Master of Urban Design
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 2 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$38,760 (2022 annual)
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 2 yearsLocation
Melbourne City
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.
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.
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 degree at RMIT provides you with a studio-based, multidisciplinary environment to engage these issues through project-based study.
You will learn to creatively integrate expertise from related urban disciplines into design proposals, promoting alternative modesl for future city-building. This degree 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 the degree
- 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
- 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 provides 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: Graduates from the 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).
The Graduate Diploma in Urban Design is available as an exit award of this degree. Any advanced standing you receive for the masters program is not transferrable to an exit award. If you wish to exit early with the Graduate Diploma, you must have completed all courses specified in the relevant program structure.
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
Reduced duration available
|
2 years full-time
|
MC193 | 078873F |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC193
Career
Admissions
Entry requirements
Semester 2, 2022
You must submit a selection task by 15 July 2022 comprising:
- a personal statement outlining your motivation for applying for the program (maximum 300 words).
- a digital folio - see below
Please note: Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until 15 July 2022, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
Short-listed applicants may be required to attend an interview.
Folio
Your folio should include a package of images, drawings, sketches, paintings, models, photographs, computer work, etc. of personal creative or design projects as well as concepts or ideas that lead to the final design piece. Digital folios must be formatted as an A3 or A4 size PDF document. You must collate your work into a single PDF (maximum 30 pages). You may upload your PDF (maximum 10MB) or supply a URL if it's hosted online (provide the username and password if applicable).
Semester 1, 2023
Selection task details and submission dates will be available on 1 August 2022.
You must include with your application:
- a personal statement outlining your motivation for application for the program (maximum 300 words).
- a digital folio - see below
Short-listed applicants may be required to attend an interview.
Digital folio
Your folio should include a package of images, drawings, sketches, paintings, models, photographs, computer work, etc. of personal creative or design projects as well as concepts or ideas that lead to the final design piece. Digital folios must be formatted as an A3 or A4 size PDF document.
The digital folio should be a maximum of 30 pages submitted as a single PDF and should not exceed 10MB. If your folio is hosted online, please supply a URL (provide the username and password if applicable).
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 (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- 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 English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
If you are successful at gaining entry to the program and hold a Master of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, or an accepted master equivalent; or a 5-year (professional) Bachelor of Architecture undergraduate degree, you may receive up to 1-year (96 credit points) exemption from the University for courses in the program's first year.
For more information, please see how you can apply for credit.
Fees
2022 indicative fees
Full-fee places: AU$38,760.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$315 maximum fee for 2022.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amount quoted is the indicative 2022 tuition fee per annum, and is based on a full-time study load of 102 credit points. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
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.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
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.
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 2022 is $315.
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 2022 is AU$44,880.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$91,800.
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.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.