Home - MICSEA Official Master's degree

Make a positive impact

Through Architecture & Design

Learn more about our program

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Be part of the solution

To problems like climate change, poverty and conflict

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Emergency Architecture and Development

Learn about participatory design, slum upgrading, post-conflict and post-disaster contexts

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Diverse Employment Possibilities

Over 95% of our alumni work in the field of social design and development in a broad range of contexts

MICSEA Alumni

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International Setting

Over the last 14 years, we've welcomed 288 students from 69 countries

Our Master in Numbers

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

The official Master of International Cooperation Sustainable Emergency Architecture is a unique MSc degree that prepares architects to develop and rebuild communities affected by rapid urbanization, poverty, conflict and increasing disaster scenarios. The program forms part of the Erasmus Mundus European Cooperation Program and is located in Barcelona at the UIC Barcelona (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya).

This is the only masters with a joint focus on international cooperation, sustainable urban development and emergency architecture that enables practitioners to manage projects with a holistic approach and ranging from the urban to the architectural scale.

Find us at UIC

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WHY STUDY IN THE MICSEA PROGRAM?

RANKED 2ND BEST MASTERS DEGREE IN SPAIN IN 2023

and within the top 3 for the past 7 years

in the Design and Architecture category of the El Mundo Ranking.

Prestigious faculty & Partners

A prestigious roster of renowned international professors from the field of humanitarian architecture and design and the emergency and development sectors, as well as collaborating institutions and INGO’s, including UN-Habitat. Students will also obtain a certificate from our partner organization IFRC.

Job opportunities

A mandatory internship provides the connections and experience needed to secure positions in top institutions working in areas of post-disaster, post-conflict and sustainable urban development. We have agreements with over 40 organizations globally including international institutions such as UN Habitat, MSF and Shelter Centre as well as smaller scale NGOs, and research institutions such as BCNUEJ.

Fieldtrip

Included in the tuition costs is a fieldtrip where we team up with local organizations 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 throughout the Masters. Look in our blog for to see previous Fieldtrips.

Course Certified by IFRC

Our Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements course is certified by the IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies), providing students with the necessary skills to lead and coordinate Shelter Clusters on the field during the emergency response phase. The course is course taught by professionals from the IFRC as well as from other organizations like MSF, IOM, and UNHCR.

Multicultural environment

Much like our faculty, our students span over 53 different nationalities from both developed and developing countries around the world, making for an exceptionally international and enriching learning environment, and a valuable professional network.

300

Alumni are making an impact

122

institutions have hosted our students' internships

of graduates are hired in the sector within one year of graduating

OUR PARTNERS

We have agreements with the top leading agencies in humanitarian response and development, leading universities, and form part of the Erasmus Mundus Masters Programme.

Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on what’s happening in our classroom and other news and events!

ALUMNI

Here’s what some of our alumni have to say about the program:

“

This master represented an outstanding professional change in my career as an architect. It has a multidisciplinary team of teachers and experts from all around the world that taught me the global knowledge required to launch my career as a humanitarian worker. This experience opened my life towards a complete different path and I will always be grateful for all the support received.

”
Esther MenduiñaSpain, Year 2015-16

“

This master's programme has profoundly changed the way I understand and relate to the world. Thanks to the incredible experiences and knowledge shared by the professors, I have learned how I can contribute in an ethical and human way to the biggest challenges our societies are facing today. In addition to that, I had the privilege of learning from my classmates, a group of fantastic women who shared the same journey as me and became one of my most treasured friendships.
This was the best time of my life.
If this programme is calling you, do it.

”
Luiza GasserBrazil, Year 2022-23

“

Studying this degree has prepared me to take on urban and social challenges, professionally and personally. The course content not only gave me the relevant knowledge to prepare for the humanitarian sector, but also provided me with the opportunity make international networks and industry connections.

”
Pratika TalegoankarAustralia, Year 2017-18

“

The Master’s Degree at UIC is a very intensive course that covers all the different ramifications in which humanitarian architecture is involved. Besides the impressive learning outcomes of the theoretical part, the practical activities allow you to strengthen your personal and professional growth, creating a solid network of excellent professors and collaborative colleagues and long-lasting friendships.

”
Francesca AiutiItaly, Year 2022-23

“

The field trip and workshop experiences not only gave me the practical knowledge to engage and work alongside local communities but to do so with great care and empathy.

”
Damini RathiIndia, Year 2017-2018

“

Taking advantage of both experienced practitioners and relevant researchers, and the combination of classes, workshops, and the internship, this program is a unique opportunity for professionals aiming at humanitarian work. The University provides us with a fast and yet thorough learning process, connecting us to robust networking. The Master definitely assists us to pave a career path.

”
Fabiano SatoriBrazil, Year 2017-18

“

Joining the humanitarian sector has been my goal since I finished my university degree. This master’s give me the opportunity to know how wide it is, transmitting to me and to my colleagues all the key concepts and practices between the humanitarian urgence and the cooperation for development. Every single seminar is unique, intense and aligned with the vast experience of each professor. Through a combination of theory and practice they share their experiences and knowledge with a deep passion, they support and encourage us to take action and to be a part of a world changing force.

”
Cintya del FresnoSpain, Year 2022-23