An exciting, creative Master’s degree with accreditation from the ARB and RIBA, for students with a first degree in architecture who wish to progress their studies to final qualification as a practising architect.
COURSE CONTENT
Your focus will be to investigate the relationships between critical practice, design and research in the making of architectural proposals. The work produced throughout this two year Master’s is a collaborative effort between you, award winning practicing architects and our academic staff.
Our studio is divided up into a number of thematic studio groups, each led by a pair of tutors. Each of the groups also feature an expert external ‘consultant’ who will contribute to teaching throughout the year.
This course encourages lateral thinking, problem solving, creativity and engagement with issues in a self-critical design led process. It is broad in its engagement as is architecture addressing societal issues as diverse as our survival on the planet and local engagement with culture and craft - from the making of an entire city to the design of a door handle.
Through exposing you to many ways of seeing the world as a designer, ultimately the master’s programme challenges you to define your own voice as an architect enabling you to be critically self-aware of your future practice.
WHAT WILL EXCITE YOU?
You’ll be engaging with real projects, real clients, local communities, international collaborators and conversing with renowned architects in the development of your own projects alongside embarking on worldwide field trips . Our students have gone to places such as Munich, Genoa, Barcelona, Istanbul and Oslo to look at how other cultures shape their built environment.
THE ENVIRONMENT
You will be based in Belfast, a textbook and laboratory for architecture. It is a city the size of a town, full of compelling history and steeped in traditions of craft and making.
You’ll enjoy a healthy staff to student ratio, good studios, where you’ll each have your own space with excellent workshops and technicians to support you in developing your work.
ACADEMIC LITERACY MODULE
An optional, complementary module for non-native speakers of English. Designed to support English language and academic skills development with a focus on specific academic skills related to the students' area of study.
PLEASE NOTE:
Applications for this course received after 30th June may not be accepted. In addition, a deposit will be required to secure a place.
Our reputation in Architecture exceeds 50 years and we currently rank in the UK top 10 (Complete University Guide 2022 and Guardian University Guide 2022). Architecture at Queen’s is also joint 1st in the UK for graduate prospects.
Architecture highlights
Student Experience
MArch I includes a compulsory, self-funded field-trip, usually to a mainland European city.
Professional Accreditations
- Architects’ Registration Board (ARB) recognised Part 2 degree
- Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) recognised Part 2 degree
Student Experience
End of Year Show
The free to access digital walk-through of the 2024 end of year show exhibition is accessible through this link:
tinyurl.com/QUBarch2024
Student Testimonials
During my time at Queen’s, the MArch programme has allowed me to define the direction in which I take my studies and architectural projects, which in turn allows me to develop myself into the designer and Architect that I wish to be. The variety of projects, from design and conceptual work, to technology driven or even academic writing has given me a broad scope of skills which has given me the opportunity and ability to pursue a future in architecture that I am passionate about.
The focus of the MArch is to investigate and develop the relationships between critical practice, design and research through the making of unique and challenging architectural propositions.
The studio is divided up into thematic groups which collectively encompass a broad range of approaches to architectural design. The groups reflect the expertise and preoccupations of the tutors and expert consultants involved. Accordingly, the briefs developed and the work produced become a collaborative investigation between practitioners, students and academics into some of the pressing spatial issues affecting the production of the contemporary built environment, both on this island and elsewhere.
Students are offered a choice of group at the beginning of MArch I and then again at the beginning of MArch II, their thesis year. It is imagined that they will choose a different group each year to make the most of the breadth and the depth offered by the studio system. Choices are also offered for humanities and technologies dissertations.
The four semesters of the Masters programme are thought of as a single entity, within which diverse challenges allow the student to identify core strengths and to develop these through open discussion with a strong emphasis on self-directed study and ambitious agendas.
Ultimately the purpose of this diversity and choice is to expose you to different ways of seeing and engaging with the world as an architect. Our course is structured to provoke you in becoming critically self-aware as a designer and to establish your own voice as an architect. Our intention that this will provide you with the firm foundations for your future practice.
The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.
The module serves as an introduction and consolidation to the thematic group as well as an initiation of the thesis territory. As such the module should consist of two projects (one shorter, one longer).
