Enter OTP
The Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA) offers two professionally accredited undergraduate degrees: the three-year BA Architecture and the four-year MA (Hons) Architecture. Rooted in the belief that architecture is a cultural, environmental, and civic practice, the programmes combine design, technology, history, theory, fine arts, and environmental studies to prepare students for contemporary and future challenges. With a focus on sustainability and social responsibility, ESALA blends creative practice with world-leading research, encouraging students to explore architecture’s role in addressing the climate crisis and improving communities.
Year 1
The first year introduces students to the principles of architectural design, with projects that explore architectural elements and assembly in different contexts. Alongside design work, students study the fundamentals of technology, environmental practices, and architectural history, gaining both creative and theoretical foundations. Some courses are taught collaboratively with students from related disciplines such as landscape architecture and structural engineering, fostering early interdisciplinary experience.
Year 2
In the second year, students begin to apply their skills to more complex urban contexts and ambitious building briefs, with projects often linked to a European field trip. Design work continues to integrate knowledge of technology and environment, while optional courses allow students to broaden their studies, either following a structured pathway in areas like architectural histories or digital culture, or exploring subjects from across the University. At the end of Year 2, students choose between the three-year BA or the four-year MA (Hons) pathway.
Year 3
On the BA pathway, Year 3 focuses on design within its cultural and technical contexts, offering themed studio options that encourage deeper exploration and refined tectonic resolution. Students also take courses in architectural theory, professional practice, and logistics, while curating and presenting a final academic portfolio. On the MA (Hons) pathway, Year 3 includes an integrated practice working period, where students gain professional experience while studying through distance learning. Studio-based design options remain central, enabling students to develop their architectural interests in greater depth.
Year 4 (MA Hons only)
In the final year of the MA (Hons), students return from practice to complete a self-directed dissertation in Semester 1, alongside an option course, often chosen from structured pathways such as architectural histories or digital culture. In Semester 2, students undertake an immersive design project within a studio, study logistics, and continue to develop their academic portfolio. The year culminates in participation in the Graduate Show, where students exhibit their work to peers, academics, and industry professionals, showcasing their skills and research at the end of their degree.
Teaching Approach
University learning encourages students to set their own goals, study independently and collaboratively, and reflect on their progress. Learning at this level differs significantly from school and is structured through a combination of:
Studios and workshops
Lectures
Seminars
Field trips
Critical reviews
Practical experience
In addition to these activities, students are expected to engage in extensive independent reading to deepen their understanding.
Studios and Workshops
For architecture students, much of the work takes the form of drawings, sketches, and models used to test and refine responses to design challenges. This work is developed primarily in a studio setting, where students are allocated space to progress their projects within a given timeframe.
Studio practice combines individual activities with group discussions, promoting both personal intellectual growth and collaborative skills. It emphasizes iterative, reflective, and process-based methods supported by sound pedagogical theories. Projects are often complex and demanding, developed through a sequence of exercises and explorations aimed at meeting specific learning outcomes.
Studio learning requires the integration of material, technological, conceptual, and construction-based considerations. It is further enriched by access to specialist workshops, where students gain practical experience in areas such as:
Woodwork
Metalwork
Casting
Representation
Digital fabrication
Documentation
Lectures
Lectures are delivered to all students enrolled in a course and typically include interactive presentations supported by audio-visual material. Conducted by specialists, these lectures provide essential background knowledge, highlight key debates, and guide students through subject-specific questions.
Students are expected to take notes during lectures, as both the content and delivery will prove valuable for coursework and essays.
Tutorials and Seminars
Tutorials build on material introduced in lectures and are held in smaller groups led by experienced academics. Unlike lectures, the focus is on student engagement and discussion, with participants expected to prepare in advance by reviewing reading materials, considering assigned questions, and developing their own perspectives.
Seminars are similar in format but are often stand-alone sessions, particularly common in the honours years (Years 3 and 4). These classes further encourage active participation and critical dialogue.
Both the BA Architecture and MA (Hons) Architecture programmes provide strong foundations for entering the architectural profession.
Graduates commonly continue their studies to become qualified architects, pursuing careers across a wide range of established and emerging contexts, including:
Private practice
Local and national government
Large commercial organisations in the UK and abroad
In addition, architecture students graduate with a highly transferable skill set in:
Design
Spatial awareness
Problem-solving
Project-based production
Careers Service
The University’s Careers Service supports students in developing their potential and achieving professional goals. This service is available not only during their studies but also for up to two years after graduation.
Through the Careers Service, students can:
Access digital resources to identify strengths and skills
Explore different work experiences and reflect on professional development
Receive guidance on securing employment, including part-time jobs, internships, vacation work, and graduate roles
Attend careers events and participate in mock interviews
Gain tailored advice to support informed career decisions
CBSE - Applicants must score an overall 80% in Class XII with at least three subjects at 75% or above, taken from CBSE or CISCE boards. For Science and Engineering degrees, 80–85% is expected in required subjects, and Applied Mathematics is not accepted for certain courses.AP (Advanced Placement) - If AP exams are not available, applicants should show a minimum 3.3 GPA with strong A and B grades in honors-level courses. Where an AP 4 is required, a B+ in that subject is needed, and where an AP 5 is required, an A is expected.IB (International Baccalaureate) - Typical offers range from 37 points with 666 at HL to 32 points with 655 at HL. Higher Level Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches) at 5 plus one science subject at 5 is required, with Physics preferred.A-Level - Standard offers fall between AAA and ABB, with Mathematics and one science subject (Physics preferred) at minimum grade B. A third A-Level can be in any acceptable subject, excluding a few restricted ones.IELTS - An IELTS Academic overall score must be achieved in a single test, with the required band depending on the programme. One Skill Retake, General IELTS, and UKVI Life Skills are not accepted for admission.TOEFL - TOEFL iBT (including Home or Paper Edition) is accepted if all section requirements are met in a single sitting. MyBest Scores are not accepted, so applicants must present one complete valid result.Architectural AssistantUrban Design Assistant Interior Designer 3D Visualiser / Architectural Illustrator Construction Project Manager (assistant level) Planning & Development Officer Property Developer / Real Estate Consultant Landscape Designer Furniture Designer Set Designer (filmtheatreTV) Lighting Designer Exhibition & Museum Designer
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University of Edinburgh
