Master of Architecture - Part II


Master of Architecture (MArch) - Part II


Aim

This course is for graduates in architecture who wish to complete their architectural education to RIBA/ARB Part 2.

Duration

2 years full-time.

Course Description

The Master in Architecture (MArch) is a two-year full-time taught postgraduate programme recognised as meeting Part II examination and membership requirements of the RIBA and ARB: it is the second level towards becoming a chartered architect. This post-graduate programme is designed to allow students to develop their individual skills, knowledge, and sensibility in architecture, and provides support for students to determine the direction of their own education through their choice of dissertation, electives, and thesis subject.

The MArch programme at Queen’s is focused on the perception, physicality, and built reality of space and the programme’s particular identity stems from its context within Belfast and Northern Ireland – a city and region with a strong background in artefact, its production and physicality. That identity is further reinforced by Architecture’s placement within the School of Planning Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPACE) at Queen’s with its very significant material sciences tradition and close relationship with industry. The Centre for Built Environment Research is the vehicle for architectural research with SPACE providing a multi-disciplinary platform within an international network.

This is a studio-based programme, underscoring design and design processes as the core concerns. The two–year programme comprises four semesters, which alternate between those more structured concentrating on core values of the school, and those more self-directed supporting individual research.

The staff cohort represents a wide spectrum of significant professional and academic experience and interests, and is supported by inputs from a variety of academics, practitioners, and consultants from beyond Queen's to provide a further dimension to a stimulating educational environment.

Course Structure 

In line with other QUB postgraduate courses, the MArch Programme in Queen's has a modular structure organised across two Stages (years). One academic year, e.g. Stage 5, consists of 120 credit units, across 2 semesters, each lasting fifteen week and with credits achieved through six modules from 30 to 10 credit per modules. You must complete of the Stage 5 modules successfully before undertaking any of Stage 6 modules. Stage 6 comprises three Modules – two of 30 credits and one of 60 credits. Notwithstanding the distinct structure of the different Stages and Modules, the MArch programme is delivered as an integrated programme characterised by semester:

Semesters 1 and 3 (Autumn Semester MArch 1 and MArch2) involve a shared Design Studio with a common design project. That project fulfils learning objectives from ARC8017, ARC8011, ARC8031 (part), and ARCH 8032 (part).

Semesters 2 and 4 (Spring Semester MArch1 and MArch2) are more self-directed with a choice of design project in MArch1 (ARC8010) with the thesis proper in MArch2 (ARC8030). The shared Design Studio is a core element of the programme: it encourages a collegiate ethos and common identity where core values of the programme will be challenged. It allows us to deliver focused workshops efficiently and is predicated on the indivisibility of technology and design within the culture and practice of architecture.

Research and theory provide a focus for the last three weeks of Semesters 1 and 3 – coinciding with the Dissertation launch (ARC8016) and brief/site investigations for the thesis (ARC8032, ARC8030). Again as with technology, shared workshops occasions will be used as a vehicle to explore research methodologies and the investigation of theory.

The traditional thesis remains an essential and valued element of the MArch programme  – a strength of Architecture at Queen’s being the production of individual resolved architectural design proposals. That strength is key to our identity. MArch2 is structured so a to allow students to place their thesis with the whole year’s work yet avoid the limitations of a narrow focus on a single design proposal.

Assessment

Written examination papers; set essays; practical work; design work.

Contact for enquiries

Prof M McGarry
PG Admissions Officer (Architecture)
School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 4573
email: m.mcgarry@qub.ac.uk

To apply please visit:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens/CourseFinder/PCF1213/PTCF1213/?p_id=2467&sn=1213&subjects=2435#degreeinf