Key information
Our two-year Master of Architecture (MArch) programme will enhance your appreciation of architecture as a design-led discipline, providing enlightenment on the latest technological advances and application of innovative solutions to current global challenges within the built environment.
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MArch
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 2 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Our 2-year Master of Architecture programme will enhance your appreciation of architecture as a design-led discipline, providing enlightenment on the latest technological advances and application of innovative solutions to current global challenges within the built environment.
This degree is aimed at graduates who want enhance their knowledge in the field of Architecture or individuals possessing the Architect Registration Board (ARB) part 1, looking to develop appropriate solutions to a range of global challenges.
Heriot-Watt University is ranked among top universities for programmes in Building and is recognised internationally as leaders in built environment research, part of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, a leading body recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Reasons to study:
- Industry-relevant curriculum: Courses supported by real-life application and research, including design projects that support learning through real-life practice, sustainability, urban design, design thesis and a research course.
- Blend of skills: Includes relevant knowledge and skills for graduates seeking to deepen their expertise, those who possess ARB part 1, and those who wish to delve into built environment research through various courses.
- Expert faculty: Learn from research-active architects, architectural engineers, civil and structural engineers, construction professionals, industry-leaders, and academics, with guest lectures enhancing industry engagement.
- Leaders in research: This School is part of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, a leading body recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Centre is one of only four such centres established at United Kingdom universities that jointly form a national network to demonstrate and exchange best practice in teaching and research for the sustainable built environment.
- Supported learning: Taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials and be assessed by coursework, exams, projects and thesis while receiving support and feedback throughout the programme. Access to specialist equipment, computing software, design and project facilities will also be given.
Your student experience
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active architects, architectural engineers, civil and structural engineers, construction professionals, industry-leaders, and academics.
96% of Heriot-Watt University's engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.
Heriot-Watt University achieved 1st in the UK and Scotland in the category of Building in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026. We also achieved 2nd in Scotland for Construction, Surveying & Planning in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
Our Master of Architecture programme is directly informed by the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt’s Institute for Sustainable Built Environment (ISBE) which sits within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS). EGIS is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. The institute’s academic team conduct high-value and high-impact research on fields covering sustainability, digital innovation, design, and management of the built environment.
This School is also part of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, a leading body recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Centre is one of only four such centres established at United Kingdom universities that jointly form a national network to demonstrate and exchange best practice in teaching and research for the sustainable built environment.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Urban Design for Health and Wellbeing
- Design Project 1
- Urban Design Theory
Mandatory January
- Sustainable and Intelligent Buildings
- Design Project 2
- Research Methods
Year 2
Mandatory September
- Research Investigation
- Design Thesis 1
Mandatory January
- Design Thesis 2
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Programme Video
Study MArch Architecture
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time |
|---|---|
| UK | £9,790 |
| International | £21,192 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Additional information
Fees are payable for each year of this two year MArch degree.
For eligibility of funding, please see your relevant funding body.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
You should hold a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree and have an excellent portfolio. Relevant industry experience will also be considered. Student selection will be made through a multi-layered process and you may be invited to attend an interview either virtually or in person. This programme attracts students in possession of the ARB and/or RIBA Part 1 but it is not necessary to have this to apply for the programme.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Employability
Here is a testimonial from one of our partner employers:
Hear from our employers
At Bennetts Associates, we’ve been demonstrating for more than thirty years that architectural excellence and environmental responsibility are mutually supportive, so we are delighted to see Heriot-Watt introduce a new masters programme that balances design creativity with the broad range of skills needed to produce a long-lasting and ethical built environment. We also fully support the principle of collaboration, not only between disciplines, but also between academia, the professions and industry.
Student life
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