The two-year Master of Architecture at ESALA is a full-time graduate-level programme of study that is jointly delivered by Edinburgh College of Art and The University of Edinburgh. It encompasses the last two years of continuing students’ architectural studies at ESALA, but it is also a major point of entry for new students into the school. Structured as a flexible curriculum through a series of integrated or modular design pathways, its overarching focus is the relationship between architecture and urbanism. It is a challenging and dynamic programme in which students work closely with tutors and a prestigious array of international visiting critics in the formulation and development of complex design propositions. We strive to ensure that students on the programme find a supportive and stimulating environment in which to engage creatively and rigorously with the many facets of contemporary architectural practice.

ESALA offers two Master of Architecture degrees, MArch and March (Studies)

MArch

MArch is the professionally accredited route and is open to students who wish to become architects and already hold ARB/RIBA Part 1.  Applicants must have a good standard of first degree in architecture from a recognised institution and a strong portfolio.  The MArch has been awarded full ARB prescription and RIBA Candidate Status en route to full validation.

MArch (Studies)

This programme is open to holders of a good standard of first degree in architecture, with a strong portfolio. Applicants are not required to have gained exemption from the ARB/Part 1 examination and the degree does not confer Part 2 status. The programme is identical to the MArch (Part 2), but has a different title to allow graduates without an ARB-validated Part 1 qualification to undertake an MArch here.

Applicants who intend to practice outside the United Kingdom do not necessarily require an ARB-validated Part 2 qualification. Studies Applicants who wish to gain a validated degree are welcome to transfer onto the MArch (Part 2) programme once they have begun their studies if they pass the ARB Part 1 examination, involving an interview and portfolio presentation. Further information on the status of first degrees and the Part 1 examination is available from the Architects’ Registration Board: www.arb.org.uk/

Programme Prospectus for MArch and MArch (Studies)

 

Application Process

Applications for both programmes should be made online through The University of Edinburgh’s online application system, EUCLID.  Please note that there will be no interviews. Applicants must attach the following documents to their application:

* Uploaded scan of all degree certificate/s (if available), certified translation where necessary.

* Uploaded scan of all degree transcript/s, certified translation where necessary. Applicants who have not yet graduated must upload a copy of an interim transcript.

* Evidence of English proficiency, if the first degree was not taught and examined in English. Applicants must achieve a minimum of IETLS 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each section) or TOEFL-iBT 92 (with at least 20 in each section). Test results over two years old will not be considered. Overseas applicants whose first degree was taught and examined in English may be asked to provide evidence of this from their university.

Further information on the College of Humanities and Social Science’s English Language Requirements for Postgraduate Study.

In addition to these documents, applicants must post the following on CD to the Postgraduate Secretary (for mailing address, see Portfolio Requirements):

* Brief C.V.

* Personal statement. Applicants should specifically address their aspiration to join the MArch at ESALA. Although we do not interview, we do encourage and welcome students to visit the School, staff and students and make clear in their personal statement what they have learned by doing so.

* Portfolio. This is the most important part of the application because it enables the admissions panel to assess how applicants could benefit from, and thrive within, the programme. The admissions panel are looking for applicants with the motivation, skill and potential attributes to make the most of the MArch framework.

Further information on preparing a successful portfolio.

These documents should be saved together as a single PDF document on a Mac-compatible CD. Applicants should clearly print their name and UUN on the disk. Hardcopy portfolios or CDs which do not meet these requirements (i.e. no personal statement or a folio saved as lots of separate files) will NOT be considered.

Referees should complete the School's Pro Forma and send their completed reference directly to k.phimister@ed.ac.uk.

Further information on references.

Applicants must not upload or submit additional documents – superfluous documentation will not be considered by the admissions panel.

Please click here to apply for the MArch programme:

Please click here to apply for the MArch (Studies) programme:

 

Deadlines

The application deadline is 31 March 2010 for Home/EU applicants and 31 May 2010 for Overseas applicants. These deadline are absolute – any applications received, or which remain incomplete, after this date will be rejected.

Applications will be assessed by the admissions panel with rounds on 17 December 2009, 26 February 2010, 30 April 2010 and 7 June 2010. Please note that only complete applications will be put forward for academic review and that it is in the applicant’s interest to apply in good time as demand for the programme is high and limited places are available.

Successful applicants must meet the conditions of any offer and accept or decline their place by 15 July 2010.