Architecture

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK high 2:1 honours degree.

Months of entry

October

Course content

In the 2014 Research Excellent Framework, Cambridge Architecture’s research work was ranked 1st in the UK, achieving the highest proportion of combined World Leading research. 88% of the research produced by the Department was rated as World Leading or Internationally Excellent (Unit of Assessment 16: Architecture, Built Environment and Planning). This consolidates our top ranking established in the previous Research Assessment Exercise of 2008.

The MPhil in Architecture is a ten-month full-time research degree offering the opportunity for independent research under the supervision of a departmental member of staff. Unless the candidate is part of a research group, the research is undertaken entirely by the candidate on their own, with regular supervisions on progress with their supervisor.

The MPhil degree by thesis introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

• to give students with relevant experience at a first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focussed research in the discipline under close supervision; and
• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.

The Martin Centre constitutes the research arm of the Department. It is one of the leading architectural research units in Britain, with over four decades of successful global research for government and industry. Research typically crosses traditional research boundaries: transportation and buildings, history and philosophy of architecture, digital media design and communication, risk assessment and mitigation in the built environment, and territorial conflict in divided cities. A rich environment of collaboration exists, with other Departments within the University, and with other institutions within the UK, Europe, the U.S, China, Africa and the Middle East.

The Department welcomes applications from graduates to undertake research towards an MPhil degree in most areas, including: History, Theory and Communication, as well as Design, Technology and Environment, but is unable to accept candidates for whom no supervisor is available. Applicants are admitted who meet the academic admissions criteria and whose research interests match those of an available member of the academic staff who is willing to act as the student's supervisor.

As well as the research and skills training programme offered by the Faculty of Architecture and History of Art, candidates have the opportunity to attend numerous courses, such as those related to the use of bibliographic resources and other databases, and specific computer skills.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have acquired the type of research training required to carry on to the PhD or if conceived as a standalone degree, it would have equipped the candidates with enough skills to specialise and enhance their professional prospects.