Study  ›   Postgraduate Taught courses

Global Housing Design

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here

Apply for this course

UK students

Apply for this course by:

There is no fee to apply for our courses.

What you'll need

All candidates will be offered an interview as part of the application process and will be required to submit a portfolio of work.

You'll also need to submit:

  • School or college transcripts/certificates
  • University transcripts and certified translations if applicable
  • Degree certificates
  • Personal statement outlining your learning ambitions

Our application process

  • Sign into our online portal, Apply Yourself, and start your application
  • Submit your application
  • We'll email you to let you know we're processing your application
  • Track the progress of your application using the Postgraduate Application Tracker (we'll send you a link to the tracker)
  • We'll email you when a decision has been made
  • If you've been made an offer, you can then accept or decline it using the Postgraduate Application Tracker.

Already a University of Liverpool student?

Apply faster with the quick apply form for current University of Liverpool students.

Need help applying?

Our how to apply pages provide further information about applying online for our taught postgraduate courses.

If you are unable to apply via our online form, or need further support, please contact the postgraduate enquiries team.

Related courses

There are nine courses related to Global Housing Design that you might be interested in.

Change country or region

We’re showing entry requirements and other information for applicants with qualifications from: United Kingdom.

Commonly selected...

Change to the United Kingdom


Not on the list?

If your country or region isn’t listed here, please contact us with any questions about studying with us.

Let’s stay in touch

Want to hear updates from us? Fill out the form below to receive invites to future events and information about studying at the University of Liverpool. Following submission, you can opt out by contacting our enquiries team.

Complete form

Master of Science

A Master of Science (MSc) is a master’s degree awarded for a postgraduate programme in the sciences.

Return to top

Course overview

The MSc Global Housing Design offers an advanced architectural design graduate course in housing for future designers, policy makers and researchers. Through its unique research-led design curriculum, it offers a one year, three semester long programme focused on housing and cities.

Introduction

The programme aims to negotiate the practical, theoretical, and speculative aspects of housing design, rethinking housing for future urbanities. It will prepare you to engage in ever more diverse and dynamic global landscapes in housing production, culture, and politics. You will learn various research methods to construct a critical overview of housing issues in different metropolitan contexts. An interdisciplinary approach and multi-scalar lens will lead you to re-envision the city, its housing types, its homes, and its inhabitants, as part of a system that is mutually and retroactively produced.

The programme is underpinned by a strong professional network, including practices, developers, and government bodies.

Who is this course for?

This master’s programme is suitable for experienced architects, as well as graduates from a design background.

What you'll learn

On this course, students will:

  • Understand and investigate theoretical and practical issues of housing design on a global scale
  • Gain a holistic understanding of housing production (disciplines, stakeholders, impacts) and develop skills to intervene in housing production through design on a local, national, and global level
  • Develop research and design skills to identify challenges and to provide design solutions in our residential environments in different urban contexts
  • Improve their digital fluency (BIM, Modelling, GIS, Environmental modelling)
  • Acquire skills to effectively communicate to different stakeholders, develop impactful, systematic solutions, and become active participants in shaping residential/urban environments
  • Gain individual development through academic enquiry, peer discussion, scholarship, and research skills in investigating housing design
  • Gain academic and practical experience, specifically tailored for future employment and/or the pursuit of postgraduate studies.

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Semester 1

Semester 1 will focus on the housing crisis. Each student will be asked to identify a specific phenomenon, identify its causes and urban variables.

Please note: This is a newly launched programme – some modules may therefore be subject to change prior to the course start date.

Compulsory modules

Housing Design Crisis (ARCH751)

Credits: 30 / Semester: semester 1

The design studio uses the notion of “crisis” as an operational tool to critically evaluate aspects of our housing production and respond to current urgencies. Thus, this studio module explores in detail a current and relevant issue in housing design detected by the students. Set in a particular urban context, students are asked to analyse the circumstances and criticise current responses to housing demands. Students’ design framework for the projects will aim to respond, through distinctive design strategies, to particular social, economic, and political questions. Students are motivated to choose a specific urban context as ground for their research throughout the entire year and context for their design explorations for this module. The students will be given ownership of their research-by-design activities and can discuss their work with leading housing professionals and academics. The module aims to link rigorous academic practices and research methodologies to real world scenarios.

Housing History and Theories from 1900 to the Present (ARCH753)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

The module introduces key architectural concepts, themes, and theories influential in architecture globally from 1900 onwards, particularly related to housing. By looking into notable housing case studies, it introduces a theoretical and historical framework for the understanding of the ongoing discourses in housing design. It engages with a wide range of written texts on housing theory – whether these originate from within architecture or from other disciplines.

