University Master's Degree in International Cooperation in Sustainable Emergency Architecture
Home
- Type of programme
- Official masters
- Campus
- Campus Barcelona
- Duration
- 2 semesters
- Credits
- 60 ECTS
- Schedule
- October - September. Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Language
- English
- Places
- 25
- Modality
- On site
About the Master
This official degree prepares architects, urban planners and other professionals to develop and rebuild communities affected by the ever-growing impact of climate change, military conflicts, rapid urbanization and economic crises in both developed and developing countries. The one-year program provides students with the necessary theoretical and methodological background in order to develop an interdisciplinary approach and manage projects in cooperation and sustainable development ranging from the urban to the architectural scale.
Reasons to study this master
- Wide range of job opportunities
This master course prepares both professionals and academics to critically intervene in the context of international cooperation and urban development. A mandatory internship period provides students with the connections and experience needed to secure positions in institutions like international cooperation agencies, municipal planning offices, research institutes and consultancy firms that deal with international cooperation, post-disaster and post-conflict contexts, foreign aid, human settlements, slum improvement and infrastructure development, among other areas. The master provides immediate access to PhD programs in Europe after approving the 60 ECTS due to its official accreditation.
- Interdisciplinary and interscalar approach
Meeting the complex challenges presented by the field of development requires holistic solutions that integrate interdisciplinary knowledge and range from the urban to the architectural scale, which is why our program counts on a prestigious roster of both local and international professors from diverse sectors and professional practices.
- Multicultural environment
Much like our faculty, our students hail from diverse countries around the globe, making for an exceptionally international and enriching learning environment and a valuable professional network.
They are already studying it
“Undertaking this master’s degree has prepared me to address urban and social challenges, on both a professional and personal level. The course not only provided me with the relevant knowledge for the humanitarian sector, but also gave me the chance to make industry connections and create international networks”.
Partners
Additional information
Academic accreditation
Máster Universitario en Cooperación Internacional en Arquitectura Sostenible de Emergencia / Master of International Cooperation in Sustainable Emergency Architecture por la Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
Other similar studies
- Lifelong Learning Master's Degree in Urban Design for Healthy Cities
- Lifelong Learning Master's Degree in Architecture and Design Business Management
- Lifelong Learning Master's Degree in Biodigital Architecture
- Lifelong Learning Master's Degree in Urban Resilience for Sustainability Transitions
- Postgraduate Degree in Global Creative Management
- Postgraduate Degree in Marketing & Sales for Creative Enterprises
Presentation
The ever-growing impact of climate change, military conflicts, rapid urbanization and economic crises present a clear need and opportunity for qualified professionals in both developed and developing countries. This Master degree is the only masters with a joint focus on international cooperation, sustainable urban development and emergency architecture. It provides students with the necessary theoretical and methodological background in order to develop an interdisciplinary approach and manage projects in cooperation and sustainable development ranging from the urban to the architectural scale.
Overview
Professionals involved in these areas need to understand that their role in the complex system of international cooperation is to seek holistic solutions that integrate interdisciplinary knowledge and citizen participation. It is essential to understand the physical, social and cultural substrate of the cities or territories in which we are going to intervene and analyze the context at all scales throughout the intervention process in order to establish a critical approach and proposals in accordance to their urban legacies.
The Master degree deals with three main topics: international cooperation, sustainable development, and emergency architecture. The program includes courses that will help implement and complete this necessary multidisciplinary approach with alternative planning, urban and architectural strategies that promote social cohesion. Students will be introduced to different contexts and situations so as to acquire the proper skills to develop a critical analysis and management capacity of complex problems. They will learn to maximize human resources to deal with and support local actors in post-disaster scenarios and tackle urban upgrading strategies in both developed and developing countries.
The Barcelona-based master is a second-year option within the Mundus Urbano master (Darmstadt University), forming part of the prestigious Erasmus Mundus European Cooperation Programme and making it the only Erasmus Mundus master offered by an architecture school in all of Catalunya. The Mundus Urbano program is a joint European Masters degree program offered by the following universities: Technische Universität Darmstadt, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Université Pierre-Mendès-France Grenoble and the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya in Barcelona.
Objectives
The programme provides students with the necessary theoretical and methodological background in order to develop an interdisciplinary approach and manage projects in cooperation and sustainable development ranging from the urban to the architectural scale. Students will acquire the necessary knowledge to manage complex projects in international cooperation, emergency architecture, and sustainable development in which governmental and non-governmental institutions, beneficiaries and technical staffs are involved.
Prospective students
This program is aimed at university graduates from the following areas: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Design, and Geography.
Academic Accreditation
Máster Universitario en Cooperación Internacional en Arquitectura Sostenible de Emergencia / Master of International Cooperation in Sustainable Emergency Architecture por la Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Curriculum
Facilities
The facilities at the UIC Barcelona School of Architecture are designed to offer you a high-quality educational experience. With innovative spaces and advanced technology, you will develop your skills in real and practical environments. From the model workshop and digital fabrication labs to spacious work classrooms, every corner of our school is designed to provide you with the best resources for your learning and professional development.
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24/7 access to workshop classroomsOur workshop classrooms and plotter room are available 24/7, allowing you to work flexibly on your projects and transport your projects at your convenience. Design, experiment, and create whenever suits you best.
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Model workshopA fully equipped space for building physical models with precision tools, ideal for turning your ideas into tangible formats.
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Digital architecture workshopState-of-the-art technology to bring your projects to life: 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC milling, enabling experimentation with innovative materials and forms.
