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Cardiff University

Cardiff , Wales ,United Kingdom

Master of Design Administration ((MDA)

The Master of Design Administration (MDA) aims to equip graduates with the expertise necessary for the successful administration and management of the design process in the procurement of buildings, from inception to occupation. It is intended to fulfil the growing need for experts in design management, working within consultancies, or in contracting or specialist contractor firms, or in client bodies.

The programme combines management and legal aspects of procurement, with a unique focus on design aspects, addressing current topics of key interest to construction professionals.

It is taught through blended learning (a combination of distance learning methods and on-site courses) and is undertaken while you are working in practice. A wide range of distance learning teaching methods are used; including webinars and online, a programme blog and discussion boards. Course material will be available in the form of detailed course notes, wikis, and pre-recorded video presentations. You will be supported by regular online tutorials and provided with detailed feedback on all course assignments.

The distance learning element is normally supplemented by on-site courses of two to four days, although for 20/21 is it anticipated that these will be run on-line. They will include advanced seminars given by leading experts. These will normally be interactive and involve group workshops, which are designed to encourage you to share experience and knowledge gained in practice.

This programme is taught by well-known experts and maintains strong links with industry, which ensures that the course encompasses current topics of direct relevance to those involved in procuring construction projects, and managing the design process.

The MDA is intended for those who have a degree in a design, construction or building management field, for example architects, engineers, contractors and client representatives. All those registered on the course would normally be in employment, with several years’ experience, but may be looking for promotion to a more senior design management position, or perhaps to set up their own firm.

Intakes

  • Sep

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Our courses prepare you for a professional career in a wide range of industries, business and the financial sector, or further study.

Engineers are in high demand, and thanks to our wide range of degree programmes, our graduates’ prospects are among the best in the UK.

On average,
over 95%
of our graduates are
in employment or further study
six months after graduating.
Our graduates go on to work in a range of areas, including industry, the public sector, the financial sector or academia. Some graduate destinations include:

Supplementing your studies
We offer students the option of taking a Year in Industry after their second year of study, which is spent in a professional workplace gaining hands-on experience. This experience can simultaneously improve students’ confidence and employment prospects.

Our MEng (Hons) programmes also have the option of a Year in Europe, which is a year spent at an institution in France, Germany or Spain, after the third year of study. This is a chance not only for students to broaden their personal horizons, but also to develop further academic skills.

Links with industry
Students who are not on the Year in Industry scheme still benefit from industrial input in modules across all engineering disciplines. School-wide project modules are supported by industrial collaboration with a number of companies, including Flintec, Ove Arup and Partners International, Atkins, GL Garrard Hassan, BAE Systems, EADS, and Babcock Marine.

In the waste management, recycling, and energy fields there is significant input from research contracts with companies such as Rolls Royce, EoN, Tata Steel, and Stork Technical Services. Inputs are also received from companies such as Tidal Energy Ltd (TEL), Marine Current Turbines (part of Siemens), Bosch, ANSYS and Mabey Bridge.

In environmental and water engineering, presentations are given by industrially sponsored lecturers from CH2MHILL and Lusas. Direct industrial input also comes from companies including Newport Galvanisers (a subsidiary of Wedge Galvanisers), GBCard and Partners, Jacobs Engineering, Capita Symonds, and Mott-MacDonald.

Extra-curricular opportunities
In today's competitive graduate job market, we recognise that students are always looking for ways to make them stand out to prospective employers. Each year, our students have the opportunity to get involved with some really exciting projects.

Aside from this, there are many extra-curricular opportunities, both social and serious, organised through the School, the University or the Students’ Union.

PSW Opportunity

  • 2 Years PSW

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Postgraduate taught courses
You will need successful completion of a relevant bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, with grades of approximately 55%-60% to qualify for our postgraduate courses.

Postgraduate research courses
If you are applying for research courses from India, you will be required to provide evidence that you have already carried out research, usually via the successful completion of a relevant master's degree.

You will need successful completion of a relevant bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, with a grade of approximately 55% - 60%. Some Schools will also require the successful completion of a relevant master's programme from a recognised institution.

Qualification accepted

Equivalent to IELTS 6.5
(with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill)

Equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in each subskill)

Equivalent to IELTS 7.5 overall (with a minimum of 7.5 in each subskill)

IELTS (Academic) test from a recognised IELTS test centre

At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill

At least 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each subskill

At least 7.5 overall with at least 7.5 in each subskill

PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic)

At least 62 overall with a minimum of 51 in all communicative skills

At least 70 overall with no less than 54 in all communicative skills

At least 78 overall with no less than 78 in all communicative skills

TOEFL iBT including Home Edition

At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking

At least 100 overall with a minimum of 20 in each subskill

At least 109 overall with a minimum of 26 in speaking and 24 in all other subskills

  • Course Type: Full Time
  • Course Level: Masters/PG Degree
  • Duration: 01 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee: 21950 GBP
    Annual Cost of Living: 9207 GBP
    Application Fee: N/A
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