Architectural and Urban Design MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Year of entry: 2027

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2027

Key facts

School

Edinburgh College of Art

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme website
Study location

Central Area

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ECA Open Day

Join us for our postgraduate taught and research open day on Saturday 7 November from 10 AM - 1 PM

Reserve your spot

About the degree programme

The programme provides specialist postgraduate training in urban design for those who already hold a first degree in architecture. Design work operates between body, building, city and metropolitan scales.

Programme aims
  • Expose you to a range of approaches, strategies, research and experimentation techniques relevant to architectural, landscape and urban design.
  • Provide a rigorous framing for architectural, landscape and urban design through studies in contemporary theory.
  • Offer training in the field of analogue and digital representation, both practical applications and philosophical implications.
  • Give you an understanding of the specific capacities, possibilities and limits of design within broader urban/metropolitan processes.

Thinking about studying MSc Architectural and Urban Design at Edinburgh College of Art? Discover the programme, how you'll be taught, and hear from our students about their study experiences with us.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Additional programme costs

To fully participate in this programme you are recommended to budget a minimum of £1,200 on top of the tuition fee for the following costs:
Travel and Accommodation

There are required travel costs associated with field trips.

You will be expected to pay the cost of international travel by public transport, car, air, and the cost of accommodation for 7 to 14 nights.

Equipment and software
Most equipment and software required will be provided by the School, but you will be expected to provide some specialist equipment including a laptop, headphones, SD cards, and so on.
Materials

You will be expected to pay for general art and design materials, such as sketchbooks, paper and pens. You will be expected to pay for some specialist materials required by your course, such as card, wood, or metal.

Course organisers will support you in meeting intended learning outcomes while keeping material costs to a minimum, encouraging sustainable, responsible sourcing through Free Use Hub, but you will be expected to pay optional material costs as necessary for your own project work.

Printing
You will be expected to pay for occasional A4/A3/A2/A1 printing and booklet binding. You will also be required to print in sizes and lengths outside of the ‘A’ range, off rolls, larger than A1, frequently in long/high banner formats on different media like paper, trace and film.

Accommodation and living costs

You will need to pay for your accommodation and living costs (such as rent, food and utility bills) for the duration of your programme.

For 2026-2027, we estimate that it will cost an average of £18,504 each year (£1,542 each month) to live in Edinburgh as a postgraduate.

The exact amount you spend will depend on different factors, especially the accommodation you choose.

Living costs: estimates explained 

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2027-28 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2028-29 academic year will be published in early Oct 2027.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject, such as architecture, architectural studies, engineering, urban design or planning. 

If you do not meet the academic entry requirements you may still be considered on the basis of your portfolio and/or relevant professional experience.

You must submit a portfolio as part of your application. You can find out more about the portfolio requirements in the Applying section.

International equivalent qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test (restrictions apply)
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English (restrictions apply)
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • 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) before 21 January 2026: total 92 with 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) from 21 January 2026: total 4.5 with at least 4.5 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.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. We do not accept Oxford ELLT Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We 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

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

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)

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You are expected to work daily in the design studio. Design and production work often takes place in our range of manual and digital technical workshops. 

Tuition is delivered in the studio at least one day per week but can also take place in workshops by arrangement with tutors.

Seminar or lecture courses operate once a week followed by tutorials.

Design Project Reviews usually take place in the studio and tend to occur once in the middle of each semester and again towards the end of each semester. 

Design and research-by-design is encouraged to operate between diverse analogue and digital methods.

Drawing, making, representation, installation and publication skills are key to developing design projects.

Assessment

Written work in design and theory courses

Written work will be undertaken in various courses and especially the Design Research Project. In-course assessment and feedback procedures vary slightly from course to course. 

Submission of written work will normally be through Learn (the University's main online learning platform) but will normally also require a studio submission of a designed piece combining text and drawings.

Studio work

Assignments will have clearly stated assessment criteria that will form the basis of the marking. In common with general design education practice, the main assessment of design progress is by means of project-work (some of it conducted in groups), sometimes complemented by a short written-report. 

Assessment will always consider:

  • the extent to which you have contributed original ideas to the projects
  • the creative ability displayed
  • the depth and breadth of coursework understanding revealed
  • the extent to which the thesis (arguments and discourse) of the project has been framed
  • skills in visual, written and verbal communication of the project ideas.

Criteria for the assessment of group work vary and will sometimes be based on the overall product of a group, sometimes more on individual contribution. Assessment of project work may require you to engage with techniques of self-assessment and peer assessment.

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Our academic staff

The strength of ESALA’s educational portfolio draws on the research expertise and specialisms of our staff, which includes:

  • architects
  • landscape architects
  • interior and spatial designers
  • artists
  • engineers
  • computer scientists
  • historians
  • geographers
  • philosophers
  • cultural theorists

Learn more about our teaching staff on ECA's People Directory

Where you will study

Study location

You will be taught at our base in the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture located in our central campus at Chambers Street. 

You will have access to the facilities in this building including our subject library and computer lab and workshops.

ECA are excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston Campus over the next 3 years, due to finish in April 2027.

The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.

The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston Campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.

You can find more about the project at the below link:

Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston Campus: Edinburgh College of Art

Academic facilities

As a studio that operates through diverse research-by-design methodologies, you are encouraged to take advantage of ECA’s extensive range of manual and digital workshops, technical facilities and materials.

They are available across different campuses from the Woodworking, Metalwork and CNC cutting in the Maltings Workshop in Chambers Street to Photography, Glass and Immersive Technology practices in the Lauriston Place campus.

