- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of climate change, its causes and design and policy strategies to mitigate it, particularly related to the built environment.
- Ability to work effectively as an individual, in multidisciplinary teams, to tackle the essential challenge of our time.
- Demonstrate the ability to consider the environmental impact of buildings, including matters of resource depletion, energy consumption, life cycle performance, carbon intensity and in-use performance when designing buildings.
- Understand and participate in current debates within the areas of sustainability and climate change.
- Demonstrate an advanced ability to apply concepts and theoretical knowledge to climate change related challenges in Europe and globally.
Sustainable Development Goals
This course is available through the following application route(s)
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Urban environments and their buildings are placing unprecedented stress on earth system processes, while simultaneously being critical sites for climate action. The MSc in Architecture, Urbanism and Climate Action (MAUCA) programme equips graduates and returning professionals with specialist skills to respond to the challenge of planning, designing, and realising a resilient and sustainable built environment. The School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy (APEP) brings together four key disciplines to provide a unique graduate learning experience.
Core modules are specifically designed to enhance knowledge of climate science and policy, GIS, systems thinking, and environmental ethics, as well as to develop skills for low carbon, sustainable and inclusive building and urban design. Optional modules have been selected from a wide range of schools across UCD, including Architecture, Planning, Environmental Policy, Geography, Biosystems Engineering, Economics and Law. Students undertake a Linked Research Project in the summer trimester that offers 3 options: developing individual research studies through a thesis; a placement on a prestigious EU or nationally funded collaborative research project within UCD on a relevant topic; or a placement with a company leading the agenda on low-carbon, sustainable building and urban design. Many students have continued to work for their placement research projects or companies after graduating.
Course Highlight
The UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy has an established international track record as a leading research centre in sustainable building and city research with large national and international funded projects. It is in the Top 150 QS World University Rankings by subject area, and has long led the way in architectural and urban design study and practice in Ireland.
Additionally, UCD is ranked in the top 50 in the world in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability, and is number 1 in Ireland and 24th in Europe.
Module Information:
Under the "What modules can I take?" section below you will see general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.
About This Course
This MSc gives students a unique set of skills to allow them stay ahead of the curve and apply for exciting and fulfilling job opportunities in rapidly expanding sectors in which there is a growing demand. Potential careers include in low carbon and sustainable architecture, landscape architecture and urban design; strategic design and change management; policy and governance; and environmental, building or energy engineering.
The MSc can also be a springboard into exciting careers in research and academia. It allows students to pursue further research opportunities into topics covered by the modules, and to contribute to a better understanding of how the building and urban design professions can best respond to the climate and biodiversity emergencies in an uncertain future. High achieving graduates of the course have gone on to doctoral studies in UCD, either via in-house opportunities on EU funded projects or through national funding schemes from the Irish Research Council.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ARCT41210 | Architecture in a Climate Emergency | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ARCT41260 | Climate Carbon Cities Change | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ARCT41310 | Geodesign for Urban Futures | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ARCT41240 | Urban Resilience and Ethics | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ENVP40170 | Research for Environmental Pol | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
ARCT40030 | Realising Built Projects | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
ARCT40660 | Street Life: Urban Design, an Introduction | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
ARCT40680 | Postgraduate Studio | Autumn | 15 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
ARCT41270 | Retrofit Existing Buildings | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
BSEN40700 | Energy System & Sustainable Environments | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
ENVP40100 | Environmental Economics & Climate Policy | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
GEOG40820 | GIS Principles and Applications | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
GEOG40860 | Practical Environmental Assessment | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
GEOG40890 | Remote Sensing | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
PLAN40060 | Urban and Regional Development | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
PLAN40640 | Planning Institutions & Govern | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
BSEN40720 | Carbon & Sustainability | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
ARCT40690 | Urban Design Studio | Spring | 15 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
ARCT40870 | Agency: Design / Build | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
BSEN30030 | Air Pollution | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
ECON42570 | Behavioural E'mics:Policy App | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
ENVP40040 | Tools for Sust Development | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
GEOG40750 | Reimagining Dublin: An Interdisciplinary Exploration in Urban Regeneration | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
GEOG40870 | Advanced GIS Applications | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
GEOG40960 | Coastal Risks | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
LAW41090 | Climate Change Law and Policy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
PLAN40570 | Conservation and Placemaking | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
PLAN40580 | Rural & Landscape Planning | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
PLAN40610 | Environment & Sustainability | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Option Modules All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. Students wishing to take BSEN40720 MUST select the Autumn Trimester offering of this module. |
PLAN40620 | Planning, Design & Development | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Summer REQUIRED OPTION Module: ALL Students MUST initially select the module ARCT41230 Linked Research Project. During the Autumn Trimester, those students interested in pursuing ARCT41290 MAUCA Internship will be expected to prepare their CV and seek Professional Work Experience opportunities from prospective employers under the guidance of the Internship Module Coordinator and Programme Director. In the event that a student is successful in securing a suitable Professional Work Experience placement, subject to gaining approval of the Internship Module Coordinator, the student will be re-registered to ARCT41290 MAUCA Internship by the College Office. |
ARCT41230 | Linked Research Project | Summer | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Summer REQUIRED OPTION Module: ALL Students MUST initially select the module ARCT41230 Linked Research Project. During the Autumn Trimester, those students interested in pursuing ARCT41290 MAUCA Internship will be expected to prepare their CV and seek Professional Work Experience opportunities from prospective employers under the guidance of the Internship Module Coordinator and Programme Director. In the event that a student is successful in securing a suitable Professional Work Experience placement, subject to gaining approval of the Internship Module Coordinator, the student will be re-registered to ARCT41290 MAUCA Internship by the College Office. |
ARCT41290 | MAUCA Internship | Summer | 30 |
UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 49th globally and 1st in Ireland in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.
Graduate Profile: Sawsan Bassalat, Research Assistant, University College Dublin
"I chose MAUCA because it promised a comprehensive perspective on the built environment with a focus on sustainability, and it truly delivered. The programme brought together individuals from around the world, enriching discussions with diverse viewpoints and fostering creativity through fresh perspectives.
MAUCA provided new insights into the built environment, covering sustainable design, environmental justice, and climate emergency through a wide range of modules from different faculties. The core modules offered specialised knowledge in carbon quantification, research, and environmental ethics, while electives allowed me to explore software tools in parametric modelling, urban planning, and environmental mapping.
MAUCA not only deepened my architectural knowledge but also opened new career paths I had not previously considered. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking specialised skills in these areas."
MSc in Architecture, Urbanism & Climate Action (T339) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 9530 va
nonEU fee per year - € 29100 va
va"Bench Fees EU and non EU students on this programme are also required to pay a charge of €450 to cover the cost of consumables in addition to the published fee above"
***Fees are subject to change
EU fee per year - € 9530 va
nonEU fee per year - € 29100 va
va"Bench Fees EU and non EU students on this programme are also required to pay a charge of €450 to cover the cost of consumables in addition to the published fee above"
***Fees are subject to change
Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships/
- An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalent in subjects related to the built environment including architecture, urban design, engineering, environmental sciences, or humanity degrees involving social or natural sciences.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
- Applicants are required to submit a Personal Statement setting out why they have chosen this course (max 400 words).
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc in Architecture, Urbanism & Climate Action:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | T339 MSc in Architecture, Urbanism & Climate Action Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
* you can change options at the top of the page