Digital Craft in Architecture
MA
Start dates: September 2023 / September 2024
Full time: 1 Year
Part time: 2 Years
Location: Headington
Department(s): School of Architecture
Overview
This MA Digital Craft in Architecture is a unique interdisciplinary course that develops craftsmanship through digital technologies. You will explore traditional knowledge of building to unlock new ways of working with sustainable materials. You will collaborate with industry partners and practices to develop innovative research projects with real world implications.
You'll build skills in parametric and computational design and gain hands-on experience using digital fabrication technologies; to explore ways of re-establishing and revitalising lost, dying crafts.
You’ll build your skills using existing knowledge and research on the topics of:
- materials and making
- digital design and practice
- applications of building knowledge
You’ll also have access to a local hub of research into digital fabrication at Grymsdyke Farm.
There is an increasing demand for specialist knowledge of digital manufacturing. You will graduate ready to gain a position in the evolving design and construction industry.

Why Oxford Brookes University?
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Workshops
Discover advanced digital techniques. using scripting, parametric and computational design.
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Networking
Collaborate with a project team.
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'Hands on' experience
With state of the art digital fabrication technologies
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Teaching Expertise
In Advanced Architectural Design, Digital Architecture and Virtual Reality.
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Great partnerships
Grymsdyke Farm with a digital fabrication facility.
Course details
Study modules
The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the MArchD award your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.
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
Oxford Brookes is renowned for its world-class research into how architecture has evolved in different cultures around the world, notably the Paul Oliver Vernacular Architecture Library and the network of hundreds of researchers connected to this body of work. This unique collection of traditional or vernacular architectures represent an extensive and detailed knowledge database, expressed as an architectural language specific to the spirit and ecology of a place. It also represents an extensive body of research into the way economies and cultures relate to, and utilise, sustainable materials in the construction of architecture.
Careers
In the rapidly evolving design and construction industry, there is an increasing demand for specialist knowledge of digital manufacturing. Robotics, augmented reality and 3D printing technologies continue to play a more significant role in how we design and build.
Greater value is placed on first-hand experience and knowledge that can harness these processes in the design and making of our built environment. As a graduate of this course there are many opportunities to find work in the many sectors of the architecture and the building industry, which includes:
- Architectural and engineering practices
- Digital design and manufacture consultancies
- Building contractors.
Related courses
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Admission to the programme will be open to applicants who hold a minimum of a second class honours degree (2:2), or an equivalent overseas qualification, from courses covering skills in design, making, graphic communication, architecture, industrial design or fashion.
Alternatively, applicants will be considered with an appropriate background working in a design practice, with a portfolio demonstrating 3 years of experience.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
Selection process
All applicants will be invited to submit a portfolio for review. You can make your submission via Google Drive or similar and then share the link as part of your admission. Head of the School of Architecture, Matt Gaskin, talks about what we're looking for in this video about what to include in your portfolio.
Information on portfolio specifications & how to submit it, will be emailed separately upon initial processing of an application.
English language requirements
Please 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
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.
Financial support and scholarships
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.
Materials
Performing physical experimentation means that you may incur costs for materials. Access to our workshops is free, but you will need to source your own materials to use. It is possible to gain free materials. Or to use natural occurring materials. We recommend a budget of £300 to £400 for your model making materials. The amount is a guide as your actual cost can vary depending on your area of interest.
Printing and binding
We provide access to show your work in a digital format. Your hardcopy portfolio elements of the course will need a high quality print finish. Therefore, we recommend a budget of £100 for your printing costs over the year.
Information from Discover Uni
Full-time study
Part-time study
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.