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Urban Spatial Science MRes

London, Bloomsbury

The Urban Spatial Science MRes programme equips students with a multi-disciplinary and critical perspective on approaches to understanding, monitoring and improving global urban resilience and sustainability through the use of data and spatial analysis.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£12,700
£6,350
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
£17,200
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 31 May 2024

Applications closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024

Applications closed

Find similar courses still open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

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

The programme is composed of 45 credits of compulsory taught modules, to be taken in Term 1, followed in Term 2, by 30 credits of CASA Optional Modules and the opportunity to take 15 credits of Elective modules.

CASA Optional Modules follow three research themes: Smart Cities and Urban Policy;  Modelling and Simulation; and Data Visualisation. Core concepts applicable to all research themes provide a foundation in urban spatial science, with research themes supporting optional thematic specialisation. The programme is deliberately cross-disciplinary, drawing on staff with backgrounds in geography, planning, computer science, physics, as well as the arts and humanities.

Taught content explores the theoretical, social and scientific foundations of the modern built environment through a geo-spatial, data-oriented lens. We also cultivate a practical appreciation of the technical and methodological ‘state-of-the-art’ associated with urban analytics and data-driven decision making, including: mathematical, statistical and simulation modelling, computer programming, spatial analysis and visualisation. Importantly, these practical skills are underpinned by broad theoretical perspectives on demographics, economics, form and function, network interactions and complexity, governance and policy, planning and, crucially, urban science.

Through learning what is possible with code, about the benefits of data-informed urban analytics, and (as importantly) about the limitations of technology-led solutionism, our graduates are distinguished as being simultaneously technically-capable and critically reflective, able to look past the hype that accompanies the buzz around smart cities, urban data science and urban science.

The new Urban Spatial Science MRes replaces the previous Spatial Data Science and Visualisation MRes at CASA.

Who this course is for

We are looking for students interested in cities, environment, spatial science, visualisation and computational methods. There is no required academic background, but those students with architecture, planning or geography degrees would be suited to the programme. We welcome applicants from any stage of their career.
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The UCL Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) is one of the leading research centres in the science of cities, generating new knowledge and insights for use in city planning, policy and design, and drawing on the latest geospatial methods and ideas in computer-based visualisation and modelling.

The impacts of The Bartlett's research on the wider world have been recognised in the Research Excellence Framework 2021:

  • The Bartlett is where the UK’s most ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’ built environment research is undertaken. 
  • 91% of our research has been deemed ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’.
  • The Bartlett is number one for Research Power in the built environment.  It is the UK’s largest faculty of the built environment and REF 2021 has confirmed both our unique breadth, and excellence across this portfolio.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Students have access to departmental and UCL career events each term. The department has an active alumni network, both within the UK and internationally.

Employability

This programme provides students with the skills and knowledge base to embark on a professional or academic path through the highly interdisciplinary field of urban spatial science and the wider urban planning and policy fields (see the summary programme description and learning outcomes for specific skills).

Since its original inception in 2013, graduates have gone on to pursue a wide variety of careers in local government, urban planning, software development and academic research. This is indicative of the breadth of knowledge and opportunities afforded by our programme.

Networking

A regular series of seminars given by guest lecturers provides students with an opportunity to learn form, and network with, academics and professionals from UCL and other prestigious organisations.

Additionally, students gain access to our extensive alumni network of professionals via our careers and alumni events.

Teaching and learning

The modules on the programme are delivered through a combination of diverse teaching and learning activities in traditional and ‘flipped’ formats. Lectures feature widely, as do computer-based practical classes, tutorials alongside both student and teacher led discussion groups. Self-study is expected throughout the programme.

In addition to formal teaching, students can learn directly from experts in the built environment and spatial analysis through the weekly term time CASA seminar series.

Assessment is undertaken via a variety of means, including practical projects, group presentations, written technical coursework reports, essays, workbooks, and a final research dissertation.

Typically students will spend 35 hours per week studying - that includes attending lectures, seminars, practical sessions and self study. Each module will provide guidance on the expected division of time.

Modules

The degree consists of compulsory modules in term 1, optional/elective modules in terms 2 and 3, alongside a final dissertation in term 3.

