Overview

The MSc Advanced Architectural Studies (AAS), which began in 1974, provides a stimulating programme focused on the research and analysis of buildings and cities as patterns of space inhabited by individuals, communities and organisations. Instead of confining architecture to the role of designing iconic buildings - and the city to economic development and policy - leaving the question of the public realm unanswered, the MSc AAS course takes a conjoint theoretical and analytical approach to architecture, urban design and planning in the service of constructing a better-built environment for society.

Students following the course can expect to:

• develop an in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of the built environment and its functions considered as spatial, physical and human systems
• acquire a high level of skill in research and analysis of the built environment and its role in support of better and more humane design
• receive training in space syntax methodology
• communicate this through clarity of argument and written expression
• acquire and demonstrate operational skills in managing their intellectual advancement
• set attainable goals and exercise imagination and creativity in the pursuit of an understanding of their field through the capacity for hard work, both as individuals and members of a research team.

The course maintains a relevance to the contemporary world's challenges of inter-disciplinary knowledge, sustainable urbanism, social inclusion and exclusion, informal settlements, architecture and computing, spatial cognition and the physical and immaterial dimensions of social networks. Students are encouraged to develop a user-centred approach to design innovation.

The MSc AAS attracts students with a background in architecture and urban design, as well as graduates of other disciplines such as art history, history, planning, geography, anthropology, mathematics, computer science and engineering who wish to develop a specialist knowledge of architecture and the city.

Programme Objectives

The MSc AAS cultivates a unique mission for students from around the world and from all the disciplines of the built environment: to mediate between the desire of architects and urban designers to produce high quality designs, and the imperative of architecture to provide a better place for society.

Central to the curriculum is a powerful approach called 'space syntax', a theory and a method that studies buildings, cities and open spaces in relation to use patterns and cultural meaning. Space syntax augments design intuition, informs the design team, and engages constructively in the design process by contributing theoretical and analytical knowledge about spatial, formal, social, functional and aesthetic considerations. It provides an established methodology that can be used to explore different scales of architectural space - from the smallest domestic setting to whole urban regions - and the relationship between them.

More than training students on how to produce remarkable designs or a certain kind of architecture, the course invites them to think differently and redefine the role of the designer in a constantly changing society.

The theoretical-methodological curriculum in the course has developed over more than 35 years, and is continuously revised to respond and influence recent developments in social and architectural theory, research and practice. The programme is closely linked to the Bartlett's SPACE Group, a research group which was rated first in the UK in the last national Research Assessment Exercise (2008). 

Contact details:
Teaching Programme Manager, send an email

Structure

The MSc AAS programme is primarily theoretical and analytically focused. It is taught through lectures, seminars, site visits and hands-on methodology workshops. Students are encouraged to use the curriculum to develop their theoretical knowledge and analytical skills and deploy these in pursuit of their own research interests. They are trained in using state-of-the art computer programmes for mapping, analysing and evaluating design choices as well as methodologies for capturing patterns of use and social performance.

MSc Advanced Architectural Studies students must complete and pass 180 credits, made up of 120 credits of approved taught modules, and 60 credits of the MSc AAS Dissertation. At present all 120 credits of approved taught modules must be selected from the core course curriculum.

Compulsory Modules

BENVGAAD Design as a Knowledge-Based Process
Module tutor: Dr Sam Griffiths, Sean Hanna
Credits: 15
Assessment: coursework - debate and report
Term 1

BENVGAAE Building, Organisations and Networks
Credits: 15
Assessment: coursework - blog diary
Term 1

BENVGAAJ Adaptable Cities
Module tutor: Professor Laura Vaughan
Credits: 15
Assessment: coursework - take-home exam
Term 1

BENVGAAF Principles of Analytical Design
Module tutor: Dr Kayvan Karimi
Credits: 30
Assessment: coursework - group project and individual project
Terms 1 and 2

BENVGAAG Spatial Cultures
Module tutor: Dr Sam Griffiths
Credits: 15
Assessment: unseen written examination
Term 2

