Architecture MArch

Course overview

Innovative building design is driving the inspirational environments of the future. By combining architecture, construction technologies and management processes, the next generation of architects can address today’s emerging challenges – such as environmental impact and sustainability – as we push the boundaries of design and reimagine the buildings of tomorrow.

This programme provides you with an accredited Masters degree in Architecture – the academic qualification needed to progress toward professional registration as an architect in the UK. It’s open to candidates who already have the academic and practical experience required to join a UK MArch course.

At Leeds, our degree programmes develop world-class architects who actively contribute to sustainable and economic growth, while maintaining the highest ethical standards and delivering the infrastructure we all rely on in everyday life. Studying Architecture here will give you a critical understanding of how science, the arts and society come together through creative building design. You’ll explore design challenges through drawings and models, developing your presentation and digital modelling skills using industry-standard software.

Designed to prepare you for the professional world of work, this course aims to develop your knowledge of construction and project management hand in hand with creative and technical issues. Building on your undergraduate experience, you’ll take a scientific and creative approach to building design, supported by learnings from research-focused modules.

As this is a practical course, you can make the most of a range of specialist facilities. Our flexible design studio will be your base for learning and study, supported by dedicated maker space facilities to help you bring your ideas to life.

Why study at Leeds:

• This course is accredited to a Masters level by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and is also expected to be validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) from 2027.
• Design projects are central to our Architecture programmes, giving you valuable hands-on experience and putting into practice the creative and technical skills you have learned, supported by our team of academic and practicing architects and engineers. 
• Access excellent specialist facilities, including purpose-built design studios, a central maker space and a range of industry-standard software.
• Our globally renowned research here at Leeds helps to address societal and technical challenges with infrastructure around the world and will directly inform your learning with the latest thinking.
• Modules are co-taught with students from the MArch, MEng Architecture programme, creating a collaborative environment with a rich mix of backgrounds, skills and perspectives.
• Our student-led societies in Civil Engineering and Architecture give you the chance to meet like-minded people who share your passion. You can take part in industrial networking events, site visits, workshops and social activities that enhance your experience and professional connections.

Guaranteed Work Experience

While studying at Leeds, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an eight-week virtual work experience, working on a project aligned with your academic discipline and partnered with a relevant company.

This practical experience is highly valued by employers and helps you develop the skills needed to be career ready. What sets us apart is that your work experience is formally integrated into your degree—enabling you to graduate with an MArch with Work Experience and stand out in today’s competitive job market.

Specialist facilities

You’ll have access to a purpose-built design studio that serves as a collaborative home base for architecture students. The space is used for lectures, tutorials, presentations and private study, and encourages collaborative working across our programmes, including with engineering students.

Alongside studio-based modelmaking facilities, you’ll have access to a central maker space equipped with laser cutting, 3D printing and VR resources. Within the School there are also a range of additional teaching spaces, including lecture and seminar rooms, laboratories and private study spaces.

You’ll also have the opportunity to work with specialist industry-standard software such as Revit (Building Information Modelling), IES (thermal modelling), Robot (structural analysis) and Adobe Creative Suite (graphic communication), available to you both in the studio, across campus in 24-hour IT clusters and also remotely.

Accreditation

This course has achieved full Masters-level accreditation from the Architects Registration Board (ARB), effective from 1 September 2025*. It is also expected to be validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) from 2027.

Graduates of this MArch will have met all academic requirements for UK architectural registration, with only in-practice experience required to complete the professional pathway.

*Under the new ARB framework, students from the UK or overseas are no longer required to have studied a UK Part 1 accredited undergraduate degree to join the Register of Architects.

Architects Registration Board

Course details and modules

During this programme, you’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of architectural design, construction technologies and management processes. On successful completion, you’ll have met all the academic learning outcomes required by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) for registration as a UK architect, including Practice Outcomes. This means you’ll only need in-practice experience to join the Register of Architects. The course also meets the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Themes and Values.

Course structure

This two-year, full-time course is made up entirely of compulsory modules, all of which need to be passed for you to progress and graduate. The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll focus on project work which will be closely linked to research-focused modules exploring architectural history and theory, building technology, advanced construction, and processes and frameworks that shape the construction industry. In Semester 2, you’ll focus on a sophisticated architectural design project, leading on shaping key aspects of the brief, development and delivery. Your work will demonstrate a fully integrated architectural design – including structure and building services – supported by a high standard of visual communication.

