MArch Architecture

Teaching & Learning

Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through several modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.

Core modules

What you'll learn

Design Studio 1

Develop skills necessary to advance design methodologies through a range of tools and techniques, including contextual critiques and reflections of social, economic, historical and technological issues to help define and develop studio programmes and project designs.

Design Studio 2

Develop design studio specialisms and approaches to architecture through a contextual architecture project. You will test your design methodologies and skills, developed in Design Studio 1, before the design thesis projects in Design Studios 3 and 4.

Context Studies A

An introduction to the history and theory of architecture, you will explore the current architectural theory and the historical context in which it has developed. You will be encouraged to think critically about these theoretical concepts and to integrate them into your work.

Technology 1

Develop integrative thinking regarding the technical requirements and production issues of detailed building design.

Design Studio 3

Produce a thesis design project, with particular emphasis on the design development and production of a complex and comprehensive integrated building.

Design Studio 4 (including Integrated Design Reports)

Further, develop the integrated building design produced in Design Studio 3 in an agreed area or specialism to include representation and technical realisation.

Context Studies B

You will become familiar with the current interdisciplinary discourse and concepts relevant to the theoretical thinking, speaking and writing of architecture. You will gain an understanding of the historical context into which theoretical concepts emerge and develop, and you will be supported to assemble your conceptual toolkit for architectural thinking and making.

Technology 2

Develop integrative thinking through the strategic development of the design thesis project’s technical and constructional requirements including the environmental and structural strategies inherent in the evolution of the project.

Professional Studies

Examine the professional aspects of architectural practice, including the construction industry, role and responsibilities of the profession, development controls, construction law, regulation, design costs and project and practice management.

Graduates of the Master of Architecture shall be able to demonstrate that they meet the Criteria for qualification prescription by ARB and programme validation by RIBA for Part Two courses in Architecture, and the QAA benchmark standard of the ‘Final Award’ in Architecture, as stated below.

Graduates shall be able to demonstrate the following:

Ability to create architectural designs that satisfy both aesthetic and technical requirements.

The graduate will have the ability to:

1. Prepare and present building design projects of diverse scale and complexity, and type in a variety of contexts, using a range of media, and in response to a brief.
2. Understand the constructional and structural systems, the environmental strategies, fire and life safety strategies, and the regulatory requirements that apply to the design and construction of a comprehensive design project.
3. Develop a conceptual and critical approach to architectural design that integrates and satisfies the aesthetic aspects of a building, the technical requirements of its construction, and the needs of the user.

Knowledge of the fine arts as an influence on the quality of architectural design

The graduate will know of:

1. Theories, practices, and technologies of the arts influence architectural design.
2. The creative application of the fine arts and their relevance and impact on architecture.
3. The creative application of such work to studio design projects, in terms of their conceptualization and representation.

Adequate knowledge of urban design, planning and the skills involved in the planning process

The graduate will have an adequate knowledge of:

1. Theories of urban design and the planning of communities.
2. The influence of the design and development of cities, past and present, on the contemporary built environment.
3. Current planning policy and development control legislation, including social, cultural, environmental, and economic aspects, and the relevance of these to design development.

Understanding of the relationship between people and buildings, and between buildings and their environment, and the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them to human needs and scale

The graduate will have an understanding of:

1. The needs and aspirations of building users.
2. The impact of buildings on the environment, and the precepts of sustainable design.
3. How buildings fit into their local context.

Understanding of the profession of architecture and the role of the architect in society, in particular in preparing briefs that take account of social factors

The graduate will have an understanding of:

1. The nature of professionalism and the duties and responsibilities of architects to clients, building users, constructors, co-professionals, and the wider society.
2. The role of the architect within the design team and construction industry, recognizing the importance of current methods and trends in the construction of the built environment.
3. The potential impact of building projects on existing and proposed communities.

Understanding of the methods of investigation and preparation of the brief for a design project

The graduate will have an understanding of:

1. The need to critically review precedents relevant to the function, organisation, and technological strategy of design proposals.
2. The need to appraise and prepare building briefs of diverse scales and types to define client and user requirements and their appropriateness to site and context.
3. The contributions of architects and co-professionals to the formulation of the brief, and the methods of investigation used in its preparation.

Understanding of the structural design, construction and engineering problems associated with building design

The graduate will have an understanding of:

1. The investigation, critical appraisal and selection of alternative structural, constructional and material systems relevant to architectural design.
2. Strategies for building construction, and ability to integrate knowledge of structural principles and construction techniques.
3. The physical properties and characteristics of building materials, components and systems, and the environmental impact of specification choices.

Adequate knowledge of physical problems and technologies and the function of buildings to provide them with internal conditions of comfort and protection against the climate

The graduate will have an adequate knowledge of:

1. Principles associated with designing optimum visual, thermal and acoustic environments.
2. Systems for environmental comfort are realised within relevant precepts of sustainable design.
3. Strategies for building services, and the ability to integrate these in a design project.

The necessary design skills to meet building users’ requirements within the constraints imposed by cost factors and building regulations

The graduate will have the skills to:

1. Critically examine the financial factors implied in varying building types, constructional systems, and specification choices, and the impact of these on architectural design.
2. Understand the cost control mechanisms which operate during the development of a project.
3. Prepare designs that will meet building users’ requirements and comply with UK legislation, appropriate performance standards and health and safety requirements.

Adequate knowledge of the industries, organisations, regulations and procedures involved in translating design concepts into buildings and integrating plans into overall planning

The graduate will know of:

1. The fundamental legal, professional and statutory responsibilities of the architect, the organisations, and the designs, including land law regulations and procedures involved in the negotiation and approval of architectural, development control, building regulations and health and safety legislation.
2. The professional inter-relationships of individuals and organisations involved in procuring and delivering architectural projects and how these are defined through contractual and organisational structures.
3. The basic management theories and business principles related to running both an architect’s practice and architectural projects, recognising current and emerging trends in the construction industry.

About meeting the General Criteria; graduates of the Master of Architecture programme shall be required to demonstrate ARB/RIBA ‘Graduate Attributes for Part Two’.

The graduate shall demonstrate:

1. Ability to generate complex design proposals showing awareness of current architectural issues, originality in the application of subject knowledge and, where appropriate, to test new hypotheses and speculations.
2. Ability to evaluate and apply a comprehensive range of visual, oral and written media to test, analyse, critically appraise and explain design proposals.
3. Ability to evaluate materials, processes and techniques that apply to complex architectural designs and building construction, and to integrate these into practicable design proposals.
4. Critical understanding of how knowledge is advanced through research to produce clear, logically argued and original written work relating to architectural culture, theory and design.
5. Understanding of the context of the architect and the construction industry, including the architect’s role in the processes of procurement and building production, and under legislation.
6. Problem-solving skills, professional judgement, and ability to take the initiative and make appropriate decisions in complex and unpredictable circumstances; appropriate to qualification as an architect.
7. Ability to identify individual learning needs and understand the personal responsibility required to prepare for qualification as an architect.

Upon graduating, you will be able to progress to professional registration examinations allowing access to the legal title of architect, and the ability to practise within markets in the UK, EU and other legal jurisdictions. Students have gone on to achieve significant success working for architectural practices in the UK and overseas. Alternatively, you could continue your education by studying for a research or specialist degree.

• • Architect (private practice)
  • Architect (local authorities)
  • Architect (government organisation)
  • Architect (commercial companies)