About this course
This MArch from LJMU invites you to creatively engage in a truly interdisciplinary and project-orientated architectural study.
- Embark on this research-informed, nationally respected programme that has been fully validated and externally accredited for over 40 years
- Take part in overseas workshops enabling you to undertake design work in new territories and contexts such as Porto, Marseille, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Essen and Duisburg
- Develop skills in communication, presentation and self-motivation
- Benefit from state-of-the-art workspaces and facilities within the RIBA award-winning John Lennon Art and Design Building
- Degree Show 2022
- Guided Tour Video
This programme of study is thoughtfully balanced to address the creative and technical demands of the architectural profession.
In the 2017 RIBA revalidation, the MArch programme was commended by the visiting assessors for "...the Architecture programme's focus on urban design projects across a range of scales, evident in the work of the MArch students."
Taught principally through a studio environment that is underpinned and informed by lectures and workshops, the over-arching ambition of the programme is to create graduates with artistic flair, who are technically skilled and grounded in the demands of the professional role of an architect.
The learning and teaching environment is progressively informed by research in pedagogy in the creative field. While teaching the curriculum, the programme also develops less tangible skills in students, such as communication, presentation and self-motivation. A key ambition is to create independent thinkers, adept at resolving problems with creativity and originality.
Visit this year's degree show website and browse MArch student work
Michael's story
Michael Eze is about to complete his MArch at LJMU having studied for his first degree in Manchester.
"I was attracted to study Architecture in Liverpool due to the city's rich history and heritage. The experience has been so much more than I was expecting. I have had a lot more one-on-one time with my tutors than I had experienced before and this has enabled me to feel a connection with my studies at a higher level.
As a postgraduate you are seen by tutors as a colleague rather than a student and this really helps you to prepare for the world of work by demonstrating how you will be treated in the workplace. The level of academic study at LJMU is very high. We had a visit from Daniel Libeskind during my programme and to draw someone like that is a real achievement.
In terms of the day-to-day, LJMU is a comfortable place to study with a great mix of students. I live with people from Switzerland, Spain, the Middle East and China and this gives you a great view of the world. You learn about new cultures and try new foods. The support from the University is great too. I had to stop working at the start of my studies and was struggling financially but I spoke to my tutors and the wellbeing team and they sorted everything out for me - practically and emotionally - meaning I could concentrate on my studies and forget the stress.
I would certainly recommend LJMU as a place to study at postgraduate level. It is a very good University in a very interesting city, you really should be part of it."
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Theory and Research 1: theoretical studies and research methods
30 credits
30 credits
This module will explore critical methods in Architectural and Urban Design and the connections of Art and Architecture. You will have the opportunity to define a research question and develop an understanding of different research methods appropriate for your subsequent specialist study.
Urban Design 1: Creative urbanism and regeneration within an analytical and theoretical context
30 credits
30 credits
The module commences with a series of urban design lectures that manifest in a design theory essay. Concurrently, analytical studies and creative tasks lead into the group urban design project, proposing the regeneration of an urban area, which is underpinned by a theoretical position derived from the design theory exercise. An individual urban design study follows on, such that the whole module effectively delivers an entire urban design process of research, analysis, theoretical positioning, design at different scales, and communication.
Integrated Design 1: options for resilient living
30 credits
30 credits
The module commences with analytical explorations of precedent studies in response to the focus of the design brief typologies, expected to underpin your design work. Following from this, design work from urban scale (emerging from your Urban Design 1 work) to building and interiors will lead to a complete proposal presented following competition methodology. A set of technical and environmental studies follow, so that the entire module effectively delivers a holistic study, from typological analysis, to critical considerations, design at different scales, and communication.
Practice and Legislation: Understanding the designer's role in the contemporary built environment
30 credits
30 credits
An exciting opportunity to reflect upon contemporary, ethical design practice and also to be directly involved in 'live' architectural projects within the North West region. You will be working, in groups, with real clients on a variety of projects identified by them with a member of staff as a mentor. You will act as a 'mini practice' and resolve and advise your respective clients on professional issues.
Theory and Research 2: thesis studies - critical writing and design research
30 credits
30 credits
This module provides the opportunity for you to produce a substantial piece of written work based upon extensive research of your chosen subject area as defined in 7111MAS. It is the chance for you to develop ideas and explore in detail an area of the subject of Architecture which lies beyond the immediacy of the design process.
