Master of Architecture/Master of Urban Cultural Heritage (MC-ARCHUCH) // Attributes, outcomes and skills

Knowledge:

• A knowledge of design based on architectural history, theory and contemporary practice.
• A knowledge of current practice contexts, including environmental, technological, regulatory and project-delivery systems.
• A knowledge of research and design-research methodologies and methods, including empirical and research methods drawn from the sciences and humanities relevant to the discipline of architecture.
• Theoretical and applied knowledge in the core issues, histories and methodologies of urban and cultural heritage.
• Understandings of the range of methodological approaches to urban and cultural heritage across academic disciplines and within professional practice.
• Critical engagement with international contemporary practice in urban and cultural heritage as this relates to built environments and the social, cultural, and regulatory economic dimensions of heritage.
• Ability to interpret and analyses complex cross-disciplinary materials relating to heritage in order to develop sustainable and effective strategies to the challenges of heritage within the built and social fabric.

Skills:

• The cognitive and creative skills to develop and evaluate a design concept that demonstrates the exercise of theoretical reflection, critical choice, imagination and professional responsibility, through the exploration, testing and refinement of different technical and aesthetic alternatives.
• The technical and creative skills to produce a design that demonstrates an appreciation of economic factors, environmental issues, social and cultural issues, building systems and materials.
• The technical and communication skills to generate design and contractual documentation that clearly conveys information to both specialist and non-specialist audiences and that enables a design project to be realised.
• Understanding of the conceptual and theoretical frameworks that guide urban and cultural heritage practice at national and international levels, and how these may be applied in particular contexts and locations.
• Knowledge of the complexity of heritage management, with particular reference to cross-cultural issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively within cross-disciplinary teams, and to take a holistic approach to urban and cultural heritage in the communication of heritage strategies and applications.

Application of knowledge and skills:

• The ability to think strategically at different urban scales.
• The ability to establish and evaluate requirements and priorities in new project situations and contexts.
• The ability to work individually and collaboratively to prepare and deliver a design project.
• The ability to prepare, structure, schedule, evaluate and deliver a substantial research or design-research project.
• Capacity to respond with initiative and to build upon key frameworks in relation to new situations and challenges in urban and cultural heritage.
• Ability to respond to the challenges posed by urban and cultural heritage through a cross‐disciplinary framework that enables students to execute a substantial research and/or design project.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, and an ability to communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences
• Critical and analytical skills to identify and resolve complex problems
• Ability to learn and use appropriate technologies
• Effective organisational, time management and planning skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and productively in groups

The Master of Architecture/Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage degree provides graduates with:

• Design skills that will contribute to the improvement of our built environment;
• A grounding in the rich lessons of architectural history, theory and technology enabling them to develop innovative architecture, relevant to time and place, people and culture;
• The skills to manage an architectural practice and work within teams; and
• The ability to use resources, materials and technologies to produce responsible and sustainable architecture.