Advanced Architectural Design MSc

This pathway focuses on the dialogue and interconnection between architecture and urban regions. Each year we select an urban region in the UK, and study it through a critical, poetic and speculative lens. Recently, we’ve been looking at Newcastle and the wider North East region, and the complicated legacy of industrialisation.

A specialism of this programme is our emphasis on experimental, creative representational tools and modes to explore architectural issues. We encourage students to work in a range of media, from hand-drawing and modelling, to 3D modelling, virtual and augmented reality tools, and installation practices.

Our workshop helps facilitate the programme, and each year we work to a large-scale exhibition of work on campus.

The pathway is structured with an intensive first semester, introducing you to a variety of representational techniques and tools, followed by a two-semester long ‘thesis project’, in which you are able to set your own frameworks, sites and explorations for an in-depth architectural study through a range of experimental techniques.

This two year programme extends the first year of the programme into a deeper advanced understanding of the mutual interrelationship between architecture and urban form through integration with modules from our M.Arch programme.

After completing two semesters alongside 1-year programme students, you’ll join an M.Arch design studio in your second year, and take additional modules intended to expand your critical and theoretical thinking around architecture.

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

An MSc is a taught Master’s degree. It usually involves the study of a science-related subject. It typically includes:

• subject-specific taught modules
• a dissertation or research project of approximately 15,000 – 18,000 words

You'll usually study an MSc full-time over 12 months.

A Master of Science is typically awarded for the successful completion of 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation or research project.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Portfolio
• Research proposal
• Written exercise

You'll complete a Design Thesis that:

• provides you with experience in design thesis processes and methodology by defining and studying a subject related to your own interests
• develops an ability to frame a subject through carefully chosen representational techniques
• develops a sophisticated architectural response to the issues raised by your design thesis
• is exhibited in a large-scale exhibition of work at the end of the year

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

This architectural design course's current association (2018-19) is with Visiting Professor Sir Terry Farrell, a Newcastle graduate. His world-respected practice Farrells has offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, London and Manchester. His projects include:

• Beijing South Station
• KK100 Building in Shenzhen
• the MI6 Building in London
• various other projects in Newcastle

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.