inline-defaultCreated with Sketch.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 30,750
Per year
Start Date
2025-09-01
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
24 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Architecture | Building Design | Construction Management | Urban Planning
Area of study
Architecture and Construction
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 30,750
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2025-09-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Architecture (ARB RIBA Part 2) MArch

Overview

This is a two-year professional course in architecture leading to an ARB and RIBA accredited degree. The course is ideal for ambitious architects who want to take the next step in their career.


Course Details

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time)
  • Start Date: September 2025
  • UK Fees: £9,535
  • International Fees: £30,750
  • Entry Requirements: 2:1

Course Overview

This course is designed to develop your skills in architecture, with a focus on sustainability, continuity, reuse, construction, tectonics, inhabitation, and social inclusivity. You will work with industry-leading academics and practitioners, and have the opportunity to explore a topic you are passionate about through your design thesis.


Why Choose This Course?

  • Top 100 in the world for architecture and built environment (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
  • 1st in the Russell Group universities for ‘overall satisfaction’ in Architecture (The National Student Survey 2022)
  • 8th in the UK for architecture (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)

Course Content

  • Year One:
    • Architectural Research Studio (30 credits)
    • Design, Culture and Context (20 credits)
    • Environment and Technology 1 (10 credits)
    • Professional Studies 1 (20 credits)
    • Architectural Design Studio (30 credits)
    • Environment and Technology 2 (10 credits)
  • Year Two:
    • Design Thesis Research (60 credits)
    • Design Thesis Studio Portfolio (60 credits)

Learning and Assessment

  • Teaching Methods: Lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops
  • Assessment Methods: Presentation, essay, research project, portfolio (written/digital)
  • Contact Time: Circa 5 hours of contact time per week for lecture-based modules, circa 9 hours of contact time per week for studio-based modules
  • Study Hours: Significant amount of self-study time expected

Entry Requirements

  • Home/UK Students: 2:1 BArch Hons (or equivalent ARB/RIBA accredited degree)
  • EU/International Students: 2:1 BArch Hons (or equivalent ARB/RIBA accredited degree), IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
  • Alternative Qualifications: Recognised by the University on an individual basis

Applying

  • Portfolio: Required for external applicants, should be 15-20 pages, less than 10MB, and include examples of university design projects, year out work experience, and personal artistic work
  • Personal Statement: Required for external applicants, should describe interests in architecture and why you want to study at the University of Nottingham MArch Part 2 course

Fees

  • Home/UK: £9,535
  • International: £30,750
  • Additional Costs: Printing, model making, and drawing equipment (up to £50 per year), computing device (optional, up to £600)

Careers

  • Careers Advice: Available from the University's Careers and Employability Service
  • Job Prospects: Graduates have gone on to work for RIBA Award-winning practices, Architects' Journal top 100 companies, and other regular UK and international recruiters
  • Accreditation: Accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB)

Program Outline


Degree Overview:

This is the place where exceptional architects are created. You’ll study at a world-leading university that’s an expert in sustainable buildings. We’re home to the multi-award-winning Creative Energy Homes and Trent Basin sustainable community. This course is ideal for ambitious architects who want to take the next step in their career. The MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2) is a two-year professional course in architecture leading to an ARB and RIBA accredited degree. When you have completed Part 2 of your ARB/RIBA architecture journey, you’ll be a highly skilled, reflective graduate who will be able to apply your knowledge to the needs of the industry and be ready to register on the ARB/RIBA Part 3 course, the final step needed to complete your architectural education. You’ll gain cutting-edge knowledge taught by industry-leading and award-winning academics, combined with practicing applying your skills in the real-world. You’ll be able to solve global architectural challenges in a social and environmental context and be highly employable. In year one you’ll take a variety of modules covering design, humanities, environment and technology, and professional studies. In year two the emphasis is on independent research and student-centred learning that supports the completion of a major design thesis focused on an area of interest to you. You’ll also benefit from the experience of our RIBA award-winning lecturers and guest professors, fresh from industry roles at East Architecture and Stephen Taylor Architects. You’ll work with our RIBA award-winning academics and tutors, bringing experience from leading design practices, including 31/44 Architects, Witherford Watson Mann Architects, winners of the RIBA Stirling Prize 2013, 6a architects, finalist in the RIBA Stirling Prize 2017, and Caruso St John Architects, winners of the RIBA Stirling Prize 2016. We're ranked top 10 in the UK for Architecture and Built Environment (Complete University Guide 2024 and The Times Good University Guide 2023), and we’re ranked first in the Russell Group universities for overall satisfaction in Architecture, with 97% overall satisfaction as rated by our MArch Part 2 students (National Student Survey 2022). 100% of our MArch Part 2 graduates were in high skilled work, further higher education or professional study within 15 months of graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-20). We are a global university, with staff and students from over 150 countries. You'll feel like you belong here, even before you start.


Outline:


Year one

In year one you will complete 120 credits of modules. The autumn design studio is a vertical studio with year two students, supported by modules in architectural theory and environment/technology. In the spring the design studio project, a complex cohousing proposal, runs alongside professional studies and environment/technology modules; all three being integrated through the design project and structured along the RIBA Plan of Work stages.


