Architecture (ARC-MPHIL)

Program Overview

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Architecture

Overview

Architecture at Queen’s addresses the issues of architecture and urbanism in an increasingly globalised world, where factors such as sustainability and climate change, identity and heritage, and notions of craft and form create a complex context that architecture has to mediate.

Subject Summary

Architecture at Queens is in the Top 200 in the World QS Rankings. In the island of Ireland, we are the leaders in Architectural research and indeed we have world-class expertise in Architectural Design, Sustainable Cities, Heritage, and Architectural Humanities.

Architecture Highlights

Industry Links

• Architecture has collaborations with numerous universities and other organisations around the globe. These include: TU Delft; MIT; Tokyo Metropolitan Government; Green Building Council, Australia; Innovate UK; Northern Ireland Climate Change; Belfast City Council Sustainable Development Group; Todd Architects, Belfast; and Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast.

World Class Facilities

• Architecture at Queen's boasts modern, state of the art design studios and review/exhibition spaces. In our brand new workshop, students can test ideas through laser cutting, model making and 3D printing.

Internationally Renowned Experts

• In the island of Ireland, we are the leaders in Architectural research and indeed we have world-class expertise in Architectural Design, Sustainable Cities, Heritage, and Architectural Humanities.

Student Experience

• Working closely with their chosen supervisors, PhD students are also connected to the School of Natural and Built Environment’s research clusters, benefitting from the cross-disciplinary context of research in the school.

Key Facts

• As a Russell Group university and ranked in the UK top 10 (Guardian University Guide and Complete University Guides 2022), Queen’s is one of the best places in the UK to study architecture.
• In terms of research quality, Queen’s is ranked 12th in the UK for Architecture, Built Environment and Planning (REF 2021/Times Higher Education).

Course Content

Research Information

• Associated Research: Architecture at Queen’s offers the opportunity to make an original contribution to the discipline of architecture through a PhD or MPhil within the department’s accomplished, academic environment.
• Research Impact: Architecture has collaborations with numerous universities and other organisations around the globe.

Career Prospects

• Many of our MPhil graduates have moved into academic and research roles in Higher Education while others go on to play leading roles in educational practice, the public sector or within NGO’s.

People Teaching You

• Dr Sarah Lappin, Senior Lecturer, Natural & Built Environment

Learning Outcomes

• A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought.
• It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field.

Course Structure

• An MPhil is awarded for original research in a topic chosen by the student.
• MPhil studies may be undertaken on a full (2 years) or part-time (4 years) basis.

Assessment

• Assessment processes for the Research Degree differ from taught degrees.
• Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback.

Feedback

• Supervisors will offer feedback on draft work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree.

Facilities

• The School has state of the art architecture and design studios as well as workshops and laboratories.

Entrance Requirements

• Graduate: The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

International Students

• For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in Speaking and Listening and a minimum of 5.5 in Reading and Writing, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, is required.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI): £5,006
• Republic of Ireland (ROI): £5,006
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB): £5,006
• EU Other: £25,600
• International: £25,600

Additional Course Costs

• There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

Funding and Scholarships

• The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview

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Overview: The Queen's University Belfast's MPhil in Architecture program is designed to address architectural issues in a global context, particularly focusing on the influence of factors like sustainability, climate change, identity, heritage, craft, and form. The program values both traditional academic and practice-based research. The program offers two pathways: a full-time option with a two-year duration and a part-time option with a four-year duration. Both options involve deep investigations into cultural, historic, and technological contexts both within Ireland and internationally.

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Objectives:

• Encourage students to contribute original research to the discipline of architecture.
• Foster independent research and critical thinking skills.
• Deepen understanding of a specific area of interest within architecture.
• Enhance written and oral communication skills.

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Program Description:

• The program provides a diverse and stimulating research environment with each lecturer pursuing unique research interests.
• Students collaborate closely with chosen supervisors and benefit from the cross-disciplinary research context within the School of Natural and Built Environment.
• Queen's University Belfast, as part of the Russell Group, hosts symposiums, seminars, and conferences connecting researchers with renowned global academics.

