COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Architectural Design is a one-year, full-time program that immerses students in advanced design thinking and research-led architectural practice. The curriculum centres around three core modules that foster critical exploration through design. The 60-credit Architectural Design and Research module forms the foundation of the course, encouraging students to investigate contemporary architectural issues through hands-on design projects. It emphasises design as a method of inquiry, blending creativity with academic research. Analysis of Precedent, a 30-credit module, enhances students' ability to critically examine and draw lessons from influential architectural works, deepening their contextual awareness and analytical skills. The Design Thesis (Dissertation), worth 60 credits, enables students to develop an independent design-research project, allowing for an in-depth exploration of a chosen topic that reflects their academic and professional interests.A broad range of optional modules offers students the opportunity to tailor their studies and engage with specific themes in architecture and design technology. These include Enclosures in Environmental Building Design, Low Carbon Buildings, and Climate Comfort and Energy, which focus on sustainable architectural practices and environmental performance. Modules like The Conservator’s Role, Tools of Interpretation, and Design Tools: Methods of Repair explore architectural heritage, conservation, and adaptive reuse. Students interested in technical innovation can choose Architectural Technology 3A or delve into digital design through Computational Form Finding. These options enable students to gain specialised knowledge aligned with contemporary challenges in architecture, such as climate change, digital fabrication, and historical preservation.Together, these modules provide a balanced mix of theoretical depth and practical application, promoting independent inquiry and experimentation. The program prepares students for careers in architectural practice, design research, and further academic study, equipping them with the critical and creative tools to respond to complex global design challenges through informed and imaginative architectural solutions.