Our MArch programme - a Royal Institute of British Architects and ARB-accredited Part 2 architecture qualification - within the Kent School of Architecture provides a world class education in design. Building on your undergraduate learning, the programme deepens your knowledge of key areas such as design thinking, urban analysis, theoretical complexity, professional expertise and historical knowledge.
You'll benefit from studying and working in our unique and spacious design studios, located at the heart of the University campus. Our programme advances collaboration and interdisciplinary opportunities and enables you to develop skills and knowledge through design events, cross-school collaborative learning, seminars and lectures, and sustainability-led tech and environmental design workshops.
As a Kent graduate, you can go on to successful careers in architecture and the wider creative industries. Your imaginative and creative skills in analysis, engagement and design thinking, will give you the capacity to work in a diverse and varied range of industries, disciplines and roles, so you can effect change in the places you want to see it.
Our programme is organised around a core curriculum of Design, built over four semesters, and delivered through four unique units. The main design modules are complemented by weekly technical and environmental design lectures, seminars and tutorials delivered by world-leading researchers.
Design is the heart of our programme, and in Stage 4 this is complimented by history and theory lectures and seminars as part of the school's Cultural Context programme. In Stage 5, this module is delivered as personal research in the form of a written dissertation or artefact, on a subject of student’s own choice.
To prepare you for practice, the Employability module will deepen your understanding of life in practice and the professional practices, regulations and processes of the business of architecture.
Research at Kent School of Architecture and Planning achieves excellence in both the history and theory of architecture and in sustainable urban, peri-urban and environmental design. School staff have design expertise and specialist knowledge; they are at the forefront of current architectural issues, including sustainability, technology, professional practice and research. Our staff are active at academic and professional conferences, both nationally and internationally, and appear and publish in local and national media. The School promotes innovative and interdisciplinary research, emphasising sustainable design.
Much of the project work involved in the Kent School of Architecture and Planning is located on 'live' sites in the local region, using real clients and engaging challenging issues. Students in all stages of the school have been introduced to real urban and architectural design challenges in Lille, Margate, Folkestone, Dover, Rye, Chatham and, of course, Canterbury. Much of this work involves liaising with external bodies, such as architects, planners, council and development groups.
I love the University and I found the School to be a very close community. So, coming back for the MArch was a no-brainer really.
Jasmine Davey - Master of Architecture
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. All applications are assessed on an individual basis but some of our typical requirements are listed below. Students offering qualifications not listed are welcome to contact our Admissions Team for further advice. Please also see our general entry requirements.
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The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
A minimum of a second class honours degree in architecture - with a demonstrated strength in design portfolio - from a UK university, or an overseas qualification with a grade or GPA of an equivalent standard.
Applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio of their design work once their application has been received. Although it is not a requirement, professional work experience taken after completing your undergraduate degree is also expected.
The University will consider applications from students with a wide range of qualifications. Prospective applicants with alternative qualifications should contact ArtsHumsAdmissions@kent.ac.uk for advice prior to application. Note that it is not possible to offer places to all students who meet our typical offer/minimum requirement.
All students graduating from the MArch programme receive their award with ARB and RIBA Part 2 exemption. Further information is available from the Architects Registration Board (ARB).
If you are an international student, visit our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country, including details of the International Foundation Programmes. Please note that international fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.
Please note that meeting the typical offer/minimum requirement does not guarantee that you will receive an offer.
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you do not meet our English language requirements, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
Duration: 2 years full-time
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
The module's objective is to promote independent and critical thinking as well as advancing research skills. The module focuses on methodologies of research in the context of the cultural discourse and architectural theory from the mid-twentieth century onwards. This module will constitute an introduction to research methodologies leading to an understanding of how different constituencies of society view contemporary culture. A series of lectures will introduce different research approaches and methods. The assignment will comprise an investigation into a particular methodology or approach as assigned.
.This module will have a taught lecture, seminar and tutorial format. Students use their parallel design module (or exceptionally a design project already completed in a previous MArch design module) as vehicle for a production of a detailed report in which they assess their design of a building as though it were a live project, in terms of appointment, procurement, planning permission, statutory permissions, fee biding, information scheduling, resourcing and cost etc.
The aim of the module is to promote a comprehensive understanding of environmental sustainability in the context of integrating structural systems, material and environmental controls with a focus on net zero policy. The lecture course covers the following areas: architecture from a global perspective, sustainability criteria in construction and environmental design, benchmarking and legislation in technical design, integration of structure, services and passive environmental features, and reviewing the performance of technical design solutions. The lectures will also look at the implications of the, technology from socio-cultural and economic perspectives.
This module involves a consideration of design at an urban scale and is taught through a Unit system with individual Unit briefs interpreting this specification. Each Unit brief will offer the opportunity to analyse and critically appraise new hypotheses through the speculation of complex design proposals, and consider context in terms of history, policy, legislation, environment, economics and community. Unit briefs for this module may develop themes in parallel with Design 5a, with which it is co-taught in Units, and may continue these themes into the following term's design module(s).
This module involves the design of a singular or multiple architectural propositions, and is taught through a Unit system with individual Unit briefs interpreting this specification. Each Unit brief will offer the opportunity to develop a conceptual and critical approach to complex architectural design proposals that is developed into a comprehensive and integrated design project. Unit briefs for this module may develop themes in parallel with Design 5b, with which it is co-taught in Units, and may continue these themes from the preceding term's design module.
