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MArch Architecture

Academic Year 2019/20

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

MArch Architecture

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master of Architecture

Programme Code

ARCH-MA

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100122

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

All applicants must provide a portfolio that is no bigger 5MB and not more than 15 pages long. This should be submitted at the time of application via the DAP

Interview Required

Applicants may be invited for interview to discuss their application further.

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

2 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

240

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Natural and Built Environment

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 7

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Architecture (2010)

Accreditations (PSRB)

ARB

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 30-11-15

RIBA

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 01-07-16

LAM Board of Architects, Malaysia

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 26-06-18

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

Year one of the MArch constitutes 1/3 of the overall degree result. Year two of the MArch constitutes 2/3 of the overall degree result.

Programme Specific Regulations

Student cannot graduate without passing all modules.
(THIS IS A REQUIREMENT OF THE PSRBs)

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

The two-year full-time postgraduate course is for students with a first degree in architecture who wish to progress their studies in architecture and potentially continue to full professional status and progress to final qualification as a practising architect. The core educational aims are to educate graduates who would have the following attributes:

An exceptionally high level of architectural ability, that is technical, aesthetic, and creative, consistent with EU and ARB/RIBA Part II criteria, but reflective of the particular ethos, character, and location.

A self-confidence based on knowledge, mature critical awareness, and refined judgment.

A deep-rooted understanding of context – ethical, societal, professional, and cultural, within which architecture is practiced and produced.

These are linked to the ARB graduate attributes.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Ability to undertake design briefs of increased and focused ambition dealing with wider issues of settlement set within particular urban and social context.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to be critically aware, and evolve personal design agenda and methodologies.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to develop coherent and well-researched and evidenced architectural proposals.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to assimilate and if necessary challenge external inputs, information, contradictions, contexts within the design process.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to assimilate technology as both process and context within ambitious and sophisticated architectural design proposals.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to produce architecture as artefact with an appreciation of the competing frameworks within which it is delivered.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to communicate advanced architectural intention, process, and output in a range of media and occasions.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to take intellectual and emotional ownership of a design process.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Ability to apply and appreciate creativity.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to apply informed judgment to knowledge acquisition.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Ability to distil complex issues, discern patterns, and identify salient points.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Ability to process and communicate advanced thought in text/prose.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Ability to speculate, propose, sustain, and validate a developed intellectual position.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to manage one’s time and production.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to construct an extended essay, to assemble data, to manipulate language, and to demonstrate clarity and effectiveness in sequential argument, layout and display of text and illustrations.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Ability to work creatively and successfully within a team.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Ability to be both intellectually agile and strategic.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding of architectural theory.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and understanding of the canon of architectural precedents.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and appreciation of advanced representational techniques.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Knowledge and understanding of brief investigation and formulation as responses to human needs – stated and implied.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Knowledge and understanding of the core values underlying sustainable design.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and understanding of research methodologies.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and understanding of physical, cultural, and artistic contexts.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge, experience, and understanding of group dynamics, authorship, negotiation, and the production of architecture.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review and focussed lecture.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio. Also by coursework and exam.

Knowledge and understanding of the principles of management and business administration.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Focussed lecture series with seminars.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and exam.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding of the interplay of urban form, settlement, and landscape.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Knowledge and understanding of materials, space, light and their interaction with assembly and construction.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and understanding of structural and environmental systems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio.

Knowledge and appreciation of design intentions and its resolution through technology and construction.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and appreciation of the societal and ethical context within which architecture exists and is produced.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation.

Knowledge and understanding of the profession, industry, legislative, economic and contractual frameworks and awareness as to how these are evolving.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Focussed lectures series with seminars.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and exam.

Knowledge and understanding of the regulatory framework within which buildings are designed and awareness as to how these are evolving.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-directed design project work involving research supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and critical review. Also focussed lectures series with seminars.

Methods of Assessment

Project work in text or design form submitted as part of portfolio and/or as written dissertation. Coursework and exam.

Knowledge and appreciation of value and economy within architectural design including the cost control mechanisms needed to ensure their delivery.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Focussed lectures series with seminars.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and exam.

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

 

Assessment

 

 

 

 

S1

S2

 

 

Core

Option

Coursework %

Practical %

Examination %

Humanities Dissertation

ARC7017

7

30

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Technical Dissertation

ARC7023

7

30

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

MArch Studio 2

ARC7016

7

30

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

MArch Studio 4

ARC7025

7

30

YES

12 weeks

Y

YES

100%

0%

0%

Thesis Research

ARC7021

7

30

YES

YES

24 weeks

Y

YES

100%

0%

0%

MArch Studio 1

ARC7022

7

30

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

MArch Studio 3

ARC7024

7

30

YES

12 weeks

Y

YES

100%

0%

0%

Professional Skills

ARC7026

7

30

YES

YES

24 weeks

Y

YES

100%

0%

0%

Notes

RPL is possible up to a limit of 120 CATS. RPL beyond 60 CATS may only be granted for modules previously completed as part of an equivalent MArch programme. In such cases a mapping of modules demonstrating equivalence between the two programmes must be submitted with the application. All MArch 2 modules are excluded from RPL.