Skip navigation
Urban Strategies and Design at Heriot-Watt University - UCAS

Heriot-Watt University

Degree level: Postgraduate
Awarded by: The University of Edinburgh

Urban Strategies and Design (Taught)

Course options

2025 - 2026
Apply

Course summary

MSc Urban Strategies and Design will develop your consideration of strategies and engagement with urban spaces from a contemporary, socio-political, and economic context, with an emphasis on design. The programme is delivered jointly by Heriot-Watt University and the Edinburgh College of Art at the University of Edinburgh allowing you to benefit from teaching, research, and policy liaison expertise offered by two major institutions. Applications are processed by the University of Edinburgh and details on how to apply can be found on the University of Edinburgh’s programme page. The programme is open to graduates from a range of disciplines, including geography, architecture, urban planning, and economics. You’ll experience a comprehensive teaching approach towards the delivery of socially sustainable urban transformations. You’ll study a wide and diverse range of social, economic, and political processes that determine the contemporary urban environment, and acquire the tools and skills to propose urban projects of diverse scales and specificities. This career-focused master’s programme will be of interest to you if you wish to pursue a career in urban design and development planning or other allied professions, and opportunities exist locally and internationally, in the formal, public and private voluntary, and international development sectors. As a graduate you’ll be able to:

  • comprehend the multi-disciplinary nature of urban strategy and design
  • have insight into the role of the built environment and other disciplines in the establishment of effective urban strategies and design
  • gain knowledge of the social, economic, and legislative forces that drive contemporary urban agendas
  • acquire expertise in the intelligent use of quantitative and qualitative data in formulating strategic urban interventions
  • appreciate the contribution of imaginative and intelligent building proposals that respond proactively to sustainable agendas in urban design
Your learning environment The MSc Urban Strategies and Design programme is taught though a combination of lectures, projects, and fieldwork at Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh. Learning is interactive, hands on and practical, combining analytical and project components. The city of Edinburgh offers an active urban laboratory for project and site visit exploration of current urban design issues. You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your research dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme. The dissertation assesses higher level research skills, critical thinking and writing capabilities. Outside of the classroom, you can get involved with the Heriot-Watt Student Union and there are lots of ways to do so including participating in student groups, becoming a student representative or a school officer, and joining student societies. Societies provide a great opportunity to meet likeminded people, get involved in regular social and networking events, and gain insights into career prospects. Customise your learning The programme comprises of two taught semesters and a supervised research dissertation. Semester one is taught at Heriot-Watt University and Semester two is taught at the University of Edinburgh. You’ll undertake an extensive and specialised investigation through your research dissertation on a topical issue, supervised by academic staff with relevant expertise at either Heriot-Watt University or the University of Edinburgh. You’ll be required to demonstrate your advanced understanding of the discipline in which the dissertation topic is located through effective formulation of a hypothesis, and the planning and execution of appropriate research to address the problem. You’ll do this effectively within the resources and time available thus increasing your analytical and organisational skills.

Modules

Year 1 Mandatory September -Spatial Planning -Strategic Spatial Vision Project -Urban Design Theory -Urban Design for Health and Wellbeing Mandatory January -Urban Project Optional January -Urban Project A -Urban Project B -College of Humanities and Social Science Option Mandatory May -USD Dissertation

Assessment method

You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your research dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme. The dissertation assesses higher level research skills, critical thinking and writing capabilities.

Entry requirements

Applications to this programme are managed by the University of Edinburgh. English language requirements If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5. If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Sponsorship information

There is a scholarship opportunity for this course open to students who (1) qualify for UK Home Fees, and (2) are domiciled or working in the South-East of Scotland, more specifically the councils areas of East Lothian, Mid Lothian, West Lothian, City of Edinburgh, Fife and Scottish Borders at least during their studies. Please visit the University of Edinburgh website to find out more. Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

Urban Strategies and Design at Heriot-Watt University - UCAS