Compulsory modules

Design Studio 4.1 – 30 credits
This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your ability to create architectural designs that satisfy both aesthetic and technical requirements. Knowledge developed in this module includes appreciation and understanding of advanced theoretical design concepts as applied to practical design consideration. You’ll also build on understanding relating cultural and technological context to the built environment, plus a wider understanding of building types and precedent. You’ll also gain knowledge relating to statutory regulations as well as a critical appraisal of structural, building physics and constructions approaches.

Design Studio 4.2A – 30 credits
This second semester project studio is a comprehensively integrated building design. Here you’ll prepare and present building design projects of diverse scale, complexity and type in a variety of contexts using a range of media, and in response to a brief. You’ll show your understanding of the constructional and structural systems, the environmental strategies, and the regulatory requirements that apply to a comprehensive design project.

Sustainable Cities – 15 credits
You’ll gain an enhanced critical understanding of the ways in which sustainable practice and design affect urban environments and systems, together with the impacts these have on people and the wider environment. Current architectural theory will help to inform critical analysis and evaluation of urban contexts in terms of social and physical relationships, building wider insight and understanding of theoretical and conceptual design thinking as well as communication techniques.

Law, Practice & Project Management – 15 credits
Throughout this module, you’ll look at the statutory processes and frameworks associated with the construction industry, with particular focus on the role of the design team. You’ll gain an understanding of the purpose and forms of contract law regarding building design and construction, key principles and processes of project management, plus knowledge of business principles relevant to a design consultancy operation with a focus on architecture.

Building Technology – 15 credits
You’ll develop your knowledge and understanding of materials, structures and their use as systems in building design. You’ll also look at environmental control technologies and the strategies and systems which provide both protection from external conditions and internal comfort - all with reference to sustainable design.

Advanced Construction Issues – 15 credits
You’ll learn about a variety of non-traditional construction approaches and techniques, including their origins and rationales. You’ll critically analyse their applications and aims within the wider context of the construction industry. This knowledge will enable you to evaluate the effectiveness of different construction approaches.

Year 2

In the final year you’ll further develop your ability to produce creative and critically evaluative design and written project work. You'll develop and complete design and investigative projects of significant depth and complexity, reflecting your personal interests. You'll enhance your abilities in research techniques, carrying out critical analysis and evaluation as part of the development of individual project briefs and tasks, developing a personal response and direction for your work. Research-led modules covering building procurement processes and advanced technical issues will support and inform this as well as covering the academic requirements for practice and project management learning outcomes.

Compulsory modules

Procurement & Risk Management – 15 credits
You'll look at the key processes of building procurement to build on construction industry and practice knowledge and understanding. An understanding of risk management will be developed, allowing you to apply this to design processes and to understand the impact on built outcomes, clients and end users.

Architecture Dissertation – 30 credits
This individual study takes an architectural subject of your choice and uses research and investigative techniques to develop deeper understanding. Critical analysis and evaluation will be linked to conceptual and theoretical ideas, allowing you to develop evidence based personal and original insight.

Design Studio 5 – 60 credits
You'll choose a subject for your individual design project and develop a personal response based on your chosen site and brief. The project will investigate a critical understanding of user needs as well as constraints and opportunities of the physical and social context, paying attention to theoretical and conceptual issues. You'll develop your ability to formulate investigative and design responses backed by appropriate research, as well as technological systems. The project will show your ability to integrate these diverse factors within a comprehensive design, including the context of regulatory frameworks and project procurement.

Low Energy Building Systems – 15 credits
This module allows you to critically investigate research led thinking and practice related to sustainability and energy use in building design.

Enhance Your Academic and Subject-Specific Language

As part of your course, you will have access to the Professional and Academic Communication module that provides valuable insights into studying a postgraduate degree in the UK while helping you develop your academic and subject-specific vocabulary.

