MArch Architecture

This is a two year full-time or three year part-time programme leading to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) part 2 professional award. The course emphasises design as a central activity underpinned by research, with complementary lecture based studies in History and Theory, Technology, Arts and Media, and Professional Management.

Year 1

• Design 401 (20 credits)
• Design 402: Arts, media and digital design (20 credits)
• Design 403 (20 credits)
• History and theory: critical thinking (20 credits)
• Energy and resource efficiency in design (20 credits)
• Professional practice and design economics (20 credits)

Year 2

• Design 501 (20 credits)
• Design 502: Arts, media and digital design (20 credits)
• Design 503 (40 credits)
• Architecture and theory: dissertation (20 credits)
• Technology 5: technical thesis (20 credits)

Assessment

Lecture based modules are generally assessed by written and/or drawn submissions.

The course is well connected to key practices in London; many LSBU graduates also choose to work abroad. You may also use your qualifications outside architecture to enter careers such as journalism, project management, writing, teaching, research, or software and gaming design.

In addition to offering the university award of MArch: Master of Architecture (and RIBA part 2), the course is also a preparation for the second period of practical training.  The first period of practical training is usually, but not exclusively, undertaken following completion of the first degree in architecture (RIBA part 1).

To be eligible for admission to the RIBA part 3 Professional Practice Examination, you must have successfully undertaken a recognised RIBA part 1 and part 2 qualification – and have completed a minimum of 24 months eligible practical training.

The Professional Practice and Design Economics module explains the need for a business-oriented and professional attitude to work, and emphasises the need for forward planning of projects.

Graduates from the Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture are employed at Foster and Partners, Niall McLaughlin Architects, Stanton Williams, Wilkinson Eyre, and Zaha Hadid Architects among many other globally recognised practices.

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

At LSBU there are comprehensive on-campus workshops capable of transforming a broad range of materials. You'll be taught by staff who are experienced industry professionals, having worked for some of the top architectural practices. The studio structure allows you to specialise in an area that matches their research interests and explore highly topical themes around architecture, urban design, social theory and politics.

Personal Tutoring

As a Built Environment and Architecture student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU.  The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.

Your tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have appointments with your personal tutor once a semester for 30 minutes throughout your course.  You can contact your tutor for additional support by email or in person.

Studio structure

Central to the LSBU concept of postgraduate architecture education is the studio system, operating across part and full-time courses. The studios provide a framework for a range of relevant intellectual and practical specialisms to inform design work, underpinning and contributing to the academic rigour of the architecture programme.

View the School of the Built Environment and Architecture Catalogue 2018/19.

This course is usually intended for graduates of architecture courses where students hold a university degree and part 1 professional qualification recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Applicants to the course should have a first degree in architecture (2:2 or better); however, the University recognises that individuals may develop additional skills outside university, and will interview such applicants who have developed a high quality portfolio of relevant academic and practice work.

Applicants for this course must also meet the following additional entry requirements:

• Students holding overseas degrees in architecture should, desirably, demonstrate that their work has RIBA part 1 equivalence by contacting the Architects Registration Board regarding the ARB Prescribing Examination.
• Applicants for the part-time course should be working in practice.
• All students considered for admission will be required to attend an interview with a portfolio of work; if located overseas, applicants will be required to send a portfolio of work to the admissions tutor.
• We will also consider applications from those who have gained skills through a wide range of vocational qualifications, or relevant responsible experience.

The individual Tuition Fee for this course is shown above.

With no statutory funding system for the majority of postgraduate degrees, most students in the UK are self-funding whether you're a Home, EU or International student. One of the exceptions to this is PGDip Architecture, which are treated as undergraduate courses for fees and funding purposes. This means that you can receive access to a student loan via Student Finance England.