Studying a Postgraduate Course in Architecture

The UK has an established reputation for producing innovative new designs for building and urban planning. Across the capital, developers planning the next generation of landmark buildings are looking to the skies for inspiration.  In recent years the construction of structures such as The Shard by London Bridge (2011) and The Arcelor Mittal Orbit Tower by the Olympic Stadium (2012), have dominated the skyline, with the Shard being the first building to break the 1000 ft barrier.  These designs look set to be the first of many buildings to redefine the view across London.

Of course, UK architectural practices don’t just have an impact upon our own cities, but also have influence on a global scale.  In January 2008, London based architecture design company Wilkinson Eyre won an international design competition to oversea the regeneration of Apraskin Dvor, a market district in Central St Petersberg, Russia. The company’s intention throughout the process has been to combine 19^th century buildings with more contemporary design procedures in order to create something new and unique, but with cultural and historical significance.

Indeed, the infusion of the past and the future is something that plays a key role within the British Architecture sector as a whole, and these days much emphasis is placed upon sustainability and design, in order to minimise the environmental and social impacts of urban living.  Companies such as Foster and Foster (whose projects include Greystones New Quarter, Ireland and The Russian Tower, Moscow) have led the way in developing sustainable solutions for a series of different places. In 2007, Lord Norman Foster was chosen to design Spaceport America, the first private spaceport in the world, which eventually opened in 2011.

> Search for Architecture courses on Postgraduate Search

In 2007, the Government announced plans to build 10 new eco-towns across the UK. Despite the economic downturn since the announcement, and the subsequent change in government, there are still plans for these plans to go ahead on a smaller scale.  In April 2011 it was announced that North-west Bichester, Oxfordshire would indeed become the UK’s first eco-town. The focus will be on producing medium-sized sustainable communities designed to have a ‘zero-carbon’ impact upon the surrounding areas. Houses will be made of energy saving, sustainable materials such as timber, double glazing, solar thermal panels and biomass boilers.

Within this context, postgraduate study and academic research allows UK architects to push creative boundaries on both a national and international scale. There are currently over 27000 building and planning related courses available on Postgraduate Search which will equip you with the skills required to pursue a career within this fascinating sector.

There is no denying that training as an architect is a worthwhile vocation, particularly if it something you are passionate about, but it also requires a lot of hard work and determination, As well as your undergraduate degree you will need to study and intern for an additional 3 years before you are fully qualified. There are also many other study options available at masters levels and within research fields that focus on the social & economic aspects of the built environment, sustainable building and the technical aspects of construction.

Areas of specialism

Architecture

A large proportion of architecture graduates seeking professional accreditation will need to have completed a year of professional experience before embarking on their RIBA Part 2 course, which can be taken as a BArch, PGDip, or they can top up their course to an MA programme. Some institutions will allow students to join a part-time professional studies programme that leads to the RIBA Part 3 examination (the Examination in Professional Practice and Management), which they can undertake in addition to professional work. Postgraduates can also specialise in related subjects such as interior design, architectural conservation, landscape design and surface design.

Construction

Postgraduate taught courses often focus on questioning the decisions faced by the construction industry and investigating their implications. Research interests on general construction include acoustics and noise control, lighting, computing and CAAD, procurement systems and construction management, facilities management, building technology, thermal response of buildings, and mechanical and electrical services.

Urban/town planning

Postgraduate courses in urban and town planning cover areas such as local development frameworks, development feasibility, European spatial strategy and urban design. Students look at these ideas in practice through a number of work-based case studies. Research into the theories, processes and policies related to spatial development can cover topics as diverse as urban design, housing, waste and sustainability.