Entry requirements

Degree:

Honours degree (2:2 or higher) or postgraduate diploma in architecture from an ARB/RIBA Part 1 accredited course or exemption from it.

Further entry requirements may apply

Key facts

Study mode:

Full-time, Part-time

Start dates:

September (Two years full-time, three years part-time.)

Fees:

2027/28 tuition fees for full-time UK students: £10,050

2027/28 tuition fees for part-time UK students: £5,020

2027/28 tuition fees for EU and international students: £17,600

See all the key facts and full entry requirements

Overview

Our Architecture MArch programme is designed to respond to contemporary issues in the industry, grounded in both theory and professional practice. Our enquiry-led approach to education will teach you to tackle complex problems and help you synthesise your ideas to produce critical work. You will be supported to take risks, learn from mistakes and boldly explore your ideas.

Current issues in architectural debate are studied through deep foundations in historical and philosophical thought, contemporary states of urban inhabitation, challenges to a sustainable ecology, the ramifications of modern technology, legal and economic contexts, and the state of the profession.

Our design studios are delivered through advanced, research-by-design led units and offer a range of specialist pathways for you to develop an independent and critical position on architecture. Studio options range from high-density housing to sustainable futures, and advanced material investigations. We encourage an open-ended spirit of enquiry to advance knowledge through rigorous, exploratory and playful processes. Our experience and knowledge, combined with your personal ambition, will enable us to challenge existing conventions and redefine the future of architectural practice together.

If you have any questions about the course, the programme leader, Ben Cowd would be happy to help you. You can get in touch with them at bcowd@dmu.ac.uk.

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Key features

This programme offers a professional level architectural education with Architects Registration Board (ARB)/RIBA Part II exemption. Graduates can progress to professional registration/licensure examinations, allowing access to markets in the UK, EU or other legal jurisdictions.
90% of students were satisfied overall with the course (National Student Survey, 2022).
You will be supported to tackle real-world issues, while speculating and proposing new futures through bold experimentation and boundless enquiry.
Tutors come from industry and research and our community is a place where academics, practitioners and students are co-designing new ways of thinking.
Teaching is delivered in a dedicated postgraduate studio space, equipped with computer workstations, model-making facilities, large format printers and Ultimaker 3D printers.
Receive expert teaching through our national and international lecture series attracting leading academics and professionals from around the world, such as Sir Peter Cook, CJ Lim and Alison Brooks.
A number of graduates have been awarded national and international design awards, including four prizes at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Medals, five regional RIBA Awards and the prestigious RIBA Wren Insurance Association Scholarship .

Thematic Design Studio

A series of thematic design studios are offered to explore areas of various design specialisations offered by exhibited designers, respected educators, or via masterclasses with leading/award-winning metropolitan or internationally based architects or practices. A series of supporting contemporary digital communication and fabrication classes are also offered simultaneously.

Humanities / Technical Realisation

Humanities Specialisation
In addition to core studies on architectural texts and treatises, students undertake seminars with published scholars and work at a level of current research in the humanities. Past seminars have included topics in Phenomenology, Urbanisation, Nationalism, Architectural Fiction, Housing, Digital Heritage and Gendered Space

Technical Realisation
In addition to core technical, systems and environmental studies, students undertake seminars with published scholars and work at a level of current research in the sciences. Past seminars have including advanced studies in lighting, building performance modelling, conservation science and material studies.

Contextual Design Studio

A series of contextual studios or study abroad studios are offered, exploring a range of diverse philosophical approaches to architectural design. Studios are developed around various contexts and discourses. Prior sites of study have included Athens (study abroad), Washington, and Palermo

Dissertation

Students undertake an academic study of an architectural subject supervised by academics to develop a position in architectural thought

Management Practice and Law

An innovative module supported by professional architects, consultants and educators explores the development of your ethics, business acumen, good practices in practice and business management, awareness of legalities, understanding of contracts and architectural advocacy in the public sphere

Architectural Design Research Study (ADRS)

The Architectural Design Research Study allows students an opportunity to undertake a detailed investigation of a chosen architectural research topic.

