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Architectural Design MArch

London, Bloomsbury

This is the programme information for 2025 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Architectural Design MArch (2024), click here

UK students International students

Study mode

Full-time

UK tuition fees (2025/26)

£18,400

Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)

£39,800

Duration

1 calendar year

Programme starts

September 2025

Applications accepted

Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 04 Apr 2025

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class UK degree in an appropriate subject or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants with extensive experience in the field may also be considered. A design/creative portfolio is also expected. Applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio of their design work once their completed application has been received, and should not send or upload work until it has been requested.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The Architectural Design MArch course explores the frontiers of architecture and design, emphasising the latest technological advances, particularly in computation, AI, and robotics.

Students spend around two-thirds of their time engaged in studio-based design enquiry, working with internationally renowned researchers and practitioners. The curriculum is structured around Research Clusters, each focusing on a specific research specialism, supported by shared technical and theoretical resources. Students engage critically with new technological developments that are transforming the architectural landscape and its socio-economic roles and industrial applications.

Each research cluster explores novel research-driven design processes and new forms of architectural practice through its own specific range of topics and technologies, such as advanced robotics and autonomous systems, generative design and advanced computation, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), extended reality, game engines and gamification, advanced digital and robotic manufacturing, and novel material systems.

The course culminates in a major speculative design project and thesis, showcased in the annual B-Pro Show, which attracts thousands of visitors to the school’s central London home.

Who this course is for

This programme is ideal for graduates or professionals curious to engage in a speculative architectural design environment. It is suited for those in architecture or related fields who wish to deepen their understanding of cutting-edge design approaches, particularly the role computation plays in architectural design. The programme will also be of interest to those wishing to develop knowledge and skills related to coding, fabrication, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), CNC fabrication, 3D printing, supercomputing, simulation, and interactivity, within an architectural-design context.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

Students develop an advanced, practical understanding of design-based, speculative research, spending around two thirds of their time in student-based design enquiry. The programme is organised into research clusters, each with their own research agendas, underpinned by the shared resources of technical tutorials, and theoretical lectures and seminars.

The programme brings together internationally renowned experts in innovative design and fabrication. Students are introduced to theoretical concepts through lectures and introductory design projects, supported by computational and robotics skills-building workshops.

The Bartlett School of Architecture helps students to prepare for successful careers in a range of fields. We aim to be an exciting and innovative place to study architecture, located in the heart of London with global perspectives. Our students have the opportunity to develop their creativity, curiosity and dynamism, and learn the skills they need to build a better future for people and the planet. Our school is consistently ranked highly in UK and global league tables, and our staff are at the forefront of international research and teaching with award-winning buildings all over the globe.

The Bartlett is one of the UK's largest multidisciplinary faculties of the Built Environment. Our work is all about human spaces. That means physical structures like homes, buildings and cities, but also the invisible structures that govern these things: political and legal systems; financial frameworks and social norms; even our understanding of the past, present and future. Combining design, history, theory, digital representations and models across all of these areas, we understand the structures shaping society today – and we work to make them fairer and more prosperous.

The Bartlett is ranked #1 in the world for Architecture and the Built Environment for the second year in a row (QS World University Subject Rankings 2024), #1 in the UK for Architecture in The Guardian University Guide 2025, and our research is recognised as internationally leading (UK REF 2021).

Find out more about the benefits of studying at The Bartlett School of Architecture.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

93.3% of Bartlett School of Architecture graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2017-21).

Top industry sectors for Bartlett School of Architecture graduates in work are construction, built environment and property (68% of graduates); performance and creative arts (7%); academic research and higher education (6%) and technology (6%).

Bartlett School of Architecture graduates are working in 52 countries around the world.

Example jobs:

Architect
CAD, drawing and architectural technician
Chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultant
Programmers and software development professional
Higher education teaching professional
Civil engineer
Design occupations
Graphic and multimedia designer
Interior designer

Example employers:

Employability

The Bartlett School of Architecture is recognised as one of the world's leading schools of architecture and graduates from our master's programmes are highly sought after. 

Networking

The Bartlett School of Architecture hosts numerous events throughout the year that feature industry guests and networking opportunities. These include lecture series, seminars, conferences, symposiums, book launches, and show launch events. The school also hosts a Future Practice event each year that links students with employers.

Additionally, there are a broad range of university-wide career events to help current students and recent graduates develop their employability skills, explore different sectors, increase commercial awareness, build professional networks and more.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, site visits and workshops, and incorporates both individual and group working. On the studio-based design module students work in teams throughout the year, while on the theory module students develop an individual written thesis.

Assessment is through coursework assignments, essays, presentations and portfolio examinations.

Across terms 1, 2 and 3 full-time students can typically expect an average of 10 contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, introductory workshops, crits and tutorials. During the summer period, students will be completing their own final projects, keeping in contact with their design tutors where necessary.

The contact hours usually include a one-week field trip organised by individual studios.

Outside of directed teaching full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Modules

: Students are introduced to the theoretical concepts which underpin Architectural Design through lectures and initial design projects. Students then undertake a thesis project, a report and work in specialist teaching groups. Modules are design-based with specialist lecture input.

Compulsory modules

Architectural Design: Historical, Cultural and Theoretical Skills

Design Thesis Report

Bartlett Architecture Skills Elective (B-Pro Courses)

Architectural Design Thesis Initial Projects

Architectural Design Thesis Final Project

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MArch in Architectural Design.

Fieldwork

Students have the opportunity to join an annual field trip, partially subsidised by the school. 

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

25 November 2024

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Master's Degrees at The Bartlett School of Architecture (Session 1)

13:00 — 14:00

Join us to find out more about Architectural Computation MSc, Architectural Design MArch, Urban Design MArch and Bio-Integrated Design MArch/MSc at The Bartlett School of Architecture. You will have the chance to meet our expert teaching staff, and ask any questions about the curriculum, student experience, and career prospects.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£18,400
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£39,800

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There is an optional field trip for this programme annually, which costs students a maximum of £500 each. We estimate that students spend between £750-£1000 on specialist materials throughout the programme.

All students work differently so costs incurred depend on the approach they take to the brief given. The school encourages students to use recycled materials in their models and presentations, not only is it sustainable, but also cost effective and potentially innovative. The school also offers limited subsidies for exhibition costs. 

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

UCL offers a range of financial awards aimed at assisting both prospective and current students with their studies.

Any additional funding available from The Bartlett School of Architecture and the Built Environment Faculty Office are advertised on the respective websites.

In our faculty, The Bartlett Promise Scholarship aims to enable students from backgrounds underrepresented in the built environment to pursue master's studies. Please see the UK Master's scholarship and Sub-Saharan Africa Master's scholarship pages for more information on eligibility criteria, selection process and FAQs.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

: Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Masters Scholarship

Deadline: 28 March 2025

Value: Fees, stipend and other allowances (Duration of programme)

Criteria Based on financial need

Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Bartlett Promise UK Master's Scholarship

Deadline: 31 May 2025

Value: Tuition fees plus £15,864 maintenance/yr (Duration of programme)

Criteria Based on financial need

Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

why you want to study Architectural Design at graduate level
why you want to study Architectural Design at UCL
what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Tier 4 Student Visa holders are advised to meet the English language proficiency of their offer no later than the end of June, in order to allow sufficient time to obtain a CAS number and visa.

To accept your offer, you must pay the non-refundable fee deposit within 4 weeks and decline any other offers for programmes at the Bartlett School of Architecture. If you do not respond within 3 weeks, your offer will be withdrawn.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This programme only requires one reference in support of your application. Your reference should be academic unless you have been out of university education for more than four years. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.