COURSE CURRICULUM

In the first year of the Master of Architecture course, students develop the foundations of architectural practice through five core modules that emphasise political awareness, critical thinking, and environmental literacy. The first trimester introduces a design studio focused on sustainable and innovative design, alongside a module that connects design to contemporary tools, methods, and media through industry-quality masterclasses. In the second trimester, students work on a real architectural project in collaboration with a client and within a legal framework, fostering critical thinking and practical problem-solving. Complementary modules include Ethical and Reflective Practice, which explores professional responsibilities within communities and society, and Transdisciplinary Research Methods, preparing students for dissertation and design manifesto work. Students complete a 9,000-word manifesto positioning them as critical and environmentally literate scholars capable of producing forward-thinking, impactful designs. Year two builds on this knowledge with two additional modules: Environmental Consciousness and Climate Literacy, which examines zero-footprint design and Passivhaus principles, and Architect in Practice, which covers clients, contracts, and professional pathways. Design studio projects in year two focus on specialised strands such as retrofit, heritage, conservation, speculative design, and eco-systemic architecture. Throughout both years, assessments are progressive and include design projects, portfolios, essays, presentations, case studies, computer-based exercises, and role-play tasks, allowing students to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical and reflective skills while preparing for professional architectural practice.