Integrated Technology

This advanced technical module is aligned with the final year design thesis project. Students demonstrate the ability to apply and integrate technical knowledge and understanding on a complex building design.

Design Thesis

Students are encouraged to develop a stake in the current industry, and develop design projects that allow their leadership and visionary abilities to emerge or develop a project that demonstrates a comprehensive project demonstrating specific skillsets to service the industry

Part time students are expected on average to be present two days a week, with the addition of an assortment of ten additional pre-arranged days throughout the year. Modules are as above, however the schedule is as follows:

Year one

Thematic Design Studio
Contextual Design Studio

Year two

Humanities / Technical Realisation
Management Practice and Law
Dissertation

Year three

Architectural Design Research Study (ADRS)
Integrated Technology
Design Thesis

Teaching and assessment

The course takes you through a series of academic challenges that will cultivate your independent position on architecture, hone your academic acuity, expand your architectural skill set and develop your individual design flair beyond the undergraduate training that you possess. You are supported with current digital tools for visualisation and fabrication, as well as traditional mechanised fabrication tools and manual implements.

These are tested through a supporting range of humanities and technical specialisation seminars, thematic/masterclass and contextual design studios in the global context. Culminating studies are undertaken through a scholarly dissertation, and a demonstration of architectural stake either through an exploratory Design Thesis, or a demonstration of a skillset through a determined Comprehensive Design Project.

Assessment is through coursework, which is undertaken either individually or in groups.

Teaching contact hours

In the first two terms of each year you will normally attend around 10 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials and workshop and studio sessions each week, and be expected to undertake at least 25 hours of independent study each week. Your third term each year will be pre-dominantly self-directed (including meetings with your supervisor), during which you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week

Part-time study is normally undertaken on a half-time basis.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Why choose DMU?

Your future career

Recent graduates have secured employment with architect practices such as Foster + Partners, Make Architects, Heatherwick Studio, SOM and Grimshaw Architects.

Graduate Tom Cox secured a Part II Architectural Assistant position with Wotton Donoghue Architects. During his final year at DMU, Tom was selected to represent the university in Hong Kong at the GREAT Festival of Innovation, the Government’s flagship international trade event. Tom said: “throughout my time at DMU, my tutors broadened my understanding of architecture and design, highlighting my strengths and improving my weaknesses. They boosted my confidence, professionalism and interest in the subject.”

Starting a business

DMU students are encouraged to pursue their entrepreneurial spirit and the Enterprise Team can help you explore your business idea, business growth, the option of freelancing or being self-employed. There are lots of events, workshops, one-to-one consultation opportunities and enterprise competitions that you can get involved in to progress in your chosen career path.

Entrepreneurial skills

Even if you don’t intend to start your own business, many of the Enterprise Team activities will be relevant to you if you simply want to develop your business acumen. Skills such as risk-taking, project management and budgeting can be invaluable in employment.

Careers and employability

An award-winning Careers Team, the #1 UK university for careers support (TargetJobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards, 2024), we provide you with all the support you need.

Our careers commitment doesn’t end at graduation. With DMU for Life, you’ll have access to lifelong career support throughout your entire career.

How we support you

Unlimited one-to-one careers coaching

Get tailored advice and guidance from our expert careers advisors whenever you need it.

Professional development programme

Boost your employability with workshops, bootcamps, training sessions, and employer-led events.

Inside Edge Mentoring

Connect with professionals from dynamic industries to expand your career insight, network and knowledge of the world of work.

24/7 access to digital employability tools

Access LinkedIn Learning, personalised CV feedback, mock interviews and more – anytime, anywhere.

Entrepreneurship support

Bring your business ideas to life with events, networking opportunities, expert speakers, workshops and links to funding opportunities.

Job search assistance

Get support finding part-time work, placements, internships and graduate jobs.

Employability projects and placements

Gain real-world experience through academic business consultancy projects or work placements (course-dependent).

Industry-informed teaching

Learn from real-world experience and academics, guest lecturers and business leaders who share their industry expertise.

