In 2011, the UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy celebrated its centenary. The School has long led the way in architectural study and practice in Ireland. Its undergraduate, graduate and research programmes cover all aspects of the practice of architecture and landscape architecture, as well as advanced areas of conservation, sustainability, urbanism and history and theory.
The MArch programme equips students to deal with complex design problems in a challenging context. Through studio projects, academic writing and practical experiments, it develops professional capacities while placing equal emphasis on research and critical enquiry. It embraces intensive small-group teaching from faculty which includes many leading figures in architectural practice as well as internationally-recognised researchers. The programme equips graduates to work in the field of Architecture anywhere across the world in architectural practice and in other forms of creative practice as well as in the areas of policy, consultancy and academia. It is also the only programme which is triple accredited by the professional institute in Ireland (RIAI), and by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and which also has International Certification with the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) in the USA.
Vision and Values Statement
This programme is aimed at students who wish to develop a career in architecture. It is a national and international professionally accredited academic programme that will equip graduates to work worldwide in architectural design and in creative and research practice. We encourage and support students to be active, motivated and autonomous learners, who have a critical and reflective approach to architectural design, practice and research.
This studio and lecture-based programme, led by academics and practitioners at the forefront of the discipline, aims to provide an engaging, exciting and innovative learning environment that encourages students to develop their individual professional capacities while placing equal emphasis on research and critical enquiry. We do this through design projects, academic writing, technological and constructional investigations and practical experiments, valuing innovation, investigation and original creative work underpinned by due regard for rigour, depth and precision. Students are provided with a firm foundation in advanced methodologies and skills and develop a close familiarity with the broader disciplinary, regulatory and societal frameworks within which professionals must operate.
The programme uses teaching, learning and assessment approaches such as individual and group design projects, live projects, case students, scenario-based learning and written research and dissertations. Each has a focus on individual development and reflective learning while developing effective group work, written, verbal and visual communication and presentation skills.
Professional Accreditation
MArch (Hons) is the only programme that is accredited by the professional institute in Ireland (RIAI), and by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and which also has International Certification from the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) in the USA.