Urban Design 2: thesis urban strategy
30 credits
30 credits
In this module you will develop ideas suggested in 7211MAR and expand them into a comprehensive Urban Design strategy for a transect of the city. Your Urban Designs will go onto to provide the context for your thesis research and eventual project design drawing together the various strands of Architecture into a wider thesis year.
Integrated Design 2: Thesis architectural design - ideas through building
60 credits
60 credits
For the 60 credit part-time Integrated Design module, you will develop a Thesis defining your own agendas and exploring ideas through the medium of building designs.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
The MArch involves intense teaching and project work. with a full Monday - Friday teaching timetable.
Your academic timetable varies according to the semester, the module you are undertaking, and whether you are studying on a full-time or part-time basis. Sample timetables are available from the Faculty Admissions Hub
Teaching methods
The first year introduces contemporary urban design theories and international best practice. Locating project work in Merseyside or abroad, you are encouraged to engage with cultural organisations, regional stakeholders and statutory authorities to produce creative, socio-economically engaged architectural proposals.
You then follow strands of enquiry around dwelling in the city and undertake a year-long specialist study as the basis for your research proposal.
The final year of the MArch offers opportunities for more in-depth explorations, emanating from group urban studies. Ambitions for comprehensive building design projects develop from an analysis of and intuitive response to place.
Applied learning
As well as providing a framework of expertise for your studies and being located in a UNESCO recognised city of cultural significance, LJMU also offers a number of overseas workshops that enable you to undertake design work in new territories and contexts. Recent workshops have taken place in Porto, Marseille, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Essen and Duisburg.
We also have Erasmus staff and student mobility agreements with FH Joanneum University of Applied Science in Graz, Austria and Pecsi Tudomanyegyetem, Pecs, Hungary. We regularly host symposia and conferences, for example: Starchitecture on the Mersey? a civic symposium and Housing - A Critical Perspective.
The first year of the course introduces contemporary urban design theories and international best practice. Locating project work in Merseyside or abroad, you are encouraged to engage with cultural organisations, regional stakeholders and statutory authorities to produce creative, socio-economically engaged architectural proposals.
You then follow strands of enquiry around dwelling in the city and undertake a year long specialist study as the basis for your research proposal.
The final year of the MArch offers opportunities for more in-depth explorations, emanating from group urban studies. Ambitions for comprehensive building design projects develop from an analysis of and intuitive response to place.
Take a tour of this year's Degree Show
Each year, MArch graduating students show their final assessed work to prospective employers, peers, friends and family. Take the virtual tour
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
The programme is based in the RIBA award-winning Liverpool School of Art and Designs John Lennon Art and Design Building, a purpose-built facility in the Mount Pleasant Campus, which brings together the varied disciplines studied at the School.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Dominic Wilkinson
Programme Leader
I enjoy all forms of studio-based teaching. My passion is project-based learning that brings a wide variety of knowledge and abilities into play to explore germane lines of intellectual and practical inquiry.
I enjoy all forms of studio-based teaching. My passion is project-based learning that brings a wide variety of knowledge and abilities into play to explore germane lines of intellectual and practical inquiry.
Ian has taught architecturein Austria, Slovenia, Malaysia and Turkey and with collaborative partners fromSweden, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Portugal, Belgium and Greece. A registered andchartered architect, Ian worked for over 20 years in a range ofmultidisciplinarypractices before forminghis own design company in 2001.His research focuses onthe analysis of cognition in the creative process. He is interested in:cognitive bias, judgment heuristics and the validity of commonly used designquality indicators. In recent years he has focused on the effective measurementand enhancement of processes and practices in the briefing, conceptual designand post occupancy evaluation stages of the building design process.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Postgraduates from this programme are highly sought after by employers.
On graduation you will gain exemption from ARB/ RIBA Part 2 examinations. This qualification is essential if you want to become a registered architect and gain Chartered status. Once you have passed the ARB/RIBA Part 3 exams, you can practice in any EU or commonwealth country and many other countries outside the EU.
Many of our graduates secure employment at world-class practices throughout the UK and further afield. Some have remained in the city of Liverpool, contributing to its evolution by taking key roles in leading practices that have reshaped the city over the last decade.
If, after graduating, you choose not to go down the route of becoming a registered Architect, many other careers are open to you. Past graduates have pursued successful careers as Project Managers, Property Developers, Building Contractors, Furniture Designers, Lighting Designers, Architectural Visualisation Artists and Journalists.