Learning Outcomes
K4 Knowledge and understanding of materials, space, light and their interaction with assembly and construction.
K5 Knowledge and appreciation of advanced representational techniques.
K6 Knowledge and understanding of brief investigation and formulation as responses to human needs stated and implied.
K9 Knowledge and appreciation of design intentions and its resolution through technology and construction.
K10 Knowledge and appreciation of the societal and ethical context within which architecture exists and is produced
K15 Knowledge, experience, and understanding of group dynamics, authorship, negotiation, and the production of architecture.
A2 Ability to be critically aware, and evolve personal design agenda and methodologies
A3 Ability to develop coherent and well-researched and evidenced architectural proposals.
A5 Ability to assimilate technology as both process and context within ambitious and sophisticated architectural design proposals.
A6 Ability to produce architecture as artefact with an appreciation of the competing frameworks within which it is delivered
A7 Ability to communicate advanced architectural intention, process, and output in a range of media and occasions.
A8 Ability to take intellectual and emotional ownership of a design process
T1 Ability to apply and appreciate creativity.
T3 Ability to distil complex issues, discern patterns, and identify salient points.
T5 Ability to speculate, propose, sustain, and validate a developed intellectual position.
T6 Ability to manage one’s time and production.
T8 Ability to work creatively and successfully within a team.
T9 Ability to be both intellectually agile and strategic.
This module involves the continuation, development and culmination of students’ thesis proposals and thus involves research, design and technology. The module is linked to thesis research.
Learning Outcomes
K4 Knowledge and understanding of materials, space, light and their interaction with assembly and construction
K5 Knowledge and appreciation of advanced representational techniques
K6 Knowledge and understanding of brief investigation and formulation as responses to human needs stated and implied
K8 Knowledge and understanding of the core values underlying sustainable design
K9 Knowledge and appreciation of design intentions and its resolution through technology and construction
K10 Knowledge and appreciation of the societal and ethical context within which architecture is produced
A1 Ability to undertake design briefs of increased and focused ambition dealing with wider issues of settlement set within particular urban and social context
A2 Ability to be critically aware, and evolve personal design agenda and methodologies
A3 Ability to develop coherent and well-researched and evidenced architectural proposals
A4 Ability to assimilate and if necessary challenge external inputs, information, contradictions, contexts within the design process
A5 Ability to assimilate technology as both process and context within ambitious and sophisticated architectural design proposals
A7 Ability to communicate advanced architectural intention, process, and output in a range of media and occasions
A8 Ability to take intellectual and emotional ownership of a design process
T2 Ability to apply informed judgment to knowledge acquisition
T3 Ability to distil complex issues, discern patterns, and identify salient points
T4 Ability to process and communicate advanced thought in text/prose
T7 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.
The module develops and consolidates students’ knowledge of contemporary and future practice of architecture within the UK and beyond.
Learning Outcomes
K10 Knowledge and appreciation of the societal and ethical context within which architecture exists and is produced.
K11 Knowledge and understanding of the profession, industry, legislative, economic and contractual frameworks and how these awareness as to how these are evolving.
K15 Knowledge, experience, and understanding of group dynamics, authorship, negotiation, and the production of architecture.
K17 Knowledge and appreciation of value and economy within architectural design including the cost control mechanisms needed to ensure their delivery.
K18 Knowledge and understanding of the principles of management and business administration.
The module consists of two projects which serve as an introduction and consolidation to the thematic group.
Learning Outcomes
K1 Knowledge and understanding of the interplay of urban form, settlement, and landscape
K5 Knowledge and appreciation of advanced representational techniques
K6 Knowledge and understanding of brief investigation and formulation as responses to human needs stated and implied
K10 Knowledge and appreciation of the societal and ethical context within which architecture exists and is produced K14 Knowledge and understanding of physical, cultural, and artistic contexts
K14 Knowledge and understanding of physical, cultural, and artistic contexts
K15 Knowledge, experience, and understanding of group dynamics, authorship, negotiation, and the production of architecture
A1 Ability to undertake design briefs of increased and focused ambition dealing with wider issues of settlement set within particular urban and social context
A2 Ability to be critically aware, and evolve personal design agenda and methodologies
A4 Ability to assimilate and if necessary challenge external inputs, information, contradictions, contexts within the design process
A6 Ability to produce architecture as artefact with an appreciation of the competing frameworks within which it is delivered
A7 Ability to communicate advanced architectural intention, process, and output in a range of media and occasions
A8 Ability to take intellectual and emotional ownership of a design process
T1 Ability to apply and appreciate creativity
T5 Ability to speculate, propose, sustain, and validate a developed intellectual position
T6 Ability to manage one’s time and production
T8 Ability to work creatively and successfully within a team
T9 Ability to be both intellectually agile and strategic
Skills
Skills pertinent to the design process: drawing; modeling; and other forms of representing, visualizing and testing architectural ideas in form, space and materiality.
