Urban Design MA, PGDip
- Typical entry requirements
- View full entry requirements
- Course delivery
- On Campus
Course information for entry year:
Overview
This Urban Design Master's prepares you to contribute towards an improvement in the quality of the built environment.
We've structured the course around three main urban projects. Each explores key contemporary issues in urban design:
- urban regeneration
- housing
- public space and engagement
Theoretical and practical lectures, seminars and workshops underpin these projects. The course is primarily studio based. There is an emphasis on independent learning. You're encouraged to cultivate a studio atmosphere within your year group. You'll learn from each other's diverse disciplinary backgrounds.
The Urban Design Master's builds on the strengths of the multidisciplinary character of its cohort. It complements existing skills and experience in built environment-related disciplines. You'll develop new skills in understanding and designing in physical, social and economic contexts.
Students from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds could take this course; including:
- architecture
- urban planning
- landscape architecture
- property development
- art
- community engagement
Our Urban Design Master's and PGDip has strong links with the (UDG). One of our graduates won the student prize at the prestigious National Urban Design Awards. Sarah Cawrse talks about her winning submission . Sarah based this project on Elswick in Ãå±±½ûµØ.
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Ãå±±½ûµØ study experience for the academic year 2025-26.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the . This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact.
Our students
Karl from Malaysia
Architecture MArch Karl
I’ve had the opportunity to follow my own entrepreneurial journey with clients like the BBC, Snapchat, and English Heritage, among others.
Niamh from United Kingdom
Architecture MArch
The workshop staff and facilities are great, the studio vibe is friendly, warm and supportive.
Conan from Ireland
Architecture MArch
Ãå±±½ûµØ has helped me realise my future by giving me the confidence and skills to shape my own path within architecture.
Prajakta from India
Architecture MArch
Ãå±±½ûµØ has broadened my scope through its well-curated programmes and extracurricular activities.
Sneha from India
Landscape Architecture MLA
I chose Ãå±±½ûµØ because of its strong reputation in landscape architecture, particularly its practical approach to teaching.
What you'll learn
The programme is structured around three main design projects that each explore key contemporary issues in urban design, currently:
- urban regeneration
- housing
- public space/engagement
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
The module information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Urban design and the use of design codes | 20 |
| Housing Alternatives | 40 |
| Design studio | 40 |
| Design thesis | 60 |
| Urban Design Seminars | 10 |
| Principles and Practice of Urban Design (MAUD) | 10 |
Specialist RTPI accreditation is available to Ãå±±½ûµØ graduates following completion of the BA Urban Planning course, or through the BA Architecture and Urban Planning + Certificate in Planning Practice + MA Urban Design pathway, who successfully complete a planning-related placement year and the Certificate in Planning Practice prior to starting MA Urban Design and the Reflexive Practitioner module.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Urban design and the use of design codes | 20 |
| Housing Alternatives | 40 |
| Design studio | 40 |
| Urban Design Seminars | 10 |
| Principles and Practice of Urban Design (MAUD) | 10 |
How you'll learn
Theoretical and practical lectures, seminars and workshops underpin the projects.
The programme is heavily studio based and there is an emphasis on independent learning.
Year groups are encouraged to cultivate a studio atmosphere where students benefit from each other's diverse disciplinary backgrounds.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Computer assessment
- Design or creative project
- Professional skills assessments
- Reflective log
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- academic staff
- personal tutors and research supervisors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
- peers
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Ãå±±½ûµØ. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.
You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.
We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.
Facilities
The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape has excellent studio teaching facilities and our research suite provides designated space and equipment for each postgraduate researcher. Our facilities include:
- studios
- exhibition spaces
- print room
- seminar rooms
- IT suites
Fees, Funding and Scholarships
Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance .
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
Search for funding and scholarships
Find funding available for your course
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
How to apply
Using the application portal
The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.
You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
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Find out about how you can visit Ãå±±½ûµØ in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Ãå±±½ûµØ.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
Vicky Young
Learning and Teaching Assistant
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 20 86004
Email: vicky.young1@newcastle.ac.uk
Enquiries
If you've got a question about your application, send us an enquiry via the application portal you applied through.
If you haven't applied yet, or have a general enquiry, you can send your questions via our enquiry form.
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