Architecture (Taught)

Course summary

Experience a transformative journey in architecture with the Masters in Architecture at Oxford Brookes. Our program is designed to empower you, the creator, by fostering experimental and speculative approaches to architectural design and function. If you're seeking a professionally accredited course for ARB and RIBA pt II or LAM, explore our MArchD course. You’ll have the support to develop the skills for your own independent design research projects. We prioritize your freedom of thought and research, allowing you to merge your understanding of architecture and personal experiences with boundless experimentation. You’ll learn in a studio environment which provides the perfect setting for you to experiment with a wide range of mediums, including collage, drawing, 3D printing, and AI. We also invite specialists to conduct workshops, challenging you to question your perspectives, surroundings, and attitudes across different areas. By engaging in these activities, you will develop essential skills that will shape your future.

Modules

Semester 1 Advanced Architectural Design I (30 credits) Studio based design project. You will be introduced to a range of techniques and methodologies to produce an expansive variety of work. The work that you do, will be developed by you into a set of design principles to be applied to a designed artefact. Urban Cultures (30 credits) You'll take part in workshops, lectures and discussions, which will form the basis of this module to introduce you to a broad range of contemporary cultural themes. You'll also engage with techniques focusing on:

perception

drawing

materiality

lighting

and models.

Which will help you to question your previous understandings of architecture and its relation to urban culture. Semester 2 Advanced Architectural Design II (30 credits) Studio based project. Your first semester work and investigations are brought together through developing a proposal and design of a personal project. The Studio places emphasis on the importance of developing an ability to demonstrate conceptual clarity, to locate your ideas in the spectrum of current and past architecture, maintaining a strong link between concept and production. You will explore a wide range of techniques of representation to find those appropriate to your project. Architecture and the City (30 credits) You'll take part in workshops and lectures to explore the meanings of time between architecture and the city. In the workshop film and writing will be utilized to explore strategies of time. The detail and range of time is explored through camera movement, lighting, sound, story writing and editing as it relates to cultural themes, to define the experience of architecture through the perception of artefact and space. Semester 3 Dissertation and Research Methods (60 credits) You will undertake a single authored piece of work, giving you the opportunity to draw inferences, information and ideas from the other course components, as well as other experiences towards a chosen theme. Research methods are woven throughout the year, focusing on design research methods and collated as a fieldwork diary. The Dissertation differs from previous Design modules as it aims to encourage your independence of thought and your ability to develop an argument and draw constructive conclusions across a range of design explorations which will be valuable in the your future vocation. The Dissertation acts as a bridge between the Masters programme and academic career progression or professional life.

Assessment method

The assessment on the taught modules is 100% coursework and include:

design presentations

seminar papers

essays.

Studio critiques by an invited jury provide formative feedback. For your dissertation you can produce:

a project

artefact or portfolio in a variety of media

- written work.

How to apply

International applicants

If your first language is not English you will require a minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components. OR An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University. Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.

Entry requirements

The course is intended for students who have completed their professional role-orientated education and wish to undertake speculative design-based research. Thus it is expected that applicants from the field of architecture will already possess an accredited graduate diploma or postgraduate degree in architecture (UK), a professional master's in architecture (US), or the international equivalent. Admission to the course will normally be open to applicants who fulfil one of the following: - hold a good undergraduate honours degree, min 2.2 (or international equivalent), in Architecture or a discipline relevant to Architecture - have an appropriate professional background and experience of designing architecture, or an alternative design discipline with strong similarities The course also welcomes applicants from other design fields: e.g Product Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design and Interior Design. Such applicants should possess strong undergraduate degree achievement. Such applicants should possess strong undergraduate degree achievement. Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

English language requirements

At least 6.5 in IELTS, with a minimum of 6.0 across all four components of the test.

If English is not your first language then, please see here for our requirements and accepted alternative English language qualifications

https://www.brookes.ac.uk/international/applying-to-arriving/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements/

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU	£17150	Year 1
England	£10800	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£10800	Year 1
Scotland	£10800	Year 1
Wales	£10800	Year 1
Channel Islands	£10800	Year 1
International	£17150	Year 1