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Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Postgraduate MA
Expanded Spatial Practices
Develop interdisciplinary approaches to the design and production of spaces of social relations and critique through practice.
Course Overview
-
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
18 Months -
16 Sep 2024
Spatial practice is often approached from within tight disciplinary and professional boundaries. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach by integrating knowledge and methods from multiple fields. You’ll draw on architecture, interior, and landscape, as well as: art, performance, choreography, history, public policy, criminology, health, and creative technology, to critically interrogate the ways in which space is thought, represented, produced, and used.
Join a diverse academic community
Aimed at students with a design background, we also welcome students from other disciplines or experiences looking to expand their practice or enter a new career.
As part of this course, you’ll:
- Propose new areas for investigation and critical enquiry by expanding your engagement with contemporary social, cultural, political, and ecological issues, debates, and public policies
- Embrace interdisciplinary methodological approaches to spatial practice with a view to contributing to both theory- and practice-led research in the field
- Expertly organise expanded spatial practices, and proficiently realise and communicate high-quality projects including the documentation and dissemination of outputs
- Develop a high level of collaborative competency as well as your effectiveness and efficiency in leading and working with multi-disciplinary teams and complex organisations
Your development
The course will help you develop into a competent spatial practitioner and researcher. You’ll be confident leading change, working across disciplines, delivering complex projects with positive social impact, and undertaking independent and collaborative scholarship.
Study a dynamic subject
Expanded and critical spatial practice is an emerging interdisciplinary subject area. This programme offers you the opportunity to study with experts across different disciplines. You’ll work with them through an extensive and varied selection of option modules drawn from partner postgraduate programmes within Leeds Beckett.
Your learning
Your core modules will equip you with the skills to research, analyse, conceive, represent, and realise spatial propositions. You’ll learn to document and disseminate project outcomes, and work on high-quality projects. A wide range of option modules will provide you with specialist knowledge and methods of research that enable you to define your own expertise and research interests.
Why study expanded spatial practices at Leeds Beckett University...
- Learn from an expert and research-active interdisciplinary teaching team
- Become an interdisciplinary spatial practitioner and researcher capable of leading change and delivering complex projects with positive social impact
- Join a network of spatial practitioners who foster collaborative working through facilitating community building, sharing of practice, and future collaborations
- Access industry standard facilities in Leeds School of Arts - one of the largest university arts communities in the northern region
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally have an upper second class (2.1) honours degree.
Applicants with a lower second class (2.2) honours degree will be considered on an individual basis if they have relevant work experience. Applicants who do not have an honours degree may be considered if they have significant relevant experience from within the profession.
Your personal statement should outline your academic and professional background, your research interests, your reason for wishing to study this course and your future ambitions within the subject area. All suitable candidates who meet the entry requirements will be required to submit a portfolio which may include examples of creative work, design projects, writing samples and should normally include a research proposal, and will be invited to attend an interview.
Applications should normally be supported by two references, one academic and one professional; you can download our reference template for completion.
All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements.
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally have an upper second class (2.1) honours degree.
Applicants with a lower second class (2.2) honours degree will be considered on an individual basis if they have relevant work experience. Applicants who do not have an honours degree may be considered if they have significant relevant experience from within the profession.
Your personal statement should outline your academic and professional background, your research interests, your reason for wishing to study this course and your future ambitions within the subject area. All suitable candidates who meet the entry requirements will be required to submit a portfolio which may include examples of creative work, design projects, writing samples and should normally include a research proposal, and will be invited to attend an interview.
Applications should normally be supported by two references, one academic and one professional; you can download our reference template for completion.
All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements.
Interview Required
All suitable applicants will be invited to attend an interview and should prepare a portfolio of work and/or writing samples to present. The portfolio may vary according to the applicant’s discipline(s), and its content may include, but should not be limited to, examples of architectural and design projects, video and performance pieces, artworks and exhibitions, and digital platforms.
