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Design for Manufacture MArch

London, Bloomsbury and London, Hackney Wick (Here East)

This programme prepares a new professional workforce of highly-skilled, creative and adaptable experts, with tacit and explicit knowledge in design, engineering, material behaviour, analogue and digital craft and advanced systems operations.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£18,400
£9,200
Full-time: Published fee is for the whole programme and must be paid in Year 1. No fees are charged in Year 2..
Part-time: Published fee is for half the programme and must be paid in Year 1. The other half must be paid in Year 2. No fees are charged in Year 3.
Note: SLC instalments and UCL fee payment deadlines do not align. You will therefore have a shortfall in your fees to UCL. You will need to personally fund any shortfall until the remainder of your loan is paid to you by SLC.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
£18,250
Full-time: Published fee is for the whole programme and must be paid in Year 1. No fees are charged in Year 2..
Part-time: Published fee is for half the programme and must be paid in Year 1. The other half must be paid in Year 2. No fees are charged in Year 3.
Note: SLC instalments and UCL fee payment deadlines do not align. You will therefore have a shortfall in your fees to UCL. You will need to personally fund any shortfall until the remainder of your loan is paid to you by SLC.
Duration
4 terms
30 months
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 04 Apr 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class UK degree in an appropriate subject or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants with extensive experience in the field may also be considered. A design/creative portfolio is also expected. Applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio of their design work once their completed application has been received, and should not send or upload work until it has been requested.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


There is an abundance of advanced design and engineering tools in the UK that an elite workforce develops and deploys to export their expertise worldwide. Yet there is currently a shortage of skilled workers at the point of production tasked with delivering increasingly sophisticated and challenging projects by clients, in line with rising expectations of quality and regulation. 

This unique master’s course will expose students to new forms of advanced design and engineering methods – such as robotics and 3D scanning – that are currently reinventing core approaches to shaping, making and refitting the built and manufactured environment. Working in state-of-the-art facilities at Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, students develop their own practice with multi-disciplinary academics, designers and practitioners.

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for students who have a strong portfolio of design and/or fabrication work and wish to develop careers in design for manufacturing in the architecture, engineering and construction fields. It is also suitable for those from other disciplines involving design and making.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme is taught by The Bartlett School of Architecture, a world-renowned architecture school for innovation and creativity, at UCL at Here East in state-of-the-art fabrication facilities. 

Students have access to large-volume space for 1:1 prototyping at Here East in close proximity to complimentary disciplines and expertise in civil engineering, computer science, architectural computation, environmental design and performance design.  

Students have the opportunity to develop, learn and innovate with advanced manufacturing processes guided by expert tutors, including robotics for fabrication and assembly, 3D printing, CNC milling, water jet, 3D scanning and laser cutting. 

Collaborative research, learning and working is central to the programme. Within this context, students work in design clusters of 15 to 20, led by two tutors who will define a distinct but constantly evolving territory of research.  

The Bartlett School of Architecture helps students to prepare for successful careers in a range of fields. We aim to be an exciting and innovative place to study architecture, located in the heart of London with global perspectives. Our students have the opportunity to develop their creativity, curiosity and dynamism, and learn the skills they need to build a better future for people and the planet. Our school is consistently ranked highly in UK and global league tables, and our staff are at the forefront of international research and teaching with award-winning buildings all over the globe. 

The Bartlett is one of the UK's largest multidisciplinary faculties of the Built Environment. Our work is all about human spaces. That means physical structures like homes, buildings and cities, but also the invisible structures that govern these things: political and legal systems; financial frameworks and social norms; even our understanding of the past, present and future. Combining design, history, theory, digital representations and models across all of these areas, we understand the structures shaping society today – and we work to make them fairer and more prosperous. 

The Bartlett is ranked #1 in the world for Architecture and the Built Environment for the second year in a row in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2024, and #1 in the UK for Architecture in The Guardian University Guide 2025. In addition to this, 91% of its research has been deemed ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’ in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

Find out more about the benefits of studying at The Bartlett School of Architecture.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

The combination of networks, knowledge and technical expertise makes graduates of The Bartlett some of the most sought after in the world. Graduates of this programme will leave with the skills and expertise relevant to a rapidly expanding and evolving sector in industry.

93.3% of Bartlett School of Architecture graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2017-21).

Top industry sectors for Bartlett School of Architecture graduates in work are construction, built environment and property (68% of graduates); performance and creative arts (7%); academic research and higher education (6%) and technology (6%).

Bartlett School of Architecture graduates are working in 52 countries around the world.

Employability

Graduates are likely to progress to further study and teaching, or roles in design and the built environment with some of the world's leading architecture, engineering and construction companies.

Networking

The Bartlett School of Architecture hosts numerous events throughout the year that feature industry guests and networking opportunities. These include lecture series, seminars, conferences, symposiums, book launches, and show launch events. The school also hosts a Future Practice event each year that links students with employers. 

