Architecture MArch

Postgraduate

In Leicester

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Postgraduate

  • Location

    Leicester

  • Duration

    2 Years

Our Architecture MArch programme is designed to respond to contemporary issues in the industry, grounded in both theory and professional practice. Our enquiry-led approach to education will teach you to tackle complex problems, unending questions and help you synthesise your ideas to produce critical work. You will be supported to take risks, learn from mistakes and be bold in creatively exploring your ideas.

Current issues in architectural debate are studied through deep foundations in historical and philosophical thought, contemporary states of urban inhabitation, challenges to a sustainable ecology, the ramifications of modern technology, legal and economic contexts, and the state of the profession.

Our design studios are delivered through advanced, research-by-design led units and offer a range of specialist pathways for you to develop an independent and critical position on architecture. Studio options range from high-density housing to sustainable futures, and advanced material investigations. We encourage an open-ended spirit of enquiry to advance knowledge through rigorous, exploratory and playful processes. Our experience and knowledge, combined with your personal ambition, will enable us to challenge existing conventions and redefine the future of architectural practice together.

A number of our Architecture MArch graduates have been awarded multiple national and international design awards, including four prizes at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Medals, five regional RIBA Awards and the prestigious RIBA Wren Insurance Association Scholarship .

Facilities

Location

Start date

Leicester (Leicestershire)
See map
The Gateway, LE1 9BH

Start date

On request

About this course

Our MArch programme offers exemption from ARB/RIBA Part II examinations, and enables graduates holding ARB/RIBA part I, to progress to licensure examinations and professional registration as an architect in the UK. Recent graduates have secured employment with architect practices such as Foster + Partners, Make Architects, Heatherwick Studio, SOM and Grimshaw Architects.

Full-time graduates from the MArch programme, with a minimum of six months ’professional experience prior to entry, gain exemption from Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia Part II, allowing progression to professional registration examinations and potential employment in Malaysia.

Successful graduates can also further their expertise and research with a PhD.

Graduate Tom Cox secured a Part II Architectural Assistant position with Bristol-based practice Wotton Donoghue Architects. During his final year at DMU, Tom was selected to represent the university in Hong Kong at the GREAT Festival of Innovation, the Government’s flagship international trade event. Tom said: “throughout my time at DMU, my tutors broadened my understanding of architecture and design, highlighting my strengths and improving my weaknesses. They boosted my confidence, professionalism and interest in the subject.”

You should have the equivalent of a 2:2 or above in architecture from an ARB/RIBA Part 1 accredited course or exemption from it.

We will consider applications without Part 1 who have undertaken non-UK or non-validated architecture degrees. Before qualifying as a UK architect, students must have obtained Part 1, as well as Part 2 and 3. Please contact the ARB regarding eligibility for their prescribed Part 1 exam.

The course results in a professional level award that is prescribed by the ARB, and accredited by the RIBA for Part II exemption from their examinations.

A team of career architectural educators actively developing teaching, scholarly research or academic projects support the programme, who are in turn supported by a team of adjunct educators who are active professional architects, engineers, urban advisors and technologists.

This programme offers a professional level architectural education with Architects Registration Board (ARB)/RIBA Part II exemption. Graduates can progress to professional registration/licensure examinations, allowing access to markets in the UK, EU or other legal jurisdictions.
You will be supported to tackle real-world issues, while speculating and proposing new futures through bold experimentation and boundless enquiry.
Tutors come from industry and research and our community is a place where academics, practitioners and students are co-designing new ways of thinking.
Teaching is delivered in a dedicated postgraduate studio space, equipped with computer workstations, model-making facilities, large format printers and Ultimaker 3D printers.
Receive expert teaching through our Leicester School of Architecture, which has a national and international lecture series attracting leading academics and professionals from around the world, such as Sir Peter Cook, CJ Lim and Alison Brooks.
This course benefits from global opportunities thanks to its accreditation with  Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia, the Board of Architects Malaysia, which allows graduates to pursue a professional qualification in Malaysia. It is also approved by the Commonwealth Association of Architects, a membership organisation representing architects in Commonwealth of Nations, which provides access to an international network of schools for further study and better employment prospects.