BENVGAAI Architectural Phenomena
Module tutor: Dr Sophia Psarra
Credits: 15
Assessment: coursework - class-based exercises and poster
Term 2

BENVGAAH Spatial Justice
Module tutor: Professor Laura Vaughan
Credits: 15
Assessment: take-home exam
Term 2

Report

BENVGAAK MSc Dissertation (Advanced Architectural Studies)
Tutor: Dr Sam Griffiths
Credits: 60
Assessment: dissertation
Term 3 and summer vacation

Content

The MSc Advanced Architectural Studies provides a comprehensive curriculum in the research and analysis of the built environment. This includes research aimed at identifying architectural solutions as well as more traditional modes of academic research. The modules combine a range of teaching and assessment techniques with a focus on project work during the term times. The final report (dissertation) provides students with an opportunity to conduct their own original research into a specific subject of their own choosing.

BENVGAAD Design as a Knowledge-Based Process introduces theories of design as a knowledge-based or evidence-based process and provides a range of concepts that suggest how the nature of design may itself become the object of research. The course explores contrasting perspectives in architecture, theories of scientific knowledge, linguistics, social theory and theories of technology via student debate on issues of design practice, the nature of collaboration, machine intelligence and creativity. The module is intended to get students reflecting on what they do as practitioners by asking them to consider design as a knowledge domain with a particular knowledge base - rather than simply in terms of a tacit community of practice.

BENVGAAE Building, Organisations and Networks establishes a distinctive theoretical framework for the research and analysis of the relationship between architectural morphology, organisations and social networks in complex buildings such as hospitals, offices and laboratories. This framework is brought to bear on the consideration of a range of contemporary, historical and cross-cultural case studies that explore themes such as emergent organisational behaviours, innovation and sustainability. An important component of the module is a programme of London-based site visits which provides students with a range of examples to encourage them to reflect on the theoretical arguments and themes presented in the seminars.

BENVGAAF Principles of Analytical Design provides a well-defined methodology for the description and analysis of form-function relations in architecture at all scales from the individual dwelling to the urban region. It introduces 'space syntax' research methods aimed at investigating spatial morphology and its social implications by a practical, hands-on programme of lectures and workshops. A series of lectures based on case-study examples will show how these methods have been deployed in architectural practice. The curriculum combines grounded qualitative methods with quantitative descriptive methods of spatial and configurational analysis and observation. Research methods from allied disciplines, such as geographic information systems (GIS), social anthropology and sociology are also introduced.

BENVGAAG Spatial Cultures introduces a series of important concepts intended to provide students with the theoretical basis for researching the relationship between space and society - with an emphasis on the urban scale. It draws on theoretical perspectives from a range of disciplinary domains and explains the contribution each has to make. The module investigates the theoretical possibility of developing a distinctive spatial ontology of society through a range of case studies of different spatial cultures.

BENVGAAH Spatial Justice examines the interface between urban form and social outcomes. To explore these issues, the module offers an overview of the key factors in social exclusion and presents research into the relationship between urban design and crime, poverty, health and other issues of 'disurban' space.

BENVGAAI Architectural Phenomena addresses theoretical ideas in buildings and cities related to the experiential, social, political and economic dimensions of architecture and architectural design. It is organised around a series of themes such as 'space', 'form', 'function', 'cognition', 'perception', 'consumption', 'power', 'narrative' and 'cultural meaning' developed from a range of contrasting or complementary theoretical perspectives, historical and contemporary examples, live research and design projects. Supported by a programme of site visits, the module links evidence-based approaches such as space syntax with architectural theory, design intuition and design logic. More than addressing what constitutes successful designs, the module engages students in thinking how to redefine the discourse of architecture and urban design.

BENVGAAJ Adaptable Cities explores the evolution of urban concepts, layouts and theories at all urban scales, from neighbourhood layouts to the organisation of entire towns and cities. It considers the ideas of sustainability as adaptability in the face of changing socio-economic and environmental conditions. Drawing on both the sociological literature of urban design and a range of real projects, it compares and contrasts the key morphological features of towns and cities in different parts of the world and relates this to the underlying cultures and functioning of cities.

