The MA Urban Design is designed to develop intellectual and practical skills for urban designers, and, through projects, search for alternative solutions to complex urban situations and contexts. The programme is informed by current local and international urban practice, but also emphasises the development of intuition and processes to test and develop new forms of urbanisms in practice, as well as questioning the current state of play. It welcomes students as fellow innovators in a programme that is both visionary and hands-on in seeking to develop urban futures that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable, distinctive and enjoyable. The programme explores and develops new forms of urban practice in cities undergoing critical change. It develops positions that are both specific and responding to the particularities of topographical, social, cultural, economic and political contexts. The programme develops both practical and innovative urban design strategies and positions from the scale of urban regions and cities, through to neighbourhoods and building scales. The programme explores diverse forms of communities and spatial practice, locally and internationally. Engaging directly with people, sites and critical contexts, it develops a more profound understanding and way of working. Building sustainable communities and participatory design processes require a variety of design methodologies, such as the use of frameworks, timelines and the making of distinct places. The programme prepares you to work in different geographical settings, within different urban agendas and economies through working on live projects in collaboration with local and international agencies. It is building on the experience of the programme team as well as that of individual students. The programme prepares you for work in the public or private sectors.

The integration of environmental design with architectural and urban design practice is of ever-increasing importance. Architects and designers equipped with these skills are more and more in demand professionally in both the private and public sectors. Whoever you are, whatever your background, we want to help you make the most of your time at UEL and ensure that your course will help lead you to where you want to go. UEL's dedicated Employability and Enterprise Team (EET) is on hand to support you throughout your studies and beyond. Not only should your course help lead you to the job you want, but also the skills and experience you gain along the way can prove invaluable both in starting and developing your career.