Master of Urban Design
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 2 years
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Location
Melbourne city campus
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Fees
AU$33,660 (2018 annual)
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Next intake
February, July
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Entry score
IELTS 6.5
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Duration
Full-time 2 years
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Location
Melbourne city campus
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Fees
AU$36,720 (2018 annual)
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Next intake
February, July
Program brochure
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Overview
In the face of rapid urban change, cities need design. This degree advances the role of design in shaping the future of cities through innovative approaches to urban-based practice.
What will future cities look like?
Urban Design is one of the key practices confronting critical issues affecting cities, such as the impacts of climate change, population growth, shifting workplaces, and transformations in industry, technology and infrastructure.
This masters program at RMIT provides you with a studio-based, multidisciplinary environment to engage these issues through project-based study.
Focus on design
You will focus intensively on the practice of design itself, developing advanced, specialised techniques for creative and collaborative work. Projects are curated around key sites of urban change locally and globally, and engage with the professional and community networks invested in their future.
You will learn to creatively integrate expertise from related urban disciplines into design proposals, promoting alternative models for future city-building. This program is designed to nurture designers who would like to advance their career and develop innovative approaches to their practice.
Multidisciplinary approach to learning
This program emerges from a legacy of urban-based design research, teaching and practice within RMIT's School of Architecture and Design.
The program is closely connected to RMIT's world-renowned programs in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Interior and Industrial Design. The program is also integrated with postgraduate coursework in the Schools of Property, Construction and Project Management (PCPM) and Urban Planning, offering a multidisciplinary laboratory for urban design research.
Based in Melbourne, we use the Australasian region as our primary territory of study. A series of international workshops at our campuses in Vietnam and Barcelona offer a global perspective and study experience, complemented by online lectorials in urban history, morphology and practice.
Please note: This program has a selection task.
Details
Key focus of program
- The role of design in shaping cities, especially in the Australasian region
- Methods of design, research, collaboration and practice for urban-scale work
- Design responses to key drivers of urban change, such as climate, industry, technology and population
- Exploration of the role of urban design in shaping cities through unsolicited projects
- International experience and collaboration through intensive workshops in Asia, Australia and Europe
What you will study
- Speculative design proposals for urban sites through project-based work
- The innovation of tools we use to design and deliver diverse and responsive solutions for future growth of cities
- Developing innovative approaches to urban based design practice
- History and theory of Asian, European, Australian and global urbanism
- Travel to Vietnam, Melbourne and Barcelona for on-site workshops
- Coursework in Property Development (PCPM) and Urban Planning (School of Global, Urban and Social Studies)
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work. These are primarily in English.
You will have access to the Learning Hub and other online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory projects and practical assignments.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
Integrating industry expertise into the Urban Design projects is a distinguishing feature of this program. The studio projects focus on key emerging or ongoing topics and are curated in collaboration with relevant professional, community and governmental bodies such as urban developers, project managers, urban planners, council members and research partners.
Teaching staff includes practising architects, landscape architects and urban designers, with adjunct and visiting staff from local and international practices. Links across Urban Development and Urban Planning programs provide a rich multidisciplinary network.
2 years full-time
Please note: Master of Architecture or Master of Landscape Architecture (or equivalent) are eligible for advanced level entry into Year 2 of the program, completing the Master of Urban Design in 1 year full-time (or 2 years part-time).
Global intensive design studios are offered from Melbourne, Barcelona and Vietnam.
Year 1
Two design studios (one per semester) face to face once per week, with some course content delivered online. You will also undertake two additional core courses and select two elective courses.
Year 2
The program is delivered through three intensive studios, delivered in semester one, semester two and spring semester. Each studio requires a one week workshop on-site located in Vietnam, Melbourne and Barcelona respectively. Studios are delivered face to face and online. Three core courses are also taken in intensive mode with face to face and online delivery.
RMIT graduates considering undertaking this program
RMIT Master of Architecture or Master of Landscape Architecture (or equivalent) are eligible for advanced level entry into Year 2 of the program, completing the Master of Urban Design in 1 year full-time (or 2 years part-time).
Graduates with professional degrees in Architecture or Landscape Architecture from other universities may also be eligible for advanced standing of up to one full year in the Master of Urban Design.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Urban Design | City Campus |
2 years Full Time
4 years Part Time
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2 years Full Time
|
MC193 | 078873F |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC193
Career
Admissions
You must have:
- successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in architectural design, landscape architecture or an equivalent design-related discipline.
Entry requirements
You must include with your application your:
- curriculum vitae (CV) – personal details, academic achievements and professional experience (any work experience you are currently undertaking)
- digital folio – see below
Short-listed applicants may be required to attend an interview.
Folio requirements:
The digital folio should be a maximum of 30 pages submitted as a PDF and should not exceed 10MB.
The folio should include final pieces and development work in any of the following forms:
- images
- drawings
- sketches
- paintings
- models
- photographs
- computer work of personal creative/design projects.
Folio: You must submit a hard copy folio which includes: a package of images, drawings, sketches, paintings, models (only photographs of models accepted), photographs, computer work, etc. of your personal and/or professional creative work and design projects. The folio should demonstrate your interests and creative thinking as well as your conceptual, design, problem solving and technical skills. You should include evidence of how ideas were developed as well as finished works. Please submit printed material only (No CDs); no larger than A3. Please note that submitted folios will not be returned).
Curriculum vitae (CV): Please include your personal details, academic achievements and professional experience (including any work experience you are currently undertaking).
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 92 (with minimum of 20 in all sections)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Fees
The indicative annual tuition fee for full-fee places in 2018 is AU$33,660.
The 2018 fee quoted is based on a total annual load of 102 credit points.
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Fees shown above apply to 2018 only and are based on an annual full-time study load of 96 credit points unless otherwise noted. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load. Tuition fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2018 is $298.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2018 is AU$36,720.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2018 commencement is AU$76,500.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.