Program Overview

The Master of Architecture (MArch) (RIBA pt II) is a long-established and well-respected course that is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to give exemption from the second stage of professional education. The emphasis of the course is on innovative design work, and on developing a caring and critical approach to the study and practice of architecture.

The course fosters diversity of choice, interpretation and approach, whether in design projects or more academic research. The former focuses on sophisticated design programmes (informal, technical, professional or urban terms) that demand rigour and self-criticism. The latter focuses on your major dissertation, an extended piece of specialised research into architecture and its historical or theoretical contexts.

The course has three main objectives: to develop your design ability through project-based experimentation; to present an evaluation and critique of your coursework within a broad cultural context, and in light of technical, economic and legal constraints; to promote the articulate explanation and representation of quality and value in design projects.