School of Architecture & the Visual Arts

Programme summary for MSc Architecture: Material Matters

About

This programme is particularly suitable for qualified design professionals, including architects, engineers and product designers. It explores and develops new and sustainable materials and forms of construction, and develops positions that are both generic and responsive to the particularities of context – topographical, social, cultural, economic and political. It also seeks to develop and test materials strategies though the building of full-size prototypes.

Structure

The MSc comprises two modules with core and optional components. The modules are:

• Architecture and Urbanisms: Tools, Principles, Theories and Practice
  • Tools, Principles and Theories (core component)
  • Advanced Practice (optional component)
• Architecture and Urbanisms: Theories, Context and Practice
  • The Poetics of Space/Materials (core component)
  • Advanced Practice (optional component).

You will also be required to complete a dissertation.

Career

This MSc provides a unique platform for you to develop expertise and an approach to sustainable materials developments through the development and testing of materials strategies and detailed research that is sensitive to a local context. Architects and designers equipped with these skills are increasingly in demand professionally in both the private and public sectors.

Support

The programme offers students a personal tutor, 1:1 tutorial support as well as support of small group working

Personal Development Planning (PDP) is a University requirement to engage formally in reflectiv e practice, through a learning log or a professional development portfolio. This includes creating and maintaining a continuously updated CV, a review of progress in modules, review of assessment outcomes and feedback, a semester based action plan and an annual submission of the PDP

The University provides a comprehensive range of support services to students which include : residential/ student finance advice/ careers advise/ study skills development/ IT learning resources.

Admission

The programme is particularly designed for already qualified design professionals, (architects, engineers, product designers etc.) who wish to specialise in innovative materials, manufacturing and construction practice.

It welcomes applications from suitable candidates with an honours degree in architecture and/or RIBA Part 1 exemption, with a particular interest and ability to contribute to the development of material matters at an advanced level.

It also welcomes applications from candidates with a design based first degree (honours) with a particular interest and ability to contribute to the development of innovative materials, manufacturing and construction practice at an advanced level.

Applications are welcomed from the EU and overseas, in particular, lecturers from Higher Education Institutions wishing to increase their qualifications.

This programme has also been designed to attract professionals from public and private practice who are seeking to upgrade their qualifications, or who are looking for the opportunity to validate aspects of their professional remit, or to research and develop internationally relevant urban issues that they have encountered in professional practice.

Students whose first language is not English will have achieved a score of 7.0 in ILTS or equivalent. Eligibility for students without degree equivalent qualifications will be assessed on the basis of a short essay, statement and a portfolio. Places will be offered after a successful interview with a member of the programme team.

All applicants will be interviewed

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