Program Overview

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Overview

The Architectural Design MA is part of the School of Art and Humanities MA Art & Design Suite, an innovative approach to postgraduate taught education that brings together disciplines from across art and design to produce a collaborative programme of courses that foreground the shared practices, processes and values of art and design in the 21st century.

This course has a practical application of 3D Design and encourages you to turn concepts into forms, and forms into real-world objects. You will develop a greater understanding of design practice, learn more about research methodologies and have the opportunity to explore advance design techniques and emerging digital technologies to enhance your skillset. You will also have routes to improve your knowledge of user interface design, enterprise, collaborative design, advanced 3D CAD application, digital visualisation, branding, commercial retail design, material innovation.

The aims of the course are to:

• Encourage your confidence in your academic and creative potential through mastering core 3D Design knowledge and understanding through practice at the forefront of your discipline.
• Develop innovative and imaginative approaches to materials, processes and methodologies in 3D Design, and rigorously test these ideas against current trends within the creative industries.
• Experiment, expand and encourage progressive and ethical thinking in the practices of 3D Design to meet future industrial and commercial demands.
• Provide a postgraduate teaching and learning experience exploring the opportunities and challenges of 3D Design in the contemporary world, based on the professional and research strengths of the School's highly qualified and experienced staff.
• Evidence awareness and relevance of your practice and skills in relation to professional standards in interior design such as responding to changing demographics, the experience economy, new technologies, sustainable design and social responsibility.

Key Information

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

• An Honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject or an equivalent professional qualification.
• Alternative qualifications and/or significant experience may be accepted, subject to approval.
• International students with qualifications in 'creative' or ‘practice' subjects should submit a portfolio of work with their application.
• All suitably qualified applicants are normally interviewed or considered for admittance under alternative arrangements. Interview will be by portfolio of practice based and/or theoretical work and a statement of intent.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent.

Start dates

• 22 September 2025
• 12 January 2026

Duration

1 year full-time

Course Detail

• Modules
  • Research Methods and Project Proposal
  • Creative Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Creative Studio
  • Advanced 3D Digital Design
• Teaching and Assessment
  • The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops and a programme of design projects.
  • Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.
  • Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results.
• Teaching excellence
  • Our teaching staff rank first in England for the proportion with higher degrees and teaching qualifications, as well as being top five for those holding doctorates.
  • We are second in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 24 since 2008.
  • We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers.

What can I research?

Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities. Through research our staff remain up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, which means you have the opportunity to benefit and develop knowledge and skills that are current and highly relevant.

Research Centres

• Centre for Urban Design, Architecture, and Sustainability (CUDAS)
• Centre for Cultural Ecologies in Art, Design and Architecture (CEADA)

Facilities

The University of Huddersfield offers a range of facilities to support your studies, including:

• Virtual Reality Lab
• Barbara Hepworth Building
• Library
• Group work facilities
• Mac Studio
• Workshop facilities for architecture students

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £8,900 (Band 2).

Additional costs

• Field Trips: Field trips are usually organised and executed in conjunction with architectural and urban design projects to experience and survey sites. Specific module documents will explain the designated destinations; tutors will explain the procedure for travel.
• Materials: You will need to supply your own materials during the course. These include sketchbooks, drawing equipment, materials for producing models and printing. The approximate cost of these items is estimated at around £500. Costs may vary based on the materials you choose and the approximate costs are given as a guide only.

Career Support

We know you’re coming to university to undertake your course, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

So while you’re here (and even after you graduate) the Careers and Employability Service offer professional help, support and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs and one-to-one guidance sessions.

Further Study

Following successful completion of your Master’s course, there are opportunities to progress onto research study such as your PhD.

Research Excellence

Our researchers carry out work that makes a real difference to people's lives:

• We are in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power.
• Three quarters of all our research is world leading and internationally excellent.
• Over 60% of our research environment was classified as world leading and internationally excellent, especially in Music, Biological Sciences, Architecture and Built Environment, Social Work and Social Policy, History and Communication and Media Studies.

Student Support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.