Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Architecture MArch Program

The Master of Architecture (MArch) program at the University of Liverpool is a design-intensive and research-led course that responds to the contemporary challenges of the architectural profession. The program is validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), making it a professional and undergraduate master's qualification available to students with a BA/BSc in Architecture and RIBA Part 1.

Program Overview

The MArch program is part of a wide global and local architectural network and is run by internationally acclaimed academics and professionals. The program's success is attributed to three key factors: collaborative practice, research-driven curriculum, and international outlook. Tutors with strong research and professional backgrounds instill competence and confidence in students to explore local and international issues in all areas of architecture.

Course Content

The course content is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to question the broadening context of architectural practice. The program focuses on the relationship between architecture and the contemporary city, with students working on a different city every year. The studio proceeds through four interlinked stages, facilitating critical architectural projects that traverse the full range of scales from urban strategy to technical detail.

Year One

Year one focuses on the relationship between architecture and the contemporary city. Students take entirely mandatory modules, which include:

• DESIGN THEORY AND CULTURE (ARCH401)
• URBAN SURVEY AND STRATEGY (ARCH402)
• ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN (ARCH403)
• DETAIL DESIGN (ARCH404)
• PRACTICE MANAGEMENT & CONTRACT LAW (ARCH405)
• URBAN DESIGN: THEORY AND PRACTICE (ARCH406)
• SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE (ARCH410)
• HUMANITIES AND RESEARCH METHODS (ARCH480)

Year Two

Year two focuses on an independent line of study, helping students to explore their own architectural agendas. Students take a combination of compulsory and optional modules, which include:

• DISSERTATION (ARCH521)
• THESIS DESIGN (ARCH522)
• THESIS SUSTAINABILITY REPORT (ARCH524)
• Optional modules: RESEARCH BY DESIGN STUDIES (ARCH520) or EXCHANGE STUDIES (OVERSEAS) 3 (ARCH523)

Teaching and Assessment

Students are assessed through coursework submissions of diverse formats, including digital and physical portfolios, text-based reports, and research essays. The program uses a range of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, and studio work, to deliver a research-connected and active learning experience.

Careers and Employability

The program prepares graduates for a wide range of professional paths, from practicing architecture in the UK and abroad to continuing their development via post-professional courses or becoming researchers in architecture and its related fields. Graduates have an excellent record of employment in both internationally renowned offices and small-scale specialist practices.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the program vary depending on the student's nationality and residency status. UK fees are ｣9,790 per year, while international fees are ｣32,000 per year. The program also offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support students with their studies.

Entry Requirements

Applicants typically require a 2:1 honors degree in Architecture with RIBA Part 1. However, the program also welcomes applicants from associated disciplines, such as Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Architectural Engineering courses. International students must demonstrate competence in the use of English language, with a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall.

Accreditation

The Master of Architecture (MArch) program is accredited as a RIBA Part 2 award and is a professional/undergraduate master's qualification available to students with a BA/BSc in Architecture and RIBA Part 1. The program is also prescribed by ARB as a Part 2 qualification towards access to the Architectural Profession in the UK.