Major themed design project with supplementary associated project components involving elements of group and individual work, research and design, coursework, lectures, workshops, tutorials, design proposals, interim and final design reviews, and involving a variety of media, representation and communication techniques.
Learning Outcomes
K1 Knowledge and understanding of the interplay of urban form, settlement, and landscape.
K3 Knowledge and understanding of the canon of architectural precedents.
K4 Knowledge and understanding of materials, space, light and their interaction with assembly and construction.
K7 Knowledge and understanding of structural and environmental systems.
K8 Knowledge and understanding of the core values underlying sustainable design.
K9 Knowledge and appreciation of design intentions and its resolution through technology and construction.
K12 Knowledge and understanding of the regulatory framework within which buildings are designed.
K15 Knowledge, experience, and understanding of group dynamics, authorship, negotiation, and the production of architecture.
A3 Ability to develop coherent and well-researched and evidenced architectural proposals.
A5 Ability to assimilate technology as both process and context within ambitious and sophisticated architectural design proposals.
A6 Ability to produce architecture as artefact with an appreciation of the competing frameworks within which it is delivered.
A7 Ability to communicate advanced architectural intention, process, and output in a range of media and occasions.
T1 Ability to apply and appreciate creativity.
T5 Ability to speculate, propose, sustain, and validate a developed intellectual position.
T8 Ability to work creatively and successfully within a team.
Skills
Skills pertinent to the design process: drawing; modelling; and other forms of representing, visualizing and testing architectural ideas in form, space and materiality.
A structured sequence of exercises, workshops, and reviews, dealing with the integration and assimilation of technology within architectural design.
Learning Outcomes
K4 Knowledge and understanding of materials, space, light and their interaction with assembly and construction
K8 Knowledge and understanding of the core values underlying sustainable design
K9 Knowledge and appreciation of design intentions and its resolution through technology and construction
K12 Knowledge and understanding of the regulatory framework within which buildings are designed
K13 Knowledge and understanding of research methodologies
A4 Ability to assimilate and if necessary challenge external inputs, information, contradictions, contexts within the design process
A5 Ability to assimilate technology as both process and context within ambitious and sophisticated architectural design proposals
T2 Ability to apply informed judgment to knowledge acquisition
T3 Ability to distil complex issues, discern patterns, and identify salient points
T4 Ability to process and communicate advanced thought in text/prose
T7 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
T8 Ability to work creatively and successfully within a team
This module concerns the exploration through appropriate media of factors and phenomenon relating to the production of the architecture design work contained in ARC7019 thesis project I and ARC7020 thesis project II.
Learning Outcomes
K10 Knowledge and appreciation of the societal and ethical context within which architecture exists and is produced
K13 Knowledge and understanding of research methodologies
K14 Knowledge and understanding of physical, cultural, and artistic contexts
A1 Ability to undertake design briefs of increased and focused ambition dealing with wider issues of settlement set within particular urban and social context
A8 Ability to take intellectual and emotional ownership of a design process
T2 Ability to apply informed judgment to knowledge acquisition
T3 Ability to distil complex issues, discern patterns, and identify salient points
T4 Ability to process and communicate advanced thought in text/prose
T5 Ability to speculate, propose, sustain, and validate a developed intellectual position
T9 Ability to be both intellectually agile and strategic
Skills
Research skills carried out through drawing, modelling, writing about and other forms of visualizing architecture pertinent to the development of a design thesis.
An original study of a primarily architectural topic chosen by the student in consultation with the module coordinator; development of knowledge of a particular aspect of architecture and communication of that knowledge through the medium of a written and illustrated dissertation.
