Overview
Our award-winning architecture department enjoys an international reputation for excellence. We produce architects who combine technical skills with practical experience.
Our MArch course is already addressing the climate emergency. As part of our '0% carbon and 100% people mission statement', we have developed a strong approach to sustainable design. You will develop your work through a culture of critical, practical, and creative engagement as a thinker, designer and maker. We ask questions and look for answers, and this experiential approach to sustainability is a core value shared by all staff and students.
As an architecture student, you need more than just a traditional understanding of how to do the job. We don't try to replicate office practice - instead this course prepares you to push practice forward. We teach how to maximise potential and to generate impact by addressing new methods of project and design development.
Studying for your Master's degree in architecture, you’ll fulfil your creative potential and perfect your skills by working on designs that tackle real-life issues in East London and around the world. Your preparation for professional practice and beyond will integrate essential technical, philosophical, regulatory and practical knowledge as baseline skills - and, more importantly, go beyond the ARB and RIBA requirements.
Our MArch Architecture course is fully accredited, furthering your progress towards becoming a qualified architect.
Students who successfully complete the architecture course are exempt from Part 2 of the ARB/RIBA Examination – one of the three parts required to register as an architect in the UK.
Download our yearbook to view examples of our students' work.
This course is in Clearing
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Course modules
Architecture postgraduate core modules aim to develop intelligent, spatial, and contextual design skills through a critical understanding of theoretical, societal, and ethical positions within the built environment. Year 1 focuses on establishing these intentions in the design process, preparing you for future academic and professional growth. The curriculum incorporates technical, environmental, professional, and theoretical studies, fostering critical reflection and exploration within an open studio environment with peer mentorship.
Building upon Year 1, these Architecture postgraduate modules emphasise working with complex design tasks, requiring a critical application of theoretical, societal, and ethical positions. The focus shifts towards synthesising these intentions into a coherent final architectural thesis proposal, directly preparing you for career progression.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Entry requirements
What makes this course different

Recognised by industry
The Architects Journal praised our end of year show in 2021, saying we have a unique appreciation of beauty.

Award-winning department
Our Sustainability Research Institute and the School of Architecture have developed a multi-award-winning carbon-neutral material, Sugarcrete®.
Explore Sugarcrete
Fully accredited
This is your next step towards becoming a fully qualified architect. UEL’s Master's degree in architecture is fully accredited and grants you Part 2 exemption from the ARB/RIBA professional examinations.
Accreditation

Our architecture course has the unconditional recognition of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Architects Registration Board (ARB), giving exemption from Part 2 of the ARB/RIBA Examination – one of the three parts required to register as an architect in the UK. In order for a qualification to be accredited by ARB, the Standards for Learning Providers must be met.
ARB Standards for Learning ProvidersVAC Showcase 2025
Alex Saw Yan Nuang shares his experience at the VAC Showcase
What we're researching
Our academic team combines world-class teaching with an enquiring research approach. Our staff includes celebrated practising architects such as Maria Segantini, partner of C+S Architects, Tony Fretton, principal of Tony Fretton Architects, and Katherine Clarke, partner of Muf.
Roland Karthaus and Alan Chandler are recognised experts in the fields of urban design and conservation. Their recent research has included advising on the development of a new capital city in India and the reconstruction of a historic palace in Santiago de Chile - projects which engage with heritage and modernisation.
Alan Chandler and Armor Gutierrez are part of the team at SRI who have developed an award-winning low-carbon alternative to bricks and concrete blockwork, Sugarcrete.
We are also a course partner of Article 25 - the UK's leading architectural aid charity. You could be helping to design, manage and deliver sustainable building solutions in areas affected by disaster, poverty and need - opportunities that will set you up for meaningful employment.
We put concepts such as sustainability into action. For example, we are currently working with Muf and the residents of a London housing estate on a major regeneration project, helping them to make alternative plans for their future.
We have advised the London Mayor's office and the London Legacy Development Corporation on the use of public space, and we have worked with the US Green Building Council to develop new sustainability standards.
Your future career
With our MArch behind you, you will be fully prepared to become a qualified architect. Our Master's programme in architecture is fully accredited and grants you a Part 2 exemption from the ARB/RIBA professional examinations.
Professional and industry links
All of our design and practice-based modules work hand in hand with real clients, practices and research institutes in the field of the built environment to give you a truly grounded yet creative understanding of our discipline.
Our life build Construction Week projects have worked with: Burning Man Festival, United Nations Environment Programme, Clean Air Fund, ReSpace, Borough of Newham, Studio Bark, MUF and Grimshaw.
Our Professional Studies Building Matters assignment has worked closely together with: British Land, Buro Happold, ARUP, Max Fordham, Felden Clegg Bradley studios, Peabody, General Projects, Witherford Watson Mann, White Arkitekter, Sir Robert McAlpine, AHMM, PLP, and Bywater Properties.
We offer successful applicants and graduates the opportunity to gain work experience over the summer during our job shadowing week(s). To facilitate this, we work closely together with over 40 London-based design and architecture practices, including 3 Pritzker, 3 Sterling and 2 Van der Rohe prize-winning practices.
ARB outline the threshold competencies required for registration as an architect, irrespective of the route taken to registration. The Competency Outcomes that must be met are available on the ARB website.
Graduate employers
Graduates from UEL’s master's programme in architecture now work for private, public and third sector landscape practices. These include Gustafson Porter + Bowman, Levitt Bernstein, LUC, Farrer Huxley, The Environment Partnership, Marian Boswall Landscape Architects, Essex County Council, Wynne-Williams Associates, Fabrik, Ramboll, Ground Control, Pegasus Group, Allen Pyke Associates, Groundwork and Outerspace. Many of our students have undertaken paid positions with landscape practices whilst studying, including some of the above, plus Arkwood, HTA Design and Ireland Albrecht Landscape Architects.
Job roles
Some of our graduates go on to work in culturally engaged practices, become social and sustainability entrepreneurs or work in the public sector. Others choose to join internationally awarded design practices or global architecture offices. Want to be your own boss? You could even set up your own architectural design practice. With UEL’s MArch degree in architecture, you'll have the toolkit you need to set yourself up for success.