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Unique Features:

• The program offers the opportunity to pursue research in various areas of architecture, including materiality, urbanism, sustainability, heritage, and cultural context.
• Students engage in research-by-design, generating new knowledge through analysis and documentation of existing and newly created processes, situations, and design thinking.

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Other:

• Ranked 12th in the UK for Architecture, Built Environment and Planning (REF 2021/Times Higher Education).
• Among the UK's top 10 universities for architecture (Guardian University Guide and Complete University Guides 2022).

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Outline:

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Program Content: The School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen's University Belfast offers research opportunities in various areas of architecture, including:

• Materiality: Development of new technologies.
• Urbanism: Sustainability and heritage.
• Sustainability: Developing urban resilience by adaptation.
• Heritage: Documenting the architectural past.
• Cultural Context: Gaining a real-time understanding of urban dynamics.

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Structure:

• Full-time option: 2 years.
• Part-time option: 4 years.
• Completion requires a thesis of no more than 50,000 words.

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Course Schedule:

• The program combines independent research with postgraduate skills training provided by Queen's Graduate School.
• Additional internal and external training courses are coordinated through supervisors.

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Individual Modules:

• The program does not specify individual modules but offers research opportunities in various areas.
Students pursue research in their chosen area of interest with the guidance of a supervisor.

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• Regular draft presentations to the supervisor with written and oral feedback.
• Annual Progress Review involving written and oral presentations to a panel of academics.
• Final assessment for the MPhil degree includes both oral and written components.
• Students submit their thesis for review by an internal and external examining team.
• A Viva Voce examination follows the review of the thesis.

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Assessment Criteria:

• Depth and originality of research.
• Quality of the written thesis.
• Effective oral presentation and defense of the research.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Independent research under the guidance of a supervisor.
• Postgraduate skills training provided by Queen's Graduate School.
• Internal and external training courses coordinated through supervisors.

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Faculty:

• The program benefits from the expertise of academic staff pursuing diverse research interests in architecture.
• Students can choose a supervisor from the School of Natural and Built Environment's list of academics.

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Unique Teaching Approaches:

• The program emphasizes research-by-design, generating new knowledge through analysis and documentation of existing and newly created situations.

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Careers:

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Career Paths:

• Academia and research roles in Higher Education.
• Educational practice leadership roles.
• Public sector positions.
• Non-governmental organization (NGO) positions.

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Other:

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Program Highlights:

• Collaboration with numerous universities and organizations globally.
• State-of-the-art architecture and design studios, workshops, and laboratories.
• International reputation for excellence in architectural research.

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Additional Information:

• Graduates of the MPhil program reap exceptional benefits through initiatives like Degree Plus and Researcher Plus, which enhance employability.
• The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team is available for further career guidance.
• The School's website offers detailed information about current PhD student research projects.

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Conclusion:

The MPhil in Architecture at Queen's University Belfast provides a comprehensive and flexible program for students seeking to conduct original research in the field. The program offers a stimulating research environment and opportunities to deepen knowledge in various areas of architecture. With its focus on research-by-design and strong industry connections, the program prepares graduates for successful careers in academia, research, or other professional fields.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

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Northern Ireland (NI)

TBC

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Republic of Ireland (ROI)

TBC

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England, Scotland or Wales (GB)

TBC

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EU Other

£25,600

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International

£25,600

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Additional Course Costs

• Depending on the programme, there may be additional costs which are not covered by tuition fees.
• Students will need to budget for books (ranging from £30 to £100 per text), photocopying, memory sticks, and printing charges (between £30 to £100 per year).
• There may be additional costs for graduation ceremonies and library fines.

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Bench Fees

Some research programmes incur additional annual fees, known as bench fees. These are levied for programmes with significant costs like specialized laboratory or field work. If applicable, such fees will be detailed on the offer letter.

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How to Fund Your Study

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PhD Opportunities

Find funded PhD studentships.

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Funded Doctoral Training Programmes

Explore opportunities for funded doctoral study.

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PhD Loans

Government-backed loans of up to £26,445 are available for PhD and equivalent research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.

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International Scholarships

Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students.

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Funding & Scholarship Finder

Search for scholarships to help cover a range of study-related expenses.