the United Kingdom
Heriot-Watt University| The award | How you will study | Study duration | Course start | Domestic course fees | International course fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc, Postgraduate Diploma | Full-time, Part-time, Distance | find out | September, January | GBP 5360 | GBP 14520 |
Over half of the world's population now lives in urban areas and the sustainable development of our cities poses key challenges for urban management. There is a need to deliver sustainability while ensuring managed urban environments can adapt to a changing climate and changing economic and social conditions.
This programme represents a new type of degree, focusing on analysing the issues of, and the tools used to address and deliver, sustainable development across the globe, from the scale of the building right up to the regional and national scale. It is designed to equip urban managers and leaders with an academically rigorous and professionally relevant postgraduate qualification relating to changing global circumstances.
Our students
This programme is mainly designed both for those looking to begin a career in sustainable development, urban management and the built environment, and those with existing qualifications and relevant professional backgrounds who wish to improve their knowledge of sustainable development.
Career opportunities
Our graduates are quickly able to make a positive and effective contribution to their working environment. Recent graduates have gone on to work in: private sector real estate development and management; private or public sector urban systems management; urban planning and development; and third sector global development organisations.
Professional recognition
The MSc is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design
This programme is delivered by the Royal Academy of Engineering Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design. This is one of four such Centres established at UK universities that jointly form a national network to demonstrate and exchange best practice in teaching and research for the sustainable built environment.
Flexible study options
This programme can be studied full-time, part-time or via Independent Distance Learning (IDL), ideal for those in employment or with other commitments, providing flexible study options that fit around work or family.
Programme duration
Mode of studyDuration Full-time 1 year Part-time 2 years Independent Distance Learning (IDL) 2-7 years**An IDL programme - whether at PgDip or MSc level - can be completed in a minimum of 2 years. On average, our PgDip programmes studied via IDL are completed in 2-3 years, while MSc programmes are completed in 2.5-7 years. Most students intend to complete their studies via IDL within 2-3 years.
Industry links
The School has strong links with professional bodies including the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Town Planning Institute. It prides itself on using these links and wider links with industry, to make teaching and research relevant and applied.
Staff within the Institute are actively engaged in a variety of research projects relating to building design, specification, management and operation.
* If you are unsure which category you fall in to, you should complete a fee status enquiry form, which allows us to assess your fees.
Additional fees information
**Students pay £1185 per course and £1690 for the Dissertation. This programme consists of 8 courses (modules). MSc students are also required to submit a Masters dissertation.
For questions about IDL fees, please contact our Distance Learning Office: [email protected]
Scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
View our full range of postgraduate taught scholarships.
For MSc level entry applicants must have:
For PG Diploma level entry applicants must have:
There is no entry at PG Certificate level except through exceptional agreement with approved learning partners.
Non-graduating study at masters level:
Distance Learning January entry
Distance learning students can choose to start their studies in January or September. The January intake is not available to students studying on-campus.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Heriot-Watt University is committed to providing opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Prior learning at postgraduate level is normally recognised to gain exemption from individual courses within a programme based on an existing academic qualification. Note that the prior learning must have been rated at the level of the courses for which RPL is sought, yet credits from an award already held by an applicant can only contribute to a higher award in the same discipline, e.g. from PG Diploma to MSc. If you believe that you qualify for RPL, please contact the Learning & Teaching Support Team via [email protected], who will guide you through the RPL application procedure.
The school will only consider students' requests for RPL at the time of application for their programme of study.
English language requirements
If English is not the applicant's first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above.
Applicants who have previously successfully completed programmes delivered in the medium of English language may be considered and will be required to provide documentary evidence of this. Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree programme. A minimum of at least one year of full time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.
We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:
Distance learning students
Please note that independent distance learning students who access their studies online will be expected to have access to a PC/laptop and internet.
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Find out more about studying in the United Kingdom
As an international student you may require a valid visa to study at Heriot-Watt University. Read more about the requirements in our Guide to the United Kingdom International Student Visa Requirements.