Year two

In year two you will complete a further 120 credits in the form of a design thesis, consisting of autumn design research and a spring design project. The emphasis is on independent research and student-centred learning on an area of interest to you. The course is guided by a set of core themes and shared interests - sustainability, continuity, reuse, construction, tectonics, inhabitation, and social inclusivity. The course seeks to impart a sense of optimism and engages in learning through collaboration and making. By the end of the course, you will have completed two parts of your three-part ARB/RIBA qualification programme for professional architects in the UK. Graduates will typically enter employment within architecture practice and register on an ARB/RIBA Part 3 course to complete their architectural education and gain entry to the profession.


Modules


Year one

  • Architectural Research Studio (30 credits)
  • Design, Culture and Context (20 credits)
  • Environment and Technology 1 (10 credits)
  • Professional Studies 1 (20 credits)
  • Architectural Design Studio (30 credits)
  • Environment and Technology 2 (10 credits)

Year two

  • Design Thesis Research (60 credits)
  • Design Thesis Studio Portfolio (60 credits)

Assessment:

Each module has a set of marking criteria aligned with its learning outcomes which reflect the ARB Criteria for the Prescription of Qualifications at Part 2. The marking criteria are used to assess your work via studio reviews, portfolio submissions, essays, and research papers. All marking is moderated across tutors / studios and then independently moderated. You must pass each module with at least 40% to progress. Your final degree classification will be calculated based on the credit weighting of each module, with an overall heavier weighting given to year two.


Teaching:

The MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2) course consists of a holistic and integrated set of modules that inform each other, culminating in the design thesis, which is your opportunity to explore a topic you are passionate about and to develop your own voice as a young designer. The course emphasises practical problem-solving through research and the application of knowledge. Learning is project based with a focus on making. Technical, professional, and theoretical knowledge is integrated into design projects, so you learn the theory while applying it in practice. You will be guided by expert staff, academics and practitioners, who will support you in developing your interests and knowledge in architecture, as well as core architectural skills required in architectural practice today. Design studios are project-based and taught through tutorials, with supporting workshops, lectures and activities including a field trip. The other modules are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical workshops. Submissions for design studio are in the form of a portfolio, and for all other modules a combination of essays and research documents. In year two the autumn and spring portfolios are presented to the tutors at the end of term. Submissions are electronic. The Centre for 3D Design (C3D) is a workshop manned by a dedicated team of skilled technicians with practical construction and fabrication experience, that are available to support you in making physical models and built work. The workshop equipment includes a Five Axis Router, laser cutting, 3D Printing, vacuum forming, foam modelling, small scale spraying, and a wide variety of joinery and woodwork machining tools.


Careers:

100% of our MArch Part 2 graduates were in high skilled work, further higher education or professional study within 15 months of graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-20). We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students. Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers. Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.


Other:

  • The course is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
  • The course is accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB).

UK fees: £9,250 International fees: £28,600

SHOW MORE
About University
PhD
Masters
Bachelors
Diploma
Foundation

-

Total programs
816
Average ranking globally
#102
Average ranking in the country
#9
Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements:


Home / UK students:

  • Applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree at an institution other than the University of Nottingham require an ARB/RIBA accredited Part 1 degree at 2:1 standard.
  • Admission will be subject to the submission of a portfolio, letters of reference (minimum one from practice), and a personal statement.
  • University of Nottingham Part 1 graduates: Applicants who completed their undergraduate Part 1 degree at the University of Nottingham with a 2:1 standard gain automatic entry.
  • Those with a 2:2 standard are required to submit a portfolio and personal statement. Those who are not enrolled on the year out (year zero) or who have been out for more than 2 years, are required to fulfil the same entry requirements as an external applicant above.
  • All: Access to year one of the MArch Part 2 course is subject to completing a minimum of 6 months approved practice-based experience.
  • UK students are to provide evidence through RIBA professional experience development records (PEDR) signed by a mentor.

EU / International students:

  • Applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree at an institution other than the University of Nottingham require an ARB/RIBA accredited Part 1 degree at 2:1 standard.
  • Admission will be subject to the submission of a portfolio, letters of reference (minimum one from practice), and a personal statement.
  • University of Nottingham Part 1 graduates: Applicants who completed their undergraduate Part 1 degree at the University of Nottingham with a 2:1 standard gain automatic entry.
  • Those with a 2:2 standard are required to submit a portfolio and personal statement. Those who are not enrolled on the year out (year zero) or who have been out for more than 2 years, are required to fulfil the same entry requirements as an external applicant above.
  • All: Access to year one of the MArch Part 2 course is subject to completing a minimum of 6 months approved practice-based experience.
  • UK students are to provide evidence through RIBA professional experience development records (PEDR) signed by a mentor. International applicants who did not complete Part 1 in the UK are to provide evidence through PEDR forms singed by a mentor or a signed letter on letterhead from their employer.

Language Proficiency Requirements:

  • IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
Location
Ambassadors
How can I help you today?