Urban Spatial Science MRes

Compulsory Taught Modules – condonable (45 credits)

  • CASA0001 Urban Systems theory (15 credits)
  • CASA0005 Geographic Information Systems and Science (15 credits)
  • CASA0007 Quantitative Methods (15 credits)

Compulsory Research Modules – non condonable (90 credits)

  • CASA0004 Dissertation (90 credits)

CASA Optional Modules – condonable (30 credits)

  • CASA0013 Foundations of Spatial Data Science (15 credits) NB: Students with little programming experience must choose this module
  • CASA0002 Urban Simulation (15 credits)
  • CASA0003 Digital Visualisation: Group Mini Project (30 credits)
  • CASA0006 Data Science for Spatial Systems (15 credits)
  • CASA0008 Smart Cities: Context, Policy and Government (15 credits)
  • CASA0011 Agent Based Modelling for Spatial Systems (15 credits)
  • CASA0023 Remotely Sensing Cities and Environments (15 credits)
  • CASA0024 PropTech: Introduction (15 credits)
  • CASA0025 Building Spatial Applications with Big Data (15 credits)

Elective Modules - condonable (15 credits)

The Elective Module may be chosen from any of the CASA Optional Modules or from the UCL module catalogue

Students choosing from the UCL Module Catalogue should look to choose from UCL departments with suitable relevant elective modules, for example:

  • Geography; Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy;
  • Civil Environmental & Geomatic Engineering; Information Studies;
  • Computer Science;
  • Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources;
  • Bartlett School of Architecture;
  • Bartlett School of Planning

Part-time study on Urban Spatial Science MRes

For students aiming to complete the course in two years. Students are advised to make contact with the Programme Director to discuss their plans for part-time study.

Students on this mode of study should aim to follow the study pattern below:

Part-time Year One:

  • CASA0005 (15 credits)
  • CASA Optional module - CASA0013 is suggested for students with little programming experience (15 credits)
  • CASA Optional module (15 credits)

Part-time Year Two

  • CASA0001 (15 credits)
  • CASA0007 (15 credits)
  • CASA Elective module (15 credits) (this could be a module from CASA Optional Modules or from UCL Module Catalogue)
  • CASA0004 Dissertation (90 credits)

Modular/Flexible study on Urban Spatial Science MRes

• Students may take up to five years to gain 180 credits to complete the programme.

• The student registers at the start of every academic year, and chooses (via Portico) which modules to study in that academic year.

* Study Pattern: Students should discuss their study plan with the Programme Leader.

NB: Several optional modules require particular core modules to be taken first. Students without programming experience should take the optional module CASA0013 Foundations of Spatial Data Science.

• The following modules require that CASA0013 has been completed by the student, or that the student to have equivalent programming experience: CASA0002, CASA0003, CASA0011.

• CASA0006 requires CASA0007 to be taken first.

• CASA0008 requires CASA0001 to be taken first.

NB: CASA0004 is intended to be a final activity of the programme and should be left to the final year.

NB: All Modular/Flexible students MUST re-enrol every autumn until they complete their studies, regardless of whether they intend to actively study that year or not. Student registration must remain current, otherwise it will be assumed the student has left the programme.

 

 

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 MRes in Urban Spatial Science.

Placement

As part of the dissertation module students may have opportunities to collaboratively work with external organisations on dissertation projects. This usually involves meeting in the partner’s office (the academic supervisor is typically present as well), but on occasion students may be allocated a workspace.

However, this is not a requirement of any dissertation project or the module and is on a case-by-case basis.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. 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 (2024/25) £12,700 £6,350
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400 £17,200

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

A standard specification laptop is strongly advised.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

Several external funding opportunities are available to applicants of this programme, including: ESRI Geospatial Scholarship Fund and the Chevening Scholarships.

Please note in your application if you have applied for any scholarship.

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: 3 April 2024
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 2024
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,364 maintenance/yr (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Deadline: NOW CLOSED FOR 2024/25 ENTRY
Value: Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

UCL East London Scholarship

NOW CLOSED FOR 2024/25 ENTRY
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend ()
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 and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Urban Spatial Science at graduate level
  • why you want to study Urban Spatial Science at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this 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.

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.

Got questions? Get in touch

Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis
Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis

casa-teaching@ucl.ac.uk

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