MA in Cities, UAL Central Saint Martins College (CSM)

24 Months

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About this course

MA Cities at Central Saint Martins focuses on exploring city-making practices with an emphasis on social and climate justice. The course challenges conventional urban development and regeneration through a critical, experimental approach that fosters new knowledge exchange via participatory processes. Students work on complex urban scenarios, engaging with cultural practices and collaborating with external partners including local governments, regeneration agencies, and international practitioners. It aims to produce innovative civic practices and understand cities as contested, dynamic spaces shaped through interactions among diverse stakeholders. The course also emphasizes transnational exchange, ensuring students critically confront pressing urban and environmental issues using creativity and originality.

Why this course is highly recommended

Choosing MA Cities at Central Saint Martins means immersing yourself in a critically engaged, culturally rich environment where urban practice is understood in its complexity. The course promotes interdisciplinary work with industry professionals and international partners, fostering a broad, transnational network. Its emphasis on experimental, philosophical, and practical city-making equips students to address contemporary urban challenges creatively, ethically, and effectively, making it highly suitable for those keen on shaping future cityscapes with social and climate justice at the core.

Specialisation

This course is part of the Spatial Practices programme and emphasizes critical spatial practices addressing environmental, political, and societal crises. It integrates disciplines like architecture, planning, art, and research, encouraging students to develop individual approaches to city-making. Specific focus areas include city policies, cultural infrastructure, urban economies, and participatory city practices, all fostered through diverse media such as drawing, sound, film, curation, and public engagement, enabling students to intervene practically in real urban contexts.

Course fees

Application fees

1st year tuition fees

19.37L

Living cost

Degree requirements

To complete the MA Cities course and earn a Master of Arts degree, students must successfully pass all units totaling 180 credits. The course spans two academic years in an extended full-time mode, requiring around 30 hours of commitment per week. The degree is classified based on performance in the final unit, and students may also exit early with a Postgraduate Certificate after 60 credits or a Postgraduate Diploma after 120 credits.

English language test

IELTS

6.5

PTE

TOEFL

DUOLINGO

Want to learn more about the admission process, eligibility criteria, and acceptance rates for international students? Visit the UAL Central Saint Martins College (CSM) admission page for complete details.

Career prospects

Graduates of MA Cities typically work across fields like architecture, urban strategy, development, community engagement, urban policy, and research. The course’s focus on critical practices and collaboration prepares students for roles in public and private sectors, as well as independent practice, including city-making, regeneration projects, cultural infrastructure, and urban governance. Many alumni leverage their skills to contribute to innovative, socially responsible urban development globally.

FAQs

What is the duration of the course?

The course lasts two years, spanning 60 weeks in an extended full-time mode.

Are there industry collaborations involved?

Yes, each unit includes live projects with external industry partners such as local governments, arts groups, or third-sector organizations.