United KingdomDevelop your own distinctive design practice by exploring the processes and methodologies of architecture. You’ll study in a studio and have the opportunity to work on real-life projects with local and regional groups.
Course description
This studio-based course will help you develop your own distinctive design practice. You’ll explore design processes and methodologies. There are opportunities to work on real-life projects with local, regional and international groups as part of our Live Projects initiative.
You can take the course as a stand-alone MA or as preparation for a PhD via our PhD by Design programme.
You’ll investigate architectural themes in depth, working closely with your studio tutor. The aim is to consider design within the context of rigorous and innovative research.
You’ll specialise in the theory and practice of design and develop the skills and knowledge to be a creative and original architect.
We’re one of the UK’s top architecture schools. Our international research projects shape policy and address public and professional needs. As a Sheffield student you’ll engage with real issues affecting the built environment. You’ll be encouraged to provide social and environmental solutions to the challenges of our time.
Modules
Core modules
-Live Project
-Design Project 1 and 2
-Reflections on Architectural Design
-Thesis Project
-Environment and Technology in Design
-Theory and Research in Design
Optional modules
Choose from a range of optional modules. These might include:
-Reflections on Architectural Education
-Conservation and Regeneration Principles and Approaches
-Participation in Urban Design and Architecture
-History and Theory of Urban Design
-Parametric Architectural Geometry
-Politics of Architecture and Urban Design
-Theory and Design
-Future Climates
-Elements of Computational Design
Teaching
Learning is through studio-based design work with individual and group tutorials, block seminars and workshops, traditional lecture modules, live projects involving real clients and real community projects, and field trips.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed on course assignments, design thesis and a dissertation.
Duration
1 year full-time
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 honours degree or an equivalent qualification related to design in the built environment, such as architecture, landscape architecture or urban planning. Your degree doesn’t have to be design- based. If you have a lot of professional design experience we’ll consider your application.
We’d like to see your portfolio to get an idea of your design abilities.
Entry requirements for international students: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/applying/postgraduate-taught
English language requirements
Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.
How to apply
Information on how to apply for a postgraduate taught masters course in the School of Architecture.
Supporting materials
When applying, you will be required to submit the following documents via our online application system. You are not required to send any hard copies to the department.
– Design portfolio
– Personal statement of 200-300 words which should outline any relevant experience or expertise relating to the course and demonstrate your enthusiasm for this particular subject and the University of Sheffield
– A CV and two references, with at least one academic
– Transcript of previous university qualifications, with certified translation into English where appropriate
Please note there is 50mb file limit for all supporting documents
Design portfolio guidance
Your portfolio should include samples of work from previous or current education and employment. You can also add any other artistic or written work where appropriate. It should reflect the scope and variety of your training and experience with particular emphasis on your personal interests as well as your skills. A distinctive, original approach, or work that shows a clear insight into a subject matter will stand out. We welcome professional and cultural diversity and endeavour to treat every applicant on his or her individual merits.
Number and nature of projects
Please include:
– Examples of your design and creative work or work from related fields
– 3-5 projects you have worked on
– At least one single authored project
– Your final or most recent project
Design work can include:
– Design or planning projects
– Concept sketches and/or diagrams, showing development of ideas, approaches, methods and how you organise your ideas
– Finished drawings of original design or planning work
– A written explanation of the problem, the goals and objectives of the project, overall concept, how the solution was reached
Research projects or publications
– Extract of the material which gives a good impression of the overall project including the problem, the method and findings
– Summary explanation of the objectives, findings and conclusions of the work
– Whenever a project has been completed within a team please indicate your role and responsibilities.
Size and structure
Structure your portfolio with a clear sequence of pages and include a contents page, information sheets for every project, and explanatory text to give context. The portfolio cover should include your full name and contact information.
– Do not exceed 20 MB
– No larger than A4 and a maximum of 20 pages
– No more than five pages per project
– PDF format
– Do not use the booklet format showing two pages per screen
– Landscape layout suits our requirements best
Supporting information
For each project define:
– Name and location of the project
– Academic or professional
– Individual or group work
– Your role in the process and exact contribution to the project
– Year/semester of your study in which the project was carried out
– Date when the project was carried out
– Name and e-mail address of the supervisor of the project
Course specific information
Depending on which course you are applying for, you should think about showing your skills in the subject area.
MA in Architectural Design
– Short introductory paragraph telling us what inspires you, what challenges you aim to face through the work included in the portfolio and what is your cultural position
– An understanding your skills, but also the way you critically look at the complexity of factors determining your individual creative process
– A variety of techniques such as sketches, diagrams, hand drawings, 3D models, photographs and graphic-design work
– Excerpts of your written work for example academic dissertation, design or research reports
