Course summary
Many of the world’s problems can only be solved by designing better cities. From protecting the green belt to minimising travel times, urban designers have a huge role to play in creating a sustainable future for our communities. Join us at Oxford Brookes to discover how. You’ll look at design at all levels, from individual building scale to master plans of entire conurbations. You’ll address the whole spectrum of urban environments, from village to megacity. And you’ll test your ideas in a challenging international project anywhere from Manhattan to Mumbai. We start by looking at housing in the UK. By Semester 2 you could be speaking to a local expert in Dubai, asking how climate change affects people there. Or analysing population data for Hong Kong, looking for ways to sustainably develop high intensity housing. Our huge range of topics enable you to develop the skills to tackle urban design challenges worldwide. We can’t promise you’ll solve every challenge but we’ll give you every opportunity to develop your creativity and understand issues from a diverse range of perspectives.
Modules
Contemporary approaches to Urban Design (30 credits) This module brings together theory and practice to support analytical development for use in problem-based learning design studios. The theoretical approaches establish a common intellectual and professional vocabulary across current socio-spatial, political, economic, environmental and ecological urban debates. Practice sessions develop skills and tools for critical analysis and design of frameworks for site assessment, morphology, graphics for communicating, as well as economic costs of development. For use in the design of public realm, practice sessions cover place-making strategies on streets to places, townscape (buildings, energy efficiency, sensory richness), and streetscape modelling. Urban Design Masterplan to Public Realm (30 credits) This design studio offers a live design site where the application of theory and practice can be tested. Skills, tools and critical analysis for designing across the range of morphological layers are covered in this module. Theory and practice are learned through application of design to produce professional quality master planning strategies. You’ll be supported in this work by a series of tutorials with academic staff and professionals in practice. International Urban Design Theories for Design and Planning (30 credits) This module equips participants with a broad understanding of the theory and practice needed for the design and planning of cities within a globalising world. Tools for critical evaluation of contemporary and future urban problems are covered in lectures on the history and theory of urbanism as well as contemporary debates and developments. This module includes; environment and climate change, technological innovations, socio-economic movements, spatial and physical shifts and innovations. Urban Design in Challenging Contexts (30 credits) This module provides a vehicle for students to engage in future-proofing their urban design and planning practice. The aim of this module is to develop students’ group and individual skills and knowledge of concepts, techniques and applications of urban design in challenging local and international contexts. The specific case studies used will vary from year to year to reflect developments in current concerns, and will include for example, dealing with high-density development, coding and briefing for local identity, community design involvement, designing for distinctiveness and applying good urban design in relation to climatic management. Research methods in Design (10 credits) This module advances students' knowledge and understanding of research methods available to urban designers, planners and architects. It engages with a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods and provides a forum for debate about research as well as giving students the opportunity to gain practical research skills. General research strategies are complemented by a focus on urban design specific research techniques based on current practice. Through employing live case study research undertaken within the School, students' abilities to evaluate research and the role of research are developed. Design Dissertation or Major Project (50 credits) In the dissertation module students develop the ability to conduct either an independent research project/thesis, or a critical evaluation of a proposed scheme related to the urban context (within the realms of design, planning and architecture).
Assessment method
Assessment combines group work and individual projects and can include:
- reports
- design posters
- videos
- oral and visual presentations.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Architects Royal Institute of British
- Town Planning Institute, Royal
How to apply
International applicants
If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 6.0 in all components. OR An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University. Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
Entry requirements
The course is open to applicants who hold a 2.1 undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related design & planning discipline. We will actively consider applications from candidates with lower degrees or an alternative subject, who can provide a suitable portfolio and/or evidence relevant work experience. Mid-career professional candidates with practice experience are also encouraged to apply.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 with at least 6.0 in each component
If English is not your first language then, please see here for our requirements and accepted alternative English language qualifications
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £10300 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £10300 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £10300 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £10300 | Year 1 |
| EU | £17150 | Year 1 |
| International | £17150 | Year 1 |
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
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
Provider information
Oxford Brookes University
Gipsy Lane
Headington
Oxford
OX3 0BP