Discover postgraduate careers

Fees and funding

UK and Channel Island students

2027/28 tuition fees for full-time UK students: £10,050

2027/28 tuition fees for part-time UK students: £5,020

EU and international students

2027/28 tuition fees for EU and international students: £17,600

Funding

Postgraduate Master's Loan (Student Loans Company)

A Postgraduate Master’s Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master’s course.

Funding for postgraduate loans is different if:

you normally live in Scotland
you normally live in Wales
you normally live in Northern Ireland

Find out more about a Master's loan

Additional postgraduate loans and grants

Sir Thomas White Loans Charity

Applicants may be able to borrow up to £10,000 interest-free for 9 years from the Sir Thomas White Loans Charity for postgraduate study. Applicants must be resident in Leicestershire or Rutland for more than three years and be aged over 18 years old and under 45 years old.

Telephone number for Sir Thomas White Loans Charity: +44 (0)116 204 6620

Sir Harry James Riddleston Charity of Leicester

Applicants may be able to borrow up to £10,000 interest-free for five to 10 years for business, vocational or education purposes from the Sir Harry James Riddleston Charity of Leicester. You must be aged over 18 and under 45 and reside in Leicestershire or Rutland.

Telephone number for Sir Harry Riddleston Charity of Leicester: +44 (0)1858 463322

Educational grants, trusts and charities

Some educational trusts and charities provide small grants to help towards books, fees or equipment. There are several searchable online Grants databases such as Turn2us.

Funds for women graduates

Funds for Women Graduates offer grants towards living expenses for the final year of a PhD or DPhil for UK, EU or international students.

Going to university represents a real investment in your future and there is plenty of financial support available to students for both tuition fees and living expenses.

Find out more about funding

Additional costs

The core textbooks for all modules are available in the Kimberlin Library, and journal articles in your reading lists are also mostly available electronically from your myDMU login.

Some students like to purchase their own text books or print course documents and we suggest allowing approximately £200 per year for this.

All students are required to pay for their DBS check if required for your programme or placement.

In addition, students will be required to pay for their travel costs to placements or project locations.

All students are provided the opportunity to participate in DMU Global trips. These trips are subsidised by the University, and the cost and subsidy vary by location.

Scholarships

20% Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

This scholarship provides DMU graduates with an exclusive tuition fee discount of 20 per cent. The discount is available on selected full-time, part-time and distance learning postgraduate taught courses running across multiple start dates.

Read more about the Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

Global Access Scholarship

This scholarship rewards eligible prospective international students joining a postgraduate taught degree at DMU with up to a £3,000 fee reduction.

Find out more about the Global Access Scholarship

Entry requirements

Degree:

Honours degree (2:2 or higher) or postgraduate diploma in architecture from an ARB/RIBA Part 1 accredited course or exemption from it.

We will consider applications without Part 1 who have undertaken non-UK or non-validated architecture degrees. Before qualifying as a UK architect, students must have obtained Part 1, as well as Part 2 and 3. Please contact the ARB regarding eligibility for their prescribed Part 1 exam.

Applicants are encouraged to have completed post-undergraduate professional work experience. Applicants with a lower second-class degree (2:2) will be expected to have completed a minimum of nine months professional experience.

Should applicants have difficulty in finding professional architectural experience, we will consider evidence of initiative in finding alternative experience through work in associated fields of the construction and design industries, self-generated work and competitions.

Interview and portfolio

Applicants with relevant qualifications will be invited to attend an MS Teams interview with the MArch academic team. You will be asked to share your digital portfolio of work during the interview, please see our Architecture MArch application portfolio advice for full details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (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.

Key facts

Course title

Architecture

Award

MArch

Programme code

K10047

Study mode

Full-time, Part-time

Study level

Postgraduate

Start dates

September

Duration

Two years full-time, three years part-time.

How to apply

How to apply for a masters degree

Save these details for your application

Programme title:: Architecture MArch
Programme code:: K10047

You can apply using the DMU Application Portal. This method allows you to save, revisit and review your application before submitting it at any time of the day.

The following should be submitted with the application form:

Where required, one current reference on official headed paper or from a professional email address. This can be a work or academic reference and must be signed and recently dated
Copies of your academic transcripts
Copies of your degree or diploma certificates
Your personal statement

DMU Application Portal