Architecture - MArch

The MArch is a design-led course aimed at developing architectural professionals who show an ethically responsible attitude towards society, clients, users and the environment. It imparts the knowledge and skills you will need for a successful career in architectural practice, and prepares you for the office-based aspects of the role which also acts as a primer for the RIBA/ARB Part III examination.

Year 1

The Masters of Architecture course comprises of 240 credits delivered over two years full-time or three years part-time. All modules are core to the award and students are required to successfully complete all modules to achieve the award.

For full-time students, the first year combines Design Studio A with Architectural Representation And Modelling, Advanced Cultural Studies, and Professional Practice modules.

Core modules:

• Design Studio A (60 credits) - Typically involves two or more projects, including a 'live' project involving hands-on construction, or working with a client or user group in small groups, as well as a more theoretical individual design project. Involves a taught Technical Substantiation course.
• Advanced Cultural Studies 1: Narratives of Built Form (15 credits) - Explores the relationships between buildings and ideas by applying theories from a range of disciplines, including architecture, art and design, archaeology, psychology, and science.
• Professional Practice: 1 (15 credits) - This client-facing module develops your knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of architects, clients and other interested parties through live projects with real clients.
• Architectural Representation and Modelling (30 credits) - Fine-tune your knowledge and ability in drawing, modelling and other relevant media for analysis, formal experimentation and conceptual speculation when designing and representing projects.

Year 2

Year 2 is where you begin to specialise, with 60 credits allocated to your choice of design units. These vary from year to year, to reflect current issues in architecture and urban design, as well as faculty research and specialisms. You can also explore your specialist modules in more depth in the Design Research module. This introduces the principles of research that are ideal preparation for the dissertation aspect of an MA Architecture degree (should you choose to go on to further study). There are also modules in Advanced Cultural Studies and Professional Practice.

Core modules:

• Design Studio B (60 credits) - This is where you produce your final year design thesis, and focus on your choice of Sustainable Architecture, Conservation or Urbanism.
• Advanced Cultural Studies: Narratives of Architectural Theory (15 credits) - In this module, you look critically at the theories behind architectural phenomena, including philosophical approaches to the social, economic, political, technological and aesthetic cultures architecture emerges from.
• Professional Practice 2 (15 credits) - Introduces you to the understanding and competence you will need to pass the threshold for professional validation in Part 3 and develops your understanding of the issues surrounding effective practice and project management.
• Design Research (30 credits) - Generate your own design research project, experiment and work directly with materials, drawings or film.

Part-time study options

If you have family, financial, work and other commitments, you can study this course part-time over three years.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

Where possible, we have designed taught modules to integrate with learning in the design studio and professional practice. The course comprises weekly studio-based lectures, individual tutorials and group seminars, as well as regular project design reviews. Design projects are the focus for constructional, structural and environmental technical studies, taught by specialists through lectures, seminars and studio tutorials.

Visiting practitioners, academics and internal researchers contribute to the teaching, and support your specialist knowledge development.

For more details see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

Full-time: Two years

Part-time: Three years

You will study alongside full-time students, so will enjoy the same level of tutorial support and peer learning in the studio. The first two years include the studio work, and you need to commit to two days a week (typically a Monday and a Thursday) during term time in addition to another two days a week of independent study. You would also need to be available for a week-long study visit.

Assessment focuses on presentations of project work, portfolio submissions, and illustrated reports and essays.

For more details see our full glossary of assessment terms.