Start dates: September 2024 / September 2025
Full time: 24 months
Location: Headington
Department(s): School of Architecture
Overview
How can we build a more sustainable future? What should urban regeneration look like? Can architects respond to humanitarian crises?
Our ARB and RIBA accredited MArchD will help you add a design specialisation to your portfolio that transforms your practice; and that has an impact on society.
The School of Architecture at Oxford Brookes has an international reputation for research and teaching. As a postgraduate student here, you’ll be guided by academics who’ve proved themselves at some of the country’s top practices.
You’ll be free to explore your design aspirations in an environment where intellectual discussion, innovation and practical experimentation are actively encouraged. With topics ranging from sustainable built environments to conflict management, the influences on your thinking and design will add lasting value to your work.
Over the 2 years you’ll generate a substantial portfolio of design work that meets the demands of ARB/RIBA part II and LAM. And your design specialisation will be a big plus to a range of associated professions as well as architecture practices.
Why Oxford Brookes University?
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Gain specialist skills
Within a framework of core modules, you can tailor your course to match your career ambitions and design interests.
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Leading lecturers
You’ll be guided by tutors and lecturers who are experts in their field. They’ll help you build on your core skills and inspire you in whichever specialisation you choose.
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High quality facilities
Choose from a diverse range of design studios which allow you to experiment and explore your learnings and put your ideas into practice under the guidance of our tutors.
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Forefront of research
The course is supported by 5 research groups investigating new design theories, changes in societal demands, advances in technology, and new materials.
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An environment for study
Oxford has a rich student culture, and you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in study at the world-famous Bodleian, one of the oldest libraries in Europe.
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Accreditation(s)
Architects Registration Board, Royal Institute of British Architects, Malaysian board of Architects
Course details
Course structure
In your first year, you’ll build on your core skills in design, technology, history and theory. Modules will cover subjects such as Representation, Management Practice and Law, and Research Methods and Theory.
You’ll also have the opportunity to choose from one of several specialisations in areas of architectural design, such as Sustainable Design and Urban Design, in addition to your core modules. It means you’ll gain a suite of specialist skills that will help you build your portfolio for your future career.
In your second year, you’ll be working on a thesis design project in one of our 9 design studios. You’ll be able to practise and test all that you’ve learnt in your first year, under the guidance of industry professionals.
Previous thesis projects range from large scale social interventions which include housing and various facilities, to more speculative projects such as taking over entire valleys in Wales and designing major infrastructures within them.
Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Research
Research specialisations linked to the five research clusters within the School of Architecture offer cutting edge teaching from subject area experts.
The specialisations are:
- environmental design
- technology
- development
- emergency practice
- humanities
- architectural design.
Careers
Our students are in high demand in the UK and internationally. Many go on to work in AJ100 companies, like Fosters, Zaha Hadid and Wilkinson Ayre. Some set up their own businesses, often pursuing careers that contribute to society and a more sustainable future.
The specialisations within the course prepare students for a rapidly changing industry where specialist skills are increasingly popular.
Some of our students have gone on to work in Film and Digital Design, while others have used their skills to work in disaster relief operations.
Careers include:
- architectural and engineering practices
- research or sustainability consultancies
- development work
- creative professions
- academia.
Our Staff
Mr Toby Shew
I curate and manage eight postgraduate design studios for the RIBA part II course, ensuring a plurality of ideas an methodology in this professionally recognised course.
Read more about TobyRelated courses
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Admission to the programme will normally be open to applicants who fulfil either of the following requirements:
- hold a 2.2+ undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent), in Architecture / discipline highly relevant to Architecture
- possess an appropriate professional background and experience of designing architecture, or designing in a discipline that has a strong relationship or similarities to architecture.
All applicants will be invited to submit a portfolio for review (preferably in online format. If submitting a PDF, please compress to 5MB max for storage on the application system). For advice on what to include in your portfolio, watch this video where our Head of the School of Architecture, Matt Gaskin, talks about what we're looking for.
Information on portfolio specifications & how to submit it, will be emailed to separately upon initial processing of an application.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English you will require a minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components.
OR
An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
International qualifications and equivalences
How to apply
Application process
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).
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
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
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Compulsory costs
| Additional costs | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
An emphasis on physical experimentation means that you may incur costs to purchase materials. Although access to our workshops is free, you need to source your own materials |
£150-300 |
Optional costs
| Additional costs | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Although there is provision to show work digitally, the portfolio elements of the course generally do require high quality printing | £100-200 |
| Development and Emergency Practice field trip, including flights, accommodation and daily food. | £1200 |
International Architectural Regeneration and Development runs a field trip to a European country flights and accommodation) |
£650 |
UK field trip |
Typically £150-400 |
It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. |
From £30 |
| You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. | £20-60 per book |
Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) |
£94-265 per week |
Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) |
£122-180 per week |
Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. |
Typically £0-200 |
Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. BrookesBus travel is subsidised for full-time undergraduate students that are on a course with a fee of £9,250 or more, or living in an Oxford Brookes hall of residence. There is an administration fee for the production of a BrookesKey. |
From £10 |
Funding your studies
Financial support and scholarships
Featured funding opportunities available for this course.
All financial support and scholarships
Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been
published on the website. For more information, please visit our
changes to programmes page.