Key information
Heriot-Watt is ranked 1st in the UK for Building (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026) and Top 200 in the world for Architecture and Built Environment (2026 World University Subject Rankings).
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
MSc Urban Strategies and Design will develop your consideration of strategies and engagement with urban spaces from a contemporary, socio-political, and economic context, with an emphasis on design. The programme is delivered jointly by Heriot-Watt University and the Edinburgh College of Art at the University of Edinburgh allowing you to benefit from teaching, research, and policy liaison expertise offered by two major institutions. Applications are processed by the University of Edinburgh and details on how to apply can be found on the University of Edinburgh’s programme page.
The programme is open to graduates from a range of disciplines, including geography, architecture, urban planning, and economics. You’ll experience a comprehensive teaching approach towards the delivery of socially sustainable urban transformations. You’ll study a wide and diverse range of social, economic, and political processes that determine the contemporary urban environment, and acquire the tools and skills to propose urban projects of diverse scales and specificities.
This career-focused master’s programme will be of interest to you if you wish to pursue a career in urban design and development planning or other allied professions, and opportunities exist locally and internationally, in the formal, public and private voluntary, and international development sectors.
As a graduate you’ll be able to:
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Comprehend the multi-disciplinary nature of urban strategy and design
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Have insight into the role of the built environment and other disciplines in the establishment of effective urban strategies and design
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Gain knowledge of the social, economic, and legislative forces that drive contemporary urban agendas
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Acquire expertise in the intelligent use of quantitative and qualitative data in formulating strategic urban interventions
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Appreciate the contribution of imaginative and intelligent building proposals that respond proactively to sustainable agendas in urban design
The Future Shapers scholarship
The Future Shapers scholarship is looking for students who want to use research to create solutions to solve major global challenges. This has been established for 2026 by one of our generous donors and is a testament to the talent and world-shaping potential of our University's students and researchers. We are offering 12 scholarships across our 4 research areas, worth 50%, 75% and 100% of your tuition fee respectively.
Apply nowYour student experience
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active academics from The Urban Institute and the Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) which sit within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS) at Heriot-Watt University. EGIS is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. Our teams work closely and have links with industry, and practitioners are regularly invited as guest lecturers in most courses.
Delivered jointly by Heriot-Watt University and the Edinburgh College of Art at the University of Edinburgh, you’ll additionally benefit from teaching, facilities, research, and policy liaison expertise offered by two major institutions.
You'll also benefit from contact with the Global Urban Research Collaborative, who are a growing community of researchers working with communities, non-governmental organisations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to produce knowledge that seeks to improve living conditions in vulnerable settlements in the rapidly urbanising world.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Students will study the courses below. MSc students will complete a Masters dissertation in semester 3.
Course descriptions
You will find details below on what you will study in each course. For more information, please contact the Programme Leader, Dr Harry Smith
Sustainable Design and Development
Semester 1 (mandatory)
This course aims to help students develop a critical understanding of the complexity of urban and housing design and development, including the importance of people and process. The course will help students gain professional knowledge about urban design principles and practice, including sustainability issues. Subjects in the syllabus include:
Introduction to urban design and housing quality; Critical understanding of the development process including stages in the development process and appreciation of different stakeholder perspectives; Sustainable design, housing quality, place identity and character; Climate, aspect, safety, planting, management; Conservation areas and listed buildings; Market and needs analysis; Developer's budget, cashflow and financial appraisal; Risk analysis.
Urban Design Theory
Semester 1 (mandatory)
This course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the complexity of urban design principles and processes based on a general awareness of the range of theories which support the discipline of urban design.
The course is based on student reading and presentation of key texts on urban design covering socio-economic perspectives, ecological perspectives, spatial perspectives and imagery. This is complemented by exercises which allow students to develop a more detailed understanding of urban spatial structure and perception of urban space. Through these exercises students will explore the elements which make up the urban structure, and typologies of built form and open space; as well as ideas used in environmental perception including cognition, phenomenology, and spatial analysis techniques such as space syntax.
Strategic Spatial Vision Project
Semester 1 (mandatory)
This course is designed to give you skills and knowledge of the complex factors that need to be evaluated when planning the strategic development of an area or region. You will be required to critically study a selected area in depth, to develop a vision for this area and put forward alternative development policies.
In the course you will learn about the meaning and scope of spatial visions and strategies, including their aims and rationale, and their form and content; the notion of the city region as a locus for spatial visions and strategies; the national and international policy context for spatial visions and strategies; the relationships between housing markets, local economies, the role of town centres, transport and accessibility issues, and urban form at city region level; and the development of policies to implement spatial strategies.
Urban Design for Health and Wellbeing
Semester 1 (mandatory)
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the range of social, economic and environmental issues that need to be considered by urban design in order to provide the basis for health and wellbeing. The course addresses issues which build an understanding of what constitutes health in urban environments and what urban design processes and approaches contribute to providing the conditions for health and wellbeing. It covers a range of issues related to socio-economic, community, psychological and physical health.
A series of two-week long sessions presenting key fundamental principles and examples of these issues, delivered by experts in each field illustrated with examples, will cover the following themes from the perspective of urban design:
Mandatory September
- Spatial Planning
- Strategic Spatial Vision Project
- Urban Design Theory
- Urban Design for Health and Wellbeing
Mandatory January
- Urban Project
Optional January
- Urban Project A
- Urban Project B
- College of Humanities and Social Science Option
Mandatory May
- USD Dissertation
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Fees and funding
Fee information
Fees for this course can be found through the University of Edinburgh website.
Scholarships and bursaries
There is a scholarship opportunity for this course open to students who (1) qualify for UK Home Fees, and (2) are domiciled or working in the South-East of Scotland, more specifically the councils areas of East Lothian, Mid Lothian, West Lothian, City of Edinburgh, Fife and Scottish Borders at least during their studies. Please visit the University of Edinburgh website to find out more.
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate 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.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
Applications to this programme are managed by the University of Edinburgh.
Get more information on entry requirements.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
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