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Programme Specification

MArch Architecture

Academic Year 2023/24

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title MArch Architecture Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Master of Architecture
Programme Code ARCH-MA UCAS Code HECoS Code 100122 - Architecture - 100
ATAS Clearance Required No
Mode of Study Full Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Full Time - 2 Academic Years
Total Credits for Programme 240
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Natural and Built Environment

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Architecture (2010)

Accreditations (PSRB)

ARB

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 01-11-21

RIBA

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 01-06-21

LAM Board of Architects, Malaysia

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 26-06-18

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

Year one of the MArch constitutes 1/3 of the overall degree result. Year two of the MArch constitutes 2/3 of the overall degree result.

Programme Specific Regulations

Student cannot graduate without passing all modules.
(THIS IS A REQUIREMENT OF THE PSRBs)

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

The two-year full-time postgraduate course is for students with a first degree in architecture who wish to progress their studies in architecture and potentially continue to full professional status and progress to final qualification as a practising architect. The core educational aims are to educate graduates who would have the following attributes:

An exceptionally high level of architectural ability, that is technical, aesthetic, and creative, consistent with EU and ARB/RIBA Part II criteria, but reflective of the particular ethos, character, and location.

A self-confidence based on knowledge, mature critical awareness, and refined judgment.

A deep-rooted understanding of context – ethical, societal, professional, and cultural, within which architecture is practiced and produced.

These are linked to the ARB graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Ability to undertake design briefs of increased and focused ambition dealing with wider issues of settlement set within particular urban and social context.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to be critically aware, and evolve personal design agenda and methodologies.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to develop coherent and well-researched and evidenced architectural proposals.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to assimilate and if necessary challenge external inputs, information, contradictions, contexts within the design process.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to assimilate technology as both process and context within ambitious and sophisticated architectural design proposals.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to produce architecture as artefact with an appreciation of the competing frameworks within which it is delivered.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to communicate advanced architectural intention, process, and output in a range of media and occasions.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to take intellectual and emotional ownership of a design process.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Ability to apply and appreciate creativity.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to apply informed judgment to knowledge acquisition.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Ability to distil complex issues, discern patterns, and identify salient points.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Ability to process and communicate advanced thought in text/prose.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Ability to speculate, propose, sustain, and validate a developed intellectual position.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to manage one’s time and production.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to construct an extended essay, to assemble data, to manipulate language, and to demonstrate clarity and effectiveness in sequential argument, layout and display of text and illustrations.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Ability to work creatively and successfully within a team.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to be both intellectually agile and strategic.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding of architectural theory.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and understanding of the canon of architectural precedents.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and appreciation of advanced representational techniques.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Knowledge and understanding of brief investigation and formulation as responses to human needs – stated and implied.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Knowledge and understanding of the core values underlying sustainable design.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and understanding of research methodologies.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and understanding of physical, cultural, and artistic contexts.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge, experience, and understanding of group dynamics, authorship, negotiation, and the production of architecture.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review and focussed lecture.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio. Also by coursework and exam.

Knowledge and understanding of the principles of management and business administration.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Focussed lecture series with seminars.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and exam.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding of the interplay of urban form, settlement, and landscape.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Knowledge and understanding of materials, space, light and their interaction with assembly and construction.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and understanding of structural and environmental systems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Knowledge and appreciation of design intentions and its resolution through technology and construction.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and appreciation of the societal and ethical context within which architecture exists and is produced.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and understanding of the profession, industry, legislative, economic and contractual frameworks and awareness as to how these are evolving.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Focussed lectures series with seminars.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and exam.

Knowledge and understanding of the regulatory framework within which buildings are designed and awareness as to how these are evolving.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review. Also focussed lectures series with seminars.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation. Coursework and exam.

Knowledge and appreciation of value and economy within architectural design including the cost control mechanisms needed to ensure their delivery.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Focussed lectures series with seminars.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and exam.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
MArch Studio 3 ARC7024 7 30 YES -- 12 weeks Y YES -- 100% 0% 0%
MArch Studio 4 ARC7025 7 30 -- YES 12 weeks Y YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Professional Skills ARC7026 7 30 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Technical Dissertation ARC7023 7 30 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
MArch Studio 1 ARC7022 7 30 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Thesis Research ARC7021 7 30 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES -- 100% 0% 0%
MArch Studio 2 ARC7016 7 30 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Humanities Dissertation ARC7017 7 30 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%

Notes

No notes found.