Studying the Part 2 architecture course at UEL pushed me to achieve things I didn't know I was capable of. The experience enabled me to get the kind of job that I wanted and continues to motivate me in practice."Marcus Andren
UEL Part 2 Graduate at Carmody Groarke Architects
How you'll learn
Our studios, where the majority of teaching takes place, are a unique and intense environment where you will transform complexity into elegance, animate aesthetics and organise space for social use; whilst integrating essential technical, philosophical, regulatory and practical skills. Situated in the department of Architecture and Visual Arts (AVA) in UEL, the close proximity between courses also brings access to an extensive array of workshop spaces and labs. Including Engineering and Arts workshops; photography, casting, wood and metal workshops as well as a digital fabrication lab with 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC and robotics workshops. Our making culture and hands-on learning approach via creation is an intrinsic and critical aspect of our teaching and learning.
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through design production, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.
Academic support
Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas - including learning and disability support.
Dedicated personal tutor
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Class sizes
You will be taught one-on-one or in smaller classes (typically 20 students), with a collaborative ethos. The course leader is Isaie Bloch. Our teaching is accessible and responsive, and regularly scores highly in student satisfaction surveys.
How you'll be assessed
We assess you through coursework, design work and essays. Your final assessment is at the end of the academic year via your academic portfolio. There are no closed-book examinations.
Year 1:
- 63.5% (consisting of 3 separate parts each weighting 25 + 25 + 13.5%) Integrated Design portfolio
- 25% essay or equivalent
- 11.5% written and graphical report
Year 2:
- 67% (consisting of 3 separate parts each weighting 25 + 25 + 17%) Integrated Design portfolio
- 25% essay or equivalent
- 8% written and graphical report
Campus and facilities
Docklands Campus, London, E16 2RD
Our waterfront campus in the historic Royal Docks provides a modern, well-equipped learning environment.
Join us and you'll be able to make the most of our facilities including contemporary lecture theatres and seminar rooms, art studios and exhibition spaces, audio and visual labs and a multimedia production centre.
Features include our 24/7 Docklands library, our £21m SportsDock centre, a campus shop and bookstore, the Children's Garden Nursery, cafés, eateries, a late bar, plus Student Union facilities, including a student lounge.
The University of East London is one of the few London universities to provide on-campus accommodation. Our Docklands Campus Student Village houses close to 1,200 students from around the world. We are well connected to central London and Canary Wharf, with London City Airport just across the water. We also run a free bus service that connects Docklands with Stratford campuses.
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What our students and staff say

Coming from a country that prioritises theory over practical application, discovering that my course at UEL focused on hands-on learning was a dream come true. Its strategic location in east London, as an architecture student, only tipped the scales further in their favour."
Take Oyindamola
MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2)

I am lost for words to express my gratitude for having been able to be part of the delegation travelling for free to Asia during the academic year. This trip has not only enriched my personal growth but has also significantly improved my learning on the matter. It was incredibly rewarding to work helping communities to build sustainably, networking with existing partners and creating new partnerships; promoting our remarkable Sugarcrete research and teaching methodology, which raised interest and curiosity wherever we were."
Rudson Valacio
MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA PART 2) student







