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Postgraduate

MA Cities

Examples of student work

College
Central Saint Martins
Start date
September 2023
Course length
Two years (60 weeks)
Extended Full Time

MA Cities creates city-making practices that foreground social and climate justice.

The delivery mode for this course is changing

This course will now be delivered over two years (60 weeks) in Extended Full Time Mode from September 2023. Teaching is being planned to be delivered predominantly in person at the College. Some information about the course may no longer be applicable, but this will be updated as soon as possible.

Through a critical and experimental approach, you will challenge conventions of urban development and regeneration, exploring new forms of knowledge exchange through culturally engaged participatory processes. This course is part of the Spatial Practices programme.

Why choose this course at Central Saint Martins

  • Critical spatial practices: The course emphasises critical engagement with the realities of spatial production in the context of environmental, political and societal crisis. It embraces the disruptive and experimental culture of Central Saint Martins while ensuring rigorous academic content creates innovative, relevant and applicable results.
  • Engaging with industry: Elements of the course are delivered by industry practitioners as part of your professional development. You will have direct involvement in urban sites and situations as part of your study.
  • Interdisciplinary, wide-ranging appeal: This course will appeal to architects who are keen to up-skill and approach the complexities of the city creatively; planners who seek a more multi-disciplinary approach; artists and other creative practitioners who want to critically advance their practice; and professionals from urban design, urban policy and research backgrounds who want to broaden their discourse an.d international network.
  • Course structure: MA Cities is delivered through a combination of intensive learning sprints and self-directed study. Each sprint will deliver core knowledge and research into urban policy and governance; cultural infrastructure and creative citizenship; and the urban economy.

Open days

There are currently no open days scheduled for this course, please check back at a later date.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

Course overview

MA Cities explores creative approaches to city-making. As an art and design college, Central Saint Martins is a place of intense cultural production, generating critical creative practices in complex and conflicting urban settings. Through an enquiry-led approach, MA Cities will challenge the conventions of urban development, regeneration, and place-making and provide a platform for generating and implementing new forms of civic practice. 

MA Cities will confront the pressing social, ethical and environmental concerns of the city and explore the value and agency of alternative practices from around the world.  In doing so, it will ask you to navigate complex and dynamic scenarios using creativity and originality to address city-making challenges. MA Cites understands cities, towns and other dense urban settlements as collaborative and contested spaces – created through interactions between various participants and stakeholders. The course engages in collaboration and knowledge exchange with a wide range of art, design, and architectural practices, external partners and organisations, using London as a test bed. You will be immersed in professional contexts of public sector and urban practice through direct engagement with local governments, regeneration agencies, creative and spatial practitioners. The course also works in collaboration with world-wide partners, to ensure that your studies are informed by leading international perspectives and expertise in creative city-making.

On this course, you will engage with theoretical and practice-orientated approaches, political and ethical positions and a range of scales and methods of city-making. You will critically reflect upon your own forms of urban practice, and develop new modes of research into critical practices, urban policy, governance and the urban economy –through creative collaboration and experimentation. The course will encourage you to develop an individual position, agenda and methodology, to inform your own future urban practice.  

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course dates

Autumn term
Year 1 Full Time: Monday 25 September 2023 – Friday 8 December 2023
Year 2 Part-Time & FLM: Tuesday 10 October 2023 - Tuesday 12 December 2023

Spring term
Year 1 Full Time: Monday 8 January 2024 – Friday 15 March 2024
Year 2 Part-Time & FLM: Tuesday 9 January 2024 - Tuesday 12 March 2024

Summer term
Year 1 Full Time: Monday 8 April 2024 – Friday 14 June 2024
Year 2 Part-Time & FLM: Tuesday 9 April 2024 - Tuesday 17 September 2024

Course units

Each course unit is approximately nine weeks long and begins with two to three weeks of self-directed study, supported by collaborative online activities. During this time, you will prepare for an intensive teaching and learning sprint which usually takes place over a weekend. The sprint is followed by six to seven weeks of self-directed project work, culminating in a submission. Online tutorial support is provided throughout the duration of each unit, as well as facilitated collaborative peer-to-peer learning via a learning technologist. 

Unit 1: Voices from the City 

Unit 1 considers cities, towns and other dense urban settlements as places where multiple transactions and situations are constantly performed by a variety of participants. This unit addresses the challenges facing cities through transcultural and cross-cultural social experiences and encounters. This is delivered through weekly reports from different constituencies and sectors of urban practice, including citizens, practitioners, policymakers and governors. The unit establishes a situated position for learning and reflecting. It challenges students to confront their own specific cultural identities in relation to others and to reflect upon the situated nature of civic practices. 

Unit 2: Community and Collaboration

Unit 2 provides an opportunity for engagement with different histories, theories and approaches to urban space and city-making.  The unit establishes a theoretical background and thematic grounding in histories of social engagement, collaboration and participatory practice, examining: theories and practices around the production of social space; concepts of public space, the public realm, place-making and the commons; and critiquing notions of creative cities, and the rise of arts-led regeneration.

