Architecture and Urban Studies

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 26.4 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 46.6 k / Year(s) Deadline: May 31, 2024
6 place StudyQA ranking:2873 Duration:1 year

Photos of university / #cambridgeuniversity

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.

The MPhil in Architecture and Urban Studies (MAUS) is a programme of advanced study on modern and contemporary architecture and the continued development of cities around the world.  Students from a variety of academic backgrounds work in an interdisciplinary environment with urbanists, environmental specialists, architectural theorists and historians and design practitioners.  Students will explore a wide range of ideas, research methods and theoretical approaches in order to undertake critical and rigorous analysis of issues relating to both architecture and the challenges and complexities of the world’s rapidly changing cities.

The course offers a flexible structure that is tailored to the needs of individual student’s research interests. Seminars and lectures are organised along two basic streams:  1) one focuses on the socio- political and cultural context of architecture and cities with an approach rooted in the humanities and social sciences; 2) the other one focuses on sustainability and environmental design from a more technical point of view. Students may participate in both streams, but focus on one only.  In the second term there is choice of more specialist seminars within both streams.  Students are actively encouraged to explore issues across these basic disciplinary boundaries.  The course asks students to expand upon their own experiences by pursuing research in their areas of interest.

Teaching in the course is closely integrated with the Department’s research arm, the Martin Centre for Architecture and Urban Studies - http://www.martincentre.arct.cam.ac.uk/ which has a world reputation for research on a wide range of issues and geographical areas.  The MPhil benefits from direct input in the form of lectures and seminars and/or individual supervision from the Martin Centre’s research groups:

  • Cities and Transport 
  • Behaviour and Building Performance            
  • Centre for Urban Conflicts Research 
  • Sustainable Building
  • Cities South of Cancer               
  • Digital Studio
  • History and Theory of Architecture
  • Cambridge University Centre for Risk in the Built Environment (CURBE) 
  • Natural Materials and Structures

Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops, which are supported by individual supervisions.  Individual supervisions are an essential part of the programme, they help to assist, direct and monitor progress of students’ work while, at the same time, help to provide continuous feedback throughout the course.

The Department of Architecture’s Sir Arthur Marshall Visiting Professor, contributes a workshop to the programme in the second term.  The course also entertains close connections with the Masters in Architectural and Urban Design (ARB/ RIBA Pt2) (MAUD) - http://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/courses/mphil-degree-in-architecture-and-urban-design-maud-arb-riba-pt2 programme enabling research-driven dialogue with designers.

There is also a range of activities in the Department of Architecture, and throughout the University, that will help students to develop their research interests and to meet the programme outcomes. These include the Martin Centre lunchtime seminar, the City Seminar and ARCSOC Talks.  Students may choose to attend units on the MPhil in Sustainable Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Faculty - http://www-esdmphil.eng.cam.ac.uk/ and the MPhil in Screen and Media Cultures, Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages - http://www.mml.cam.ac.uk/graduates/mphil_SMC.html with whom we have a reciprocal arrangement.  MAUS students are welcome to be involved with MAUD in reviews and discussions. The programme includes research skills training designed specifically for the needs of our students.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have acquired the type of research training required to carry on to the PhD, or if conceived as a standalone degree, will have acquired the skills to specialise and enhance their professional prospects.


Continuing

To continue to read for the PhD degree following the course, MPhil in Architecture & Urban Studies students must achieve an overall total 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 combination of lectures, seminars and workshops, which are supported by individual supervisions. Individual supervisions are an essential part of the programme, they help to assist, direct and monitor progress of students' work while, at the same time, help to provide continuous feedback throughout the course.

The weekly lectures and 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 selected 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, coursework and a dedicated training course.

The teaching methodology also includes individual research activities, oral presentations and written essays to encourage students to identify and solve problems. These activities are supported by regular feedback sessions and in supervisions. This methodology, particularly through specialist supervisions, is built upon when the student embarks on their independent dissertation/ design thesis research programme.

Students are also offered a series of hands-on workshops on computer modelling, physical laboratory testing and receive guidance on the use of environmental sensors and loggers.

