MArch in Architecture

This two year programme fulfills the requirements for the second part of professional education in architecture (RIBA and RIAI accredited). It equips students to deal with complex design problems in challenging contexts. This programme is accredited by the professional institute in Ireland (RIAI) and the UK (RIBA) and is pursuing the US accreditation (NAAB). Strong emphasis on research and on critical, reflective practice. Intensive small-group teaching from leading practitioners and academics. Two UCD Academics are the 2015 recipients of the Royal Gold Medal (the world's most prestigious architecture award) Professional Accreditation MArch is the only programme in Ireland that is accredited by the professional institutes in Ireland (RIAI) and the UK (RIBA) and is pursuing Substantial Equivalency status with the National Architectural Accrediting Board in the US. Vision and Values Statement This programme is aimed at students who wish to develop a career in architecture. It is a national and international professionally accredited academic programme that will equip graduates to work worldwide in architectural design and in creative and research practice. We encourage and support students to be active, motivated and autonomous learners, who have a critical and reflective approach to architectural design, practice and research. This studio and lecture based programme, led by academics and practitioners at the forefront of the discipline, aims to provide an engaging, exciting and innovative learning environment that encourages students to develop their individual professional capacities while placing equal emphasis on research and critical enquiry. We do this through design projects, academic writing, technological and constructional investigations and practical experiments, valuing innovation, investigation and original creative work underpinned by a due regard for rigor, depth and precision. Students are provided with a firm foundation in advanced methodologies and skills and develop a close familiarity with the broader disciplinary, regulatory and societal frameworks within which professionals must operate. The programme uses teaching, learning and assessment approaches such as individual and group design projects, live-projects, case students, scenario-based learning and written research and dissertations. Each has a focus on individual development and reflective learning, while developing effective group-work, written, verbal and visual communication and presentation skills. Careers & Employability The MArch qualification is RIAI (and European Union) and RIBA accredited and will equip graduates to work in architecture anywhere across the world, whether in major global centres or in particular regional contexts. The School of Architecture is also pursuing accreditation with the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) in the USA. Graduates are involved in architectural practice and in other forms of professional creative practice, as well as in areas of policy and consultancy. Many graduates also go on to further postgraduate study, in UCD and elsewhere. Past students in the course’s connected programmes have gone on to become international or national experts in their selected fields.