The module provides the students with a comprehensive understanding of housing case studies across the globe, both in western and non-western contexts, with a broad perspective on the urban policies and practice-related constraints that made these projects possible. Discussions will integrate the perspective of different stakeholders, including policy makers, architects, planners, local governments, practitioners, users, and the community.

Optional modules

Climatic Design for Sustainable Architecture (ARCH716)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module introduces the key principles of climate sensitive design for different climates around the world. Students will learn how to use relevant software to help in climate design and will apply this knowledge to an assignment involving the conversion of shipping containers to climate-sensitive passive dwellings. The module is taught through a series of lectures, tutorials and workshops.

Heritage Management: Approaches and Methods (ARCH736)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module addresses the need for managing heritage and assessing the international and local factors that affect cultural heritage and its sustainable care and management. This module complements and develops further concepts and approaches outlined in the introductory module and instils methodological approaches and skills to apply heritage management within the context of conservation, architecture and urban design practice. The module equips the students to apply heritage management methods in following modules in semester two.
This module is based on active learning through interactive lectures and workshops. The students will be given the opportunity to apply their learning practically under the same or similar conditions as practitioners outside academia. Students will not only acquire research skills but they will also obtain analytical and interpretative skills of situations and facts towards making appropriate choices and developing effective solutions in relation to heritage management approaches. They will be assessed against both coursework and oral presentation, which give them an opportunity to develop both written and oral literacies.

Heritage Perspectives and Policies (ARCH735)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module introduces heritage as a complex phenomenon with significant values that play a vital role in all cycles of its life, including our current and future eras across the world. It provides the students with a comprehensive understanding of heritage and conservation policies and practice, and what heritage means; besides understanding how different stakeholders, including, policy makers, architects, planners, local governments, practitioners, international and local/ indigenous communities value it. The students will also be able to demonstrate international perspectives as professionals/citizens by being able to locate, discuss, analyse, and evaluate information from both local and international sources; besides considering issues from a variety of cultural standpoints. The students will be given ownership of their research activities and will have the opportunity to discuss their work in lectures and workshops, some of which will be directed by leading heritage professionals. The module also aims to link rigorous academic practices and methodologies to real world and employment-related scenarios. Additionally, the module aims to provide opportunities for the development of presentation, academic writing, and time management skills via variable and flexible activities throughout the semester.

Assessment is based on a coursework assignment and an oral presentation of the research background and methods, analysis findings and discussions.

Net Zero Carbon Design (ARCH747)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

Net zero carbon design is a key response to how buildings will reduce their environmental impact and help combat climate change. This module considers developments in the environmental design of buildings, from the vernacular architecture of the past to the 21st Century target of net zero carbon. The module covers key carbon issues, such as embodied carbon, life cycle analysis and the retrofitting of existing buildings. The health of building users is an important factor in sustainable design, and the module reviews indoor conditions and their effects on physical and mental wellbeing. The module will be delivered as lectures (from tutors who are active researchers in net zero carbon design), as workshops, as site visits and as guest talks from practitioners. Assessment will be a detailed case study report (70%) and presentation (30%) of net zero carbon buildings located in two different climate regions.

People and Planning (ENVS636)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module aims to emphasise the centrality of people and communities to planning and provide a theoretical and practical foundation to the interactions between people and planning. It will include reflections on the historical development of community-focussed planning; analysis of the importance of planning working with and for people; and provide a theoretically-informed toolkit of methods to engage with communities.

Planning for Housing and Home (ENVS635)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module aims to understand the relationship between housing, home and planning through social, economic and political processes at local to international scales. Students will reflect on historical development in housing policy and practice, understand housing’s relationship to and centrality within key societal challenges, and be able to compare and contrasts housing and planning issues at local, regional, national and international scales.

Spatial Planning Challenges (ENVS411)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module provides students with an understanding of the conflicts facing planners in trying to deliver sustainable development. It introduces students to the range of social, economic and environmental issues that face contemporary society. It outlines the role of spatial planning in managing development pressures while protecting the built and natural environment, and it explores different planning responses to address and reconcile these competing interests.

