LOCAL-G41545
60 credits
The compulsory requirement of the MA/MSc Advanced Practice (in Architecture) requires you to complete a Research Methods module and a Dissertation module...
Advanced Practice
MA, MSc, PGDip, PGCert
Advance your professional practice through critical reflection, specialist learning and the application of knowledge in your field.
Key facts
- Duration
- Full time: Sept entry 1 year/ Jan entry 1.5 years/ May entry 15 months
- Part time: Sept entry 2 years/ Jan entry 2.5 years/ May entry 27 months. DISTANCE LEARNING Sept entry 2 years/ Jan entry 2.5 years/ May entry 27 months
- Starts
- January 2027, May 2027, September 2027
- Level
- Master's and postgraduate
- Course code
- MA-APA / MSC-APA
- Location
- Headington
- Distance Learning
- School
- School of Architecture
- School of the Built Environment
About this course
The Advanced Practice Masters is a flexible, interdisciplinary programme spanning our internationally recognised schools in Architecture, Built Environment, Art, and Engineering. Designed for lifelong learning, the curriculum can be tailored to provide a competitive edge within your specialist field.
This programme offers the unique opportunity to translate your existing professional practice into academic credit, allowing you to deepen hard-won expertise within a challenging, supportive, and collaborative context. By strengthening your professional identity, you position yourself for significant career advancement.
Each sector-relevant module can be completed as a standalone unit to fit your schedule or “stacked” toward a full Masters degree, empowering you to become a recognized specialist in your field.
You will benefit from our excellence in research-based teaching in areas such as heritage, sustainability and technology.
Self directed study
You get to choose what modules you study.
Choose the title of your award
With approval of the Programme Committee.
Your prior learning can count
Both certificated and experiential prior learning can be integrated as credit into the learning programme.
Multi-professional environment
Act as both a leader and a team member to solve problems.
Research expertise
Oxford School of Architecture and School of the Built Environment have lively research environments that produce world-leading research that addresses social, environmental and architectural challenges locally, nationally and internationally. View the Oxford School of Architecture research and School of the Built Environment research pages.
The research groups in the schools cover a broad spectrum of fields, including:
- architectural engineering
- low carbon building
- development and emergency practice
- vernacular architecture
- conservation and design
- smart construction
- land design and development
- planning policy and governance.
Here are some recent research projects our staff is involved in:
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Typically, you’ll have a minimum recognised qualification equivalent to an undergraduate honours degree, similar to ARB Part 1. If you are interested in the programme, please email the Subject Coordinator (Arda Inceoglu - ainceoglu@brookes.ac.uk to learn more about admission requirements.
You may have been working in related fields for a number of years and seek to further develop your skills in an academic environment. You’ll have a background and experience that includes undergraduate studies in a design-related field, built environment, art, or engineering. A wide range of interests and skills is particularly relevant to the interdisciplinary nature of the programme. Every applicant will be evaluated on an individual basis.
This course is not open to students seeking visa sponsorship under our UKVI licence. Any international student who already holds a different visa type that permits study would be able to enrol on the course and would be required to complete our standard Right to Study checks which apply to all OBU courses taught in person.
International applicants can apply for online courses as well as standalone modules, without needing a visa. The list of all modules delivered online can be found here.
Fees and funding
Fees
| Fee types | 2026/27 | 2027/28 |
|---|---|---|
| Home distance learning | £10,450, £9,450, £5,225, £1,165 per single module | £10,750, £5,375, £1,195 per single module |
| Home full-time | £10,450, £9,450 (PGDip), £5,225 (PGCert) | £10,750, £9,750 (PGDip), £5,375 (PGCert) |
| Home part-time | £5,225 | £5,375 |
| International distance learning | £18,500 | £19,300 |
| 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
You’ll decide your curriculum content based on your needs and interests. The content you choose only requires approval from the Subject Coordinator and must align with University regulations.
You can take any Level 7 module within the School of Architecture and the School of the Built Environment. You may also select courses listed in the Programme Handbook from various schools such as Engineering, Computing and Mathematics.
The Research Methods module and the Dissertation are compulsory. They can be taken as a combined 60 credit modules or as individual modules.
You’ll agree on a title for your award with the Subject Coordinator. The Exam Committee then officially confirms this title (and adds it to your record). Titles must reflect your programme of study. The final award, whether an MA or MSc, depends on the modules you take and the topic of your dissertation.
Your learning activities depend on the modules you take. We use diverse teaching methods on modules to maximize your engagement:
You’ll attend lectures and seminars (including student-led sessions) and
- Participate in workshops and group discussions.
- Conduct fieldwork and external site visits.
- Engage in reviews, group tutorials, and one-to-one sessions.
- Use online lectures and seminars.
You’ll tailor the curriculum to your exact needs. This allows us to address your professional goals more specifically than a fixed program and supports the interdisciplinary study, which is important for developing expertise in multiple fields.
You’ll use workshops, the library, and study zones. You'll be encouraged to take part in peer-to-peer learning, a critical part of your independent study.
You’re recognized as an experienced professional; so you are best placed to identify your learning needs.
Assessment
Your assessment methods for each module are detailed in the module handbook that you’ll receive. You’ll submit coursework, which includes projects, portfolios, and essays. Some assessments may be exam-based.
We’ll offer you guidance on assessment tasks on each module. Tutorials and group seminars support your development of the design thesis, research, and realization.
You’ll receive assessment matrices in your module guides that help you define your learning outcomes and criteria. This course will help you develop your postgraduate attributes, and the Programme Committee will confirm your progress.
You’ll be introduced to these attributes during your induction. You’ll discuss them with your academic advisor, focusing on how module content and activities help you acquire these attributes and how you experience them.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
LOCAL-G41544
You can take any combination of modules within the School of Architecture and the School of the Built Environment. You can also take modules from School of...
Field trips
Depending on the modules you choose to take, you may have fieldtrips. Independent study modules can include longer fieldwork such as workshops and live projects.
Careers
As a graduate of the course you will gain specialised expertise in a field of your interest, helping you to advance your career.
The course will support your career development and a practice’s expertise in an area through practice based learning. If you are thinking about joining the programme, starting with a dialogue with your practice is important in order to make the most out of this masters degree.
How to apply
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)