IELTS
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an adequate level of English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. Evidence of English proficiency such as IELTS or an equivalent accepted English qualification must be provided. The minimum IELTS level required for this course is an overall score of 6.5 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Teaching & Learning
What you'll learn
This module will introduce you to the key ideas and issues in the changing debates on space and spatial practice. You’ll use case studies to examine a range of contemporary and historical examples which integrate knowledge and methods from other fields. You’ll critically examine practices which adopt cross-, inter-, and trans-disciplinary approaches, including artistic, architectural, urban, performative, and curatorial practice. This module will also encourage you to explore written work and examples of other practices which take collaborative and participatory approaches. You’ll understand how to identify ways of expanding spatial practice beyond disciplinary boundaries in preparation for further study on this course. You’ll also propose, develop, and implement your research project.
Learn to contextualise historical and theoretical perspectives that underpin spatial practice. You’ll be encouraged to explore new areas for investigation and critical enquiry by engaging deeply with contemporary social, cultural, political, and ecological issues, as well as with current public debates, and policies. You’ll critically analyse a range of conceptual, theoretical, and technical frameworks concerning space as you pay particular attention to cross-, intra-, and trans-disciplinary methodological approaches to spatial practice. The module will enable you to develop the knowledge to formulate a theory- and practice-led project proposal. Your proposal will expand your spatial practice, inform your choice of option modules, and provide the basis for your own research in the field.
Develop the skills you’ll need to carry out and synthesise rigorous research in response to your proposed area of enquiry. You’ll work on innovative and ambitious projects that address clearly identified issues, challenges, and opportunities. Projects can fit different categories including, but not limited to, artefacts, devices and products, exhibitions, installations, events, performances, digital media, and written work. The work produced in this module will provide you with the basis for your project’s implementation in the self-directed module.
This module will give you the skills to organise expanded spatial practices. You’ll develop the proficiency to realise and communicate a high-quality project. This will include producing the documentation and dissemination of outputs for specialist and non-specialist audiences. Projects can take a variety of formats including but not limited to artefacts, devices and products, exhibitions, installations, events, performances, digital media, or written work. You’ll be encouraged to develop collaborative skills including interpersonal, interprofessional, organisational, and networking skills as well as the capability to lead and work with multi-disciplinary teams and complex organisations. This module will foster your initiative and self-direction, and further develop your research skills and intellectual autonomy. You’ll enhance your ability to work independently and collaboratively in the expanded field of spatial practice. The module will also develop your critical awareness of ethical principles, your strong professional values, and your understanding of codes of conduct. You’ll be encouraged to reflect on and take responsibility for individual and collective outputs.
What you'll learn
This module will introduce you to the fundamental concepts in researching, designing and implementing coherent, innovative user experiences with creative, visual or interactive technologies.
Identify the learning, software, workflows and practices you’ll apply within your individual technologies project. You'll lead your project development by articulating and identifying personal practice. Project and technical supervisors will provide support and guide your learning.
Gain in-depth understanding of the key contemporary issues in the UK criminal justice system. This module will focus on the history and development of contemporary criminal justice and the emergence of the state police. You’ll explore contemporary policing, punishment and sentencing, prison and youth justice agencies. Through analysing the construction of both the offender and the victim and inequalities in criminal justice pertaining to race, class and gender, you’ll appraise the concept of justice. You’ll address some of the challenges posed by social and political developments for the future of criminal justice including, risk, globalisation, privatisation, and the rise of the digital age.
Gain a deeper understanding of the power dynamics behind contemporary crime control policies of national and global reach. You will be able to identify and critically analyse discourses, narratives and policies of crime control and security, and develop an insight into how these impact the changing relationship between the individual and the state in its latest neo-liberal modification.
Analyse and assess the connection between research, policy and practice within the areas of punishment, rehabilitation, desistance and recovery from substance misuse. The real-world application of this module will enhance your employability as you develop knowledge and skills related to this sector. You’ll study both governmental institutions (prison) as well as non-governmental agencies working in rehabilitation.
You will synthesise the complex relationship between personal and professional values and practice within National Occupational Standards, approaches and interventions to Youth and Community Work, government agendas and protocols for work with children, young people and wider communities, key thinkers and theorists, challenges of multi professional and partnership working and explore the shifts taking place in a rapidly changing sector.
Youth and Community Work is facing the challenge of constant change, responding to the needs of policymakers, funders and increasingly disparate and diverse communities. This module will provide a critical understanding of the social and political changes that are taking place in post-Brexit Britain, the rise of populist politics, and a range of tensions and concerns that exist in an increasingly uncertain world.