Through a combination of in-person workshops and independent online study, you will explore the use of technology—such as translation tools and generative AI—to support effective communication. You will also build the language and literacy skills necessary to become a more confident and capable communicator throughout your studies.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Architecture MArch in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

Studio-based learning is at the heart of the student experience, with open-ended and creative architectural design projects used to demonstrate and develop the knowledge you gain in other modules. The course is centred in a studio space purposefully designed to host lectures, tutorials and personal study. In the studio environment, you'll benefit from learning from your peers, the academic teaching team and design tutors from practice.

You’ll benefit from our integrated style of learning and teaching. Laboratory classes and industry-sponsored fieldwork allow you to gain hands-on experience investigating and applying material from your lectures and tutorials to real-life work situations. Together they will equip you with in-depth knowledge and key practical skills that will put you in a good position to compete in creative construction industry careers, where integrative abilities are increasingly in demand.

The course is delivered by a dedicated teaching team, comprised of professionally qualified and experienced architects and engineers, supported by practice-based architects who are part of the studio tutoring team. You’ll also benefit from the range of scientific and technical expertise provided by the School of Civil Engineering.

Our close links with industry also mean that you have direct contact with industry and potential employers from an early stage in your course. We organise industrial visits and offer additional seminars and tutorials delivered by practising architects, engineers and other professionals.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You'll be assessed through a range of approaches, including assessments that closely match the type of work and tasks you might undertake in a professional work environment and be involved with as part of becoming a practising architect. This will include assessment both through project work and written coursework. Design studio projects include a range of formative assessment and feedback, including design tutorials and reviews, involving interaction with students as well as the teaching team.

Assessments will support you in developing key transferable skills. Many of your submissions will be submitted digitally.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in architecture, with accreditation by ARB and / or RIBA, including RIBA International Validation. No portfolio is required as part of an application for students with these qualifications.

Alternative degree subjects that may be considered based on module content include:

• Architectural Design
• Architectural Engineering.

Successful applicants will have studied modules which include:

• individual building design projects;
• cultural context relevant to architecture;
• construction technology and systems;
• design visualisation and communication

Applicants with any of the following will be considered on a case-by-case basis:

• A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons) in architecture or a related subject, with relevant practice experience.
• An integrated masters degree with a 2:1 (hons) in architecture or a related subject.
• Professional qualifications and relevant experience.

Applicants from a non-accredited degree route will be required to submit a portfolio for assessment as part of their application.

Portfolios should include:

• evidence of successful completion of building design projects showing your ability to produce and communicate proposals critically and creatively in response to a brief, paying attention to physical, social and cultural context;
• integrating the needs of users with technical systems which can support these in the context of sustainability and safety;
• using precedents and other resources as an evidence base for your proposals.

Text, images and diagrams will demonstrate your design and communication ability. Portfolios are limited to 20 A3 format pages and a maximum file size of 20Mb in PDF format.

Alternative entry

Direct entry to Year 2 may be available for graduates of the MEng, BEng Architecture programme from 2026–27, subject to portfolio review.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Civil Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Civil Engineering  (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Please read our How to Apply page for full details, including application deadlines and what to include with your application.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

31 July 2026 – International applicants

11 September 2026 – UK applicants

Click below to access the University’s online application system and find out more about the application process.

If you're still unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

School of Civil Engineering

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: pgcivil@leeds.ac.uk

Fees

UK: £19,070 (Total)

International: £65,000 (Total)

Additional cost information

The School provides some model-making materials free for you to use and covers the board printing costs. You'll be required to buy any additional items, such as additional model-making materials, drawing equipment and sketchbooks.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Career opportunities

Graduates of this programme will typically progress into architectural practice, using this qualification as the next step towards becoming a UK-registered architect.

The knowledge and skills you’ll build throughout this course will strongly support progression into a variety of exciting career opportunities when you graduate. Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. We have a wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability Team who are in contact with many employers around the country and advertise placements and jobs. They are also on hand to provide guidance and support, ensuring you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Employability events — we run a full range of events including careers fairs in specialist areas and across broader industries — all with employers who are actively recruiting for roles. 
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate, you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
• Qualified careers consultants — gain guidance, support and information to help you choose a career path. You’ll have access to 1-2-1 meetings and events to learn how to find employers to target, write your CV and cover letter, research before interviews and brush up on your interview skills.
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Explore more about your employability opportunities at the University of Leeds.

Find out more about career support.