Undergraduate study 2026
Source: https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2026/architecture/march-architecture/ Parent: https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/faculty-of-engineering-design-undergraduate-courses/
Architecture MArch (Hons)
2 years, starting in September 2026
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You can apply for this course from December 2025.
Develop and explore your architectural identity as you continue your journey to becoming a qualified Architect on our accredited course.
Our course meets ARB/RIBA requirements for part 2 architectural education, giving you the enhanced architectural knowledge and practical experience you need to create complex design proposals.
Our course integrates a semester-long placement at the start of your first year. Combining academic with professional experience in this way will help you relate design and management theories to practice. It also develops your understanding of the changing role of the Architect in the construction industry.
Lectures in your second semester cover a range of topics from architectural history, theory and science to sustainability and urban design. You could also have the opportunity to take a field trip and workshop based in another city in the UK or Europe.
In your second year, you’ll investigate design in more depth through research and studio projects. This gives you the chance to focus on areas of architecture that interest you. Through group project work, you'll analyse architectural possibilities to create sustainable building and urban design solutions. You’ll study a city of your choice and develop a project brief for your final studio project.
A Department to inspire and support you
Our Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering provides you with a supportive academic environment to study in. You have designated studio space throughout your studies and will be supported with printing, workshop and computing facilities. You’ll learn from academics and specialists in architecture and design. You'll also benefit from the support of tutors and specialist consultants on every design studio project.
Helping you to improve your career prospects
You’ll graduate able to evaluate materials, processes and techniques used in complex architectural designs and building construction. Your problem solving, project management and teamwork skills, and professional judgement will prepare you for a career as an Architect. Our graduates go on to work at leading architectural practices with many securing a position before they graduate.
Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail.
We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Units
At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units these allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.
As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) in each academic year. Credits are usually split evenly across your two semesters of study. 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) are the equivalent of 1,200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.
All credits displayed on this page are ECTS credits.
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Design studio 5
20 credits - ## History, theory and practice 5: urban design
5 credits - ## Sustainable design and environment
5 credits - ## Year 5 practice
30 credits
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Design studio 6.1
20 credits - ## Design studio 6.2
30 credits - ## Research paper
10 credits
As part of our course, you’ll spend the first semester of year 1 working in practice. This helps you directly relate your educational learning to the workplace and gives you the chance to earn a salary during a part of your studies. When you return from placement, you’ll have a professional awareness that will benefit the rest of your degree.
If you are an International student, our course gives you the opportunity to go on placement in the UK. You can do this on a Tier 4 visa with the University of Bath acting as your sponsor.
In exceptional circumstances if you're unable to finish your placement or you are unable to start a suitable placement in the time available, students are able to gain the requisite credits for progression by completing an approved piece of independent study.
These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Architects Registration Board (ARB)
As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).
The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.
‘It's great to be given the freedom to design something you're passionate about and the creative control to let your ideas run wild.’
— Warren D'Souza MArch Architecture (Graduating year, 2023)
Origin of qualifications
Select the country or region where your qualification comes from.
United Kingdom
You should have a bachelor’s honours degree, typically a high 2:1 or above with clear evidence of excellence in design studio.
To apply for this course, you must have an undergraduate degree in architecture validated for ARB/RIBA Part 1 or equivalent.
When applying, you'll need to provide a sample of work, around 30 sides A3, demonstrating a strong aptitude for architectural design. You should submit your sample via the online system; it should be no more than 50 MB. The focus of the work should be your final projects with an edited sample of earlier work and a maximum of one quarter on placement work. The sample should in equal measure demonstrate:
- the conceptual and analytic basis of your principal project
- the overall layout and appearance of the proposal in both plan and three dimensions
- evidence of its materiality and detailed design
You'll also need to provide a statement (500 word maximum) on the application. This should explain why you have chosen Bath, what your particular architectural interests are and what skills and interests you hope to develop in the course at Bath. You must also provide a reference from your University and from your place of employment.
