Program Overview

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MArch Architecture

About this course

This MArch from LJMU invites you to creatively engage in a truly interdisciplinary and project-orientated architectural study.

• Embark on this research-informed, nationally respected programme that has been fully validated and externally accredited for over 40 years
• Take part in overseas workshops enabling you to undertake design work in new territories and contexts such as Porto, Marseille, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Essen and Duisburg
• Develop skills in communication, presentation and self-motivation
• Benefit from state-of-the-art workspaces and facilities within the RIBA award-winning John Lennon Art and Design Building
• Degree Show 2022
• Guided Tour Video

This programme of study is thoughtfully balanced to address the creative and technical demands of the architectural profession.

In the 2017 RIBA revalidation, the MArch programme was commended by the visiting assessors for he Architecture programme's focus on urban design projects across a range of scales, evident in the work of the MArch students.

Taught principally through a studio environment that is underpinned and informed by lectures and workshops, the over-arching ambition of the programme is to create graduates with artistic flair, who are technically skilled and grounded in the demands of the professional role of an architect.

The learning and teaching environment is progressively informed by research in pedagogy in the creative field. While teaching the curriculum, the programme also develops less tangible skills in students, such as communication, presentation and self-motivation. A key ambition is to create independent thinkers, adept at resolving problems with creativity and originality.

Visit this year's degree show website and browse MArch student work

Course modules

Discover the building blocks of your programme

This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.

Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.

Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Core modules

• Theory and Research 1: theoretical studies and research methods (30 credits)
• Urban Design 1: Creative urbanism and regeneration within an analytical and theoretical context (30 credits)
• Integrated Design 1: options for resilient living (30 credits)
• Practice and Legislation: Understanding the designer's role in the contemporary built environment (30 credits)
• Theory and Research 2: thesis studies - critical writing and design research (30 credits)
• Urban Design 2: thesis urban strategy (30 credits)
• Integrated Design 2: Thesis architectural design - ideas through building (60 credits)

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Assessment

An insight into teaching on your course

• Study hours: The MArch involves intense teaching and project work. with a full Monday - Friday teaching timetable.
• Teaching methods: The first year introduces contemporary urban design theories and international best practice. Locating project work in Merseyside or abroad, you are encouraged to engage with cultural organisations, regional stakeholders and statutory authorities to produce creative, socio-economically engaged architectural proposals.
• Applied learning: As well as providing a framework of expertise for your studies and being located in a UNESCO recognised city of cultural significance, LJMU also offers a number of overseas workshops that enable you to undertake design work in new territories and contexts. Recent workshops have taken place in Porto, Marseille, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Essen and Duisburg.

Career paths

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

Postgraduates from this programme are highly sought after by employers.

On graduation you will gain exemption from ARB/ RIBA Part 2 examinations. This qualification is essential if you want to become a registered architect and gain Chartered status. Once you have passed the ARB/RIBA Part 3 exams, you can practice in any EU or commonwealth country and many other countries outside the EU.

Many of our graduates secure employment at world-class practices throughout the UK and further afield. Some have remained in the city of Liverpool, contributing to its evolution by taking key roles in leading practices that have reshaped the city over the last decade.

If, after graduating, you choose not to go down the route of becoming a registered Architect, many other careers are open to you. Past graduates have pursued successful careers as Project Managers, Property Developers, Building Contractors, Furniture Designers, Lighting Designers, Architectural Visualisation Artists and Journalists.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Full-time per year: £9,535

International

• Full-time per year: £18,250

Entry requirements

You will need:

• a minimum 2:2 honours degree in Architecture
• to attend an interview
• Assessment of suitability to the course may also be undertaken by review of a portfolio of work and an interview
• Students with first degrees without RIBA/ARB Part 1 exemption should be aware that the MArch awards exemption from RIBA / ARB Part 2 only. If you wish to register as an Architect in this country or become an RIBA Chartered architect you will have to acquire RIBA / ARB Part 1 separately
• RPL is accepted on this programme

International requirements

• IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component)
• Assessment of suitability to the course may also be undertaken by review of a portfolio of work and an interview
• Students with first degrees without RIBA/ARB Part 1 exemption should be aware that the MArch awards exemption from RIBA / ARB Part 2 only. If you wish to register as an Architect in this country or become an RIBA Chartered architect you will have to acquire RIBA / ARB Part 1 separately
• RPL is accepted on this programme

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

We are looking for students with an enthusiasm for design, who wish to engage in the debate on the future of the built environment. You should have a willingness to read around the subject widely and gain first-hand experience of buildings, towns and cities.

You will need:

• information retrieval techniques, as you will be expected to read around the subject and draw upon your findings for essays and projects
• analytical skills, so that you can critically assess your own work and the work of others
• IT skills, as you will be expected to develop and submit project work using a wide range of specialist software applications
• communication skills, as you will be expected to contribute to tutorials and host presentations
• time management skills, as you will have to work to deadlines on a regular basis
• team-working skills, as you will have to work closely with others

Advice on your personal statement

Your personal statement is the part of the application that will make you stand out as an individual. Organise your main achievements and interests into bullet points before you start completing it.

Summarise why you have chosen the course(s) for which you are applying and link between your present and proposed course(s).

Keep the statement brief and to the point. You should strive to make your statement personal but don't fall into the trap of including common interests such a socialising or reading. Instead, think about unique or interesting things that you have done.

Make sure that you include any work experience that you have had (this includes part-time and holiday work), particularly if this relates to your chosen field of study. We are looking for evidence of commitment and team-working skills, so give us details of these.

Remember: we will consider your application not only on your exam grades but also on the strength of your personal statement and references. We may invite you in for an interview or ask you to complete a piece of work if we believe your exam grades do not accurately reflect your ability and potential. Remember that a good application form could even make up a shortfall in your exam grades and help secure your place at LJMU.