Unit 3: Critical Creative Practices

Unit 3 explores the context of alternative urban and civic practices through the observation of, and participation in, a live project. This is undertaken in collaboration with external agencies, for example local government, regeneration authorities, arts groups and/or third-sector organisations. In this unit, students will develop methods of critical analysis and interpretation, and will speculate on the themes, questions and methods of sustained urban and civic practice. Unit 3 will be brokered with specific arts-led practices and organisations appropriate to the cohort. 

Unit 4: Commissioning and Governance

Unit 4 focuses on organisational structures, working relationships and forms of commissioning by local authorities, government and wider agencies, including their associated policy and political contexts. The unit is delivered as a series of case studies with reports and seminars from a range of practitioners, policymakers, arts professionals and local authority representatives. They will cover a range of subjects including the inner workings of local and regional government, the complexities of institutional relationships, providing first-hand accounts of initiating and implementing projects. This unit also includes lectures and case-study presentations on forms and theories of urban governance, urban policy, funding, procurement, regulation, and legislation.

Unit 5: Infrastructures and Transactions

Unit 5 is concerned with the economy of civic and urban practices and explores transactions between the social and the economic, the informal economy and the -state, money and funding. The unit considers the broader impact of wider political and economic forces such as investment, austerity, and growth as manifested at the intersection of the built environment and cultural production. The unit will introduce you to the complexities of economic models and financial planning related to different project types and contexts, examining ways of evaluating cultural and spatial projects including and beyond the monetary and financial.  

Unit 6: Practice Manual (Pre-Thesis)

This unit allows time and focus to develop a thesis question. It also supports you in scoping and testing methods for conducting your thesis. The thesis can be formulated as either an independent written thesis, design thesis or practice-based project. If appropriate, it can be formulated in association with a third party through an embedded practice placement undertaken during Unit 6. Your thesis should involve collaboration with key partners, including engagement with communities, organisations and stakeholders.

Unit 7: Thesis

The course culminates in Unit 7, the final Master’s-specific 60-credit unit. You will reflect on the conceptual, intellectual and practical skills encountered in the course through an independent written thesis, design thesis or practice-based project. Unit 7 is intended to rehearse creative attributes that enable you to become a self-sufficient and critical practitioner, with clear aspirations for your future role and the confidence and independence to pursue your goals. The thesis unit will support you to conduct and deliver an enquiry-led proposition which frames a new civic or urban practice, rehearsing skills of proactivity, enterprise and agility. 

Mode of Study

MA Cities is offered in both part-time and flexible learning modes.  

Part-time mode runs for 90 weeks over two academic years. You will be expected to commit 20 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.  

Flexible learning mode is a unit by unit approach that allows you up to five years to complete. This mode of learning supports those of you who are already established in your careers, and who may be travelling from afar to join the course. Unit 1 is compulsory and must be undertaken initially. Units 2-5 can then be taken in any order thereafter. Units 6 and 7 need to be undertaken in consecutive order. 

Credit and award requirements 

The course is credit-rated at 180 credits. 

On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Master of Arts (MA degree).

Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, an MA is Level 7. All units must be passed in order to achieve the MA but the classification of the award is derived from the mark for the final unit only. 

If you are unable to continue on the course, a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) will normally be offered following the successful completion of 60 credits, or a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) following the successful completion of 120 credits.

Shared Campus Initiative

The course is strategically aligned to the shared campus initiative, a transcultural network of specialist HEIs who cooperate and collaborate on teaching exchange, content and enquiry. Shared campus offers opportunities for sharing learning and student experience through on-line and intensive workshops that are, by intention, trans- and extra-disciplinary in nature and cover themes relating to critical ecologies; social transformation as creative practice; popular cultures; cultures, histories and identity. Shared campus supports academic and teaching exchange. 

Recognition of Learning from Experience

One core assessment strategy and practice relates to the capture of experiential and informal learning that extends beyond the curriculum or is flexibly structured. The College framework for Recognition of Learning from Experience offers options for learning endorsement from peers, experience-givers or staff. This system is designed to facilitate learning capture based on evidence, reflection and student evaluation. Recognition of Learning from Experience enables students to claim credit via the course for learning from partner institutions, thereby facilitating trans-national co-operation. Candidates can also apply for advanced entry through a structured approach to AP(E)L.

Learning and teaching methods

Online and self-directed learning via:

  • Unit briefings and introductions 
  • Group on-line ‘orientation’ exercises 
  • Reading tasks 
  • Online delivery of lectures and seminars
  • Peer-to-peer task-based learning online
  • Online tutorial and feedback sessions.

Intensive Sprint* via:

  • Skilling workshops 
  • Team, group and work in pairs 
  • Student presentations to tutors and peers 
  • Peer and external feedback 
  • Tutorial facilitation/evaluation related to team/individual and cohort 
  • Lectures, seminars and workshops delivered face to face, including intensive ‘symposium’ mode.

*Intensive ‘Sprint’ refers to an intensive learning experience typically happening over a weekend. It involves significant periods of face to face contact with tutors, guests and peers, utilising lecture, seminar, symposium, workshop and tutorial formats. 

