The MArch is designed to equip you with the skills you need to succeed in your chosen career.

The architecture programmes at Northumbria are all framed in relation to a common ethos and approach.

Our Ethos

Contextual Awareness: The exploration and importance of place, reading the context and being responsive to site as a precursor to change and adaptation.

Environmental Literacy: In response to the climate emergency, environmental literacy will be embedded in every module assignment and assessment.

Our Approach

Design Led: Creativity is central to architectural practice and is developed through studio practice as a research method.

Authentic Learning: Projects will engage with real-world issues, learning through doing, and working beyond the confines of the institution.

Constructive Alignment: Connecting strands of knowledge to form an integrated approach to the subject and developing holistic architectural propositions.

Why choose Northumbria to study Architecture (MArch)?

• Within this framework, the full time Master of Architecture (RIBA Part 2) and the part-time Degree Apprenticeship (RIBA Parts 2 & 3), offer distinctive, complementary pathways for students.
• Top University - Architecture at Northumbria is ranked Top 25 in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2024.
• A Research Powerhouse - Architecture, Built Environment and Planning is ranked 11th in the UK for research power out of 38 submissions (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 13 places compared to 2014 – the joint highest rise in the sector.
• Student Rated - Over 94% of students studying Architecture at Northumbria thought staff were good at explaining things and that their assessment feedback was often on time (NSS, 2023).

How will I learn on this Architecture (MArch) course?

Design practice is at the core of all of our architecture programmes. Design is the means by which we can understand, speculate about, and then enact a change in the material world.

The Master of Architecture (MArch) programme is structured in two, inter-related strands:

Design (practice and research)

Theory (research and critical practice)

In the MArch design modules comprise 50% of year one and 75% of year two (the ‘design thesis’).

Students are expected to demonstrate their increasing independence, self-reflection and criticality as they proceed through the course, while also contributing to dialogue about individual projects and the evolution of their position and approach to real-world concerns. Students produce a diverse portfolio across different geographical conditions (e.g. rural/ coastal, post-industrial/peri-urban, urban/ suburban).

Who teaches the Architecture (MArch) course?

You will learn from staff with a wide range of practice experience, research and scholarship expertise.

An acclaimed, award-winning, teaching team comprising outstanding architects and academics will offer guidance, support and expertise throughout your course. Collectively, this team has designed and built award-winning buildings, both nationally and internationally, as well as publishing world-leading research.

Where will I study during my time at Northumbria?

Whatever your aspirations in architecture and the built environment, you’ll find the latest technologies to support you in our dedicated laboratories and studios. Throughout your course you will be able to survey, visualise, model and take your ideas out of the department and into the world around you.

Your studies are supported by some of the best studio and workshop facilities in the country, including state-of-the-art 2&3D rapid prototyping machines and associated computer software. You are encouraged to use the full suite of technology enhanced learning (TEL) opportunities available to you as part of our modern curriculum.

How is Architecture research applied to teaching throughout my degree?

Research-rich methods are embedded within the learning, teaching and assessment strategy of the MArch course.

The Royal Institute of British Architect’s (2020) The Way Ahead strategy for the next ten years of architectural education and continuous professional development recognises the need for (and acknowledges the reality of) both ‘general practitioner’ architects and specialists within the field - contributing to practice, education, and research.

At Northumbria, our Master of Architecture (MArch) programme is designed to support and facilitate you in taking steps towards your longer-term goals. This begins with the application process and your Personal Statement which you will develop into your own personal ‘change agenda’ setting the aims and objectives for your MArch, outlining the steps you will take towards achieving those goals.

Assessment methods encourage deep approaches to learning.