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Architecture MArch (Hons)

2 years, starting in September 2025

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You can apply for this course from December 2024.

Develop and explore your architectural identity as you continue your journey to becoming a qualified Architect on our accredited course.

Our course meets ARB/RIBA requirements for part 2 architectural education, giving you the enhanced architectural knowledge and practical experience you need to create complex design proposals.

Our course integrates a semester-long placement at the start of your first year. Combining academic with professional experience in this way will help you relate design and management theories to practice. It also develops your understanding of the changing role of the Architect in the construction industry.

Lectures in your second semester cover a range of topics from architectural history, theory and science to sustainability and urban design. You could also have the opportunity to take a field trip and workshop based in another city in the UK or Europe.

In your second year, you’ll investigate design in more depth through research and studio projects. This gives you the chance to focus on areas of architecture that interest you. Through group project work, you'll analyse architectural possibilities to create sustainable building and urban design solutions. You’ll study a city of your choice and develop a project brief for your final studio project.

A Department to inspire and support you

Our Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering provides you with a supportive academic environment to study in. You have designated studio space throughout your studies and will be supported with printing, workshop and computing facilities. You’ll learn from academics and specialists in architecture and design. You'll also benefit from the support of tutors and specialist consultants on every design studio project.

Helping you to improve your career prospects

You’ll graduate able to evaluate materials, processes and techniques used in complex architectural designs and building construction. Your problem solving, project management and teamwork skills, and professional judgement will prepare you for a career as an Architect. Our graduates go on to work at leading architectural practices with many securing a position before they graduate.

2025/2026 Academic Year

Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 2 years. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2027.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Units

At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units these allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.

As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) in each academic year. Credits are usually split evenly across your two semesters of study. 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) are the equivalent of 1,200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.

All credits displayed on this page are ECTS credits.

Year 1

Compulsory units

  • Year 5 practice

    30 credits

  • Design studio 5

    20 credits

  • History, theory and practice 5: urban design

    5 credits

  • Sustainable design and environment

    5 credits

Year 2

Compulsory units

  • Design studio 6.1

    20 credits

  • Design studio 6.2

    30 credits

  • Research paper

    10 credits

Placement

As part of our course, you’ll spend one semester working in practice. This integrated approach contributes to the required practical experience you need to become an Architect. It helps you directly relate your educational learning to the workplace and gives you the chance to earn a salary during a part of your studies. When you return from placement, you’ll have a professional awareness that will benefit the rest of your degree.

If you are an International student, our course gives you the opportunity to go on placement in the UK. You can do this on a Tier 4 visa with the University of Bath acting as your sponsor.

In exceptional circumstances if you're unable to finish your placement or you are unable to start a suitable placement in the time available, students are able to gain the requisite credits for progression by completing an approved piece of independent study.

Learning and assessment

Learning

  • Lectures
  • Online resources
  • Practical sessions
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Essay
  • Practical work
  • Seminar
  • Work-based placement

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Professional accreditations

Details of professional bodies who recognise this course.

RIBA logo

This course is fully validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for the purposes of RIBA membership
ARB logo

This course is currently prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), subject to period review, for the purposes of entry on to the United Kingdom Register of Architects

Recognition of professional qualifications

As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

Warren in front of a wall displaying project designs, bending over his scale model of Udaipur
‘It's great to be given the freedom to design something you're passionate about and the creative control to let your ideas run wild.’
— Warren D'Souza MArch Architecture (Graduating year, 2023)

Entry requirements

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

You should have a bachelor’s honours degree, typically a high 2:1 or above with clear evidence of excellence in design studio.

To apply for this course, you must have an undergraduate degree in architecture validated for ARB/RIBA Part 1 or equivalent.

We carry out interviews with applicants approximately one month after the application deadline.

When applying, you will need to provide a sample of work, around 30 sides A3, demonstrating a strong aptitude for architectural design. The sample should be submitted via the online system and should be no more than 50MB. The focus of the work should be your final projects with an edited sample of earlier work and a maximum of one quarter on placement work. The sample should in equal measure, demonstrate the conceptual and analytic basis of your principal project, the overall layout and appearance of the proposal in both plan and three dimensions and evidence of its materiality and detailed design.

