top of page
Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
Experience a transformative journey in architecture with the Masters in Architecture at Oxford Brookes. Our program is designed to empower you, the creator, by fostering experimental and speculative approaches to architectural design and function.
If you're seeking a professionally accredited course for ARB and RIBA pt II or LAM, explore our MArchD course.
You’ll have the support to develop the skills for your own independent design research projects. We prioritize your freedom of thought and research, allowing you to merge your understanding of architecture and personal experiences with boundless experimentation.
You’ll learn in a studio environment which provides the perfect setting for you to experiment with a wide range of mediums, including collage, drawing, 3D printing, and AI. We also invite specialists to conduct workshops, challenging you to question your perspectives, surroundings, and attitudes across different areas. By engaging in these activities, you will develop essential skills that will shape your future.
Course structure
At Oxford Brookes, we’ll challenge you to explore and develop your practice with the support of your tutors. You’ll go beyond mere architectural development; we encourage the exploration of diverse concepts to challenge your mindset and enhance your ability to effectively convey ideas in an increasingly visual world.
Emphasis is placed on practical work rather than written assignments. You‘ll have the opportunity to create collages, construct composite pieces, build tangible models, and produce drawings. These activities contribute to the progress of your final project.
Our modules integrate guided practice, ensuring that you receive comprehensive support for impactful learning. By fostering a culture of critical thinking and creativity throughout the course, you’ll be prepared for your final design project. This project can take the form of an artefact, film, installation, or a series of in-depth investigations. The program often culminates with an exhibition. The exhibition offers an immersive experience for guests and the public, allowing you to share your vision and achievements.
Learning and teaching
You will work individually and in groups, exploring a new kind of architecture. Methods of exploration include techniques associated with the film industry, such as:
 collage making
 optical composites
 physical models
 drawings, both by hand and computer.
Your tutor will help you to find areas of interest and you will develop an individual approach to the:
 brief
 programme
 and the realisation of a project.
Teaching is mostly design-studio based, with project-based learning in a studio environment. You will also take part in a series of lectures, reviews, tutorials and site visits.
Modules
Modules
Compulsory modules
Semester 1
Advanced Architectural Design I (30 credits)
Studio based design project.
You will be introduced to a range of techniques and methodologies to produce an expansive variety of work. The work that you do, will be developed by you into a set of design principles to be applied to a designed artefact.
Urban Cultures (30 credits)
You'll take part in workshops, lectures and discussions, which will form the basis of this module to introduce you to a broad range of contemporary cultural themes. You'll also engage with techniques focusing on:
 perception
 drawing
 materiality
 lighting
 and models.
Which will help you to question your previous understandings of architecture and its relation to urban culture.
Semester 2
Advanced Architectural Design II (30 credits)
Studio based project.
Your first semester work and investigations are brought together through developing a proposal and design of a personal project. The Studio places emphasis on the importance of developing an ability to demonstrate conceptual clarity, to locate your ideas in the spectrum of current and past architecture, maintaining a strong link between concept and production. You will explore a wide range of techniques of representation to find those appropriate to your project.
Architecture and the City (30 credits)
You'll take part in workshops and lectures to explore the meanings of time between architecture and the city. In the workshop film and writing will be utilized to explore strategies of time. The detail and range of time is explored through camera movement, lighting, sound, story writing and editing as it relates to cultural themes, to define the experience of architecture through the perception of artefact and space.
Semester 3
Dissertation and Research Methods (60 credits)
You will undertake a single authored piece of work, giving you the opportunity to draw inferences, information and ideas from the other course components, as well as other experiences towards a chosen theme. Research methods are woven throughout the year, focusing on design research methods and collated as a fieldwork diary.
The Dissertation differs from previous Design modules as it aims to encourage your independence of thought and your ability to develop an argument and draw constructive conclusions across a range of design explorations which will be valuable in the your future vocation. The Dissertation acts as a bridge between the Masters programme and academic career progression or professional life.
Research
The Oxford Brookes School of Architecture is a major player in international research in the fields of architecture and the built environment. The school includes the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD) as its primary research vehicle.
On gaining the MA, if you are interested in continuing to the PhD programme, we will encourage you to do so.
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
The course is intended for students who have completed their professional role-orientated education and wish to undertake speculative design-based research.
Thus it is expected that applicants from the field of architecture will already possess an accredited graduate diploma or postgraduate degree in architecture (UK), a professional master's in architecture (US), or the international equivalent.
Admission to the course will normally be open to applicants who fulfil one of the following:
 hold a good undergraduate honours degree, min 2.2 (or international equivalent), in Architecture or a discipline relevant to Architecture
 have an appropriate professional background and experience of designing architecture, or an alternative design discipline with strong similarities
The course also welcomes applicants from other design fields: e.g Product Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design and Interior Design. Such applicants should possess strong undergraduate degree achievement.
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English you will require a minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components.
OR
An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.
If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
The assessment on the taught modules is 100% coursework and include:
 design presentations
 seminar papers
 essays.
Studio critiques by an invited jury provide formative feedback.
For your dissertation you can produce:
 a project
 artefact or portfolio in a variety of media
 written work.
Career Opportunities
Our graduates progress in different directions because of the way we’ve designed this course. Some return to their home country to start their own business while others start careers in new areas like set design. It’s a great stepping stone to completing a PhD too.
Whatever you decide to do next, you’ll have an impressive portfolio to show potential employers. You’ll be able to show you’re capable of thinking of fresh ideas and understanding different research methods.
bottom of page