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Architecture

MArch

Key facts

Start dates

September 2023 / September 2024

Location

Headington

Course length

Full time: MArch: 12 months; PGDip: 9 months

Overview

Learn to develop your own design methods with our Master of Architecture (MArch).

Our approach to teaching is based on a set of values which redefine the function of architecture in terms of the human relationships that underlie society. And how people really live, relate to each other and use the physical context of their environment.   

You will develop basic skills which relate to the expanded world of architecture. In particular photography, film-making and devising narratives. 

You will build on your imagination, individuality, and inspiration. And develop an experiential understanding of the world.

In looking for new approaches to problems you will gain qualities such as:

  • independence
  • originality
  • verbal fluency
  • breadth of interest
  • impulsiveness
  • expansiveness.

Our students are regularly recognised in national and international prizes and awards. They go on to work for many of the best-known practices in the country.

Female student sketching

How to apply

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

The course is intended for students who have completed their professional role-orientated education and wish to undertake speculative design-based research.

Thus it is expected that applicants from the field of architecture will already possess an accredited graduate diploma or postgraduate degree in architecture (UK), a professional master's in architecture (US), or the international equivalent.

Admission to the course will normally be open to applicants who fulfil one of the following:

  • hold a good undergraduate honours degree, min 2.2 (or international equivalent), in Architecture or a discipline relevant to Architecture
  • have an appropriate professional background and experience of designing architecture, or an alternative design discipline with strong similarities

The course also welcomes applicants from other design fields: e.g Product Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design and Interior Design. Such applicants should possess strong undergraduate degree achievement.

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.

International qualifications and equivalences

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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.

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.

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.

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).

Apply now

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£9,900

International full time
£15,900

Home (UK) full time
£10,300

International full time
£16,500

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2022 / 23
Home (UK) full time
£9,900

International full time
£15,900

2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£10,300

International full time
£16,500

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 483088

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

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.

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.

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Learning and assessment

Your learning is based on a programme of individual discussions and workshops with your tutors. Studio research will be complemented by a series of challenging talks from visiting academics and practitioners. 

Male student studying on a computer

Study modules

Taught modules

Compulsory modules

Advanced Architectural Design Research (30 credits)

Project-based learning is used in a studio environment to individually and collectively explore architectural design problems.

The first semester is always a rigid organised fabric of reviews, workshops, tutorials and deadlines with students working both individually and in groups. Within this framework students engage in two strands of investigation:

  1. an in-depth research into the tectonic possibilities of a new material/s; and
  2. the analysis of a real site with the aim of generating a series of questions that demand an architectural response.

By the end of the semester each student is expected to present to a jury of invited critics a catalogue both conceptual and material, from which they will make a project, in a coherent manner using appropriate media. This jury provides formative feedback for students on their learning. 

Advanced Architectural Design Representation and Realisation (50 credits)

Urban Cultures (20 credits)

Architecture and the City (20 credits)

Research Methods

This module prepares students for their dissertation project. A set of generic postgraduate school-wide lectures on research paradigms, methodology and research tools is followed by seminars in which students develop a synopsis for their dissertation. The module is assessed by means of a review of a relevant past Masters dissertation and a synopsis proposal.

Dissertation (50 credits)

Workshops and lectures

The first semester design studio is complimented by a series of challenging, group and individual based workshops, Urban Cultures, on drawing, model making and movie making, run by the tutors. Students are expected to engage in questioning and debate with the lecturers and are required to produce a series of responses in drawn and written forms, which contribute to their design portfolio, around a theme related to the lecture series. 

In the second semester there is a further series of lectures on Architecture and the City given by external academics and practitioners. Students are expected to engage in questioning and debate with the lecturers and are required to produce a series of responses in drawn and written forms to exercises set by the visiting lecturer. The results are bound into a book, which contributes to and supports their design portfolio, around a theme related to the lecture series. 

Final project

Compulsory modules

Dissertation

Individual students will work with a supervisor on projects that have developed from the work of the design studio. Students are expected to produce original, relevant and valid projects. The dissertation can take a written or design based form. In the latter case a written commentary is expected as part of the dissertation submission. Students submit their dissertation projects at the end of the summer vacation and are expected to hold an exhibition of their work in the Department or elsewhere as agreed.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Learning and teaching

You will work individually and in groups, exploring a new kind of architecture. Methods of exploration include techniques associated with the film industry, such as:

  • collage making
  • optical composites
  • physical models
  • drawings, both by hand and computer.

Your tutor will help you to find areas of interest and you will develop an individual approach to the:

  • brief
  • programme
  • and the realisation of a project. 

Teaching is mostly design-studio based, with project-based learning in a studio environment. You will also take part in a series of lectures, reviews, tutorials and site visits.
 

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.

Assessment

Assessment methods used on this course

The assessment on the taught modules is 100% coursework and include:

  • 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.
     

Research

The Oxford Brookes School of Architecture is a major player in international research in the fields of architecture and the built environment. The school includes the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD) as its primary research vehicle.

On gaining the MA, 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.

Related courses

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.