Dezeen promotion: London's RCA has launched two new 15-month MA programmes in environmental architecture and city design starting in September 2017.

The university – recently named the world's top design school for the third year running – is now accepting applications for MA City Design and MA Environmental Architecture.

The MA City Design course is aimed at architects and urban designers interested in the transformation of cities and the societies that are shaped by them, uniting architectural, technological and scientific understandings of the urban landscape.

"For the first time in over a century, the fundamental building blocks of the city are poised to change," dean of the School of Architecture Adrian Lahoud told Dezeen. "Revolutions in transport, logistics, energy and communications are arriving at the very moment that traditional social and political structures seem to be in crisis."

"In this context, students on the MA City Design programme will explore how alternative ideas of life, work, nature and culture might inform cities of the future."

The subject of the second course is environmental architecture. It will focus on the co-existence of different human societies with earth systems, landscapes, environments and ecosystems, and will begin by looking at the impact of climate change and its social and spatial consequences.

Both 15-month programmes – launching in September 2017 – are targeted at candidates who are currently working in practice.

"The timetables have been designed to encourage participation from candidates who are currently working in practice, which means students do not have to choose between study and career as the two can be concurrent and mutually beneficial," said Lahoud.

The RCA has also developed a partnership scheme with London-based practices that will offer students on the courses opportunities to connect with leading industry figures.

Teaching staff include Adrian Lahoud, Godofredo Pereira, Beth Hughes, Platon Issaias, Sam Jacoby, Maria Giudici, Jon Goodbun, David Knight, Alon Schwabe and Daniel Fernandez Pasqual. The programme will also host a series of internationally recognised visiting professors and seminar leaders who are making a significant contribution to the field of architecture, city design and environmental architecture.

Both MA City Design and MA Environmental Architecture will be based at the college's new creative hub in the regenerated BBC headquarters in White City.

The hub is part of a wider development project at the RCA, which includes the construction of a £108 million building in Battersea designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron.

For 2017/18 entry, the School of Architecture is offering financial assistance through full-fee scholarships and partial bursaries based on merit and financial need. To be considered, you must complete your application for admission to the programme alongside a financial questionnaire and personal statement by 12 June 2017.

The financial questionnaire is available from RCA Student Support. The personal statement should set out an inspiring vision for architecture and design with regards to the applicants' own practice.

Further details about the course content, as well as more information about fees and the application process, can be found on the RCA website.