Program Overview

Architecture (Practice-Based)

Overview

Architecture at Queen’s addresses 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, coalesce to 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 (Practice-Based) 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

• Architecture is one of 19 subjects at Queen’s University ranked in the top 200 in the world (QS World Rankings by subject 2024).
• 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

Introduction

• 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
• Professor Michael McGarry, Professor, 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 by Practice is awarded for original research in a topic chosen by the student related to their own design practice.
• This programme may only be undertaken on a part-time (minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 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.

Learning and Teaching

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 £20,500
• International £20,500

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.