Architecture Master’s of Advanced Studies UPM/ETH in Collective Housing
Universidad Politécnica of Madrid (UPM) and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH of Zurich
The Master of Architecture in Collective Housing, MCH, is a postgraduate full-time international professional program of advanced architecture design in cities and housing presented by Universidad Politécnica of Madrid (UPM) and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH). After 15 editions, it is rated as one of the best architecture master’s programs by architects and experts.
Next edition will start in March 2025. Applications for MCH2025 ARE OPEN and will be welcomed till 17.02.2025, or till no more vacancies are available. MCH is the first UPM-ETH official postgraduate program. It takes place mainly in Madrid
MCH has always committed to the highest level of excellence combining teachers of international prestige and a thorough participant selection process in order to make the best out of this course.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND PROFESSORS
The program consists of 600 hours (60 ETCS). Each credit is associated to 25 personal studying-working hours. Participants will develop their design skills through an intensive series of one-week workshops and complete their theoretical knowledge in specialty seminars. Sometimes additional supporting documents or written information about the lectures will be provided to all students.
All workshops and specialties are mandatory in order to receive the MCH Diploma.
The Master of advanced studies in Collective Housing is keen on teamwork because it is the way offices and research labs function today.
In the past years, MCH has built a close relationship with great architects such as Dietmar Eberle, Felix Claus, Anne Lacaton, Frits van Dongen, Anna Heringer, Hrvoje Njiriç, Juan Herreros, Dick van Gameren, Riken Yamamoto, Cino Zucchi, Jacob van Rijs, Alejandro Aravena, Andrea Deplazes, Max Risselada or Wiel Arets, who are regular workshop leaders. It is the interaction between teachers and participants that generates the greatest results and production each year
Teaching goals: High qualification
Professionals from all nations who have demonstrated a high professional level are trained in city dwelling specialties, learning new design strategies with an extremely practical approach and increasing their knowledge in the following specialization fields:
-Climate, metabolism & architecture
-Housing practice
-Construction & technology
-Leadership, precesses and entrepreneurship
-Urban design & city sciences
-Low-cost & emergency housing
-Sociology, economy & politics
-3d Printing
Applications for MCH2024 is opened till 01.03.2024 or until vacancies are filled.
Candidates have to follow a three-step process:
1. Fill in the online application form, including following documents:
– CV (pdf, max. 2 MB)
– Portfolio with a sample of their best academic, research and professional projects. This portfolio must be optimized for on-screen visualization (pdf, max. 8 MB). Technical and graphic skills, group work and other achievements are considered.
– Motivation letter (pdf, max. 2 MB)
– 2 Recommendation letters (pdf, max. 2 MB each)
2. The Academic Committee considers the received applications and select some candidates, who are called for a personal interview by skype with a member of the Committee.
3. After the profile is evaluated by the Academic Committee, the candidate receives an email with the result of the deliberation. If positive, the candidate will have to pay the reservation fee (1.000€, non refundable) within 7 days after admission.
REQUIREMENTS
1.- Completed architecture degree
As MCH is a postgraduate degree, candidates will already have a Diploma as architects, a master’s degree according to the European Higher Education Area Framework* or equal level degree. The actual naming of the degrees may vary from country to country.
*The European Higher Education Area Framework establishes three cycles:
– 1st cycle: typically 180–240 ECTS credits, awarding a bachelor’s degree.
– 2nd cycle: typically 90–120 ECTS credits (a minimum of 60 on 2nd-cycle level), awarding a master’s degree.
– 3rd cycle: doctoral degree. No ECTS range given.
In most cases, these will take 3–4 years for a bachelor’s degree, 1–2 years for a master’s degree, and 3–4 years for a doctoral degree, respectively to complete.
Once the candidates are admitted, the following documents have to be presented:
Those who have a foreign degree, issued in a non EU country
-Photocopy of university degree with the apostille of the Hague accords or a stamp of the Spanish embassy in their country (all stamps must be original)
-Photocopy of academic transcripts of their degree, also with the apostille of the Hague accords or a stamp of the Spanish embassy in their country (all stamps must be original)
-Degrees, certificates and transcripts must be translated to Spanish
Those who have a foreign degree, issued in an EU country
-Photocopy of university degree
-Photocopy of academic transcripts of their degree
-Degrees, certificates and transcripts must be translated to Spanish
Those who have a degree issued in Spain
-Photocopy of university degree
-Photocopy of academic transcripts of their degree
2.- High Motivation
The only way to offer the best architecture postgraduate master in the world is to count with a group of highly motivated and engaged professionals, willing to give their best during the seven intensive MCH months. The skills and attitudes shown during the admission process and candidates’ personal interest will be an essential part to get the MCH admission letter.
3.- Outstanding CV and Portfolio
Candidates’ portfolio has to include their best academic, research and professional projects. Technical and graphic skills, group work and other achievements are considered.
4.- Professional Experience
Two years’ professional experience and evidence of detailed engagement with housing issues would be advantageous.
5.- English C1
The official language is English, therefore participants must be able to communicate in this language. English level required is C1. Speaking other languages will be positively considered.
