Architecture and Urban Design

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 28.3 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 50.8 k / Year(s) Deadline: May 31, 2024
6 place StudyQA ranking:6823 Duration:2 years

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In the 2014 Research Excellent Framework, Cambridge Architecture’s research work was ranked 1st in the UK, achieving the highest proportion of combined World Leading research.  88% of the research produced by the Department was rated as World Leading or Internationally Excellent (Unit of Assessment 16: Architecture, Built Environment and Planning).  This consolidates our top ranking established in the previous Research Assessment Exercise of 2008.

This two year course uniquely combines a professional course; that is, an ARB/RIBA Part 2 course with a Cambridge Master’s degree in Philosophy. It provides advanced teaching, research and practice opportunities in environmental design, including the social, political, historical, theoretical and economic aspects of architecture, cities and the global environment.

The course is a hybrid of independent research through design and a structured technical learning resource. It is designed for mature students that join the program with a distinct area of interest and provides guidelines to their scientific research, access to specialists of various fields relevant to their studies, and a matrix of deliverables that foster an informed body of work underpinned by a sophisticated set of design and presentation techniques.

The main outcome is a design thesis consisting of a detailed design proposition, supported by a written argument of up to 15,000 words. This is preceded by four essays or design exercises equivalent of  3,000 - 5,000 words. The course is closely connected with research interests within the Department’s Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies.  A number of the academics and researchers teach and supervise on the course.

The programme propagates a twofold understanding of environmental design and mediates between its technical/architectural, and social/political aspects. Both trajectories are studied within a specific geographic area/region, its local set of conditions and global entanglements setting the parameters for each student’s research. Based on the area/region’s characteristics, students speculate on the expansion and adaptation of one of its specific traits and its environmental performance. The outcome of this first part of the course is an experimental adaptation of an indigenous typology, producing a speculative environmental prototype. This prototype is examined scientifically and tectonically, using real and virtual modelling alongside various other media and serves a particular demand and a specific set of site conditions. Complementing this tectonic first part, the design direction of the second part of the course is broader in scale and highly speculative in nature. It draws upon the technical findings of the initial research, but focuses on the socio-political conditions and cultural traditions shaping the area of focus in order to build a set of far-reaching proposals. Together, both parts of this research through design result in a heightened understanding of the performance/efficiency/specificity of a certain environmental issue and the environment it is embedded in.

Structure

The course is structured by two terms focusing on design and detailed technical analysis (residence in Cambridge), an interim field work period (elsewhere), and a third term focusing on regional analysis/research (residence in Cambridge). These complementary term components, together with the practice placement, provide an opportunity to explore distinct interests within design practice in various settings, whilst offering a sound framework to pursue meaningful research.

Candidates are free to choose a geographic area/region of their interest that frames their study throughout the programme.  Following an initial familiarization with their chosen specific locality and a global assessment of the given environment at hand, students are expected to identify a technical/architectural issue that is indigenous or characteristic to the area/region of interest and holds potential to develop.  

The focus shall be primarily with issues of contemporary construction, not excluding the consideration of historical or traditional building methods that are still prevalent.  More generally, candidates develop an understanding of the complexity of environments and their various aspects being inseparable from, and integrated with each other.  More importantly, however, students will develop highly particular areas of expertise that they may draw on for the remainder of the course.

The programme positively encourages students to develop complex architectural proposals that meet RIBA/ARB criteria for Part II exemption and to acquire knowledge and develop and apply research skills in the following areas:

  •  role of environmental and socio-political issues in architecture and urban design
  • The wider environmental, historical, socio-cultural and economic context related to architecture and cities
  • The building science and socio-political theories associated with architecture and urban design
  • Modelling and assessment of building and urban design
  • Monitoring and surveying of buildings and urban environments
  • Human behaviour, perception and comfort, and their role in building and urban characteristics
  • Research methods and their application through academic and design methods.

In so doing, the candidates develop the following skills:

Intellectual Skills

  • Reason critically and analytically
  • Apply techniques and knowledge appropriately
  • Identify and solve problems
  • Demonstrate independence of mind 

Research Skills

  • Identify key knowledge gaps and research questions
  • Retrieve, assess and identify information from a wide range of sources
  • Plan, develop and apply research methods
  • Apply key techniques and analytical skills to a new context
  • Report clearly, accurately and eloquently on findings 

Transferable Skills

  • Communicate concepts effectively orally, visually and in writing
  • Manage time and structure work
  • Work effectively with others
  • Work independently
  • Retrieve information efficiently
  • Assimilate, assess and represent existing knowledge and ideas 

Learning Outcomes

The MAUD course is made up of full time learning and teaching in the Department and field work research. The first two terms deliver intensive teaching in the qualitative and quantitative aspects of architecture and urbanism, in parallel with supervised design projects, case study analysis, and essays in cultural and technical aspects of the subject.  This results in the submission of three Essays or equivalent work. Preparation of the Design Thesis  commences on enrolment and the choice of subject matter helps to determine the appropriate fieldwork framework and structure of supervision and interdisciplinary collaboration. Up to three recall sessions during the Fieldwork period track progress of the thesis work and monitor research. A Fieldwork Logbook records and interprets the experiences acquired at various stages. Contemporary issues in architectural research and its relationship to practice, relating to the thesis topic is captured in a 'project realisation' Essay submitted at the end of the Fieldwork period. The return to the Department for the third and final term is dedicated to the completion of the Design Thesis. Students will have engaged in a rigorous research exercise and produced a well-resolved and argued design for a significant building or collection of buildings.

