Urban Architecture

The Msc programme in Urban Design with a specialization in Urban Architecture at Aalborg University, Denmark, takes its point of departure in a number of current and future challenges in the field of urban development and urban design. You will get a solid and professional foundation in subjects, methods, theories and disciplines spanning from urban building design and technologies to knowledge about modeling and user involvement.

The Urban Architecture education offers each student a creative combination of problem-based learning (PBL) and realistic projects with hands-on challenges that equip the student to address challenges pertaining to e.g. climate change, temporary urban development projects, urban mobility, projects and strategies of the culture city, the urban landscape and city growth.

It takes two years to attain a master degree in Urban Architecture, and during this time you will meet a wide range of teachers who will present you with new knowledge in key areas. The educational programme is internationally oriented, and attracts Danish as well as international students. Furthermore the educational programme offers the opportunity of an internship or/and an external study at another university as well as study trips inside and outside Denmark during the semester.

Job and career

The education in Urban Architecture at Aalborg University, Denmark combines such skills as creativity, engineering and team work. This combination gives the student the opportunity to influence in which direction he/she wish to head.

Furthermore the education has a close connection and collaboration with companies, institutions etc., which among other things gives the student the opportunity to collaborate with and create close connections to these companies, institutions, etc. This is beneficial for the project work as well as for future carrier opportunities.

Urban Design combines the architect’s design expertise and the engineer’s professionalism with insight into sociological processes. Urban Architecture candidates are needed all over the world to work with the organisation of construction developments and city spaces to provide city dwellers with exciting and new urban experiences. Candidates are able to undertake positions in for example:

• Private architectural firms
• Urban planning practices
• Design studios
• Engineering consultancies

The Msc programme in Urban Design at Aalborg University, Denmark is divided into four semesters running respectively from September to January and from February to June (January and June partly reserved for exams). Thus, students will typically complete the programme in 2 years.

Each semester in Urban Design is sub divided into three or four course modules and one project module. All courses are conducted in English.

MSc01 - Sustainable Urban Transformation and Performative Structures

The theme of the 1st semester is the contemporary network city covering a range from urban mobility systems and their relation to the city to urban spaces and their linkages to the transit network or large scale urban architecture and transit terminals and their function as urban flow spaces.

• Project - Urban Transformation (10 ECTS)
• Course - Integrated Design Theory and Methodology (5 ECTS)
• Course - Constructing and designing performative urban environments(10 ECTS)
• Course - Climate and hydrology of the dense city (5 ECTS)

MSc02 -Designing Urban Mobility

The theme of the 2nd semester is the complex and multi-layered fabric of contemporary cities in transformation. Emphasis is on the role of urban design in the transformation process from the functional planned city to more experience based urban design strategies.

• Project - Designing Urban Mobility (15 ECTS)
• Course - Site Morphology and Landscape Techniques (5 ECTS)
• Courses - Simulating and Modeling Urban Flows (5 ECTS)
• Courses - Theories of the Network City and its Technologies (5 ECTS)

MSc03 - Global Challenges and Urban Technologies

The theme of the 3rd semester is urban design strategies and architectural qualities specific to Scandinavian urban design and urban architecture. Secondary focus is the Welfare City and the Scandinavian tradition in city planning and design with a perspective of best practice as well as a critical understanding of its challenges.

• Project - Global Challenges and Urban Technologies (20 ECTS)
• Courses - Project, Design and Construction Management (5 ECTS)
• Courses -Methodology and Theories of Science (5 ECTS)
  or
• Internship (25 ECTS)
• Course - Methodology and Theories of Science (5 ECTS)
  or

• Study at another University (30 ECTS)
  or
• Long Master’s Thesis (+30 ECTS)

MSc04 - Master's Thesis

The 4th semester is the master thesis. The student is to make a project as an experimental, empirical, technological/engineering and/or theoretical investigation of one or more central issues within the field of urban design.

Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)

To apply for Msc in Urban Design with af specialization in Urban Architectureat Aalborg University, Denmark, please make sure you send your application form and further documentation via post to the International Office by the required deadline. Furthermore please note that the official language requirements for international students applying to Aalborg University are:IELTS (academic test): 6.5TOEFL (paper-based): 550TOEFL (computer-based): 230TOEFL (internet-based): 80Cambridge ESOL: C1Please note: Urban Design will be entry restricted from the 2015 enrolment. The number of study places will be 40. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 80

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course