Program Overview
The Architectural and Urban Design at The University of Edinburgh is a MSc programme in Architecture & Urban Planning over 12 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of architecture & urban planning. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Architectural and Urban Design programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United Kingdom and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 12 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 6.5
- Tuition: GBP 20,100 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 10,200 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
- Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Architectural and Urban Design programme are prepared for diverse careers in architecture & urban planning:
- Architect
- Urban Planner
- Landscape Designer
- Sustainability Consultant
- Real Estate Developer
- Heritage Consultant
Program Curriculum
The programme is structured around a series of architectural and urban design projects, augmented by lecture and seminar-based teaching in research methods, urban design and contemporary architectural theory. All design work is environmentally and socially sensitive.
The programme involves fieldwork in a selected internationally significant city. However, Edinburgh as the home city and Rome as an important European city inform the study of every other city.
You will be part of a dynamic, international body of students who work closely together and with other students and experts from a range of related programmes and disciplines.
Find courses for this programme
Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.
The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.
Full-time
We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Field trips
In our studio, you will develop design proposals for international urban conditions, based on the contribution of design to the wider life and workings of the city.
Research methods will involve intense fieldwork in the chosen city of study, with themes and outputs guided by the research interests and expertise of your tutors.
Previous cities of MSc study and visit include:
- Shanghai, China (Borderlands)
- Florence, Italy (Curating The City)
- Olbia, Sardinia (The Loving Metropolitan Landscape)
- Mumbai, India (Parasituation)
- Kolkata, India (Parasituation and Wetness)
- Ahmedabad, India (Parasituation and Ecosophy)
- Edinburgh, Scotland (Parasituation and Urban Paradigms)
- Derry, Northern Ireland (Parasituation and Thin Places)
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
A professional qualification in architecture, usually a five-year programme, with a strong portfolio of design work with clear author/co-author attribution. A four-year qualification in architecture may be acceptable if the portfolio is of sufficient standard, with evidence of further experience in architecture or cognate fields, such as art, landscape architecture, urban planning, digital design or industrial design.
English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 20,100 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 10,200 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
Tuition fees: GBP 20,100 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 10,200 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
IELTS requirement: 6.5
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact The University of Edinburgh directly for scholarship, grant, and financial aid information for this programme. Many European universities offer merit-based and need-based funding for international and domestic students.
About The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
University of Edinburgh (Universitas Academica Edinburgensis) is a historic and globally respected public research university in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, founded in 1583, making it one of the...
University Profile- Application Deadline 14 September 2026
- Start Date 2017-09-18
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
