Architecture MArch

Duration: Two years full-time, three years part-time usually while in practice. 

Location: Fletcher Building 

Start date: September 2013

Applications are considered from candidates with a 1st or 2nd class (or equivalent) pass in a first architecture degree either validated by the RIBA or similar to an RIBA Part 1 degree| in the case of non-RIBA validated EU and Overseas courses.  Offers are based on first architecture degree results, experience and a portfolio interview or review.

24 months of placement experience are required to register as an architect in the UK; full-time candidates are encouraged to complete 9–12 months, post-Part 1, of this experience before joining, and part-time students to do so while studying the course, though applications without this experience will be considered. 

Graduates with non-RIBA/ARB validated first architecture degrees who wish to register in the UK as an architect eventually would have to submit their portfolios to ARB for examination at some stage though this is not a requirement for entry to the MArch.

DMU provides a PEDR programme through which students' professional experience can be certificated according to RIBA requirements.For further information please see Architecture (PEDR) SPS|.

Portfolio

UK applicants with relevant qualifications should submit a portfolio of work (please see our Architecture MArch portfolio advice| for full details).

Overseas applicants will be invited to send samples of their work. For further details check our international students portfolio page|.

International Students

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Students’ design capabilities and professional skills are extended through the resolution of increasingly complex projects. These culminate in the 12 month Comprehensive Design Project for which students research and propose to approval both brief and site anywhere in the world. Conceived as a bridge to the profession, the CDP teaches students real-world design methodology for complex buildings. Design and technical knowledge are developed simultaneously and interactively to achieve a balance of pragmatic creativity. 

A studio culture is encouraged and exclusive facilities are available for Part 2 students, including access to a comprehensive set of architectural software and printing. Intensive tutoring is provided, particularly in the final project, from consultants in appropriate professions.

Media for assessment are chosen as appropriate to the task and can include hand and CAD drawings, traditional and CAD-generated physical models, multimedia presentation and reports. Interdisciplinary approaches to communication are explored in collaboration across the Faculty, with design and technology as the primary basis for the exploration of theoretical and critical positions.

History, Theory and Criticism, Dissertation and Management Practice and Law are explored through lectures, seminars, tutorials, essays, group work, case studies, visits, studio, workshop and laboratory exercises. Learning is varied, participatory and synchronised with design work.  Students are encouraged to use the Dissertation as a theoretical basis for their final projects.

Assessment is based on project and seminar presentations, essays, and syndicate group work. The classified MArch award is calculated on an aggregate of all assessments.

The school has a good record of success in architecture awards. In 2010 an MArch student won the TECU international student prize.  Two others had their work included in the 2010 Royal Academy Summer exhibition. In 2011 members of the graduating cohort have been included in BD class of 2011 and the judges shortlist of 4 3D Reid student prize finalists; a part time graduating student won the RIBA East Midlands Student Low Carbon Design Award. Two students have also had their work selected for the 2012 Royal Academy Summer exhibition.  One has received a 2012 ICT Creative Thinking Award sponsored by Toby Moores.

Course modules - Full-time

First year modules include:

• Design 1 – students work in groups of 2 on a complex device design and build learning how to use the extensive workshop facilities to produce well designed objects that work with a mix of pragmatism, art and wit, and how to present these
• Design 2 – usually preceded by a field trip to an historic urban environment (recently, Edinburgh old town, Prague, Seville, Cordoba and Granada) individual students select sites and propose briefs for them – Design 2 is about the research behind the sites and briefs including conceptual feasibility studies; it is also used for workshops in Rhino and advanced Photoshop.
• Design 3 – individual students make final proposals for the sites and briefs drawn up in Design 2 presented to a high standard
• History Theory and Criticism – learning how to analyse precedents, using advanced writing methodologies preparatory to the Dissertation; the study of contemporary architectural thinking

Second year modules include:

• Management Practice and Law – advanced professional practice preparatory to second placement year and Part 3; synchronised with RIBA Plan of Work and the  Comprehensive  Design Project so you can see the part it plays in the design process
• Comprehensive Design Project – a double module, the final major design project; students choose brief and site to guidelines and have 12 months to complete it
• Dissertation – a 10–15,000 word paper; you will choose the subject area with approval and are encouraged to relate it to your Comprehensive Design Project

View our current student work gallery|

Course modules -Part-time

This normally involves one day’s study per week during term-time plus 10 additional days throughout the year.

