentions and relevant experience.
• Applicants with some years of relevant professional experience will be preferred.
• All applicants (EEA and non-EEA) will have to pay an application fee of 50 € to process their file.
• PDF scans of your diplomas and transcripts of academic records
• PDF scan of the translation of your diploma and official transcripts
• The PDF scans of the TOEFL or IELTS certificates have to be uploaded in the web application Applicant. The original TOEFL or IELTS certificates have to be sent directly by ETS or by the official IELTS test centre administered by The British Council or IDP Education to International Admissions and Mobility at KU Leuven. Alternatively, you can also request ETS or the British Council to make your test result available to KU Leuven online, so we can verify your result via the online verification tool.
• If you still have to take the test by the time you want to submit your application file, upload a proof of registration for the TOEFL or IELTS test in the meantime. The proof of registration should mention the date when you will be taking the test.
• PDF of the proof of payment of the application fee made either via bank transfer or via credit card
• PDF scan of the identity page of your passport
• PDF of your motivation letter (recommended size: one A4 page)
• PDF of your CV

Scholarships

• Master Mind Scholarships