Master of Urban Design

Course 314-AB (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus: 2008
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate

Contact

Senior Student Advisor

Melbourne School of Design
Tel: (+61 3) 8344 6417 / 9862

Fax:(+61 3) 8344 5532
Email: abp-graduateschool@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview: The graduate courses in urban design at the University of Melbourne help develop professionals who are capable of seeing the city from multiple viewpoints and who relish working with interdisciplinary teams. The Postgraduate Diploma equips students with the skills necessary to undertake design research and to learn about urban history, theory and communications. Successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma can lead to admission to the Master of Urban Design, a studio based course in which students gain expert knowledge, enabling them to forge a career in urban design or a related field.

The strengths of both these courses are the people involved and the atmosphere they create. People who make urban design at the University of Melbourne what it is are the staff and students. Our core group of staff brings together experience and active involvement in current urban design research, design research and education. A broader teaching team with expertise in landscape architecture and urban planning adds diversity and richness. Urban design students contribute their own experiences, energy, new themes and aspirations and add to a multicultural complexity that make our courses special.

Our urban design courses encourage interaction and an appreciation of creativity and difference which creates an atmosphere of collegiality and common endeavour.

Course specialities
The key quality of the urban design programs, and particularly the Master of Urban Design, are their combined strength of urban design theory and three design studios. Studio projects are always approached as design-research exercises, where innovation and discovery represent a major part of the educational experience. Studios emphasise the importance of place and fieldwork represents a significant component of studio work. Professional and wider community involvement is a regular part of the Master of Urban Design studio experience.

Objectives:

The course aims to develop skills in urban design-related topics and to fill in gaps in student's knowledge and skill-base, such as design or theory, to enable them to enter the Master of Urban Design if they wish.

The course aims to:
  • provide a postgraduate level education in urban design which meets the fundamental market expectations in urban design practice;
  • provide students with skills in urban design and related areas;
  • serve an integrating role between the disciplines of the Faculty, building cross-disciplinary strength and teaching efficiency; and
  • lead to further academic studies.
Course Structure & Available Subjects: Students in the Master of Urban Design will be required to complete a number of core subjects and elective subjects. Electives should be selected in consultation with a course adviser from the offerings available in the Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning postgraduate programs. Students should select subjects from outside of their current field of practice, for example, architects should choose subjects from the Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning areas whilst planners should choose subjects from Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

Details on the programs may be viewed at the following course descriptions:

  • Master of Architecture
  • Master of Landscape Architecture
  • Master of Urban Planning

Cores subjects and a selection of suitable elective subjects are listed below:

Subject Options:

Master of Urban Design (100 points)

Core Subjects
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Students are required to undertake a 25 credit point research project. If they commence the project in semester 1, they should take 705668 Masters Research Project. If they commence the project in semester 2, they should enrol in 705661 in semester 2 and semester 1 of the following year. It is recommended that the student is enrolled in the project from semester 1.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
OR
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
25

Plus an approved elective (12.5 points) chosen from Level 6 subjects.

Master of Urban Design (150 points)

Core Subjects
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
25
Students are required to undertake a 25 credit point research project. If they commence the project in semester 1, they should take 705668 Masters Research Project. If they commence the project in semester 2, they should enrol in 705661 in semester 2 and semester 1 of the following year. It is recommended that the student is enrolled in the project from semester 1.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
OR
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
25
Plus three approved electives (37.5 points). Recommended Electives

A selection of suitable subjects are listed below. Some electives may only be offered in alternate years.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50
Entry Requirements: Master of Urban Design (100 points)

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to successfully pursue the course using the following criteria:

  • a four-year undergraduate degree in architecture, landscape architecture or urban planning with a weighted average of at least H2A (70%) in the final year, or equivalent, and an exceptional design background; or
  • a Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Design with a weighted average of at least H2A (70%), or equivalent, and an exceptional design background.

2. Applicants are required to provide a portfolio of work (see Special Application Requirements below), referee reports and employer references (as appropriate) so that the Selection Committee can assess the applicant's design skills and elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Master of Urban Design (150 points)

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to successfully pursue the course using the following criteria:

  • a four-year undergraduate degree in architecture, landscape architecture or urban planning with a weighted average of at least H2A (70%) in the final year, or equivalent, or
  • a three-year undergraduate degree and a one-year postgraduate diploma in a relevant discipline with weighted average of at least H2A (70%), or
  • a Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Design with a weighted average of at least H2A (70%), or equivalent.

2. Applicants are required to provide a portfolio of work (see Special Application Requirements below), referee reports and employer references (as appropriate) so that the Selection Committee can assess the applicant's design skills and elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Special Application Requirements
Universities have different ways of grading and different expectations of their students. Because of this, we require applicants to submit the following material which will be considered in addition to academic results: - a portfolio of recent design work. The portfolio must be presented in hard copy, not on disk. Eight to ten A4 or A3 clear and legible photocopies are sufficient. Where design work has been produced with other people, state your role in the production of the design.

Application Due Dates

  • 30 November for commencement in Semester 1 (March)
  • 31 May for commencement in Semester 2 (July)
  • International applicants should apply by 30 April for commencement in Semester 2 (July)
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability
Graduate Attributes: None

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