Career opportunities

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

The skills and learning you gain will help you pursue a career at a higher level, branch out into a particular specialism or prepare for further postgraduate education.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Graduate profiles

Nada Abu Daqer

Degree: MSc Architectural and Urban Design

Year of graduation: 2025

Current work: Architect

I felt happy to have completed the degree, but also sad to be leaving a place where making is celebrated. Parting ways with the city was challenging. I have always wanted to continue my career in design, architecture, and urbanism. Prior to joining ECA, I practiced at a local firm, working on high-end mid-rise towers and residences. Currently, I am part of a real estate company involved in developing a 9,000 square metre plot into an office park. I have always enjoyed the range of scales architecture allows us to engage with, from furniture to the city. I wanted to deepen my understanding of working at the largest scale, without losing the connection urbanism has to the microscale. ECA helped me explore all those scales, in complex, nuanced and theory-based ways.

Nada Abu Daqer

Zhipeng Han

Degree: MSc Architectural and Urban Design

Year of graduation: 2022

Current work: Architect

When I left the ECA, I planned to seek a career in the UK architecture and urban design sector to gain more practical experience and gradually develop my area of expertise. I have successfully worked for a leading architectural practice in London and have been involved in several significant projects including high-profile residential, and commercial public buildings and urban design projects in which I have played a key role. My career has developed beyond initial expectations and after graduating I also entered the YAC Architectural Design Competition and the Museum of Modern Art Competition, both of which were well received and resulted in some achievements of which I am very proud.

Zhipeng Han

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Programme start date Application deadline
13 September 2027 2 August 2027

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have sufficient time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand. 

For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts. 

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete. 

We aim to issue decisions within 6-8 weeks of receiving your completed application. During peak times it may take us slightly longer to issue your decision but please be assured we will confirm a decision as soon as we can.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

Portfolio

You need to submit a digital portfolio as part of your application.

You should start planning your portfolio as soon as you decide to apply.

If you do not submit your portfolio, your application will be unsuccessful.

Portfolio format
  • 1 PDF containing up to 15 pages.
  • The file should be a maximum of 50MB (any resolution).
  • Each page of your PDF can contain multiple images and text.
What to include 
  • Your best and most recent work, including representative examples from formal study, practice, and/or self-initiated projects.
  • A variety of work across:
    • kind (architectural design, speculative projects, art, built, research)
    • scale (furniture, buildings, urban design, regional studies) 
    • media (freehand drawings, technical drawings, computer drawings, models, sculptures, live performances, paintings, installations, video)
  • Include sketches, studies and working drawings; if possible, include examples from your design sketchbooks and notebooks, as notes and sketches are important for demonstrating your capacity to investigate and explore in the medium of design.
  • Date all work and present it in a consistent way - thematically, by project and/or chronologically; include your name and UUN on the front of the portfolio.
  • Represent three-dimensional models, video, performance, or installation work in good quality photographs; translate three-dimensional and temporal work onto the page as best you can.
  • If you have had a longer period in practice or a diverse educational/professional background, include work that would best show the wider scope and development of your career.
Uploading your portfolio

A few days after submitting your application, you will receive an email asking you to upload your portfolio. This email will contain details of how and where to upload your portfolio.

The application portal's capacity limit is 4MB per document. If your portfolio is larger than this, please follow these steps:

  1. Upload the portfolio to an online sharing website (for example, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive).
  2. Copy and paste the link into a Word Document. Ensure the link is not password protected.
  3. Upload the Word document containing the portfolio link to your application.

All portfolios must be uploaded as a single file in the Applicant Hub. Do not provide multiple separate portfolio files.

We do not accept password protected files or links, nor platforms that require an account to access the document.

Once the application is complete and is under consideration, you can no longer make changes to the portfolio or provide a new version.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

What is it really like to study here? Our students share their experiences on our social media. 

You can find out what a day in the life is like for an Edinburgh College of Art Student, from late nights in the library to their favourite walks around the city! 

Instagram: Edinburgh College of Art

Our community

At Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) we bring together creative practices that shape the world around us.

We deliver innovative teaching, research and public engagement in an inclusive and sustainable environment with outstanding services and facilities to support your ambitions.  

With degrees in Art, History of Art, Music, Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and Design, you’ll be joining a diverse community of artists, art historians, designers, academics, researchers, architects, landscape architects and musicians.  

ECA is a rich, textured, and inclusive learning environment. Diverse practices co-exist as the embodiments of an individual and collective pursuit of knowledge, for the betterment of humankind and our planet.   

Our approach is explicitly inclusive, future facing and interdisciplinary, embracing of bold innovation and continuous enhancement.  

Find out more about the Edinburgh College of Art community

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Our vibrant capital is a blend of culture, history, nature and modern city life. A fantastic place to live, it is also the perfect location to study architectural and urban design. 

Edinburgh’s dynamic cultural scene boasts the largest collection of historic buildings, museums, art galleries and theatres of any city in Scotland. 

The University of Edinburgh’s museums and galleries include: 

  • the Talbot Rice Gallery
  • the Centre for Research Collections
  • St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room and Music Museum 

Edinburgh is home to several major annual festivals, each bringing talent from around the world to our streets and stages, making the celebration of diversity an intrinsic part of the city’s culture. These include the: 

  • Festival Fringe
  • Film Festival
  • Art Festival
  • Book Festival
  • Jazz and Blues Festival 

Some of our students even participate in our annual festivals.

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply.

Contact us

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