City

What you'll study

The MArch combines intensive design studio work with technical, theoretical and professional modules. Core components typically include a long design thesis studio, advanced design workshops, building technology and environmental performance, history and theory of architecture, research methods and professional practice. Teaching is studio-led, supported by seminars and practical workshops covering digital fabrication, tectonics and detailing, structural principles and environmental design. Students also complete a major design project or dissertation that demonstrates advanced conceptual thinking, technical resolution and research-informed design.

• Design thesis studio (long project with reviews and juries)
• Advanced architectural technologies and environmental design
• Digital design, modelling and fabrication workshops
• History, theory and critical methods in contemporary architecture
• Research methods and dissertation or design-led research
• Professional practice, ethics and construction law (practice-focused modules)

Structure

The programme is usually delivered over one to two years full-time depending on the pathway. Studio projects form the core of assessment, supplemented by written essays, technical reports, a portfolio of work and a final research dissertation or major design project. Visiting critics, external juries and collaborative projects with industry are commonly integrated into the curriculum.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold an undergraduate degree in architecture (RIBA Part 1 or equivalent). Typical academic entry is a good second-class honours degree (2:1) or international equivalent, although strong portfolios and relevant professional experience can also be considered. You will need to submit a design portfolio, CV and a personal statement describing your design interests and experience. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to attend an interview or provide further samples of work.

International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English. City recognises a range of English language qualifications; candidates should check the programme page for acceptable tests and minimum scores.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MArch move into roles in architectural practice and related fields. Completion of the MArch often corresponds to RIBA Part 2 equivalence in jurisdictions that recognise it, allowing progression to professional training and the final professional examination. Typical career paths include:

• Registered architect (following completion of required professional experience and examinations)
• Architectural designer or project architect in private practice
• Urban designer, masterplanner or conservation specialist
• Building performance consultant, sustainability and environmental design roles
• Project manager, contract administrator or technical lead in construction firms
• Researcher or academic teaching in architecture and design
• Roles in digital design, computational design and fabrication labs

Why study at City

City's central London location places students at the heart of a global architectural and construction industry, offering direct access to practices, cultural institutions and built projects across the city. The programme emphasises a balance of creative ambition and professional rigour, drawing on industry links for live projects, guest critics and employability support. Students benefit from dedicated studio time, technical workshops and resources for digital fabrication and modelmaking, as well as career and enterprise services that help translate academic work into professional opportunities.

City also supports interdisciplinary collaboration across related departments—such as planning, engineering and business—enabling students to develop broader skills valued by modern practices and employers.