As a Russell Group university and ranked No. 6 in the Guardian League tables (2020), Queen’s is one of the best places in the UK to study architecture.

With its strong studio culture, the BSc (Hons) Architecture encourages professionalism, creativity, research and analysis, critical thinking, independence and a range of communication skills from sketching to 3D printing. Attracting both local and international students, and staffed by individuals whose research and practice is internationally renown, graduates of the programme emerge professional, well-connected and with friends for life all over the world.

The programme is articulated around three interconnected and overlapping areas: Architectural Design and Communication (studio), History and Theory of Architecture and Technology and Environment. Year 1 provides an introduction to the fundamentals of architecture while Years 2 and 3 allow for deeper investigations and engagement across a range of contemporary themes. Study trips, joint studio projects for second and third year students, live projects for first and fifth year students and connections with planning and engineering students all enrich the curriculum. A well-established architecture society (ArchSoc) provides another cultural and social agenda of lectures, workshops and other events for our students.

Nuala Flood, Director, BSc Architecture

Find the 2020 End of Year Show book here.

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The M.ARCH 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 Natural and Built Environment (SNBE) 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 SNBE 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. 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.

Agustina Martire and Colm Moore
Directors of MArch

Find the 2020 End of Year Show Book here.

Click this link to view a 3d scan of the MArch Architecture End of Year Show 2019

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The postgraduate certificate Professional Practice in Architecture is the final examination taken in order to call oneself an architect. This one year, part-time programme provides exemption from the RIBA Final Examination Part III and is recognised by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) for the purposes of registration under the Architects Act 1997 in the UK.

Why Queens?

The programme is offered on a full-time or part-time basis and combines face-to-face teaching with online delivery. Those taking the programme on a full-time basis may be eligible to do so incorporating a Clinical Practicum by agreement with the Programme Co-ordinator.

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Future Urbanism explores, defines and designs the nature of 21st century urbanism. Reimagining the idea of the urban in a digitally infused, spatially attenuated age facing a climate emergency.

Leading edge
An innovative MSc addressing key global issues of urbanisation and sustainability. Cities have a 6000 year history and by 2050 68% of the world’s population will be urban.

Embedded Research by design
Experimental, testable proposals which capture unique spatial opportunities. Critique ideas of place, environment, culture, technology and sustainability through project vehicles.

Collaborative and interdisciplinary
Dynamic trans-disciplinary testbed with multi-partner design studio. Co-designed projects with external partners, collaborative networks and practitioners.

Diverse employment opportunities
The course supports employment pathways by developing knowledge and understanding of professions and related procedures, industries and organisations in the contemporary setting of future city, architecture and landscape design.

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An innovative and personalised Master’s programme for enthusiastic students with an undergraduate degree in architecture who wish to explore future opportunities in architecture, urbanism, design and creative industries

This is an intensive Master’s programme for engaged students who would like to make the most of their time at Queen’s. The work produced throughout the year will be a collaborative effort between you, your year group, our academics and practicing architects. Because the course does not require you to meet prescription for qualification, it encourages you to work both within and beyond the realm of conventional architectural practice. We would like you to push the boundaries of your imagination and of architectural media.

You will work on modules including design, humanities and technology, questioning norms in architecture throughout. You will complete a major thesis project, the topic and methodology of which will be self-directed. You will be able to use the thesis as a means to experiment with new ideas, technologies and media.

The course encourages lateral thinking, problem solving, creativity and engagement with design in a self-critical process. It will address issues as diverse as our survival on the planet and alternative ways of thinking about what architecture can be and do.

You will spend the year on our university campus celebrating its 175th year with people from around the world designing, collaborating and producing. Queen’s clubs and facilities including the Student Union, Queen’s Sport and Queen’s Film Theatre will also provide excellent opportunities to make friends outside of your discipline.

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QUB Architecture offers the opportunity to make an original contribution to the discipline of architecture through a PhD or MPhil within the department’s accomplished, academic environment. Each lecturer in architecture pursues a unique research interest so that as a whole, the school is a diverse and lively place to study.

Working closely with their chosen supervisors, PHD students are also connected to the School of Natural and Built Environment’s research clusters, benefitting from the cross-disciplinary context of research in the school. As part of the Russell Group, the university often hosts symposiums, seminars and conferences which connect researchers with renowned academics from across the globe.

PhD by Practice:

The School of Natural and Built Environment offers the opportunity of research in architectural design practice leading to a PhD in architecture. The opportunity is intended for those involved in venturous practice, ie those seeking to extend or redefine the boundaries and ambition of their current design practice.

Candidates will have an established body of peer-reviewed and premiated design work, and/or a significant and recognised design trajectory likely to sustain research at this level.

The programme avails of a model of design practice research developed by RMIT University Melbourne with the candidate remaining in practice, with research content delivered largely through the techniques of that practice, and research reviewed biannually by an expert panel in public forum (practice research symposia). Enrolment is part time in Queen’s.

Further information from Prof Michael McGarry at m.mcgarry@qub.ac.uk 

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