Spatial Design MA

You’ll explore spatial design as an ethical practice grounded in people, communities and environment. Through case studies in heritage adaptation, inclusive access, post-conflict reconstruction and regenerative reuse, you’ll test how design can repair, reopen or reimagine real places. Technology is embedded as a tool - not the goal - to help you understand the social, cultural and ecological contexts surrounding your practice. 

This module introduces advanced spatial capture and visualisation workflows used in contemporary practice and research. You’ll work with scanning methods, point cloud processing, GIS thinking, and VR/MR prototyping to document, analyse and iterate spatial interventions in real sites. You’ll also learn how to turn raw environmental data into design intelligence. 

This module sets you up to articulate why your spatial agenda matters and who it serves.

You’ll build the core research capabilities expected at master’s level and required for progression to PhD: defining a research question, positioning your work in relevant literatures and contexts, using ethical qualitative and participatory methods, and planning your dissertation or final major project.  

This is your self-directed capstone. You’ll propose, test and present a substantial spatial design or research project that reflects your specialist interest which could include: regenerative urban repair, inclusive access to historic buildings, ethical reconstruction, or future spatial technologies. 

The MA runs across three study blocks in one academic year.  

MA Spatial Design is delivered as an intensive postgraduate study experience based at Penryn campus.  

Teaching happens through lectures, focused seminars, design studios, technical workshops and masterclasses with staff and invited specialists. You’ll get targeted input from academics, practitioners and technologists, then be expected to test, prototype and self-direct your own position as a spatial designer. 

You are also invited to spend time at the facilities on Falmouth Campus, with the option of accessing departmental lectures from visiting speakers as well as the use of studio spaces for self-directed study. All formal scheduled course delivery – such as seminars – will occur at Penryn Campus. 

Key elements of delivery: 

• Design studio and review culture: you’ll present work-in-progress spatial propositions and get critical feedback from staff, peers and external voices. 
• Technical workshops: hands-on sessions in spatial data capture (e.g. 3D scanning of sites, LiDAR surveys, MR/VR spatial testing), digital environments, and professional workflows for interpreting existing buildings and landscapes.  
• Research-led seminars on people/place/planet: you’ll interrogate social justice, heritage access, post-conflict reconstruction, environmental wellbeing and regenerative practice, and situate your spatial proposals within those agendas.  
• Supervised independent study: you’ll work closely with academic supervisors to shape a personal line of inquiry that can lead either toward professional practice or toward PhD-level research. 

The course is cohort-driven: you’ll be studying alongside other master’s-level designers in the School of Architecture, Design & Interiors, building a supportive postgraduate community.   

Assessment is 100% coursework. There are no exams. 

You’ll be assessed through design portfolios, research submissions, technical studies, presentations and your final major project. You’ll receive formative feedback throughout (studio crits, tutorials, interim reviews) to help you refine direction, and summative feedback at key milestones within each study block. 

Assessment methods are designed to reflect real spatial practice and/or research pathways: for example, proposing an access strategy for a heritage site; presenting a scanned and modelled reconstruction of a contested or damaged space; or producing a spatial wellbeing brief for a vulnerable community. 

We welcome applications from those with relevant equivalent Level 6 (bachelor’s) qualifications. Our typical applicants hold an undergraduate degree of 2:2 or above, or equivalent experience and a demonstrable interest in the subject. We may also ask for a portfolio of design projects.  

We'll also welcome your application if you have formal or 'certified' learning (such as training courses not run by universities or colleges) or learning from work experience or self-study. This is called Accreditation of Prior Learning that should have been gained within the last five years and be equivalent to the learning outcomes of our minimum entry qualifications.  

Applicants through Accreditation of Prior Learning using their experience to apply should note there is an application fee for entry with advanced standing or with exemption from specific modules or credit. 

International applicants who require a student visa to study in the UK must take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. Our Applicant Services Team can help with any questions you may have about study visas or suitable language tests. 

If English isn’t your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Speaking, and a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, and Listening. 

International applicants who require a student visa to study in the UK must take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. Our Applicant Services Team can help with any questions you may have about study visas or suitable language tests. 

The materials and equipment list below is what we recommend as a starting point.

Over your three years of study you will develop specific interests and you may require additional tools. We will provide you with the materials needed for workshop inductions. In some modules, you will need to purchase other materials for model making and sketching, but the technicians and tutors can advise on making this as cost effective as possible. A yearly materials budget of £100 to £200 is recommended. We have divided material and equipment items into essential and optional to help you manage the costs.

Personal protective equipment (PPE): Essential at start of course

Your safety is paramount, and you will need to buy compulsory PPE to use in our workshops. Please ensure the items you purchase match the specifications listed below; all items can be purchased from RS Components Ltd website:

• Safety glasses - Honeywell A800 Safety Glasses Anti-Mist, Clear or similar EN166-1F Polycarbonate Anti-Scratch safety glasses, approximately £4.50

Computing equipment – Essential at start of course

A laptop will be an essential piece of equipment along with a reliable broadband connection (if you are living in University accommodation you will have this). 

The 3D CAD software and digital design tools we teach are fundamental design skills that require daily practice as part of your design process. We recommend budgeting around £800 - £2,500 for a recommended laptop specification. Educational and refurbished discounts are available direct from companies like Dell, Asus, etc., and can save you up to 50%. We also recommend having a laptop case/bag to carry and protect your laptop (approximately £50).

The software we use requires a computer with more computing power, memory and graphics than a standard home/work machine. Typically, the best options are professional ‘workstation’ laptops aimed at businesses, or Gaming machines which offer comparable performance at a lower price point, (e.g. from Dell – Workstation/Professional laptops – XPS and precision,  Gaming laptops – G series and Alienware). We use AutoDesk Revit and the recommended specification is here.

Mostly, you will be required to use Windows-only software on the course, so an Apple computer (a Mac) might not be suitable. Chromebooks and iPads will not run the software you require for your studies, although they are very useful secondary machines for digital notetaking and sketching.

Operating System: Windows

• Processor: Intel: Core i5, i7 or i9, or AMD: Ryzen 5,7 or 9 series
• RAM: 16GB Minimum, 32GB or higher recommended
• Graphics: Dedicated graphics cards with 2GB RAM. (either Nvidia RTX/Quadro or AMD Radeon)
• Storage: 500GB to 1TB+ storage capacity (Preferably an SSD)
• Screen size: 13” or larger

Other useful accessories include a secondary screen, laptop stand, mousepad, Keyboard, Wacom/graphics tablet and 3D mouse.

If you need to contact one of our staff before buying any equipment, please get in touch with our team.