MA Cities at Central Saint Martins

Student voice: Nabil Al-Kinani

Student voice: Khadijah Carberry

Student voice: Carina Kanbi

Fees and funding

Home fee

£6,650 per year

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£16,680 per year

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard entry requirements for students for this course are as follows:

  • An upper second-class honours degree OR
  • An equivalent EU / international qualification

The course aims to recruit post-experience candidates who have graduate-level qualifications and a minimum of one year work experience. The course will not normally recruit from end-on students (i.e. those progressing directly from undergraduate degrees); 

Applicants are likely to come from disciplines such as art and design, architecture, urban studies, the humanities, social sciences, politics or economics, or from other areas of creative practice such as performance.

AP(E)L - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by: 

  • Related academic or work experience 
  • The quality of the personal statement 
  • A strong academic or other professional reference 
  • Or a combination of these factors. 

Each application will be considered on its own merit but cannot guarantee an offer in each case. 

English Language Requirements

IELTS level 7 or above, with at least 6.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English Language requirements webpage).

Selection criteria

Applicants should:

  • Demonstrate a clear personal agenda, related to the aims of the course (Personal Statement/Interview)
  • Demonstrate that your personal and professional aspirations are compatible with the aims and objectives of MA Cities (Personal Statement/Interview)
  • Have excellent communication skills and appropriate ability in visual, as well as written and verbal presentation. (Project Portfolio /Personal Statement/ CV/ Interview) 
  • Have the ability to think in abstract, conceptual and strategic terms; (CV/ Personal Statement / Interview)
  • Demonstrate a collaborative mindset and an ability to negotiate roles within multidisciplinary and cross-cultural teams; (Project Portfolio / CV)

Apply now

You should apply by clicking on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.

Deferred entry

Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.

Transfers

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units and modules on your current postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at Central Saint Martins, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and unit transcripts.

You will need to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Start your application now

Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following information when completing the online application form:

General information

  • Personal details (including legal full name, date of birth, nationality, addresses)
  • Current English language level
  • Current and/or previous education and qualification details
  • Employment history

Personal statement

Your personal statement should give us information about yourself and why you want to join the course (between 300-500 words) and should include:

  • What are you doing at the moment educationally, professionally, personally?
  • Why do you wish to study on this course?
  • What is your relevant experience?
  • Do you have any relevant skills?
  • Why do you think you are a suitable candidate for acceptance?

We cannot consider your application if you do not provide all the information above.

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal.  We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal.  You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

Application deadline

3 April 2023

Our equal consideration deadline has now passed. This course will remain open to applications for 2023 entry until places have been filled. Please be aware that courses can close without notice.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

If this course requires a digital portfolio as part of the application process, you will be invited to submit this through UAL’s online submission tool, PebblePad. We will request this separately after initial processing of your application is complete. Once we request your portfolio, you will have 7 days to submit it.

Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. Find out more about what happens after you apply.

There are two ways international students can apply:

If you are applying directly you click on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.

Deferred entry

Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.

Transfers

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units and modules on your current postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at Central Saint Martins, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and unit transcripts.

You will need to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Start your application now

Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following information when completing the online application form:

General information

  • Personal details (including legal full name, date of birth, nationality, addresses)
  • Current English language level
  • Current and/or previous education and qualification details
  • Employment history

Personal statement

Your personal statement should give us information about yourself and why you want to join the course (between 300-500 words) and should include:

  • What are you doing at the moment educationally, professionally, personally?
  • Why do you wish to study on this course?
  • What is your relevant experience?
  • Do you have any relevant skills?
  • Why do you think you are a suitable candidate for acceptance?

Immigration history check

Whether you are applying online or through a UAL representative you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL.  If you do not complete the check we will not be able to proceed with your application.

We cannot consider your application if you do not provide all the information above.

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal.  We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal.  You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

Application deadline

3 April 2023

Our equal consideration deadline has now passed. This course will remain open to applications for 2023 entry until places have been filled. Please be aware that courses can close without notice.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. Find out more about what happens after you apply.

After you apply

What happens next

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course.  If you do, you will be invited to submit a portfolio through the UAL Portal.

Portfolio Review

You will need to submit a digital portfolio of up to 25 images with supporting work illustrating your previous experience and practical skills.

This does not need to be a design portfolio - we are interested in any projects to do with spaces or city-making, including events, websites etc.

For more portfolio advice please visit our portfolio advice page.

Interview

Following the review of your application and portfolio, we select a small number of applicants to move on to the next stage of the process. These applicants will be invited to an online interview.

The interview typically lasts approximately 20 minutes.  As part of the interview you will be asked to choose and present one of your projects from your portfolio.  

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Portal.

Feedback

This course receives a high number of applications, and unfortunately we cannot provide feedback to everyone who is unsuccessful. We can only provide feedback after you have had an interview.

If you would like to request feedback, please contact us via your portal.

Each and every application is carefully considered by a member(s) of our academic team. With so many strong applicants to choose from, it is often a very difficult decision to make. If you are unsuccessful, you are welcome to apply to us again in the future.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.