New architecture degree at UCA Canterbury

University for the Creative Arts

The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) will enhance the international reputation of its students with the launch of a new award for its postgraduate degree in architecture.

A new Master of Architecture (MArch) qualification will replace the existing Graduate Diploma in Architecture from September 2013.

The MArch award, which is a well respected and recognised degree around the world, will continue to boast the same ARB prescription and RIBA Part 2 validation that the School of Architecture at UCA Canterbury has delivered for more than 60 years.

Allan Atlee, Head of Architecture at UCA said: “We are very excited to offer the new MArch qualification at UCA Canterbury as our accredited Part 2 course for students wishing to go on and pursue registration as an architect.

“The course will provide the cornerstone for our growing portfolio of Masters level courses in Architecture and Urban Design that all of our postgraduate students will be working on.”

The two-year MArch degree is the second part of the professional qualification which enables graduates to become registered architects.

Seen as a springboard from academic life into professional practice, the course requires all students to complete a public project in their final year.

It carries full and unconditional prescription from the Architects Registration Board (ARB) as satisfying the Part 2 criteria and is also unconditionally validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

MArch course leader, John Bell, said: “The new award will give all of our students an enhanced qualification which has greater international recognition.

“Design research will remain at the heart of the course and students will be encouraged to develop ambitious, integrated proposals.

“The MArch continues to build on the School of Architecture’s strengths in digital design, live projects and social engagement.”

95% of recent graduates of the current Graduate Diploma in Architecture were in work or further education when they leave UCA. Many go on to work at some of the biggest practices in the world, while students regularly win awards from the likes of RIBA.

Lecturers at the School of Architecture remain active in their profession while teaching and continue to win major accolades. Recently, Gabor Stark won an international architecture competition in Russia.

The MArch recruits directly through the UCA website rather than UCAS, so applications are accepted until August, although the majority of students apply between February and April.