URBAN DESIGN (ARCH731)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module aims to help students develop in-depth knowledge on urban design and enhance their design skills to address the complex urban challenges of our age. It intends to prepare students to become creative and problem-solving professionals. To do so, this module will introduce students to a wide range of urban design theories, design principles and processes which underpin the discipline of urban design. Students will have the opportunity to study and debate key issues in urban design, the disciplinary foundations of urban design, various topics about public spaces, the application of urban analytical techniques and methods for practice, as well as urban design governance in relation to the planning system. The module will draw examples or case studies from both the local and international contexts and encourage students to think critically about possible design interventions in different urban environments towards sustainable development and place-making. ​

Since this module is taught together with ARCH406 Urban Design which is a compulsory module for the accredited MArch programme in Architecture, ideally students who select this module need to have some design skills from previous training in Architecture, Planning or Landscape Architecture.

Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.

Our curriculum

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Your experience

The MSc in Global Housing Design is an inclusive and diverse course, connecting research and design. You will actively learn through case studies and by discussing your projects with partners from industry, local governments, and developers. You will increase your confidence through continuous presentations and reviews with local and international experts from various fields, becoming global housing experts.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

Why study Architecture at Liverpool?

  • Established in 1894, the Liverpool School of Architecture was the first university in the UK to award a RIBA-accredited degree in Architecture
  • As one of the UK’s premier centres for architectural research and education, the Liverpool School of Architecture is the ideal place to pursue your architecture studies
  • We are ranked 3rd in the UK for Architecture (The Guardian University Guide 2025) and 7th in the Times and Sunday Times Higher Education Good University Guide 2025.
  • In the latest Research Excellence Framework assessment (REF 2021), we were rated 5th in the sector for overall research classified as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).
  • We are strongly focused on research, and have many leading architectural experts based amongst our teaching staff
  • Our membership of the School of the Arts and wider University presents intriguing specialist opportunities, in fields such as autonomous building systems, arts and building design, and climate change risk mitigation
  • Work is underway on a major refurbishment of our premises, which will comprise a new-build addition of more than 2,000M. The £23 million scheme has been designed by Dublin-based architects O’Donnell + Tuomey, and is expected to be completed by 2024.

Careers and employability

You will gain expertise and transferable skills to enable you to address issues related to housing design within the UK and internationally.

Career planning

Three career coaches standing outside the Careers Studio

Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.

From education to employment

Two graduates in postgraduate robes.

We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.

Networking events

Postgraduate students hold a discussion while sat round a table in in the Liverpool Guild of Students.

You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.

Your future

After this programme and depending on your interests, you will be trained to upgrade the current housing production through various professional channels:

  • Architecture offices
  • Central/Local government
  • Research institutions
  • NGOs
  • The construction industry

Research-oriented students also may proceed to engage in a PhD programme.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £10,800
International fees
Full-time place, per year £24,800
Fees stated are for the academic year 2024/25 and are subject to change for 2025/26.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here


Chilean National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) Scholarship

  • International students
  • Chile

If you’re a Chilean student joining a master’s degree, you could be eligible to apply for a 20% discount on your tuition fees with a Chilean National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) Scholarship.

Chevening Scholarships

  • International students
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Brunei
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile
  • China
  • Columbia
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Ghana
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iraq
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Libya
  • Malaysia
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Moldova
  • Mongolia
  • Montserrat
  • Morocco
  • Nepal
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Russia
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • South Sudan
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan
  • Taiwan
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkey
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Zimbabwe

If you’re an international student from an eligible country, joining a one-year master’s course, you could be eligible to apply for a Chevening Scholarship. If your application is successful, you could expect to have your master’s fees paid, up to a maximum of £18,000, and receive additional help with living costs.

Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONACyT) Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

If you’re a Mexican student joining a master’s degree, you could be eligible to apply for a 30% discount on your tuition fees with a CONACyT Award.

Fund for the Development of Human Resources (FIDERH) Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

If you’re a Mexican student joining a master’s degree and you’re in receipt of a FIDERH graduate loan, you could be eligible to benefit from a 20% discount on your tuition fees with a FIDERH Award.

Fulbright Scholarship

  • International students
  • United States

If you’re a USA student joining a master’s degree, you can apply to be considered for a tuition fee discount of £20,000 with a Fulright Scholarship. One Fulbright Scholarship for master’s study is available in each academic year.

FUNED Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

If you’re a Mexican student joining a master’s degree and you’re in receipt of a FUNED loan, you can apply to be considered for a 20% tuition fee discount. A total of up to 50 awards will be available to master’s and PhD students per academic year.

Hong Kong Graduate Association & Tung Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

  • International students
  • China
  • Hong Kong

If you’re a master’s student from Hong Kong or the People’s Republic of China who can demonstrate academic excellence, you may be eligible to apply for a scholarship worth up to £10,000 in partnership with the Tung Foundation.

