UCC Postgraduate courses

Architecture (Joint Programme with MTU)

Course Fact File
CodeMEAT
Duration1 Year Full-time
Teaching ModeFull-time
QualificationsMArch
NFQ LevelLevel 9
FeesSee Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing DateRolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing DateOpen until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date9 September 2024

Course Outline

Our Master of Architecture programme is offered by the Cork Centre for Architectural Education (CCAE) in conjunction with the Munster Technological University (MTU).

Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland

This full-time course, extending over 12 months, has been designed to provide a qualification in architecture under the Building Control Act 2007. This qualification is required by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) before starting a minimum period of post-qualification supervised practical experience in preparation for the RIAI Examination in Professional Practice, Registration and/or RIAI Membership.

Course Content

During your study, you will be introduced to a diverse programme, approached through creativity and scholarship, and where there will be significant opportunities to anticipate, speculate upon, and define new possibilities in the field of architecture.

The established academic infrastructure and philosophy of the CCAE are defined by a commitment to excellence in design, and consideration of wider cultural and theoretical phenomena. This framework is extended into the master's programme, where students will pose certain questions on the spaces and cities we inhabit, through a process of critical questioning and the dual acts of text and assemblage.

Central to enabling these investigations and explorations will be the series of prominent academics and architectural practitioners contributing to this programme. You will be encouraged to participate in a stimulating academic environment. You will be required to address the wider problematics that are raised by changes in contemporary society and provide clues as to how architecture might operate in such an environment.

The course is intelligently paced and driven by a thematic framework. You will acquire a comprehensive set of skills that will help you to understand the role of the architect in shaping the modern city.

Modules

The course is arranged over three teaching periods during the academic year (September to September). You will take modules to the value of 90 credits as follows:

  • AT6011 Design Research: Cultures and Context (5 credits)
  • AT6012 Design Research: Technology Transformations (5 credits)
  • AT6013 Design Research Studio: Investigation and Formation (20 credits)
  • AT6014 Design Project (30 credits)
  • AT6015 Exhibition Design and Implementation (15 credits)
  • AT6016 Documentation and Dissemination of Design and Design Process (15 credits)

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

Each year we usually adopt and visit a major European city. Specific scenarios or narratives for investigating these cities will be established at the beginning of each year and will be explored under the direction of full-time academic staff, with contributions from practicing architects, guest critics, and other contributors.

Why Choose This Course

We are delighted to announce that Áine Walker (CCAE MArch student 2019-2020) was awarded the distinguished RIBA Serjeant Award ...

Dr Jason O'Shaughnessy

Click & Read
Supporting film for 'Anamnesis: Connective (Re)Collections' by Aine Walker (MArch), winner of the 2020 RIBA President’s Silver Medal (Serjeant Award).

CCAE, UCC & MTU

Click & View
Our Awards & Prizes...

Cork Centre for Architectural Education (CCAE), UCC & MTU

Click & View

We encourage a distinctive, design-based culture through the development of a conceptual and innovative design. This is achieved by a combination of technical explorations, finding new trajectories in design, and forming programs for advanced spatial analysis. The year will begin with an introduction of the city of study, the theme, and the range of interests for that year. The wider theoretical concerns of the course are then tested and elaborated through an intensive period of fieldwork study in the selected city.

Student Awards

Our students are exposed to national and international architectural competitions and their successes can be viewed in the profile link above. Most recently Áine Walker (MArch 2019-2020) was awarded the distinguished Serjeant Award by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for her design project Anamnesis: Connective (Re)Collections based in Lisbon Portugal. 

Our students have also achieved European Architectural Medals for Best Diploma Projects. In 2015 Kieran Cremin and Eoghan Horgan's project Entangled City: Reconciling Cultural Dissonance was awarded a European Architectural Medal in Architecture (Prize for Innovation). That year Aisling Byrne was also shortlisted for the European Architectural Medals (Best Diploma Project) for her project Collective Amalgam Ephemeral Traces.

Skills and Careers Information

On graduating from the course you will have the ability to think critically about architecture. You will be able to form studies involving advanced spatial analysis and develop an innovative architectural design. You will also be able to apply an international context when designing. These are supported by your representational skills, including advanced analogue and digital media skills including 2D and 3D CAD and 3D Studio Max, and sophisticated model-making skills. Our graduates are highly sought for this range of expertise.

Many opportunities exist for our graduates both in Ireland and abroad, not only in the field of architecture, but also in other related spatial practices and disciplines, such as film, new media, and exhibition design. The way in which students investigate and develop their design thesis project also means that they are aware of the requirements of postgraduate research, and may choose to pursue available doctoral studies through a PhD by Creative Practice.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Candidates must meet the following criteria: 

(a) Hold a BA/BSc (Hons) degree in Architecture, awarded on the equivalent of not less than 240 ECTS credits, from an accredited school of architecture, passed at Second Class Honours Grade II or higher;

or

(b) *holders of BA/BSc (Hons) Architecture degree with less than Second Class Honours Grade II plus a period of work-based learning presented in the form of a portfolio of a standard equivalent to, or higher than, Second Class Honours Grade II. ‌

*Note: In addition to the minimum criteria, all applicants are required to submit a portfolio of architectural design work to be evaluated by at least two of the following: Centre Director, Associate Director and Programme Coordinator or their nominees who will assess the suitability of the candidate for the Cork Centre for Architectural Education Master of Architecture course. Please view our Portfolio Guidance Document MArch. Candidates may be called for an interview.

Admission to the programme will be subject to the approval of the Cork Centre for Architectural Education.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

  • In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
  • Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Vsit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2024/2025

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits 

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment 

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay? 

See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.

Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.

If possible the course involves an overseas field trip during Semester 1 which is funded by the student. 

How To Apply

1. Check dates

Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

2. Gather documents

Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

  • Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
  • Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply online

Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

  • All applicants are required to submit a portfolio of architectural design works. This should be submitted directly to Cork Centre for Architecture or uploaded directly with your online application. For those submitting a hardcopy portfolio, please identify this submission with the following description, 'Master of Architecture - Portfolio Submission' and send this for the attention of Dr Jason O’Shaughnessy, MArch Programme Director, CCAE Cork Centre for Architectural Education (UCC/MTU), Douglas Street, T12 AD7R, Cork.
  • Please see our Portfolio Guidance Document MArch for further information on the requirements of this portfolio.
  • You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

  • In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.

  • Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

  • Please upload your CV here.
  • Please detail your research interest(s).
  • For applicants who have received less than a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in their undergraduate degree and those from other accredited programmes (i.e students who haven’t completed their degree through MTU/UCC), you will be required to submit two reference reports with your application.  Please download the relevant reference form here: MArch Reference Form.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.

Apply Now

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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