Learning Outcomes
K2 Knowledge and understanding of architectural theory
K3 Knowledge and understanding of the canon of architectural precedents
K10 Knowledge and appreciation of the societal and ethical context within which architecture exists and is produced
K13 Knowledge and understanding of research methodologies
K14 Knowledge and understanding of physical, cultural, and artistic contexts
A4 Ability to assimilate and if necessary challenge external inputs, information, contradictions, contexts within the design process
T2 Ability to apply informed judgment to knowledge acquisition
T3 Ability to distil complex issues, discern patterns, and identify salient points
T4 Ability to process and communicate advanced thought in text/prose
T7 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
Skills
Writing, research and other skills pertinent to the development of a dissertation.
Applicants whose primary degree was awarded in the UK:
1. Normally a 2.1 Honours degree in Architecture from an approved RIBA/ARB Part 1 course in a recognised institution. Applicants with a degree in Architecture below 2.1 Honours standard will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
2. Normally an assessment of 60% or above in the final year major design project of their approved RIBA/ARB Part 1 course.
3. A demonstration of a critical awareness of the applicant's position relative to the profession and discipline of architecture. Such demonstration is typically (but not exclusively) achieved through experience in architectural practice in accordance with RIBA/ARB regulations for practical training.
4. Applicants will be asked to submit an architectural design portfolio to support their application and may also be invited for interview.
Application Portfolio Requirement
As part of the application process you are required to upload a single pdf portfolio of your best architectural design (personal, non-group) work to date. The pdf should be no more than 5MB and no more than 15 pages long. The purpose of the portfolio submission is to:
1. Identify indicators of commitment, excellence and achievement within the applicant’s academic or professional portfolio of experience.
2. Evaluate the applicant’s critical awareness of the discipline and profession of architecture.
Applicants whose Primary Degree was awarded outside the UK:
1. A recognised qualification equivalent to a 2.1 Honours degree in Architecture. Applicants with a degree in Architecture below 2.1 Honours standard (or equivalent) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
2. Normally an assessment equivalent to 60% or above in their (first degree) final year major design project.
3. A demonstration of a critical awareness of the applicant’s position relative to the profession and discipline of architecture. Such demonstration is typically in the form of a personal statement.
4. International applicants will be asked to submit an architectural design portfolio to support their application and may also be invited for interview.
5. International applicants should note that if they wish to undertake Part 3 (to lead to ARB registration as an architect and as an RIBA chartered architect) they must be successful in an application to ARB for their first architecture degree to be assessed by ARB as satisfying Part 1.
Note: Applicants who have completed 1 year of MArch at another institution in the UK or ROI (recognised by the university), are eligible to apply for credit (maximum 120 credit points) for direct entry onto year 2 of the MArch. Applicants who wish to apply in this manner will be required to contact the Course Director with their expression of interest. These limits may be subject to School specific limitations and appropriate compatibility of the prior learning with the module/s for which exemption is sought and/or award applied for, which may have specific subject requirements. Further information can be found here: http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB
Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 30th June 2025 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.
Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course.
International Students
Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in Speaking and Listening and a minimum of 5.5 in Reading and Writing, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last two years).
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
Completion of the MArch constitutes Part II of the RIBA/ARB criteria leading to eligibility to sit Part III, the Professional Examination and registration as an architect in the UK.
WHERE MIGHT YOU BE IN FIVE YEARS?
Contributing to our society anywhere in the world, as an architect or in one of its many parallel disciplines
Our graduates are currently working alongside world leading architects in the construction of significant cultural buildings, designing skyscrapers in Hong Kong and the Middle East, emergency housing for refugees in Africa, film sets for Hollywood productions and computer games, as well as working as urban planners worldwide, teaching in universities or becoming artists and photographers. http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Students are responsible for additional costs for books, materials and software for drawing/model making and printing (including final portfolio). The amount for materials, equipment and printing will vary depending on how students decide to represent their work, but a budget of £1,900 for the two year course is appropriate. In Year 1 students are required to undertake a compulsory field trip to a European city. They are responsible for funding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs and should budget for approximately £500.
Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications
1.1 Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications.
1.2 You will be required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the course.
1.3 This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.