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Please note, we are showing standard entry requirements on this page. Clearing entry requirements are subject to change. The points will only be confirmed once you call the Clearing Hotline.
Shape the future of architecture with Northumbria University’s MArch course.

The Master of Architecture (MArch) is a professionally accredited and industry-focused course designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and creative vision to excel in today’s dynamic architectural landscape. Whether you are passionate about sustainable design, health and wellbeing, urban regeneration, or digital technologies, this course provides the platform you need to shape the built environment of tomorrow.

"Northumbria’s MArch course stands out for its commitment to sustainability and urban regeneration. The live projects and industry connections truly set their graduates apart."
- External Examiner, RIBA 

Why study Architecture (MArch) at Northumbria University?

  • Sustainability at the core: We place a strong emphasis on sustainable architecture and environmental responsibility, teaching students how to design for a greener, more resilient future.
  • Hands-on design studio: At the heart of the course is our design studio, where you will work on live projects that reflect real-world architectural challenges. You will engage in collaborative design work, combining creativity with technical precision.
  • Industry links & professional preparation: With strong links to local and international firms, the course offers excellent opportunities for placements and networking. You will graduate well-prepared for RIBA Part 3 and entry into professional practice.
  • State-of-the-art digital tools and workshops: At Northumbria, we believe that architecture is best understood through the act of making. You will explore the relationship between physical craftsmanship and digital innovation, developing both material understanding and technological ability. Workshops are equipped for wood, metal, and concrete fabrication, enabling you to engage in hands-on model-making, prototyping, and full-scale construction experiments. Alongside these traditional craft skills, you will have access to digital fabrication tools such as CNC milling and laser cutting, allowing you to move seamlessly between hand-crafted techniques and computational design. By physically testing materials, structures, and spatial ideas, you will gain a tactile and intuitive understanding of architecture, reinforcing the importance of construction, detailing, and material performance. This holistic approach ensures that you not only design with creativity and innovation but also have the technical confidence to bring your ideas to life in the built environment.

Who is the Architecture (MArch) for?

The MArch is ideal for:

  • Students with a RIBA Part 1 accredited degree looking to take the next step towards becoming an architect.
  • Students looking to progress, after Part 2, into research at PhD level.
  • Aspiring architects passionate about sustainable design and social responsibility.
  • Students who are looking for a practical, hands-on approach to architecture with strong industry connections.

What our students and external examiners say?

Northumbria University's Master of Architecture (MArch) course has consistently received commendations from external examiners and professional bodies. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has validated the course at Part 2 level, acknowledging its adherence to high educational standards. 

External examiners have praised the course for its practice-based teaching, recognising it as outstanding on both national and international levels. This recognition reflects the course’s commitment to integrating practical experience with academic learning, enhancing both student satisfaction and employability.

The integration of research-based knowledge encourages you to develop critical curiosity and informed judgment, enabling you to evaluate and justify your design proposals effectively. 

These accolades highlight the course’s dedication to providing a comprehensive and rigorous architectural education that aligns with professional standards and industry expectations.

"The course provided me with the perfect balance of creative freedom and professional preparation. Working on live projects gave me invaluable experience that I carried straight into my career."
- Past Student, Class of 2022

"I was drawn to the course because of the focus on real-world applications. The studio environment fostered collaboration and helped me develop my technical skills alongside creative design thinking."
- Past Student, Class of 2021

“The creative practice and art practice methods developed through my degree enabled me to have my work exhibited in international exhibitions and photography galleries. The tutors really support you in developing your own voice as you advance your studies in Architecture.”
- Past Student, Class of 2024

What accreditations does Northumbria’s MArch Architecture course have?

RIBA part 2 accredited: The course is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB), ensuring that our graduates meet the highest
professional standards.

 

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is developing a new approach to architecture education. The structural change will mean that undergraduate programmes will no longer be ARB accredited from 31 December 2027. They will continue to be validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and our BA (Hons) Architecture programme will therefore continue to be a route towards becoming a RIBA Chartered Architect. To find out more about the ARB’s planned changes, please see Tomorrow’s Architects: Consultation results and next steps.

 

Black and White RIBA Logo  a close up of a logo

 

Looking for Undergraduate courses? We offer Interior Architecture BA and Architecture BA or be sure to check out our other Architecture & Built Environment courses to find similar courses.

Course Information

Level of Study
Undergraduate

Mode of Study
2 years Full Time

School
Architecture and Built Environment

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2026

Fees
Fee Information

Architecture MArch / Portfolio Guide

We are interested in what inspires you, who inspires you and how you communicate that enthusiasm through your work.

News / Architecture and Built Environment

Find out what our students and staff are up to.

Watch as Northumbria students showcase there work in 2022 Reveal show

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Discover more / Explore Northumbria University

Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2.2 honours degree in architecture from an RIBA validated / ARB accredited school of architecture, or equivalent.

A minimum of three months post-Part 1 experience in an architecture practice is preferred, but applications are considered on an individual basis, particularly where transferrable skills and applicable knowledge can be demonstrated.

Applicants are required to submit a digital portfolio with their application.

International Qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry  

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: TBC

The UK tuition fee for 26/27 is £9,790 and is set in line with the UG Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase this fee in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.

The remaining fees relate to the International Soccer Academy and accommodation fees. Accommodation fees may increase in subsequent years. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of the re-issuing of tenancy agreements.


Tuition fees in the academic year 2027/28* will be £10,050. Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.

*if your course is longer than one year


* Fees subject to annual increases over the course of the period of study. Students will be liable for payment of any/all tuition fees which are not sponsored by their employer or other third party.

 

 

International Fee in Year 1: TBC

This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.

Tuition fees in the academic year 2027/28* will be £10,050. Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.

This is the programme fee for your first year of study. The programme fee includes the international tuition fee, International Soccer Academy and accommodation fees. Accommodation fees may increase in subsequent years. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of the re-issuing of tenancy agreements.


Please see the main Funding Pages for 25/26 scholarship information.

 


ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

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Page last updated 29/07/26

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