Architectural and Urban Design MSc

The programme is structured around a series of design projects, augmented by lecture and seminar-based teaching in urban design and contemporary architectural theory.

The programme also involves fieldwork in a selected internationally significant city. Previous destinations include Florence, Olbia, Bari, Mumbai and Kolkata.

Graduates of this programme will have the capacity to:

• demonstrate leadership within an architectural design-team context
• critically evaluate the possible roles architectural and urban design plays within the larger field of cultural production
• comprehend some of the key consequences digital media have for the conception, design and representation of architecture and urban design

On completion of this programme, you will have added a significant qualification to your existing architectural degree, one that is held in high regard by potential employers.

The skills and learning you will gain will help you to pursue your career at a higher level, or branch out into a particular specialism.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A professional qualification in architecture, usually a five-year programme, with a strong portfolio of design work with clear author/co-author attribution.

You must submit a portfolio as part of your application.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Additional costs

There will be extra costs associated with a field trip, from travel to accommodation and subsistence (usually around £800).

The programme employs research by design methods. There will be costs associated with large scale models, installations and lighting over and above conventional large scale drawing printing requirements.

Tuition Fees

Featured funding

• Edinburgh College of Art scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding