Architect Degree Apprenticeship (Master of Architecture and Professional Practice) MArch
Architect Degree Apprenticeship (MArch Architecture and Professional Practice)
Overview
Do you want to earn a salary and get valuable on-the-job experience while you get the qualifications you need to be a professional architect?
On this 4-year architect degree apprenticeship, you'll develop the professional and creative skills for a successful career in architecture. You’ll cover topics such as urbanism, landscape, sustainability and culture in a studio environment.
During term time, you'll spend 1 day a week on day release at the University and the other 4 days applying your skills and getting practical experience in the workplace. The Government or your employer pay your tuition fees – so your architecture degree apprenticeship doesn’t cost you anything.
Recognition and validation
This course is accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The Royal Institute of British Architects has accredited this course for parts 2 and 3 of exemptions.
Once you have completed this course, you'll be eligible to join the Register of Architects held by the ARB.
Entry requirements
Architect Degree Apprenticeship (Master of Architecture and Professional Practice)
Qualifications and experience
- An upper second class honours degree with RIBA Part 1 exemption. Applicants who do not hold a recognised UK Part 1 qualification will need to undertake and pass the ARB prescribed exam for Part 1 prior to joining the Apprenticeship course.
- All applicants to the Degree Apprenticeship courses must have an acceptable Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics. Acceptable qualifications include GCSE with grade C/4 or above and Functional Skills with Pass – please note that we are not able to accept all kinds of Level 2 qualifications, so if you are unsure whether you have a suitable qualification please get in touch. If you do not have an acceptable qualification you may be required to take an additional assessment during the application process.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Selection process
An online portfolio submission and/or interview may be required as part of the selection process.
For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our Master of Architecture portfolio guide.
What you'll experience
On this degree apprenticeship, you'll:
- Develop the creative and professional abilities needed for a practising architect
- Learn how to come up with creative and strategic solutions to a variety of architectural challenges
- Get a MArch degree while you earn a salary
- Put what you learn into practice in the workplace, preparing yourself for Part 3 studies in your final year
- Have access to the University's student support services and community, including the Library, study support, sports and recreation facilities, and the Students’ Union
- Build a network of professional peers during your time at university, sharing your ideas and knowledge
- Get practical work experience in your job, giving you an advantage over students who go to University full-time
- Get a personal tutor from the University and a workplace mentor
If you need somewhere to live, you may be able to stay in the University's halls of residence – talk to our Housing team for more information.
Careers and opportunities
This architecture degree apprenticeship gives you the professional knowledge and creative skills you need to start your career as an architect, in your organisation and beyond.
After you finish your architect degree apprenticeship, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
What you'll study
On this architecture degree apprenticeship, you'll study modules worth 360 credits.
Modules
Modules in this year include:
- Architectural History and Theory: Introduction – 15 credits
- Architectural History and Theory: Application – 15 credits
- Building Tectonics and Environment – 15 credits
- Project Management in Architecture – 15 credits
Modules in this year include:
- Architectural Design: Synthesis – 30 credits
- Architectural Design: Strategy – 30 credits
- Thesis Dissertation – 30 credits
Modules in this year include:
- Practice Management and Professionalism in Architecture – 15 credits
- Thesis Preparation – 15 credits
- Thesis Design – 60 credits
Modules in this year include:
- Practice Management and Professionalism in Architecture – 15 credits
- Practice Management, Law and Contract – 30 credits
- Topical Research Project – 30 credits
- Preparation for End-Point Assessment – 30 credits
- End-Point Assessment – 30 credits
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Learning support
As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
academic writingnote takingtime managementcritical thinkingpresentation skillsreferencing working in groupsrevision , memory and exam techniques
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- computer-based tutorials
- studios
- workshops
- online learning
You'll be in regular contact with your mentor, especially during your work-based learning project in the final year.
How you'll spend your time
On this architecture degree apprenticeship, you'll spend 4 days a week at work and 1 day a week at University for around 28 weeks each year.
The day of the week you're at University will be the same in each year of study, so you can plan how to fit your study time into your working routine and other commitments at the start of the year. You may need to come to University on different days during examination periods – we'll let you know what these are at the start of the year.
On the weeks you don't go into university, you'll still spend 20% of your time learning outside of your main job role.
How you're assessed
Assessment methods include:
- studio review
- portfolio assessment
- coursework
- dissertation
- presentations
- case studies
- End-Point Assessment
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (2022 start)
The course fee is shared between the Government and some employers, meaning no cost to you as the degree apprentice. Total tuition fees are £21,000 paid over 4 years.
Your employer will also need to pay the End Point Assessment (EPA) fee. The cost of the EPA varies. This is in addition to the tuition fees.
Please see our Degree Apprenticeships page, or contact us, for further information about the EPA.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
There are costs relating to the purchase of drawing equipment, model making, stationery, reprographic requirements and the production of a portfolio. This may be in the region of £100 - £300 each year. We support digital review of some project assessment work to reduce costs.
If you choose to complete a project not supported by existing University resources, you may wish to purchase extra materials or software. These costs will depend on the nature of the project.
Optional study trips abroad will cost in the region of £300–£500.
The cost of End-Point Assessment (EPA) is in addition to course fees. Please contact us for more information.
Apply
How you apply depends on whether you’re currently employed or not.
How to apply with your current employer
If you’re in full-time employment and would like to do a degree apprenticeship with your current employer, ask them to contact us so we can discuss with them how we can work together.
You might find it useful to share our information for employers page with them.
How to apply with a new employer
If you’re not employed full-time or not working for a company that can fund and support your degree apprenticeship, you'll need to apply for a degree apprenticeship with a company that offers them.
You'll follow their standard recruitment process and we'll assess your academic suitability for the course once you've applied.
We can let you know when there are degree apprenticeship vacancies available with companies we work with – contact us to give us your details.
You can also browse degree apprenticeship vacancies with employers with whom we already have relationships.
If you have questions about degree apprenticeships, please get in touch with us.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
- Subject area
- Architecture and Surveying