BENVGAAK MSc Dissertation equips students to plan and conduct a research topic of their choosing. Students following the MSc AAS are required to submit a 10,000 word dissertation on a subject agreed with the course director and assigned tutor. Dissertations are produced between March and September and will be supervised by the most appropriate member of staff for the topic in question.

Staff

MSc AAS staff are actively involved in academic and applied research, as well as the application of research to design through consultancy projects with architectural and urban design practitioners from the UK and overseas. As experienced teachers, these staff also lead seminars, give lectures, offer one-to-one tutorials and generally engage directly with the students on the programme.

Staff teaching on the programme currently include:

Dr Sam Griffiths – Lecturer and Course Director
Module Leader: Spatial Cultures, Design as a Knowledge Based Process, MSc AAS Dissertation
View Sam’s profile

Professor Laura Vaughan
Module Leader: Adaptable Cities, Spatial Justice
View Laura’s profile

Dr Sophia Psarra – Reader
Module Leader: Architectural Phenomena
View Sophia’s profile

Dr Kayvan Karimi – Senior Lecturer
Module Leader: Principles of Analytical Design
View Kayvan’s profile

Dr Kerstin Sailer – Lecturer
Module Leader: Buildings, Organisations and Networks
View Kerstin’s profile

Kinda Al-Sayed – Teaching Fellow
Module Tutor: Principles of Analytical Design, Design as a Knowledge Based Process
View Kinda’s profile

Additional staff who regularly teach on modules

Sean Hanna – Lecturer
Module Leader: Design as a Knowledge Based Process,
View Sean’s profile

Professor Bill Hillier
Modules: Introduction to MSc AAS, various MSc AAS modules
View Bill’s profile

Professor Alan Penn – Faculty Dean
Modules: various MSc AAS modules
View Alan’s profile

Occasional teaching staff

Professor Phillip Steadman, Ros Diamond, Professor Lars Marcus, Dr Daniel Koch, Mr Tim Stonor, Professor Muki Haklay

The MSc Advanced Architectural Studies programme is also able to draw on the expertise of a wide range of other academics and guest lecturers who give occasional talks and advice on student work.

Students also benefit from expert guidance and support from BSGS postgraduate research students, many of whom have substantial teaching and/or professional experience.

External examiners for the programme have similarly been drawn from a variety of renowned institutions, architectural practices and individuals. In recent years these have included Sue McGlynn and Sarah Chaplin.

MSc AAS staff are actively involved in academic and applied research, as well as the application of research to design through consultancy projects with architectural and urban design practitioners from the UK and overseas. As experienced teachers, these staff also lead seminars, give lectures, offer one-to-one tutorials and generally engage directly with the students on the MSc Advanced Architectural Studies.

Applying

Please click through to the UCL graduate prospectus page for this course, from where you can find information on application fees, eligibility, tuition fees, scholarships, and then complete the online application process.

Applicants should also review the faculty specific admissions information and the FAQ on admissions.

Opportunities

The international reputation of the MSc AAS at the Bartlett School of Graduate Studies is reflected in the wide range of nationalities of its student cohort. The course offers knowledge and skills that can enable students to develop successful careers in a wide range of fields from architecture, urban design and planning, to journalism, public policy, management and consultancy. For those wishing to pursue an academic career it provides a foundation for a PhD degree and for research into the theory and analysis of architecture and urbanism.

Over the past decade members of the Space Group, Space Syntax Ltd (a UCL spin-off practice), and AAS students have worked on major projects with some of the world's leading architects including Terry Farrell, Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid, Rick Mather and Richard Rogers, as well as a number of internationally acclaimed academics.

The course's success is measured by a large number of AAS graduates forming an international community and an open-ended laboratory that debate regularly in the biennial space syntax symposia, events and international workshops.