ARCH7014
30 credits
Studio based design project. You will be introduced to a range of techniques and methodologies to produce an expansive variety of work. The work that you do...
MArch Advanced Architectural Design
Explore advanced architectural design and develop knowledge to inform your understanding and professional practice.
Key facts
- Duration
- Full time: MArch: 12 months; PGDip: 9 months
- Part time: 24 Months
- Starts
- September 2027
- Level
- Master's and postgraduate
- UCAS code
- P008078
- Location
- Headington
- School
- School of Architecture
About this course
Are you looking to push the boundaries of architectural thought and practice? The Masters in Advanced Architectural Design programme at Oxford Brookes University invites ambitious architects and creative thinkers from around the world to explore architecture as a critical, experimental and research-driven discipline. As an Advanced Architectural Design student, you’ll immerse yourself in an intensive, studio-focused environment where the development of architectural ideas is celebrated over traditional consumption or product-driven output. You’ll question, speculate and generate thought-provoking proposals that redefine the role and impact of architecture in contemporary society.
Explore the future of architecture with a community that celebrates innovation, integrity, and the bold pursuit of new possibilities.
If you're seeking a professionally accredited course for ARB and RIBA pt II or LAM, explore our MArchD course.
Critical Experimentation
Nurture your ability to think and work experimentally, fostering creative autonomy and intellectual resilience.
Research Through Design
Advance your ideas through hands-on experimentation and critical design research.
Collaborative Studio
Learn in a collaborative, studio-based setting where rigorous debate and open dialogue drive each project.
Diverse Portfolio
You’ll graduate with a body of design work relevant to different disciplines, demonstrating work that stands out from conventional portfolios.
Research expertise
The Oxford School of Architecture is a major player in international research in the fields of architecture and the built environment. On gaining the MArch, if you are interested in continuing to the PhD programme, we will encourage you to do so.
For more information please visit Research in Architecture.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| IELTS | IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills. For more information, please see our English language requirements. |
The course is normally for students who have completed their professional role-orientated education and wish to undertake speculative design-based research.
Applicants from architecture should possess an accredited graduate diploma or postgraduate degree (UK), a professional master's (US), or the international equivalent.
Admission is normally open to applicants who:
- hold a good undergraduate honours degree (min 2.1 or above, or international equivalent) in Architecture or a related discipline
- have an appropriate professional background and experience of designing architecture, or an alternative design discipline with a strong relationship or similarities to architecture
- are final-year MArchD in Architecture students at Oxford Brookes University, who have demonstrated proficiency in written and design work
The course welcomes applicants from other design fields (e.g., Product Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Interior Design) with strong undergraduate degree achievement.
Fees and funding
Fees
| Fee types | 2026/27 | 2027/28 |
|---|---|---|
| Home full-time | £11,250, £10,250 (PGDip) | |
| International full-time | £18,500 | £19,300 |
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page.
Questions about fees?
Learning and assessment
At Oxford Brookes, we’ll challenge you to explore and develop your practice with the support of your tutors. You’ll go beyond mere architectural development; we encourage the exploration of diverse concepts to challenge your mindset and enhance your ability to effectively convey ideas in a visually dominant world.
Emphasis is placed on design work rather than written assignments. You‘ll create dynamic methods of communication and idea generation through art practice techniques, digital visualisations and physical modelling. Our modules integrate guided practice, ensuring that you receive comprehensive support for impactful learning. By fostering a culture of critical thinking and creativity throughout the course, you’ll be well-prepared for your final design research project.
The programme culminates with an exhibition offering an immersive experience for guests and the public, allowing you to share your vision and achievements.
During this course, you will work both individually and in groups to explore new architectural concepts. Teaching is primarily in a design studio environment, with the addition of a series of lectures, tutorials, reviews, and site visits.
Methods of Exploration:
- Practical Work: You will engage in active workshops, exploring techniques such as collage making, optical composites, and physical modelling.
- Design & Research: You will conduct architectural design research and investigate the possibilities of structures and materials.
- Drawing: You will develop skills in both hand drawing and computer-aided design.
- Project Development: With guidance from your tutor, you will identify your areas of interest and develop an individual approach to your project's brief, programme, and final realisation.
Assessment
The assessment on the taught modules is 100% coursework and includes:
- design presentations
- seminar papers
- essays.
Studio critiques by an invited jury provide formative feedback.
For your dissertation you can produce:
- a project
- artefact or portfolio in a variety of media
- written work.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
ARCH7064
30 credits
You'll take part in workshops, lectures and discussions, which will form the basis of this module to introduce you to a broad range of contemporary cultural...
ARCH7067
30 credits
Your first semester work and investigations are brought together through developing a proposal and design of a personal project. The Studio places emphasis on...
ARCH7065
30 credits
You'll take part in workshops and lectures to explore the meanings of time between architecture and the city. In the workshop film and writing will be utilized...
ARCH7066
60 credits
You will undertake a single authored piece of work, giving you the opportunity to draw inferences, information and ideas from the other course components, as...
Field trips
Whilst there is no official international field trip, you are encouraged to visit areas of interest that are relevant to your thesis, and to visit exhibitions and galleries. You should budget in the region of £100 for trips such as these. For overseas trips, the costs are kept below £500 and the trip is not mandatory.
Careers
Our graduates progress in different directions because of the way we’ve designed this course. Some return to their home country to start their own businesses, while others start careers in new areas like set design. It’s a great stepping stone to completing a PhD too.
Whatever you decide to do next, you’ll have an impressive portfolio to show potential employers. You’ll be able to show you’re capable of developing fresh ideas and understanding different research methods.
How to apply
We advise applying in advance to secure places, and allow sufficient time for applications to be reviewed.
There is no formal application deadline (recruitment closes when teaching capacity is reached).
Applicants should also factor any time needed to meet offer conditions, arrange accommodation, and obtain a UK Student visa (if applicable).
Our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, so module availability and course structures may vary from what is listed here. On rare occasions, we may also need to make updates to our course programmes after publication; for full details, please visit our changes to programmes page (opens in a new tab)