Architecture MA
Canterbury
Course overview
Gain a deeper understanding of built and occupied space and develop an individual approach to spatial design on our MA Architecture course at UCA Canterbury.
For us, architecture is not only concerned with buildings and construction details, but also with how people perceive and understand space. On this course, you will experiment with digital and analogue designs in workshops and in-studio, increasing your specialist knowledge and improving your ability to manage and deliver projects.
You'll have the opportunity to undertake individual thematic investigations, which will incorporate prototyping, experimenting, re-designing and crafting, but you will also be expected to demonstrate expert knowledge of your chosen field of interest and complete mastery of your fabricated outcomes.
At the end of the course, you'll be responsible for the design of a piece of work that will act as a unique expression of the expertise you've developed with us.
Our School of Architecture maintains strong relationships with the professionals and organisations in the industry, and our course team are well-placed to provide you with industry links that could lead to further experience and career development, or higher level study.
A one-year course of advanced study for furthering your research skills and specialising within your discipline.
A year-long preparatory course of study to ready you for your Master’s, developing your specialist skills, research acumen and confidence in working autonomously.
A year-long preparatory course of study to ready you for your Master’s in the UK, developing your English speaking and writing together with your specialist skills, research acumen and confidence in working autonomously.
Course details
The content of the course may be subject to change. Curriculum content is provided as a guide.
Get ready for your chosen postgraduate course with this preparatory year of specialist study. With a mix of online and face-to-face learning, UCA’s Integrated Pre-Masters is designed to give you insight into the study skills required to complete a Master’s, within the context of your creative subject. You’ll build skills in autonomous learning, forming your own targets and goals, honing your research skills, time management and professional practice.
For our students coming from a non-UK educational background, UCA has launched an Integrated International Pre-Masters year, which is based at UCA Farnham.
On this course you’ll prepare for postgraduate study with a mix of online and face-to-face learning that will give you the study skills required to complete a Master’s, and you’ll also improve your English for academic study.
You'll be introduced to the University and the technical workshops and facilities available to you. The first term includes a range of lectures and seminars and you’ll start to explore your creative practice.
Context and Methods
Through a series of lectures and seminars, the unit introduces a range of current debates that provide a cultural and intellectual context for the consideration of ideas in architecture, fine art and design, and encourages your active engagement with them. The course addresses inter-disciplinary issues across architecture, fine art and design, through the discussion of theory and the consideration of specific buildings, artworks and texts.
Exploratory Practice
This unit is concerned with the exploration of creative practice in order to inform the detailed development of your project proposal for the later stages of the course. It provides a structured framework to allow you to investigate the potential of methods, ideas and themes in your discipline.
During term two you begin developing your MA project, evaluating and testing out the aims of your proposal over a sustained period of self-directed study.
Project Development
You begin developing your MA project, evaluating and testing out the aims of your proposal over a sustained period of self-directed study. At this stage of the course, the development of the project is guided and questioned through tutorials, group critiques and presentations. These support the progress of your work and provide rigorous critical appraisal from staff, fellow students and professional practitioners.
In the third term of the course, you'll apply the knowledge gained through your research to create a final body of work.
Final Realisation
In this unit, you'll apply the knowledge gained through your research in a final body of work. You'll demonstrate the potential of your MA project, its subject and method to generate creative work that embodies knowledge. This process may require you to further develop appropriate technical and presentation skills and to understand their role in the production of meaning in the final work.
Tuition fees - 2022 entry
UK students:
- Integrated Pre-Masters course - £10,500
- MA course - £10,500
EU students:
- Integrated International Pre-Masters course - £10,500 (see fee discount information)
- MA course - £10,500 (see fee discount information)
International students:
- Integrated International Pre-Masters course - £17,500
- MA course - £18,000
Additional course costs
In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials. These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make. Please see the additional course costs for 2021 entry. The details for 2022 entry will be available here in due course.
Further information
For more detailed infomation about our course fees and any financial support you may be entitled to please see our fees and finance pages.
The fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only. Costs may increase each year during a student’s period of continued registration on course in line with inflation (subject to any maximum regulated tuition fee limit). Any adjustment for continuing students will be at or below the RPI-X forecast rate.
To support our students and alumni to progress to the next level of study, we have developed a new range of fee discounts across a range of courses.
Course specifications
Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change in line with our Student Terms and Conditions for example, as required by external professional bodies or to improve the quality of the course.
Facilities
Dedicated postgraduate open plan studio spaces, used for group tutorials and personal working. 3D workshop with machines for working in wood, metals, plastics and ceramics. Fully-equipped computer studio with Macs and PCs programmed with the latest software for design and animation. Laser cutters, 3D printers and virtual reality lab on campus.
Architecture studios, UCA Canterbury
Architecture Digital Media studios, UCA Canterbury
Fabrication Lab, UCA Canterbury
3D workshop, UCA Canterbury
Course connections
Recent guest lecturers and visiting critics have included:
- David Lomax of Waugh Thistleton Architects, London (structural and large-scale timber architecture)
- CJ Lim, Professor of Architecture & Urbanism, The Bartlett School of Architecture, London (multi-disciplinary research in urban planning, architecture and landscape)
- Piers Taylor of Invisible Studio (renowned award winning architect, broadcaster and academic)
- Matt Walker of Robert Hirschfield Architects, London (high end residential architecture and interiors)
- Charles Bain-Smith of the National Trust (heritage organisation and management agency).
You may want to undertake further study or a research degree to specialise more.
Visit our 2021 grad show site to see the incredible work created by our graduating students
Visit the 2021 GradshowOur Staff
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"The MA gave me the time and space I needed to explore my ideas and also the ability to be highly curatorial. I emerged with a comprehensive appreciation for the relationship between my architectural design work and the means by which it might be represented and disseminated, which equipped me perfectly to achieve at industry level."
Entry requirements
MA course
- An honours degree or equivalent qualification in the subject or a related discipline
and/or
- Relevant work experience, demonstrating your ability to study at postgraduate level.
Consideration will also be given to applicants who can make a strong case for admission in relation to a particular project and can demonstrate their potential to satisfactorily complete the course.
MA course with Integrated Pre-Masters course
MA course with Integrated International Pre-Masters course
A recognised bachelor degree or 3 year diploma with a strong portfolio in a relevant subject.
To view the equivalent entry requirements for your country please select it in the list below.
Don't meet the international entry requirements or English language requirements?
You may be able to enter the course through the following entry courses:
Pre-sessional English courses in the UK or China
MA course
MA course with Integrated Pre-Masters course
MA course with Integrated International Pre-Masters course
For these courses, we’ll need to see your visual or written portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to upload your portfolio online via your Applicant Portal – further information will be provided once you have applied. If you would prefer to meet the Academic Team in person for a review of your work on campus, this can also be arranged for you.
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