You will also need to provide a max. 500 word statement on the application which should explain why you have chosen Bath and what your particular architectural interests are and what skills and interests you hope to develop in the course at Bath, together with a reference from your University and from your place of employment.

Our course is prescribed at Part 2 by ARB and validated at Part 2 by RIBA. For entrants without a degree prescribed at Part 1 by ARB you will need to pass the ARB’s Prescribed Part 1 examination before you can enrol on our Master of Architecture course.

The process for confirming Part 1 equivalence of overseas qualifications is undertaken by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), the independent statutory regulator of architects in the UK, and also the UKs Competent Authority for Architects. In order to call yourself an ‘architect’ in the UK you must be registered with the ARB. In order to register in the UK, you typically need to hold the following:

An ARB prescribed UK qualification at Part 1 (or equivalent) An ARB prescribed UK qualification at Part 2 (or equivalent) An ARB prescribed UK qualification at Part 3, including 24 months practical training experience If your first degree broadly covers the same subjects as a UK Part 1 qualification, you can usually obtain equivalence to the UK Part 1 by putting yourself forward eligible to take the ARB’s Prescribed Examination.

For more information about the ARB’s Prescribed Examinations and its requirements for registration and to check whether any qualifications you may already hold are recognised by ARB – and at which level – visit the ARB's website.

Work experience

The Department usually asks applicants to have 9 months (or more) work experience in architectural practice post graduation before enrolling on the MArch programme.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years, you completed your degree in the UK, you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

English language requirements

You will normally need one of the following:

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Architecture MArch (Hons)

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

Fee information is not yet available for this course. Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.

Find out more about student fees

Extra costs

The following course-related costs are not included in your fees:

Plotting of drawings, model making and the creation and binding of a design portfolio

£220 per year, payable as each drawing, model or portfolio is required.

Software

As part of your course, you may need to use software such as AutoCAD, Sketchup and the Adobe suite. You’ll need to purchase licences for this software (we estimate this could cost around (£424) and will need the graphics capability to run this on your computer.

Non-compulsory study visit to a city in the UK or Europe

Approximately £250, payable at time of visit.

How to pay

Payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement. If you are thinking about studying or working abroad as part of your course, you may have to prove that you have a certain amount of money in your bank account to get a visa. Please read the information about [planning your finances for your placement year](If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement. If you are thinking about studying or working abroad as part of your course, you may have to prove that you have a certain amount of money in your bank account to get a visa. Please read the information about planning your finances for your placement year which includes potential sources of funding, travel insurance, and visas.

Application information

Course enquiries

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On this page

Year 5 practice

30 credits

Spend a semester on placement in an architectural practice. This gives you further employment experience needed for the Part 2 qualification and develops your understanding of professional practice.

Design studio 5

20 credits

Develop designs that address wider issues of urban design and landscape, considering material strategies and techniques as part of an integrated architectural approach. You’ll explore and develop your own design process through a series of structured exercises that run in parallel with the studio design projects.

History, theory and practice 5: urban design

5 credits

Develop your knowledge of architectural theory and history of urban design. You’ll explore themes within contemporary city theory and discuss their proponents.

Sustainable design and environment

5 credits

Learn about the physical environment around buildings and appropriate measures to modify it through passive and active, visual and technical ways. You’ll explore the principles of sustainable environmental urban design. You’ll also develop your understanding of building design and construction using natural materials, as well as current methods and techniques.

Design studio 6.1

20 credits

Undertake a group design project and an individual written brief in preparation of Design Studio 6.2. In the ‘Sustainable cities masterplan’ project, you’ll explore social, political, economic impact as well as transport infrastructure, landscape, spatial typologies, and critical contemporary sustainability issues on the form and functioning of a group urban strategy. For your written brief you’ll research and analyse a chosen site to demonstrate the viability of your final design project.

Design studio 6.2

30 credits

Develop a design to a specific brief completed during semester 1, as a vehicle to demonstrate the full range of knowledge and skills you have acquired during your studies. This is an individual project that explores contemporary urban conditions in a city. An over-arching agenda is provided, but to a brief on a site chosen by you.

Research paper

10 credits

Develop your individual research interests through the study of an aspect of the history, theory or practice of architecture in depth. You’ll present this material primarily as an academic piece of writing structured with a clear argument that reaches a balanced conclusion. The paper should be written as a balanced review of archive material, or as a survey of a building and/or associated products.