HRH Princess Sirindhorn University of Liverpool Scholarship (Thailand)

  • International students
  • Thailand

If you’re a student from Thailand joining a one-year master’s degree, you might be eligible to apply to have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with living costs. One award is available and only students who are new to the University will be considered.

John Lennon Memorial Scholarship

  • Home students

If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.

JuventudEsGto Scholarship

  • International students
  • Mexico

If you’re a resident of the state of Guanajuato in Mexico joining a master’s degree, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees with a JuventudEsGto Scholarship.

Marshall Scholarship

  • International students
  • United States

If you’re a USA student joining an eligible master’s with us, you could be eligible to apply for a Marshall Scholarship. If your application is successful, your master’s tuition fees will be paid in full. One Marshall Scholarship for master’s study is available in each academic year.

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

  • Home students

If you’re a UK University of Liverpool graduate joining a master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive £3,000 off your tuition fees. You must have graduated in the last two years and received a widening access scholarship during your undergraduate studies.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

  • Home and international students

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Turkish Ministry of Education Scholarship

  • International students
  • Turkey

If you’re a Turkish student joining a master’s degree, you could be eligible to apply for a 20% discount on your tuition fees with a Turkish Ministry of Education Scholarship.

University of Liverpool International College Excellence Scholarship

  • International students

Completed a Pre-Master’s at University of Liverpool International College (UoLIC)? We’re offering a £5,000 fee discount off the first year of master’s study to some of the highest achieving students joining one of our non-clinical master’s courses from UoLIC.

University of Liverpool International College Impact Progression Scholarships

  • International students

If you’re a University of Liverpool International College student awarded a Kaplan Impact Scholarship, we’ll also consider you for an Impact Progression Scholarship. If selected, you’ll receive a fee discount worth £3,000 off the first year of your master’s course.

Vice-Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship for Mainland China

  • International students
  • China

Are you a high-achieving graduate from the People’s Republic of China with a degree from a Chinese university? You could be eligible to apply for a £5,000 fee discount if you’re joining an eligible master’s course. Up to 15 eligible students will receive this scholarship.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

We are looking for skilled architects from across the world, with an enthusiastic vision of housing and future urbanities. All candidates will be required to submit a portfolio of work and offered an interview as part of the application process. Your portfolio should portray representative work. This can be research or professional based. Please include a minimum of 5 projects.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here

Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

Postgraduate entry requirements

Applicants with a BA Architecture (minimum 2:1) or equivalent may also be accepted if relevant work experience (minimum 2 years) can be demonstrated. All applicants will be offered an interview as part of the application process and will be required to submit a portfolio of work. This is to be sent as a PDF file, containing a maximum of 20 spreads in A3 format horizontal, maximum 10MB.

Candidates with non-traditional qualifications, but required experience, will be considered for the programme. Please contact us if you wish to check whether your degree subject is suitable.

International qualifications

If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, you could be eligible for a Pre-Master’s course. This is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. It’s a specialist preparation course for postgraduate study, and when you pass the Pre-Master’s at the required level with good attendance, you’re guaranteed entry to a University of Liverpool master’s degree.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

English language qualification Requirements
IELTS other
IELTS Band 6
INDIA Standard XII National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.

PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH

Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

Find out the length of Pre-Sessional English course you may require for this degree.

Pre-sessional English

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-Sessional English course you require.

Our Pre-Sessional English courses vary from 6, 10, 12, 20, 30 or 40 weeks.

You can email us at elc@liverpool.ac.uk for advice on the length of Pre-Sessional English course you require. Please let us know your most recent score in one of the following English languages tests so we can assess your current English language ability:

  • IELTS
  • LanguageCert Academic
  • Pearson PTE
  • Skills for English
  • Oxford Test for English
  • Duolingo English Test

We’ll be in touch to let you know the length of Pre-Sessional English course you require. We’ll also confirm whether you can study Pre-Sessional English on campus or online.

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new application cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted on the website.

More about life in Liverpool

Discover more about the city and University.

Why study at Liverpool? Victoria Gallery & Museum

Why Liverpool?

Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.

Accommodation Postgraduate students walking through the campus.

Accommodation

To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.

Fees and Finance Image of the outside of the Management School building

Fees and Finance

Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.

Changes to Global Housing Design MSc

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

23 October 2024: MSc Global Housing Design – change to optional modules

Optional modules removed to reflect that the optional semester in London is no longer offered. Confirmation of alternative options to follow.