Questions & Answers

Add your question

Our advisors and other users will be able to reply to you

Fill in your details to get a reply

We will only publish your name and question

Reviews

This centre's achievements

2021

All courses are up to date

The average rating is higher than 3.7

More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months

This centre has featured on Emagister for 15 years

Subjects

  • IT Law
  • Management
  • Business and Management
  • Contracts
  • Leadership
  • IT
  • Design
  • Law
  • School
  • Project
  • Technology
  • Part Time
  • Communication Training
  • IT Management
  • Humanities
  • Architectural
  • Housing
  • Conservation

Course programme

Modules

Thematic Design Studio

A series of thematic design studios are offered to explore areas of various design specialisations offered by exhibited designers, respected educators, or via masterclasses with leading/award-winning metropolitan or internationally based architects or practices. A series of supporting contemporary digital communication and fabrication classes are also offered simultaneously

Contextual Design

A series of contextual studios or study abroad studios are offered, exploring a range of diverse philosophical approaches to architectural design. Studios are developed around various contexts and discourses. Prior sites of study have included Athens (study abroad), Washington, and Palermo

Humanities Specialisation

In addition to core studies on architectural texts and treatises, students undertake seminars with published scholars and work at a level of current research in the humanities. Past seminars have included topics in Phenomenology, Urbanisation, Nationalism, Architectural Fiction, Housing, Digital Heritage and Gendered Space

Technical Realisation

In addition to core technical, systems and environmental studies, students undertake seminars with published scholars and work at a level of current research in the sciences. Past seminars have including advanced studies in lighting, building performance modelling, conservation science and material studies.

Dissertation

Students undertake an academic study of an architectural subject supervised by academics to develop a position in architectural thought

Management Practice and Law

An innovative module supported by professional architects, consultants and educators explores the development of your ethics, business acumen, good practices in practice and business management, awareness of legalities, understanding of contracts and architectural advocacy in the public sphere

Architectural Design Research Study (ADRS)

The Architectural Design Research Study allows students an opportunity to undertake a detailed investigation of a chosen architectural research topic.

Integrated Technology

This advanced technical module is aligned with the final year design thesis project. Students demonstrate the ability to apply and integrate technical knowledge and understanding on a complex building design.

Design Thesis

Students are encouraged to develop a stake in the current industry, and develop design projects that allow their leadership and visionary abilities to emerge or develop a project that demonstrates a comprehensive project demonstrating specific skillsets to service the industry

Full-time students

Full time students are expected to fully engage with simultaneous tasks, averaging a full working week of contact and independent study/design time. The schedule of modules are as follows:

Year one
  • Thematic Design Studio
  • Humanities / Technical Realisation
  • Contextual Design Studio
  • Dissertation
Year two
  • Management Practice and Law
  • Architectural Design Research Study (ADRS)
  • Integrated Technology
  • Design Thesis
Part-time students

Part time students are expected on average to be present two days a week, with the addition of an assortment of ten additional pre-arranged days throughout the year. Modules are as above, however the schedule is as follows:

Year one
  • Thematic Design Studio
  • Contextual Design Studio
Year two
  • Humanities / Technical Realisation
  • Management Practice and Law
  • Dissertation
Year three
  • Architectural Design Research Study (ADRS)
  • Integrated Technology
  • Design Thesis
Teaching and assessments
Overview

The course takes you through a series of academic challenges that will cultivate your independent position on architecture, hone your academic acuity, expand your architectural skill set and develop your individual design flair beyond the undergraduate training that you possess.

These are tested through a supporting range of humanities and technical specialisation seminars, thematic/masterclass and contextual design studios in the global context. Culminating studies are undertaken through a scholarly dissertation, and a demonstration of architectural stake either through an exploratory Design Thesis, or a demonstration of a skillset through a determined Comprehensive Design Project.

Assessments are made on student coursework, which are undertaken either individually or in groups. Students are supported with current digital tools for visualisation and fabrication, as well as traditional mechanised fabrication tools and manual implements.

Contact hours

In the first two terms of each year you will normally attend around 10 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials and workshop and studio sessions each week, and be expected to undertake at least 25 hours of independent study each week. Your third term each year will be pre-dominantly self-directed (including meetings with your supervisor), during which you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week

Part-time study is normally undertaken on a half-time basis.

Additional information

Fees and funding:  2021/22 Full-time tuition fees UK students: £9,250 per year 2021/22 Part-time tuition fees UK students: £4,625 per year

Architecture MArch

Price on request