Programme Specification for Architecture M Arch
|
Final award |
M Arch |
|
Intermediate awards available |
PG Dip |
|
UCAS code |
N/A |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Architecture |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
November 2011 |
Profile
The summary - programme advertising leaflet
Programme content
The M Arch programme aims to re-establish the creative development of the student, through looking at ways of harnessing practice techniques and experience to find poetic readings and make a more architectural response.
Architecture at UEL
The programme is unusual in its creative response to students previous experience in practice.
Admission requirements
RIBA pt. 1 or equivalent plus some professional experience. Admission is by interview over portfolio.
Programme structure
The programme is organised on the Atelier system for design work with options in supporting subjects.
Learning environment
Some of the learning is through lectures and seminars, and involves reading and writing, but the heart of the programme is the design studio where students learn to become architects through project work. The School of Architecture and the Visual Arts has its own new building on the Docklands Campus, designed by one of our staff. As well as its excellent studios there are extensive new workshops, photographic darkrooms and computer suites. Students also make visits to study sites and buildings, cities and landscapes in the UK and abroad. At the end of year there is a comprehensive exhibition of student work.
Assessment
Most assessment is done through design projects and related work. Students receive feedback on their progress throughout the year but formal assessment only takes place at the end of the academic year. There are no closed book examinations.
A student must pass the two taught modules with a minimum overall average mark of 50% in order to begin the Thesis project.
Relevance to work/profession
The programme engages with the professional practice of architecture and through reflecting on past performance extends students capabilities.
Thesis/Dissertation/project work
The Thesis is project based and aims to develop personal architectural interests and to situate the design research work within the context of current theory or material and environmental research
Your future career
The programme gives the architectural portfolio an added dimension which is useful in furthering their career in practice
How we support you
M Arch students come to the School from all over the world, from many different educational backgrounds. Each student has a personal tutor whom they meet at least once a week. The tutor is responsible for your academic development and will give personal support. You also get a lot of support from fellow students because most of the teaching and learning is in small groups working on common themes in the project work.
Bonus factors
The programme’s location is in London, which has one of the most vibrant architectural cultures in the world; the programme staff are well connected in relation to London’s institutions and personalities.
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- Develop your creativity and judgement
- Utilise knowledge already gained in practice
What will you learn?
Knowledge
- History and Theory of Architectural Design
- Social and Environmental Sustainability
- Contextualise experience of architecture in relation to practice
Thinking skills
- Use creativity, conceptual skills and judgement to identify human needs and hopes and to meet or express them in space and form.
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Ability to use a range of media (drawing, models, computers, photography, video) in analysis and representation to create architectural design.
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Creativity
- Team working
- Clarity of expression in spoken and written words, as well as in drawing and other visual media
- Ability to analyse problems and propose solutions
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 credits.
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is twelve months full time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year begins in October and ends in September; there are two year-long modules in parallel over Semester A & B and a third module over the Summer period for the Thesis.
What you will study when
|
Year |
Module |
Component |
Credits |
Status |
|
1 |
ARM111 |
Design |
60 |
core |
|
1 |
ARM112 |
Supporting Studies Theory Technical/ |
30 30 |
core core |
|
1 |
ARM113 |
Thesis Project |
60 |
core |
|
- |
TOTAL |
- |
180 |
core |
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research.
Masters Award Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
Distinction |
|
60% - 69% |
Merit |
|
50% - 59% |
Pass |
|
0% - 49% |
Not Passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Teaching and learning is organised through:
- Project work
- Course work
- Essay writing
- Seminars and tutorials
Knowledge, thinking skills, practical skills and general skills are developed through lectures, seminars and tutorials associated with design projects, coursework, and essay and report writing.
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed through its manifestation in course work, design projects and essays.
Thinking skills are assessed through their manifestation in course work, design projects and essays.
Practical skills are assessed through course work and design projects.
Skills for life and work are assessed individually through the ability to produce design projects, course work and essays, and the ability to explain one's work verbally at reviews and to the assessment panel.
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information, course teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University's Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme;
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students.
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments;
- Attending assessment boards;
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
- Ensuring that regulations are followed;
- Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations and feedback questionnaires
- Student representation on programme committees (meeting 3 times year)
- Year group meetings (up to 4 per semester)
- Module and Group seminars
- Tutorials
- Personal Project proformas
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- providing details on the programme notice board
- Group meetings
- Web CT publication
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
The relevance of the education is tested by inviting practising architects to criticise student work at regular intervals.
Further Information
Alternative locations for studying this programme
| Location | Which elements? | Taught by UEL staff | Taught by local staff | Method of Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site
- The student handbook
- Module study guides
- UEL Manual of Regulations and Policies
- UEL Quality Manual
- Regulations for the Academic Framework
- School of Architecture and Visual Arts web pages
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
