Entrance Requirements

To study at postgraduate level, prospective applicants must hold a degree in an appropriate subject, or have qualifications or experience accepted as equivalent.

The usual qualification required for admission is a good undergraduate degree at BA/MA level (equivalent to a first or upper second class honours in the United Kingdom). A Master's degree is advantageous for PhD applicants, but not required. Information about international equivalents for overseas applicants is available here.

Prospective applicants for postgraduate research degrees (MSc, MPhil and PhD) are strongly encouraged to review the research interests of academics in Architecture to determine if suitable supervision may be available before applying. Please click here for further information.

Application Particulars

Applications for all postgraduate programmes should be made online through The University of Edinburgh’s online application system, EUCLID. You can access this by visiting the relevant programme webpage and clicking on 'Apply Online' or by clicking here.

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. For further information on the College of Humanities and Social Science’s English Language Requirements for Postgraduate Study, please click here.

* Two references, at least one of which must be academic. Scanned or mailed letters of reference must be on headed papers, dated or signed. Please note that referees can send us copies of their references directly or, when you apply online, you can give us the email addresses of the two referees and we will contact them on your behalf.

N.B. Applicants for postgraduate research degrees in Architecture (MSc, MPhil, PhD) must not upload references themselves. They must supply the institutional email address of their designated referees in EUCLID, or direct referees to send hard copies directly to the Graduate School.

For further details on reference requirements, please click here.

Programme-Specific Requirements

In addition to the above requirements, applicants for the specific programmes listed below are also requested to submit a design portfolio:

MSc Architectural and Urban Design
MSc Advanced Sustainable Design
MSc Reflective Design Practices
PhD in Design

For information on preparing this document, please click here.

Applicants for the MArch and MArch (Studies) should click here.

MSc in The City

Applicants for MSc in The City are also required to submit a design portfolio or a writing sample of c.4000 words (or two 2000 word essays) on a related topic.

MSc Cultural Studies

Applicants for MSc Cultural Studies are also required to submit a writing sample of 3000-4000 words on a related topic.

MSc Sound Design

Applicants for MSc Sound Design are also required to submit a portfolio of sound-related work. For further information, please click here.

Applicants for the following research degrees are asked to consult the relevant programme website for detailed information on preparing an application:

MSc by Research in Digital Media and Culture
MSc by Research in Architecture
MPhil and PhD in Architecture
PhD in Design

To assist in your preparation of this document, please click here.