Home

Architecture MArch

London, Bloomsbury

Architecture MArch at The Bartlett is a leading professionally accredited Part 2 architecture programme that allows students to develop an advanced understanding of what architecture is and what it could be.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,250
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£33,000
Duration
2 academic years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
All applicants: 14 Oct 2024 – 28 Feb 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class degree in architecture from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. It is also expected that all candidates have at least one year of professional work experience, taken after completing their undergraduate degree. If you are currently completing a UK undergraduate architecture programme, which is accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) or the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and your programme contains a professional placement or placements lasting a minimum of 6 months, we will consider your application, providing you are averaging an upper second-class degree. Upon reviewing your application, we may ask you to submit a portfolio of your design work. Please do not send or upload your work unless it has been requested.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

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


Our Architecture MArch (ARB/RIBA Part 2) allows students to develop a position of deep understanding about what architecture is and what it could be.

Students provide content and context to their academic efforts by writing about architecture, by designing architecture, and by scrutinising architecture – as discipline, practice, culture, career choice. They strengthen their core skills in design, technology, history and theory, and professional studies, working closely with world-class tutors, academics and practitioners.

Our belief is that architecture can make a key contribution to solving some of the most urgent problems of our times, with disciplinary boundaries being broken, alternative socio-political, ecological, material-system driven ideas being proposed, and new technological advances being made to better the built environment and the natural environment we all rely upon.  

Unique to The Bartlett School of Architecture, more than half of the programme is delivered through design modules or groups, known as design units, which run throughout both years. Although distinct from one another, our units deliver a common set of principles with the support of a dedicated practice-based tutor.

Architecture MArch students benefit not only from the unique teaching style and structure at The Bartlett, but also from industry networking opportunities, including through our famous annual graduate showcase, The Bartlett Summer Show.

Who this course is for

This programme is ideal for aspiring architects who wish to strengthen their design, technology, and professional skills while exploring architecture as a discipline, practice, and cultural force. Applicants may also be interested in innovative socio-political, ecological, and material-system driven ideas that address urgent global challenges within the architectural industry. As an accredited Part 2 (ARB/RIBA) programme, this programme represents a key step for students on their path to becoming qualified architects in the UK. 

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

What this course will give you

Boundary pushing: Take speculative risks with your projects and test the boundaries of how architecture and sustainability are defined.

Unique Design Unit structure: Learn, practise and research within a design unit, with the dedicated support and expertise of a practice-based tutor.

Exciting and innovative studies: 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.

Showcase your work: You will have the opportunity to display your work in the annual Bartlett Summer Show – an incredible showcase of student projects.

Accreditation: RIBA/ARB Part 2 is awarded upon successful completion of the Architecture MArch programme.

Top Ranked: For the second year in a row, The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment was ranked #1 in the world for ‘Architecture and Built Environment’ in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2024. It was also #1 in the UK for Architecture in The Guardian University Guide 2025.

Career Support: Studying at UCL provides students with access to a range of career services including networking events, career workshops, and internship opportunities.  

Based in the heart of London: Architecture MArch is taught in the school's impressive Bloomsbury home - 22 Gordon Street. Students not only enjoy the school's studio spaces and culture, but also exceptional workshop and fabrication facilities.

‘World leading’ research: The Bartlett School of Architecture is part of UCL’s Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, where 91% of research has been deemed ‘World Leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’ in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). The Bartlett is also ranked #1 for Research Power in the built environment. 

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:

  • Foster and Partners
  • Zaha Hadid Architects
  • Adjaye Associates Ltd
  • Aecom
  • Wright & Wright
  • AHMM
  • ARUP
  • Wilkinson Eyre Architects

Employability

Bartlett graduates are amongst the most sought-after employees by leading and emerging practices including Foster + Partners, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Make, Arup, Zaha Hadid Architects, HOK, and Heatherwick Studio. Other graduates have formed their own practices or forged successful careers in parallel practices such as time-based media, exhibitions and events, urban design, furniture design and/or film-making.

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.

Accreditation

RIBA/ARB Part 2 is awarded upon successful completion of the Architecture MArch programme. 

Overseas students who do not have Part 1 upon commencing the programme and are seeking professional registration in the UK must contact the Architects Registration Board separately in order to gain ARB Part 1.

Teaching and learning

The unit system of teaching is supported by lectures and seminars given by a diverse spectrum of leading practitioners and academics.

Design work (for Advanced Architectural Design I and II, and Design Realization) accounts for approximately 70% of the programme, and assessment is through portfolio, essay, design realisation report, and thesis.

In terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect between 3 and 8 contact hours per teaching week through lectures, workshops and tutorials.

In term 3 students will be completing their own project and could have up to 2 contact hours per teaching week.

Outside of lectures 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

The programme consists of five compulsory modules. In the first year, known as 'Year 4', students undertake three modules to the value of 120 credits. In the second year, known as 'Year 5', students undertake two modules to the value of 120 credits. 

Year 1 Year 2

Compulsory modules





Compulsory modules




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 five modules to the value of 240 credits. Upon successful completion of 240 credits, you will be awarded an MArch (ARB/RIBA Part 2) in Architecture.

Fieldwork

The programme includes one optional field trip for each year of study.

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

Online - Open day

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

—

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.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Architecture MArch at The Bartlett School of Architecture

—

Join us to find out more about Architecture MArch 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.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Master's Degrees at The Bartlett School of Architecture (Session 2)

—

Join us to find out more about Design for Manufacture MArch, Design for Performance & Interaction MArch, and Situated Practice MA 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) £9,250
Tuition fees (2025/26) £33,000

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 are two optional field trips for this programme, one in each year of study, which cost students a maximum of £500 each and are subsidised by the school with £250. We estimate that students spend between £500-£1,000 per year on specialist architectural materials, and/or a similar amount towards computing expenses. Teaching staff would not require students to spend more, but students may choose to.

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 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

Eligible full-time UK and EU students may be eligible for undergraduate student support from their funding provider for both RIBA Part 1 and RIBA Part 2. Read UCL's guidance on funding for RIBA Part 1 and RIBA Part 2 qualifications.

The school offers several sponsored bursaries for Architecture MArch (ARB/RIBA Part 2) students to contribute to their living costs. Applicants who have accepted an offer will be emailed details of these opportunities. 

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

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.

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

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 Architecture at graduate level
  • why you want to study Architecture 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.

All Architecture candidates are asked to present a portfolio of design work. Candidates will be contacted regarding their design work once their application has been received.

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.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Bartlett School of Architecture
Bartlett School of Architecture

shaun.murray@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.