Applying for your Masters in Architecture (MArch Part II in the UK) can be an overwhelming process. Whether you’ve been working in practice on your year out as a Part 1 or have just graduated (congratulations, for either of these outcomes!) you’ll no doubt have been asked about getting your Part 2 if you are on the journey to becoming a qualified architect. The decision to complete your master’s isn’t one to take lightly but can be equally as exciting to embark on, whether or not you would like to become an architect. With the possibility of starting fresh with new perspectives and perhaps an eagerness to do more now that you’ve seen a different side of the industry, it is usually the next step.
For many (obvious) reasons Part II is nothing like Part 1, especially the process of applying. Here are a few things I wish I knew before applying to MArch courses in the UK.
Some applications have a cost, and being late can be costly.
As part of some Part 2 Courses in the UK require that you pay an application fee. While this may be off-putting, don’t let this put you off from applying to a course that you genuinely share an interest in. Just be wary that this is a cost that you should plan for as it ranges from £50 - £100 depending on not only the institution but also when you apply. For September entry (which is often the case for the full-time courses), there are early and late application deadlines and the late application can cost you more so definitely do your research beforehand to make sure you are able to invest time into your application. As each university has different deadlines (or no specific dates to adhere to) it is important to apply as you would for your degree to give you as much room as possible to visit open days and talk to existing students in the course of your interest, and get a place to study before the start of the academic year! Not all courses have a fee which can be helpful if you are still unsure of which university you’d like to go to. However, do keep in mind that feedback throughout this process can be sparse and most of the time it is the universities that you pay an application fee that offer the most concise and constructive feedback whereas, it isn’t guaranteed with universities that do not have a fee.
You don’t have to apply to the same university you did your degree unless you want to
What is great about your master’s is that you don’t have to return to the same university you did your degree, if this isn’t where you’d like to continue. There is nothing wrong with going back to the university you completed your degree especially if the course is accredited and the facilities and course are great for your needs and requirements. If you are looking for a fresh start in a university that will give you a different experience don’t rob yourself of that opportunity. A Master’s course is a chance to explore your individual interests and strengths so apply to courses that excite you, after all in the UK a Part 2 course is two years, not one and you’ll have time to adapt to new places and spaces.
You need to prepare a portfolio and… personal statement, CV and sometimes even a task (written and/or drawn)
If you applied through UCAS to get into architecture school, you’’ll hopefully remember what that process was like. For many courses you only needed a personal statement, predicted grades, references and a portfolio (sometimes this was only requested at interview stage) however when applying for your masters you’ll need to submit a lot more. The majority of courses require you to submit, a personal statement, CV, portfolio as well as the usual identity check and sometimes a task to complete, along with two references (academic and professional). Whilst you might want to apply through UCAS again this isn’t applicable to all universities, for many courses you’ll have to apply directly. Be sure to do your research on the course requirements as some require particular portfolio formats, whilst others may ask you to complete a task such as a research proposal or a drawing task. Whilst universities are different it’s important to follow their individual requirements as it really can fast track your application if you follow their instructions. Each university can ask for different things so giving yourself enough time to properly prepare and present yourself in the best light possible. With that being said the essentials to prepare that will always be required of you is a statement (addressing questions like why you want to study this course etc), CV, Portfolio (this varies greatly so definitely read into the requirements to make sure they can open your digital portfolio) and references (usually one academic reference and one professional reference, but that depends on how long you have been out of university). So if you are stuck on where to begin noting down what the universities require and begin making master versions of all the essentials will save you so much time preparing that you won’t have to worry till interview stages where your documents are.
If you want to continue working, explore master programmes that have that option
If the idea of going back to full time study for two years isn’t something that appeals to you greatly but you still want to pursue the route of becoming qualified there are courses out there that allow you to continue working. Whether it is completing a Level 7 Apprenticeship, exploring Sheffield’s Architecture : Collaborative Practise or London School of Architecture’s hybrid 4th year approach do some research and you might find a course, workplace or both, that fits in with the study and work programme that suits you. Some of these courses take longer to complete or fast track you to becoming an architect by the end. Each of these courses are different so you’ll need to really deep dive and see what will suit your ambitions and approach to learning. There is so much possibility out there so explore these options by attending open days/visits and speaking to existing candidates to really understand how these courses differ to full-time study MArch courses.
With the academic year approaching and universities opening applications for MArch courses, hope these insights have encouraged you to plan and prepare for the year ahead. Not all master programmes in the UK are accredited by the ARB/RIBA so do check before applying, one hint is that Part 2 is two years (or more depending on how you choice to complete it). With so many options and universities offering the course with most requiring that you apply directly, it is important to know what you are applying for and if this is the right next step for you. If you weren’t able to get into a year out placement or a placement longer than 3 months don’t be discouraged, it is still worth applying as universities assess applications on an individual basis. It is definitely helpful to have experience and is an important aspect of getting to Part 3 but don’t let it stop you from pursuing a Part 2 course. Remember you don’t have to aspire be an architect to get into a Part 2 course, you have to demonstrate you have what it takes to think critically and take architecture seriously.