Discover the trends and issues relevant to contemporary landscape architecture, including the scope of work, methods of approach and responsibilities of practising landscape architects.
Study choreographic practices that have been characterised as sitting within what has been called the 'Expanded Field'. This includes a study of conceptual and post-conceptual dance practices and the notion of choreographic propositions existing in a wider context to include multiple formats and expressions, experimental and interdisciplinary practices.
Your opportunity to make work in and/or with a community, this module will focus on the use of models of socially engaged practice, including critical consideration of participatory practice. You will consider the political and ethical questions that may arise through this practice such as authenticity, empowerment and activism.
Understand where public policy comes from, with a focus on historical and political antecedents. You’ll gain a detailed understanding of the key theories of the policy process, including the roles of a variety of key actors and institutions. You’ll also develop an understanding of shifting policymaking paradigms in British Politics. In so doing, you’ll better understand why we get the policies we do, and how to influence the future course of public policy.
Explore the contested conceptualisation of human rights, via universalist/relativist and cosmopolitan/communitarian debates, and locate the theorisation of rights within the broad schools of international relations thought. You’ll study the tensions that emerge through the institutionalisation of rights at an international level, the operation of sovereignty and the politics of rights at a group and individual level.
This module brings together recent research in environmental history and the histories of food and eating. You'll look at how food has been grown, transported and consumed in the western world since the Columbian Exchange of 1492.
Consider journeys, voyages and discoveries as recounted in travel journals, guidebooks, colonial texts, memoirs, fiction, letters and ethnographic studies. You will consider these representations against the backdrop of the histories of travel, tourism and exploration.
Examine the changing nature of public history since the mid-20th Century. You will explore specific case studies and learn about the skills and resources used by public historians.
Study the history and historiography of modern technology in societies and cultures under colonial rule. You'll explore the role of technology in imperial rule, attitudes and practices concerning technology and the changes that ensued. You'll gain an understanding of how modern mechanical technologies became everyday goods. You'll also look at how people viewed, used and abused these technologies to understand their role in wider social and cultural change.
Study the key themes of the British economic, cultural and political relationships with Italy. You'll examine a range of primary documents, including literature, travel-writing, journalism, and both diplomatic and consular reports. You'll investigate how Britain's interest in the Italian Risorgimento led to a considerable enthusiasm for the unifying of Italy between 1859 and 1870.
Gain the knowledge basis to study of public health and health promotion, with key principles and theory. This module will forefront a range of key concepts that are foundational to health promotion and public health. You'll develop a set of generic core skills including critical analysis and synthesis, critical reflection and group work in addition to subject-specific and contextual knowledge.
This module will focus on the policy process and key challenges for health and therefore policy makers. You’ll understand contemporary issues and topics as a mechanism to analyse various aspects of the policy process. Using case studies of current issues such as climate change, you’ll think critically about the policy-making process, and consider the challenges for health promoters working within a variety of policy contexts.
Fees & Funding hellooo
£9,900
UK
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £9900. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
£17,500
International 2024
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £17500. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Fees & Funding
£9,900
For students entering in 2024
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £9900. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
£17,500
For students entering in 2024
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £17500. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Moving on up
Leeds Beckett climbs 40 places in the Complete University Guide 2024
Your future in our hands
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
Career Prospects
As a graduate of this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of established and emerging employment markets. You’ll be ready to work across a variety of social, governmental, and commercial sectors in a range of fields including but not limited to:
- Public practice
- Regeneration and spatial policy
- Experiential design
- User experience design
- City branding and marketing
- Wayfinding
- Museology and curation
- Heritage interpretation
- Tourism and events
Beckett Careers Team
Our careers service is not just there for undergraduates, we support our postgraduate taught and research students too.
Your postgraduate degree will boost your CV and help you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're just starting out on your chosen career path, changing careers or moving to the next level, we can provide you with expert advice and resources to help you take the next steps to achieving your goals.
Your Beckett experience
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
Experience Leeds Beckett
Our state-of-the-art facilities and learning environments give you everything you need to succeed – whether that’s completing your current studies or joining our cutting-edge research teams.