Our course is prescribed at Part 2 by ARB and validated at Part 2 by RIBA. For entrants without a degree prescribed at Part 1 by ARB you'll need to pass the ARB’s Prescribed Part 1 examination before you can enrol on our Master of Architecture course.
The process for confirming Part 1 equivalence of overseas qualifications is undertaken by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), the independent statutory regulator of architects in the UK, and also the UKs Competent Authority for Architects. To call yourself an ‘architect’ in the UK you must be registered with the ARB. To register in the UK, you typically need to hold the following:
- An ARB prescribed UK qualification at Part 1 (or equivalent)
- An ARB prescribed UK qualification at Part 2 (or equivalent)
- An ARB prescribed UK qualification at Part 3, including 24 months practical training experience
If your first degree broadly covers the same subjects as a UK Part 1 qualification, you can usually obtain equivalence to the UK Part 1 by putting yourself forward as eligible to take the ARB’s Prescribed Examination.
Visit the ARB's website for more information on the ARB's Prescribed Examinations, requirements for registration and to check whether your qualifications are recognised by ARB.
Work experience
The Department usually asks applicants to have 9 months (or more) work experience in architectural practice post graduation before enrolling on the MArch programme.
If your first language is not English, you may be exempt from our English language requirements if you completed your degree in the UK within the last 2 years.
You will normally need one of the following:
- IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
- The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
- TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.
If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.
Fees
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.
Learn how we decide fee status
These fees are for the academic year 2026/27 only. Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.
Home students
Tuition fee for the academic year 2026/27
£5,873
In Year 1, you pay a reduced tuition fee instead of the full year fee to account for your work placement.
In Year 2, you will pay the full year fee for that year. (In 2026/27 it is £9,790.)
Find out more about current student fees
Legal information
UK undergraduate fees are regulated by the government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval.
Overseas students
Tuition fee for the academic year 2026/27
£20,445
In Year 1, you pay a reduced tuition fee instead of the full year fee to account for your work placement.
In Year 2, you will pay the full year fee for that year. (In 2026/27 it is £32,000.)
Find out more about current student fees
Legal information
You should budget for an increase of up to 8% each year for every further year of full time study; we will not increase your fees each year by more than this percentage and the amount will be set out on our fee page in June for the following academic year.
If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.
Extra costs
The following course-related costs are not included in your fees:
Plotting of drawings, model making and the creation and binding of a design portfolio
£220 per year, payable as each drawing, model or portfolio is required.
Software
As part of your course, you may need to use software such as AutoCAD, Sketchup and the Adobe suite. You’ll need to purchase licences for this software (we estimate this could cost around (£424) and will need the graphics capability to run this on your computer.
Non-compulsory study visit to a city in the UK or Europe
Approximately £250, payable at time of visit.
How to pay
Tuition fee loans
If you are studying an undergraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs. MArch Architecture students are eligible for an undergraduate student loan. Use the following details when applying.
- Course name: Architecture with thin sandwich placements & MArch (6SW)
- Qualification: Master of Architecture
- Duration: 6 years
- UCAS: K100
- SLC COURSE CODE: 947598
If you are a new student, starting at master’s level, please apply for Year 5.
Read more about tuition fee loans
Other payment options
You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.
Read more about your payment options
Budgeting
You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.
Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.
If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement. If you are thinking about studying or working abroad as part of your course, you may have to prove that you have a certain amount of money in your bank account to get a visa.
Please read the information about planning your finances for your placement year which includes potential sources of funding, travel insurance, and visas.
- Course title
Architecture - Final award
MArch (Hons) - Mode of study
Full-time - Institution code
B16 - Department
Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering - Location
University of Bath\ Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY - Home application deadline
30 April 2026 - Overseas application deadline
30 April 2026 - Application eligibility
Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply - Regulator
Talk to a student on the Ambassador Platform (TAP)