Master of Human Settlements

About this programme 

The Master of Human Settlements provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of worldwide settlements in an era of rapid change. The intensive program seeks to expose the multi-faceted challenge of contemporary human settlements, from multi-disciplinary and multi-scalar perspectives. It develops a critical and interpretative approach towards developing their own position within the field.

The Master of Human Settlements addresses rapid urbanisation in the developing world and contemporary urban transformations.  Architecture, urbanism, landscape architecture and spatial planning are the core disciplines underpinning the program. Contributions from economics, geography and anthropology, among others, complement the core, to better understand the interplay of human and natural ecosystems. The program thrives from its truly international body of students and the faculty’s long-standing research expertise in worldwide contexts. 

The development of MaHS as an ICP program is supported by a number of partners across the globe: the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), University of Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, South Africa), University of Guayaquil (Ecuador), Technical University Kenya (Nairobi, Kenya), Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (Mozambique) and Birzeit University (Palestine). Every year, partner co-production reinforces the unique and distinctive trait of the MaHS, namely that of an integrated approach to urban development that finds its best expression in the design studio where real-world problems are tackled. These intensive and shared design experiences are jointly organised with ICP partners as a way to balance fundamental and applied knowledge within a research-oriented approach.

Admission criteria

The admission policy is intended to ensure equal opportunity of access to higher education for qualified European and third country students. Your admission is based on the evaluation of a complete application file. All applications are evaluated by both KU Leuven Admissions Office and the relevant master’s programme director. Final admission decisions will made be at the discretion of the Faculty.

• Academic background: Be a graduate (with minimum 5 years of university education) in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Spatial Planning and Urbanism, or Social Science (with a strong spatial planning or policy focus).
• Academic excellence: applicants should have a good academic record (normal level of 70%, or GPA 2.8/3.0, upper second class).
• GRE test results: Students applying to this programme are exempted from submitting GRE scores, but it might still be considered as an asset. 
• Strong motivation: applicants should submit a letter of motivation and a portfolio (design or planning analysis case studies, plus spatial analysis case study) which clearly demonstrate their sound professional intentions and relevant experience. Preferred candidates are applicants with some years of relevant professional experience.
• English language proficiency: students should have a good command of English, both spoken and written.
• Recommendation letters: Submit two recommendation letters to support the application.

Official and current admission requirements

Student profile

The programme aims to provide insight into the problems of Human Settlements as related to rapid change and to the interaction between modernity and tradition, formal and informal city-making. It also aims to strengthen capacities to tackle the growth of spontaneous settlements and the design of large scale projects in a complex urban context with up-to-date insights and techniques. Its graduates have a thorough understanding of the dynamic and multifunctional aspects of the built environment, they have the skills to devise interventions that are context-responsive and sustainable and are at ease in moving back-and-forth between academic theory and day-to-day professional practice.

Applicants with some years of relevant professional experience will be preferred. Students aim at preparing themselves for a possibly international career in the field of human settlements.

Application deadline

For most recent - and only official - information on application deadlines, check KU Leuven - Application deadlines.

Application procedure

Check the application instructions for Bachelor, Master, Postgraduate programmes and Credit Contracts. There is also a video that explains the application procedure from start to finish. 

Tuition fees

It is worth noting that our tuition fees are cheaper than in many other European countries thanks to the generous financing of the higher education system by our government. Although all of our programmes are very affordable compared to equivalent universities around the world, the fees for any individual student are contingent upon their choice of academic programme and the nationality of the student.

For most recent and only official information on the tuition fees, check the KU Leuven - Tuition Fees.

Scholarships

Our aim is to offer affordable tuition fees for all students, which means we only have a limited number of scholarships available for students from particular backgrounds or studying in particular fields.