Additionally, there are a broad range of university-wide career events to help current students and recent graduates develop their employability skills, explore different sectors, increase commercial awareness, build professional networks and more.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through design and fabrication tutorials, skills workshops, seminars, lectures, site visits, group working and an (optional) field trip. 

Assessment is via design and skills portfolios, written coursework submissions and verbal presentations.

In terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect around 16 contact hours per teaching week through lectures, workshops and tutorials. In terms 3 and 4 (Summer term included), students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

Outside of lectures full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed work and completing their thesis and portfolios.

Modules

The programme consists of theory and preparatory modules (30 credits), a skills module (30 credits), and two design thesis projects and a design thesis dissertation (120 credits). 

In Term 1, groups will develop initial projects that provide the basis of learning and assessment in skills as well as preliminary contextual theory. In Term 2, individual and group research questions are agreed with each student for development in terms 2, 3 & 4, culminating in an exhibition. In Terms 3 and 4 you will work on your design thesis report and work in groups with your specialist design tutor to prepare a final design portfolio.

Part-time students must complete 180 credits over two years. Students should select half taught modules in year one and half in year two plus the final project module. 

Modular/flexible students can choose any modules per year as long as they complete 180 credits within 5 years. Students will select the introductory taught modules first before taking the design thesis or final design project modules.

Compulsory modules








Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MArch in Design for Manufacture.

Fieldwork

The programme includes an optional field trip.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Architecture March at The Bartlett School of Architecture

—

Discover master’s degrees in architecture, urban design, planning, construction, sustainability, innovation, and policy at The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment. Our programmes offer pathways to shape better cities, build sustainable communities, and address challenges facing the future of the built environment. Join over 4,000 students from 50+ countries at the world’s #1 ranked institution for built environment studies (QS World University Rankings 2024).

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Architecture March at The Bartlett School of Architecture

—

Discover master’s degrees in architecture, urban design, planning, construction, sustainability, innovation, and policy at The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment. Our programmes offer pathways to shape better cities, build sustainable communities, and address challenges facing the future of the built environment. Join over 4,000 students from 50+ countries at the world’s #1 ranked institution for built environment studies (QS World University Rankings 2024).

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Master's Degrees at The Bartlett Development Planning Unit (Session 1)

—

Discover master’s degrees in architecture, urban design, planning, construction, sustainability, innovation, and policy at The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment. Our programmes offer pathways to shape better cities, build sustainable communities, and address challenges facing the future of the built environment. Join over 4,000 students from 50+ countries at the world’s #1 ranked institution for built environment studies (QS World University Rankings 2024).

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £18,400 £9,200
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500 £18,250

Full-time: Published fee is for the whole programme and must be paid in Year 1. No fees are charged in Year 2..
Part-time: Published fee is for half the programme and must be paid in Year 1. The other half must be paid in Year 2. No fees are charged in Year 3.
Note: SLC instalments and UCL fee payment deadlines do not align. You will therefore have a shortfall in your fees to UCL. You will need to personally fund any shortfall until the remainder of your loan is paid to you by SLC.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

The optional field trip costs students a maximum of £500 each. We estimate that students spend between £400-£800 on specialist materials throughout the programme.

All students work differently so costs incurred depend on the approach they take to the brief given. The school encourages students to use recycled materials in their models and presentations', not only is it sustainable, but also cost effective and potentially innovative. The school also offers subsidies for exhibition costs. 

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

UCL offers a range of financial awards aimed at assisting both prospective and current students with their studies.

Any additional funding available from The Bartlett School of Architecture and the Built Environment Faculty Office are advertised on the respective websites.

In our faculty, The Bartlett Promise Scholarship aims to enable students from backgrounds underrepresented in the built environment to pursue master's studies. Please see the UK Master's scholarship and Sub-Saharan Africa Master's scholarship pages for more information on eligibility criteria, selection process and FAQs.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Masters Scholarship

Deadline: 28 March 2025
Value: Fees, stipend and other allowances (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Bartlett Promise UK Master's Scholarship

Deadline: 31 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,864 maintenance/yr (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Design for Manufacture at graduate level
  • why you want to study Design for Manufacture at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Tier 4 Student Visa holders are advised to meet the English language proficiency of their offer no later than the end of June, in order to allow sufficient time to obtain a CAS number and visa.

To accept your offer, you must pay the non-refundable fee deposit within 4 weeks and decline any other offers for programmes at the Bartlett School of Architecture. If you do not respond within 3 weeks, your offer will be withdrawn.

All applicants are asked to present a portfolio of design work, and will be contacted regarding this once the application has been received by the department. The nature of the applicant's portfolio will depend on their first degree or prior experience. No specific skills are required but a design and/or making capability must be demonstrated.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Bartlett School of Architecture
Bartlett School of Architecture

p.scully@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.