This technology portfolio further develops how the concurrent and parallel design module (or exceptionally a design project already completed in a previous MArch design module) would be realised in terms of the technology and environmental considerations of the building programme. It further develops, demonstrates and integrates the building technologies and environmental control strategies underlying the design project. Each student is to produce a series of technical detail drawings from Scales 1:20 – 1: 5, together with a physical model of a key part of their building, for instance a section through the envelope at a corner, at a scale of 1:20 or as directed by the module convener. Students have to demonstrate a developed ability to critically evaluate and refine technical propositions through an iterative process. Additionally design drawings and models will be expected to demonstrate an advanced consideration for and provision of technology addressing the environmental exposure, temperature control, waterproofing, ventilation, circulation, structural support and integration, and sensibilities and sensitivities to appropriate building construction technologies. This will include an articulated attitude to the use of Material Tectonics. Students will need to summarise the iterative process and the final solution through clearly annotated drawings, sketches and models (both presentation and working models) appropriately.
This module involves a consideration of design at an urban scale and is taught through a Unit system with individual Unit briefs interpreting this specification. Each Unit brief will offer the opportunity to analyse and critically appraise new hypotheses through the speculation of complex design proposals, and consider context in terms of history, policy, legislation, environment, economics and community. Unit briefs for this module may develop themes in parallel with Design 4a, with which it is co-taught in Units, and may continue themes into the following term's design module(s).
This module involves the design of a singular or multiple architectural propositions, and is taught through a Unit system with individual Unit briefs interpreting this specification. Each Unit brief will offer the opportunity to develop a conceptual and critical approach to complex architectural design proposals that is developed into a comprehensive and integrated design project. Unit briefs for this module may develop themes in parallel with Design 4b, with which it is co-taught in Units, and may continue themes from the preceding term's design module(s).
One of the Stage 5 optional modules, this module aims to provide students with a formal programme in teaching architectural design and communication. Students will develop a good understanding of architectural pedagogy, first through practical experience in first year undergraduate studio teaching and second through research in higher education. The focus is on teaching and learning models specific to architecture, such as studio-based tutorials and design reviews. The module is taught through a combination of lectures/seminars, tutorials, and review sessions. Teaching and assessment of this module is divided into two components: 1) theory of architectural education 2) teaching practice. For the theory component students produce an academic essay based on a topic in architectural education. Through these essays students will explore a particular area of architectural education in greater depth. Students will choose a topic in consultation with the module convenor and will develop their research over the course of the term. Feedback is provided during seminars/tutorials and formative review sessions. During the reviews students will present their research and receive feedback from a panel of critics. The lectures/seminars will introduce students to (a) educational theories and models of architectural education (b) research methodologies in education and (c) practical pedagogical methods used in studio teaching. For the practical component, stage 5 students take on the role of Teaching Assistants in autumn and spring terms under the supervision of a dedicated studio tutor and the module convenor.
Students following this module focus their research question around making and assembling an artefact, as a piece of research-through-practice, together with a 3500 word written essay in combination with the submission of the artefact., which it will frame and discuss theoretically. The module comprises 10 half-hour bi-weekly tutorials to develop an individual, integrated written and artefactual investigation with an assigned tutor; students develop a research question related to architecture or another field of environmental/spatial design. Students are expected to develop their ability to gather and synthesize data, as well as to analyse it in a coherent and convincing manner. In addition, they are expected to situate their own investigation in the broader context of architectural history, culture, and discourse.
Students produce their dissertation over Autumn and Spring terms. Students are required to develop their communication and research skills to a high professional standard. The module comprises tutorials with an assigned tutor, directing students to develop a research question related to architecture or a related field of environmental/spatial design. Students are expected to develop their ability to gather and synthesize data, as well as to construct a coherent and convincing overall analysis. In addition, they are expected to situate their own investigation within the broader context of architectural history, culture, and discourse. Interdisciplinary investigations that further inform architectural thinking are encouraged.
The 2023/24 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Search scholarshipsRIBA offers a hardship fund for eligible students.
All students within a particular unit follow the same design project brief, while additional lecture and seminar modules support design through the teaching of technology, culture, dissertation and employability.
Assessment is by a variety of methods, including a portfolio of drawings, models and artefacts, written case study, essay, reflective blogs, oral presentation and dissertation.
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
This programme aims to:
You will gain knowledge and understanding of:
You develop intellectual skills in:
You gain subject-specific skills in:
You will gain the following transferable skills:
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, the School of Architecture has been recognised by an expert panel as part of the Research Excellence Framework, with 100% of the School’s research environment judged to be ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. The results place Architecture at Kent 6th in the UK in the Times Higher Education rankings.
An impressive 100% of our research-active staff submitted to the REF and Over 90% of the School’s research outputs and 88% of the School’s research has also been ranked ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent'.
Qualifying as a professional architect involves a specific route of study and work experience.
Many of our graduates go on to work in well-known architectural practices, such as:
Our graduates have also followed careers in professions related to design, graphics and visualisation.
Kent School of Architecture and Planning has links to professional practices and this network is very useful to students when looking for work in an architectural practice. You are encouraged to network at our events, and we run special sessions to help you with writing your CV.
The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service, which can give you advice on how to:
You graduate with an excellent grounding in architectural knowledge and a range of professional skills in:
To help you to appeal to employers, you also develop key transferable skills in:
You can also gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
Kent’s MArch architecture programme is validated by RIBA, and the award is prescribed by the ARB as giving exemption from Part 2 of their professional examinations.
Our application system (Kent Vision) allows you to save and return to your application at any time.
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E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk
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