Information sessions
Attend the next Informative Session
The University is organising open days for future university students who would like to know more about our institution and the programmes we offer.
Admission process
Admission process for master's and postgraduate programmes
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Request information
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Application for admission
- Delivery of documentation
- Validation of documentation
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Assessment of candidate
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Result of admission process
- Admission
- On hold
- No admission
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Deposit paid
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Enrolment
Between July and September
- Tuition paid
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Welcome!
You are now part of UIC Barcelona
Who can apply?
This programme is aimed at university graduates from the following areas: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Design and Geography.
Required level of education: Graduate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree + University Master’s Degree. Minimum credit load: 240 ECTS
How to apply
- Register online
- Upload the following documents to the admission’s portal:
- Photocopy of your passport
- 1 passport-size photo
- Certified* copy of your Diploma**
- Certified* copy of your Academic Transcript
- A signed copy of the UIC Barcelona general conditions (download the form from the admission’s portal)
- A signed copy of the UIC Barcelona data protection form (download the form from the admission’s portal)
- A filled in and signed copy of the grant survey referring to any external grants/financial aid for which you may have applied (download the form from the admission’s portal)
- Motivation letter (in English; please include your Skype username in your signature)
- Portfolio (in English and pdf format; content and length up to the student)
- CV (in English)
- Certificate of English language level (minimum B2)
Optional:
- Recommendation letters
- Other certificates, diplomas or proof of work experience
* Document must have an official stamp from your university
** If you do not yet have your Diploma, please submit the proof of payment of the diploma issuance fees or a document from your university certifying your expected date of graduation.
Accommodation and Visas
Students are responsible for finding accommodation and acquiring visas.
Admission calls
Application Process Deadlines for 2025-2026
Rolling admissions until all spots have been filled.
Accepted Students
- Reserve a place: Pay the deposit (20% of the total fee
- Legalise academic documents: Ask your programme advisor about specific instructions and procedures
- Enrollment fee: Pay the remaining amount (80% of the total fee)
- Submit paper copies of your legalised academic documents upon arrival in Barcelona
Prices, grants and financial aid
Price
Grants
UIC Barcelona offers various fellowships supported by both public institutes (MEC or AGUAR), as well as private UIC Barcelona funds.
For further information, please check with our admissions department:
Grants offered by UIC Barcelona for master's degrees and postgraduate programmes
Other grants
Those pursuing master's degrees or postgraduate programmes studies at UIC Barcelona are also eligible for other scholarships.
Financing
In order to make tuition fee payments easier for students, UIC Barcelona offers various financing options through its partner banks.
Payment facilities
UIC Barcelona offers different payment options.
International mobility
Fieldtrip
Included in the tuition costs is an international fieldtrip, teaming up with local organisations on on-going projects, as well as students from RMIT’s MoDDD and local universities, this 10-day workshop provides a unique experience to put into practice the theory and tools gained during the master’s programme. Past fieldtrips have included: post-disaster reconstruction strategies in Ecuador, ecological and upgrading urban strategies in the favela Rio das Pedras in Brazil, analysing spatial justice on the Tijuana-San Diego border and urban refugee integration strategies in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Take a look at our previous fieldtrips in our blog
Interships
The internship is an important part of your learning experience in the Master and an opportunity to branch into a new field. It is a mandatory, 3-month internship at the end of the course, from June through August. We regularly collaborate with approximately 30 organizations in all areas of development and emergency including international institutions such as UN Habitat, CRS, and MSF, as well as smaller scale NGOs, and research institutions such as BCNUEJ. Students are responsible for finding an internship. The Masters team will assist in the application process by coordinating the applications to the institutions on our list and giving guidance and academic support, however we cannot guarantee placement within these organizations. The internship does not have to be related to your thesis topic. Students finish and defend their thesis before beginning the internship.
Recent Internships have taken place in the following institutions:
- BCNUEJ (Barcelona Lab for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability) Barcelona, Spain
- Center on Global Justice, UCSD; San Diego, USA
- CRS (Catholic Relief Services) Leeds, UK
- CPID (Center for Public Interest Design) Portland, USA
- EMI Manila (Earthquakes and Megacities) Manila, Philippines
- GWOPA (Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance) Barcelona, Spain
- MSF (Médicos sin Fronteras) Barcelona, Spain
- Office of Displaced Designers; Lesvos, Greece
- Tsum Nubri Relief Centre; Kathmandu, Nepal
- SPARC (Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres) Mumbai, India
- UCLG (United Cities Local Governments) Barcelona, Spain
- UN HABITAT CRPP (City Resilience Profiling Program) Barcelona, Spain
- UN HABITAT Offices; Nairobi, Laos, Fukuoka, Lebanon…
- VPUU (Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading) Cape Town, South Africa
Alumni Ambassador
The Alumni Ambassadors are volunteer alumni who will explain their experience at UIC Barcelona to you. With them you will be able to resolve any doubts that may arise about the chosen program, the University and your experience as a student.
What questions can you ask an Alumni Ambassador?
- What do you value most about this program?
- What profile of students studied it?
- What do you think about teachers?
- What professional practices did you do?
- What are the advantages of studying in Barcelona?
- If he/she already has a job and if he had a hard time finding one.
Don't miss this magnificent opportunity to learn first-hand what it means to do a program at UIC Barcelona and the value it brings you in the development of your career. If you have any specific questions about the admission process, scholarships, visas or financial aid, you can contact directly admisiones@uic.es.
Find an Alumni and start chatting now!
- Spanish Universities Council Resolution (136.38 KB)
- Positive accreditation (344.88 KB)