MArch in Architecture

The MArch at Queen’s University Belfast is built around doing, not just learning. From your first week you’ll be working like a real architect — designing in studio, testing ideas in workshops, reflecting through regular critiques and exploring how your work affects real communities. You’ll be surrounded by a professional studio culture, with your own desk, access to advanced fabrication tools and ongoing feedback from tutors, visiting architects and peers. Field trips and live design briefs make the experience even more immersive, helping you apply your skills outside the classroom.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Dedicated personal workspace in the architecture studios, plus collaborative zones for team projects and shared exhibitions

• Full access to fabrication tools including laser cutters, 3D printers and 3D scanners for model-making, prototyping and technical experimentation

• Weekly design review sessions and critique culture that mirrors real architectural practice

• Live briefs with real clients and international field trips that expose you to different cultural and design contexts

• Specialist library resources and research support tailored to architectural studies, especially for thesis work

• Opportunities to gain industry experience through placement or study-abroad activities depending on module choices

Graduates of the MArch in Architecture at Queen’s University Belfast step into the industry with confidence — the programme is designed to prepare you for real architectural practice, leadership and technical responsibility. Many go on to roles such as Architectural Designer, Project Architect, Urban / Landscape Design Consultant, or Heritage and Conservation Specialist, supported by the strong portfolio and professional mindset developed during the degree.

And when it comes to career development, Queen’s gives you every advantage:

• The Careers, Employability & Skills service offers dedicated support for postgraduate students — including one-on-one career guidance, portfolio and CV feedback, interview preparation and employer networking events

• 93% of Queen’s graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree

• Industry partnerships and live project briefs built into the MArch mean students work directly with practitioners and clients before graduating

• The degree carries ARB/RIBA Part 2 accreditation, giving long-term professional value and a clear pathway toward full registration as an architect

• Graduates earn strong employment outcomes thanks to their professional standard portfolio, hands-on studio training and exposure to real-world design challenges

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MArch, students can continue into doctoral research (PhD) in areas such as architectural design, urbanism, sustainability, conservation or digital architecture. Others choose further professional development — for example, specialist postgraduate qualifications that deepen expertise in heritage, planning, urban design or advanced architectural technologies.