Master in Architecture and Urban Design

Master's programme in Architecture and Urban Design

Do you want to take part in designing sustainable architecture and developing socially just cities for the future? The Master’s Programme in Architecture and Urban Design is operating in-between the artistic and the scientific field of knowledge. The programme is characterized by a consistent focus on sustainability and has an exploratory and experimental profile with teachers from all over the world.

While studying

Ecological challenges such as climate change and social crises such as unequal local and global development and migration places raise a strong demand on architecture to develop new solutions based on broad interdisciplinary perspectives. In the Master's Programme in Architecture and Urban Design, these complex issues are dealt with in various design studios. Departing from your own experience and ethical position the program wants to challenge the conventional contemporary architectural practice and the future of the profession.

Develop your critical thinking

The School of Architecture is situated on the Arts Campus – a creative environment with workshops and infrastructure for production and making, together with the Art- and Design School, the incubator Sliperiet and Bildmuseet.

The Master's Programme in Architecture and Urban Design is built up by studios with different thematic orientations. You will work with the exploration of new fields of knowledge related to architecture and urban planning in a learning environment like a laboratory.

The aim is to develop your own critical thinking and in the exploration of these fields of knowledge develop and apply new perspectives, designing alternative architectural proposals, strategies, and practices that can contribute to change in today's societal- and urban development.

Focus on sustainability

Important elements of the programme are social- and environmental sustainability, resource awareness, work on different scales, experimenting with technical solutions and prototyping through full-scale construction and architectural interventions and installations in the physical environment.

The Master's programme is based on experimental pedagogy where theoretical knowledge is integrated with process-oriented and artistic investigations, where the development of the subject takes place in the exploratory and artistic approach to the practice and profession.

All instruction in English

During the first three semesters of the education, two seminar courses run in parallel with a synthesis course in the form of a design project. During the fourth semester, a Master's thesis project is carried out.

The seminar courses introduce and deepen theoretical and technical concepts, methods and processes and issues concerning the profession and professional practice.

Design projects are carried out within different studios, allowing you to choose approach departing from your personal interest.

The programme is taught in English by teachers with backgrounds from different countries and with specialized knowledge of the subject.

Experimental methods

The design process is explored through investigative and process-oriented methods. Modes of working are tested and developed through unconventional experimentation, where prototypes, models, projects, and ideas are tested with the aim to develop alternative strategies that can create new forms and methods within architecture, design and urbanism.

The conditions for an approach that involves a collaborative architecture culture and practice are created, where the strategies and proposals are developed through collaboration. The aim is to create a work environment where individuals can develop issues and projects, both individually and in groups, in a collective spirit to create a common base of knowledge.

The teaching is focused on empowering you as a student and giving you the opportunity to develop a holistic approach to education. We work in seminars and roundtable discussions, and see self-assessment and feedback as an interactive and open dialogue process.

More information on the programme webpage

Umeå University was founded in 1965 and is Sweden's fifth oldest university. Today, we have a strong international and multicultural presence with students, teachers and researchers from all over the world. As one of the leading comprehensive universities in the nation, we are alive with enthusiasm, creativity and fresh ideas.

We constantly strive towards being one of Scandinavia and Europe's best environments for education , research and community engagement that meets the challenges of an ever-increasing global society.