Urban Design (MA) - 2012 entry

Course content

The course is offered as a linked PGCert/PGDip/MA. The aim of the PGCert and PGDip stages is to provide a framework of current knowledge and skills in urban design and masterplanning.

The PGCert stage of the course focuses on the basic concepts and theory of urban design, establishing a solid grounding in the practical realisation of design qualities in a case site situation.

The PGDip stage increases the emphasis placed on the application of more specific design skills in differing contexts, through projects and a more in-depth examination of design history. Theory and new research are provided through a series of history and theory lectures and seminars.

The aim of the MA stage is to provide an opportunity for developing urban design research skills through individually selected researchable topics in theoretical and practical fields of study in urban design. The MA dissertation gives students the opportunity to explore in depth a subject related to urban design, and to integrate the various elements of the course. Past topics for the MA include local identity, transport and design, public art and urban design, urban coding, environmental design, digital cities, and eco-towns.

The course is structured around nine modules.

NB As courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here.

The PGCert stage of the course consists of the following compulsory modules and is worth 60 master's-level credits:

• Urban Design Studio I is a studio project-based module in which students apply the theoretical and operational concepts of urban design to a 'live' study site. Students work in groups to produce design policy, site analysis, site proposals at appropriate scales and design rationales for the site in question. Ideas are tested through a public exhibition of work in the locality under study and through feedback from local experts. You are supported in this work by a series of tutorials with academic staff and professionals in practice.
• Urban Design Theory I is a lecture- and seminar-based module in which you are introduced to the theoretical concepts underpinning current urban design practice approaches. The module includes the history and theory of urban design, the introduction of design approaches, and urban morphology. You are made aware of how urban form is produced and consumed and of the political and economic context of development. Subsequent lectures and seminars also cover urban movement frameworks looking at competition between different users of public space, and building typologies, density and character.
• Urban Design Practice I and II are workshop-based modules that introduce you to the essential skills required by urban design professionals. The workshop content includes communication skills (design graphic production, design rationale production, techniques for carrying out consultation, personal presentation skills) using Space Syntax as a design tool, producing economic feasibility studies and using spreadsheets as a design tool, sun path analysis and techniques for group working.
• Urban Design Studio II is a studio project-based module in which you continue to apply the theoretical and operational concepts of urban design to a case study site. You work on your own to produce site proposals at appropriate scales, 3D renderings,  financial feasibility studies, sun angle analysis and individual design rationales for the site in question, based on the master plan produced in Urban Design Studio I. You are supported in this work by a series of tutorials with academic staff and professionals in practice.

The PGDip stage of the course consists of the following compulsory modules and is worth 120 master's-level credits:

• Urban Design Theory II is structured around a core compulsory lecture series and a set of optional seminars from which you choose to attend two. Following the module Urban Design Theory I, this lecture and seminar-based module presents more detailed urban design theory and method. The module covers design for the sensory experience of space, problematic building types and mixed use, density issues, regeneration, guiding, and theory and practice. You are presented with a generic and contemporary issue. Working in a group, you then refine the issue and define terms of reference and methods of working. The specific topic varies from year to year reflecting current concerns, but could include cover coding and briefing for local identity, community design involvement, designing for distinctiveness or applying good urban design in relation to modern economic practice. The methods identified in this module are carried over for application in Urban Design Issues II.
• Urban Design Issues II The issues defined and methods identified in the module Urban Design Issues I are carried over for application in this module. The specific topic covered reflects current concerns, but could include coding and briefing for local identity, community design involvement, designing for distinctiveness or applying good urban design in relation to modern economic practice. This module will normally involve an overseas and/or UK field visit. You will produce a group report that addresses the issue(s) and uses the methods identified in the module Urban Design Issues I. The group report will contain individual student inputs in the form of individual chapters or papers as part of the overall group report. You will receive both a group and an individual mark.
• Urban Design Development Seminars consists of a set of specialist topic seminars. The topics will vary, but will normally cover such subjects as coding and briefing, issues of local identity, urban landscape design, movement and mobility, and globalisation and design.

The MA stage of the course consists of the following compulsory modules:

• Research Methods in Design aims to advance your knowledge and understanding of research methods available to architects and urban designers. It presents illustrations of a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods and provides a forum for debate about research as well as giving you the opportunity to gain practical research skills. General research strategies are complemented by a focus on urban design specific techniques based on current practice. Through the use of live research within the department, your abilities to evaluate research and the role of research are developed.
• Master's Dissertation comprises a substantial piece of individual research on a topic selected by you and which is appropriate to the field of urban design, and the production of a major dissertation. Building on work carried out during the postgraduate diploma stage, this module will encourage you to develop an enhanced awareness of the importance of an independent and rigorous approach to urban design theory and practice .

Faculty

Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment

Department

Department of Planning

Course length

Full-time: MA: 12 months, PGDip: 8 months. The full-time route is delivered 2 days per week.
Part-time: MA: 24 months, PGDip: 20 months, PGCert: 8 months. The part-time route is delivered 1 day per week.

Teaching location

Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane

Start date

September 2012

UKPASS code

P008085

Entry requirements

The Joint Centre for Urban Design has around 100 students enrolled at any one time on its academic and research degrees. Over the last five years students have come each year from, on average, 22 different countries and with a wide range of backgrounds. Mid-career candidates with practice experience are encouraged to apply; but the course is open to anyone with a first degree at 2.1. However, strong candidates with a lower degree, or no degree but substantial relevant experience will be considered.

Scholarships and funding

Contact the course administrator for details, since availability and type of scholarships change from year to year.

For general sources of financial support, see:

• funding for students from the UK and EU
• funding for students from outside the EU

Why Oxford is a great place to study Urban Design (MA)

 As a student in Oxford you'll be at the heart of the UK's most successful economic region and in a centre for leading industries which provides you with a host of learning opportunities. It also means that as an urban design student you will have easy access to not only a city with great urban heritage, but will be in easy reach of London and other urban centres.

Because Oxford is one of the world's great academic cities, it is a key centre of debate, with conferences, seminars and forums taking place across education, science, the arts and many other subjects.

In addition to our own excellent libraries and resource centres, our postgraduate students have access to the world-renowned Bodleian Library, the Bodleian Law Library and the Radcliffe Science Library.

How Brookes supports postgraduate students

Supporting your learning

From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.

Personal support services

We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.

Research excellence

The results of the UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008 show that Oxford Brookes is a major player in international research in the fields of Architecture and the Built Environment and Town and Country Planning. They also show that the department, which includes the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD) as its primary research vehicle, is ranked fifth in the country in terms of 'Research Power'.