Modules normally include (module details listed above):

First year:

• Design 1
• Design 2
• Design 3

Second year:

• History Theory and Criticism
• Dissertation
• Management Practice and Law

Third year:

• Comprehensive Design Project

View our current student work gallery

The MArch sets out to provide a balanced programme that encourages both an enhanced creative approach to design and also a bridge to the profession. To achieve this the course is staffed with both experienced design tutors who are active in the profession, and more recent talented architecture graduates, including:

Programme Leader Tom Fitzsimmons, former director of Edward Cullinan Architects, now runs his own London based practice.

Tom Muirhead, who worked with James Stirling, Sam Causer, Geraldine Dening and Chris Jones also running their own own practices.

Bartlett graduate Ben Cowd, who worked with Norman Foster, whose work has been exhibited in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and is the 2012 winner of the £10,000 Lend Lease/AJ Grand Award for Architecture there.

Contributors to the teaching have included Robert Sakula, Dean Hawkes and Julian Marsh, as well as staff from AHMM, Richard Murphy Architects, Glenn Howells and Buro Happold.

De Montfort University is highly rated by employers and offers excellent links with industry, the creative and cultural world, and the professions. As well as the extensive use of design staff active in the industry and visiting professionals, close links exist with local practices who participate in a mentoring scheme for final year students which pro-actively helps in the Comprehensive Design Project.

You can usually find employment on qualification. 2011 graduates have found work in leading practices that include Foster + Partners, Make, Heatherwick Studio, Aukett Fitzroy Robinson, AHMM and HTA, reflecting the variety of approaches we encourage.

Fees and funding options for 2013/14 entry are still under review and are subject to change.

Full-time
UK/EU
Postgraduate courses fees (per year)	£3,610
International
Postgraduate courses fees (per year)	£11,180
Part-time
Part 1 full-time students who wish to change to part-time Part 2 - Year 1	£2,920
Part 1 full-time students who wish to change to part-time Part 2 - Year 2	£2,920
Part 1 full-time students who wish to change to part-time Part 2 - Year 3	£1,950
Part 1 part-time students who started Part 1 post-09/10 - Year 1	£1,250
Part 1 part-time students who started Part 1 post-09/10 - Year 2	£1,250
Part 1 part-time students who started Part 1 post-09/10 - Year 3	£840
Part 1 part-time students who started Part 1 pre-09/10 - Year 1	£1,080
Part 1 part-time students who started Part 1 pre-09/10 - Year 2	£1,080
Part 1 part-time students who started Part 1 pre-09/10 - Year 3	£720
Continuation UK/EU Fee*	£150
Continuation International Fee*	£5000

For more information please take a look at our Funding|| section.

* A fee that is charged on a periodic basis where Postgraduate or Research students need to extend their registration to complete the course.

The Course is well resourced with dedicated graduate studios with seating for all students and equipped with a wide range of regularly updated advanced CAD software and extensive computer, printing and scanning facilities. The Faculty provides extensive and up-to-date workshop facilities, including wood, metal, plastic, glass and ceramics, as well as laser cutters, CNC and rapid prototyping. Courses in advanced 3d-CAD and Photoshop are offered as part of the Programme, and training in basic CAD is available.  As well as the well stocked and constantly updated library, the School has a dedicated architectural resources centre.

UKPASS is the postgraduate equivalent of UCAS and gives you a simple and efficient way to apply online. It allows you to search for a course and guides you through the application process. Using UKPASS you can apply for up to ten courses for free.

You can create your application in your own time, so you can consider, research and complete each section at your own speed. You can track your applications as they progress, and can also receive and reply to offers online. Apply online with UKPASS|

You will need to attach qualification transcripts, references and evidence of English language (if you are an overseas student) with your UKPass application. If these documents are not attached to your original application, this will delay the process of your application. 

 

You should give full details of your qualifications, relevant work experience and evidence of design work in a digital/portfolio format.

The following link will, allow you to add this course to your application list on the UKPASS Website. Apply to study Architecture MArch via UKPASS|.

If you do not have an account with UKPASS, you can view the Architecture MArch UKPASS webpage|.