Architecture - Bolton Street

What is... Architecture?

The Master of Architecture is for students who wish to develop further knowledge and master a range of skills at postgraduate level in architecture. In the ever-changing professional and industry landscapes, the Master of Architecture programme at the School of Architecture, Building & Environment provides students with advanced knowledge and expertise to be agile professionals with an emphasis on the architect as practitioner, as researcher, and as educator. These three modes of practice are highly complementary in the field of architecture, and require common skillsets.



The capacity to act in a leadership role and exercise critical judgment in a multi-disciplinary environment in the review of an architectural idea, for example, is central to this multivalent practice, whether it takes place in an architecture office, a teaching studio, a conference environment, a cultural or political forum or an architectural archive. Graduates often find that they straddle these modes of practice at different points in their career, and will increasingly do so as the architectural profession continues to develop outside of its traditional role. Therefore, the Master of Architecture programme is designed to emphasise skills and knowledge in the areas of architectural practice, architectural research, and architectural education in its broadest sense.



The Master of Architecture is offered in two modes:

Master of Architecture full programme: This is a full-time, three-semester, 90 ECTS, Level 9 course leading to a post-graduate, professional degree in architecture, enabling students to practice as an architectural graduate or continue to further (PhD) studies. The course is largely studio based, comprising a core Design Studio in each semester of 20 ECTS, supported by modules in the areas of research, professional studies, contemporary theory and practice of architecture and building performance.



Master of Architecture advanced entry programme: This is currently offered part-time over two semesters, comprises 30 ECTS at Level 9, and leads to a postgraduate degree in architecture, enabling students to focus their architectural practice and continue to further (PhD) studies or research. The course embraces many relevant forms of research, including research by design, and is supported by modules in research studies and methods.



You can view our M Arch Student Work webpage to look at samples of the student work from the TU282 M Arch (Full time) and TU410 M Arch (Advanced Entry/Part time) programmes.

Semester 1 - Total 30 ECTS

ARCH9000: Collaborative Design Practice Studio

Content: Design Studio: ‘Live’ Group Project 20 ECTS



ARCH9005: Architecture & Culture Theory: Architectural

Content: Theory & Critical Theory of Architectural Production 5 ECTS



ARCH9002: Whole Life Design

Content: Building Performance: Durability of Design & Construction 5 ECTS



Semester 2 - Total 30 ECTS

ARCH9003: Advanced Architectural Design Studio

Content: Design Studio: Theme based Studio Units 20 ECTS



ARCH9004: Roles in the Professional Context

Content: Professional Studies: Social, Economic, Environment Context of Arch Profession & Construction Industry 5 ECTS



ARCH9001: Research Methods

Content: Research: Methods & Techniques of Enquiry 5 ECTS



Semester 3 - Total 30 ECTS

ARCH9006: Architectural Design Research Studio

Content: Design Studio: Critical Appraisal and Reflection through Design 20 ECTS



ARCH9007: Research Studies

Content: Research: Design Dissertation Seminar Groups 5 ECTS



ARCH9008: Elective Options

Content: Elective: Education, Research, Practice 5 ECTS



MArch Award: Total 90 ECTS

Minimum Entry Requirements?

The Master of Architecture (M Arch) programme is open to a variety of candidate types from undergraduate accredited professional architectural courses.



The full programme Master of Architecture is offered internally to existing students from the Bachelor of Architecture, as well as to external national and international applicants from other Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architecture courses who have completed a minimum of 4 years (EU Notified) full-time study.



If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.



For more detailed information on entry requirements, please see course Web Page link.

How to Apply

Applications for this course are now open.



Apply Online - FULL-TIME EU

Apply Online - FULL-TIME NON-EU



For further information on the application process, please visit How To Apply (see "Application Weblink" above).



Applications are processed in two phases:

Phase 1

Mon 27 January 6 pm - Deadline for applicants wishing to apply for the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship.

Week beginning 10 February - Phase 1 Invitations to Interview issued.

Week beginning 17 February - Phase 1 Interviews.

Week beginning 24 February - Phase 1 Offers Issued.



Phase 2

Tues. 22 April 6 pm - Deadline for all other applicants.

Week beginning 5 May - Phase 2 Invitations to Interview issued.

Week beginning 12 May - Phase 2 Interviews.

Week beginning 19 May - Phase 2 Offers Issued.

Offers of places are subject to availability.



For further information please go to the TU Dublin School of Architecture website.

1.5 years full-time, on campus delivery.



Schedule

The MArch programme is a full-time course run throughout the week over three semesters.



Semesters 1 and 2 are considered to be Stage 1 of the course, while Semester 3 is Stage 2. Semester 3 runs concurrently with Semester 1.



There average contact per week is 11 hours. An additional 29 hours of independent self-directed learning are expected per week, bringing the total weekly commitment to 40 hours.



The course is an intensive commitment and it is not recommended that students engage in employment outside of study hours. The specific timetable will be provided at the start of the course when classes commence. Students are expected to be available for attendance.

Commencement Date: September 2025.

What are my career opportunities?

The qualification is for the profession of Architecture. Architects are concerned with the design and construction of buildings. They may practice in a personal professional capacity, or in employment in private and public sector organisations. The field of practice is quite extensive in Ireland and abroad and may offer alternatives of general practice or specialisation throughout a career. Many graduates have pursued very successful careers abroad and others have gone on to become prominent architects in Ireland.