The course is intense and demands effective time management.

   
One to one supervision

Students will be allocated a supervisor who will support their academic progress for the duration of the programme. They will be expected to meet for 1 hour at a maximum every two weeks during term for the duration of the programme.

Seminars & classes

In the Michaelmas Term students attend a lecture/seminar series in their thematic stream:  2 hours weekly. In addition, students attend one or two research skills seminars, and a workshop convened by Professor Richard Sennett.

In Lent Term students attend another weekly lecture/seminar series.

There are no lectures or seminars in the Easter Term, when students are expected to focus on their dissertations.  

Lectures

Attending lectures is optional but students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of lectures offered in the Department and other Faculties relevant to their research.

Small group teaching

All students undertake at least six hours research skills training seminars.

Posters

Students undertake  a review of their work on a termly basis which take place at the end of the Michaelmas (Autumn) and Lent (Spring) Terms and  the beginning of the Easter (Summer) Term. Students present their work to a supportive forum which will include academic critics who will provide constructive criticism about the students' proposed essays and dissertations.

Assessment

Thesis

The dissertation of not more than 20,000 words represents 50% of the overall mark. 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 during May.

An oral examination (viva voce) on the dissertation and on the general field of knowledge within which the work submitted falls may be required. Students must remain in or be prepared to return to Cambridge for such oral examination, which will be held in June. 

Essays

Three essays of 3,000 - 5,000 words including footnotes but excluding the bibliography, on topics approved by your supervisor and the Faculty will be presented for examination. One will be submitted at the end of the Michaelmas (Winter) term and the additional two at the end of the Lent (Spring) term respectively. The three essays represent 50% of the total mark.  

Students must submit two bound paper copies and one electronic copy of each essay, with a bibliography and any relevant illustrations to be submitted with the text. 

Other

Students undertake  a review of their work on a termly basis day which take place at the end of the Michaelmas (Autumn) and Lent (Spring) Terms and the beginning of the Easter (Summer) Term. Students present their work to a supportive forum which will include academic critics who will provide constructive criticism about the students' proposed essays and dissertations.

The reviews are intended to be constructive events which will benefit the writing up of work. They are also an opportunity for candidates to test out ideas with experts in a supportive forum.

Candidates are not awarded a mark for their performance at review although it is expected that their performance will impact on the marks awarded.

  • 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
  • IELTS (Academic) 7.5
  • TOEFL Internet Score 110
  • £50 application fee
  • First Academic Reference
  • Second Academic Reference
  • Transcript
  • Sample of Work. A sample of work could be a journal publication or a chapter from your undergraduate dissertation. Please note: continuers from departments other than Architecture will need to provide a sample of work.
  • Research Proposal. A research proposal of 1000 - 1500 words should consist of a topic and a hypothesis, a literature review, a statement on method, and key references.
  • Portfolio.Applicants with a design background may provide a copy of their portfolio (6 A4 pages at a maximum) but this is not mandatory. Please do not send a hard copy of your portfolio to the Department.
  • Personal Reference
  • Global Education
  • Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Similar programs:
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 6.01 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 16.5 k / Year(s)
133 place StudyQA ranking: 4678
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 13.2 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 27.7 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jul 28, 2024 16 place StudyQA ranking: 3337
Study mode:Online Languages: English
Local:$ 6.29 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 16.9 k / Year(s)
351–400 place StudyQA ranking: 8105
Study mode:Online Languages: English
Local:$ 1.33 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 1.33 k / Year(s)
351–400 place StudyQA ranking: 3807
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 1.68 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 5.17 k / Year(s)
191 place StudyQA ranking: 3615
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 6.26 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 17.8 k / Year(s)
200 place StudyQA ranking: 4496
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 5.93 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 16.8 k / Year(s)
801–1000 place StudyQA ranking: 3650
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 13.5 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 29.9 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jul 28, 2024 16 place StudyQA ranking: 2922
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 13.5 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 31.7 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jul 28, 2024 16 place StudyQA ranking: 4106