Architecture

The Master of Architecture is run as a 2-year full-time (4-year part-time) 240 credit Level 7 programme.

By completing this programme, you'll be able to demonstrate the ARB Academic Outcomes needed to progress towards professional architectural practice. 

You'll learn the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to shape a creative, regenerative, and equitable built environment. You'll be equipped with the reflective, analytical, critical, and professional behaviours needed to define your own learning paths. On this practice-based course, you'll engage with complex issues as evidence-based designers.

You'll be inspired to become creative, curious, and confident design practitioners. You'll gain the skills and confidence to define and maintain your future academic and professional practice.

Year 1 reflects on prior learning, situating you in your architectural learning and professional journey. Knowledge around design, context, and professional behaviour is developed to the standard of a Level 7 student and expanded through a specialist optional module.

Learning in Year 2 builds in complexity, broadening and deepening your learning. Ongoing reflective practice gives you ownership of your academic journey, enabling its refinement and further specialism.

In completing the MArch programme, you’ll have developed the skills needed to make a creative, ethical, and regenerative contribution to architectural practice, and have demonstrated the Academic Outcomes required of a Level 7 (Part 2) architecture student.

Learning and assessment are planned to replicate the processes and skills required of an architect working in professional practice. All modules are assessed through submission of a portfolio of investigation, development, and creative work appropriate to the subject, and through reflective exercises to map competencies around the relevant ARB Academic Outcomes.

We combine academic study with practice-based learning. You'll build your competencies through a variety of activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, online activity and discussion, work-based learning, research projects and practical real-world projects.  

Staff on this course offer access to a wide range of academic and practical expertise in the interconnected disciplines that make up architectural studies. You’ll benefit from one-to-one tutorials, workshops, peer-support and shared learning.  We work with you to ensure that what you learn on the MArch programme translates into effective practice in the workplace, and develops your professional potential. 

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our information on Your Learning and Teaching at BSU.

The MArch programme introduces you to cultures of making, collaborative and industry practice, and regenerative design processes to give you a robust foundation in architecture and design. You'll hone your expertise through specialisation and independent research, supported by industry partners and academic staff. This learning will give you the solid grounding needed to build careers in architecture and design.

By partnering with local and national industry collaborators and engaging with real-world problems, you'll develop practical skills that allow you to design closely with clients and stakeholders as an adaptive and ethical practitioner. Material experimentation and making will give you deep insight into construction and broader 3-dimensional design fields. In addition, you'll benefit from a focus on regenerative practice which will open up future pathways in socially and environmentally engaged practices across the built environment.

Completing the MArch programme will prepare you for a career in architectural design and support your progress to further study on ARB Practice Outcomes / RIBA Part 3 programmes.

The course is taught at our RIBA Award-winning Locksbrook Campus.

As a MArch Architecture student you’ll benefit from access to comprehensive digital workshops and specialist art and design facilities, including:

• Our student service point at Locksbrook where you can purchase subsidised art and design materials, hire out equipment for free and collect Library resources
• Access to our well-stocked Library at Newton Park
• Specialist technical workshops across all of art and design
• Access to studio space where you can work on projects and refine your practice
• Access to high-end computing spaces, populated with dedicated PCs and access to 3D printers, VR kit and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

• Newton Park Library, including a large collection of books, periodicals and CDs with extensive eBook and online journal access.
• Support for your academic work from the Writing and Learning Centre, including feedback on written drafts and help with academic writing.
• English Language support from the English Language Unit, which can help you improve your English, reach your potential and boost your confidence.
• Virtual Learning Environment, which provides online access to learning materials such as lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources.
• The Careers team run networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying. When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.
• Free equipment loan service, which provides a huge variety including field recording, film and other audio related equipment.
• Access to thousands of business, design and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.
• Access to the full Adobe Creative Suite.