Continuing

To continue to read for the PhD degree following the course, MPhil in Architecture & Urban Design students must achieve an overall average score of at least 70%. Continuation is also subject to Faculty approval of the proposed research proposal, and, the availability of an appropriate supervisor.

Teaching is delivered through seminars, supported by individual supervisions.  Students are also offered a series of studio sessions, hands-on workshops, offering support in computer modelling, physical laboratory testing and guidance on the use of environmental sensors and loggers.  Throughout the programme individual supervision is provided regularly to assist, direct and monitor progress.

Individual research activities, oral presentations and written essays encourage students to identify and solve problems, and are supported by regular feedback sessions and in supervisions.  These strategies, particularly through specialist supervisions, are built upon when the student embarks on their independent dissertation research programme.

The weekly seminars, plus additional research workshops, provide a framework to explore a variety of research approaches from a range of relevant disciplines available in the Department. Students receive general seminars and specific guidance on research methods, the use of libraries, and writing techniques.  An initial comprehensive bibliography is provided prior to the start of the course to allow students to begin their preparation. Upon arrival to Cambridge, the bibliography is supplemented by guidance on further reading in the seminars and supervisions. Guidelines on coursework essays and dissertations are given in general terms and more specifically in supervisions. Research methods, techniques and analytical skills are developed through the lectures and coursework.

The course is intense and demands effective time management.

Supervision

Each student is entitled to arrange the following supervision and design input within full term time.  The figures listed below are a maximum figure.  Supervision arrangements and contacts will be suggested at the beginning of each term but it is the individual responsibility of each student to arrange supervisions, and to submit work promptly as requested by supervisors.  

TERM 1

  • 3 hours history / theory supervision
  • 1 hour technical supervision
  • 1 hour software supervision
  • 3- 4 hours supervision with primary supervisor
  • 2 hour critical review / external workshop
  • 8- 10 hours studio supervision 

TERM 2

  • 4 hour specialist supervision
  • 2 hours technical supervision
  • 4 hours history / theory supervision
  • 2 hour critical review / external workshop
  • 8 hours studio supervision

Fieldwork Period (TERMS 3-5):   

  • 9 hours supervision
  • 4 hours design tutorials / feedback / recall

TERM 6     

  • 4 hours history / theory supervision / draft review
  • 6 hours technical supervision
  • 2 hours external specialists
  • 1 hour critical review
  • 8 hours studio supervision

Thesis

The design thesis represents 60% of the overall mark and consists of a:

  • written dissertation of not more than 15,000 words (20%).  The word count includes footnotes but excludes the bibliography.  Any appendices will require the formal permission of your Supervisor who may consult the Degree Committee.  Students submit two hard copies and one electronic copy of their thesis for examination at the end of May.
  • design project (40%) submitted for examination at the end of July in hard and electronic copy.

Candidates present their design thesis to examiners at an Exam Board held in their second year at the end of July. 

Essays

Four essays or equivalent exercises of 3,000 - 5,000 words, including footnotes/endnotes but excluding the bibliography, on topics approved by the Course Directors will be presented for examination.  The first three of these essays are submitted during Year 1;  one at the beginning of the Lent (Spring) Term and two at the beginning of the Easter (Summer) Term.  The remaining essay is submitted at the beginning of the Easter (Summer) Term in Year 2.

The first essay constitutes an essay or equivalent (5%) and an oral presentation (5%), the second is a pilot study (10%) and the third  is a design submission (10%). The final essay is a project realisation essay (10%).

Students must submit two bound paper copies and one electronic copy of each essay or equivalent exercise.

The essays and equivalent exercises contribute 40% towards the final mark awarded.

Practical assessment

The course requires regular written, visual and oral presentations in the Studio.  Effective communication of research findings and design concepts are an important criterion in all areas of the students' work, and assessed at all stages.

Other

A logbook of work and research carried out during the fieldwork period will be presented at the beginning of the Easter Term of Year 2 for assessment.  The logbook is not awarded a mark.

Requirements

  • Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
  • Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
  • Candidates accepted for this course will usually have a Part 1 qualification/Bachelor's degree prescribed by the Architect's Registration Board (ARB) and The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at a first class or high 2i level (at least 67%/3.6/4.0 GPA). Candidates are encouraged to take a year out but this is not mandatory.
  • Candidates without Part 1 status are encouraged to contact the Department before making an application in order to determine whether they are eligible.  They will be expected to submit a portfolio of an equivalent standard to candidate holding a high 2i for a Part 1/Bachelor's degree.  For further information email:  grad.enquiries@aha.cam.ac.uk 
  • IELTS (Academic) 7.5
  • TOEFL Internet Score 110
  • £50 application fee
  • First Academic Reference
  • Second Academic Reference
  • Transcript
  • Statement of Interests
  • Personal Reference

Scholarships

  • Global Education
  • Gates Cambridge Scholarships
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