"Being based in the John Lennon Building, not only do you have the use of good modern facilities, but you also get to mix with students from different courses who can influence your work."
Dionne Barrett, graduate and Architectural Assistant at AT Architects
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees:
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
All full and part-time students enrolled on postgraduate taught programmes at LJMU are liable to pay an annual tuition fee. You can opt to pay your tuition fees in full at the start of each academic year or pay by instalments. If you need advice about how you will pay your tuition fees, please email LJMU's Student Funding Team as soon as possible.
To qualify for student funding for your MArch you need to have studied the BA (Hons) Architecture or RIBA Part 1 (at LJMU or elsewhere in the UK) and normally go on to study the RIBA Part 2 with no more than two years between the two courses. Students that take longer than this between Part 1 and Part 2 should seek advice from the LJMU Student Funding Team before starting the MArch as Student Finance will consider applications from those with longer gaps on a case-by-case basis.
If you are planning to commence an MArch course without first completing the BA (Hons) Architecture (RIBA Part 1), you may not be eligible for full funding for the MArch so should seek advice from the LJMU Student Funding Team before you commence your studies.
The MArch is not normally eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- a minimum 2:2 honours degree in Architecture
Additional requirements
-
Interview required
- to attend an interview
Further information
-
Extra Requirements
- Assessment of suitability to the course may also be undertaken by review of a portfolio of work and an interview
- Students with first degrees without RIBA/ARB Part 1 exemption should be aware that the MArch awards exemption from RIBA / ARB Part 2 only. If you wish to register as an Architect in this country or become an RIBA Chartered architect you will have to acquire RIBA / ARB Part 1 separately
-
RPL
- RPL is accepted on this programme
International requirements
IELTS
- IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component)
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
We are looking for students with an enthusiasm for design, who wish to engage in the debate on the future of the built environment. You should have a willingness to read around the subject widely and gain first hand experience of buildings, towns and cities.
You will need:
- information retrieval techniques, as you will be expected to read around the subject and draw upon your findings for essays and projects
- analytical skills, so that you can critically assess your own work and the work of others
- IT skills, as you will be expected to develop and submit project work using a wide range of specialist software applications
- communication skills, as you will be expected to contribute to tutorials and host presentations
- time management skills, as you will have to work to deadlines on a regular basis
- team-working skills, as you will have to work closely with others
Advice on your personal statement
Your personal statement is the part of the application that will make you stand out as an individual. Organise your main achievements and interests into bullet points before you start completing it.
Summarise why you have chosen the course(s) for which you are applying and link between your present and proposed course(s).
Keep the statement brief and to the point. You should strive to make your statement personal but don't fall into the trap of including common interests such a socialising or reading. Instead, think about unique or interesting things that you have done.
Make sure that you include any work experience that you have had (this includes part-time and holiday work), particularly if this relates to your chosen field of study. We are looking for evidence of commitment and team-working skills, so give us details of these.
Remember: we will consider your application not only on your exam grades but also on the strength of your personal statement and references. We may invite you in for an interview or ask you to complete a piece of work if we believe your exam grades do not accurately reflect your ability and potential. Remember that a good application form could even make up a shortfall in your exam grades and help secure your place at LJMU.
Your student experience
There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree.
Postgraduate life at LJMU
See the amazing support you will get from the university, the academic expertise of the staff here, the first-class learning environment, fabulous libraries, excellent career guidance and their ongoing love affair with the city of Liverpool.
Accommodation
As a new student at LJMU, we guarantee accommodation right in the heart of the dynamic city centre, with easy access to the main University campuses.
You can view our approved accommodation to see the halls that we offer to new students.
Your campus
We’re very proud of our campuses. Not only because they provide a modern and inspiring learning space for all our students but also because they’re a place people really want to be.
Living in Liverpool
Liverpool is one of Europe's most dynamic and cultured cities. Come find out why it's a great city to study in.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes.
Sports, societies and lifestyle
Getting involved in sports, clubs and societies at Liverpool John Moores University is a great way to challenge yourself, meet people who share your interests, and feel more connected to the University community.
Talk to our students
Connect with a current LJMU student through Unibuddy for insights and advice on university life, courses, and more.
See what our students are saying
At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:
News and views
Browse through the latest stories and updates from the University and beyond
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.