
On M ARCH: Architecture, you will address the challenges of contemporary society through the built environment. This course is part of the Spatial Practices programme.
With sea levels rising and the threats of drought growing, our lives are more vulnerable to the power of water, or lack thereof. From a collaboration with PUMA to the invention of the Ministry of Water, we look at the students exploring the value of
Since 1989, the CSM Museum & Study Collection has actively purchased works from graduating students. Now, after more than 30 years, the process has taken on a new form in our first ever Deans’ Awards.
Today we are happy to announce the graduating students shortlisted for this year's MullenLowe NOVA Awards and declare voting open for the YourNOVA Award.
From unwanted food to industrial byproducts, we are producing waste at an alarming rate. Many of our graduating students are rethinking waste as raw material and here, we speak to just a few of them.
At Central Saint Martins, M ARCH: Architecture draws on the dynamic design thinking and making skills from different practices. This ranges from art to curation, graphic communication design to fashion and performance to product design. On this course, you will develop new insights, solutions and methods to explore new forms of architecture. Through research and intervention, you will address the challenges of a rapidly changing urban environment.
The course focuses on the needs of a wide range of participants in the human environment. Architects can play a crucial role in supporting communities and individuals. With a certain approach, they can help them benefit from change in the urban landscape. Through collaborative engagement with local users, architects can empower communities to become active participants in the process of development. This builds cultural and social, as well as economic, capital. M ARCH: Architecture shifts the emphasis from the design of physical space alone, to interventions in its production. You will address this through live projects which engage with the reality of cities and their citizens. You will learn the constraints and conditions of designing in the real world.
Large-scale, master-plan developments in urban centres are only the more visible forms of change within the city. While these may create economic benefit, their long-term sustainability can be limited. Carefully defined, small-scale interventions can also lead to dramatic and large transformations. These can be sustained over longer periods, as they may better serve multiple stakeholders. For the future architect, skills that foster and guide innovation will be of greatest value. On M ARCH: Architecture, you will gain the design skills to create sustainable transformations in the urban environment. You will learn to recognise the potential of architecture at different scales and modes of operation – whether in driving small-scale design transformations, or enabling large-scale development.
The increasing complexity of contemporary socio-economic, cultural and environmental issues requires architects to develop a broad skill set. This may be described as context-led – seeking solutions which address local issues arising from global agendas. Architects must move beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries to find innovative and sustainable design solutions. There is a growing need for contemporary city design which focuses not only on "hard" infrastructure but also the "softer". That is, not only buildings, transport and engineering but also systems of social networks, organisation and human interaction.
On M ARCH: Architecture, you will undertake three core design units. These are combined with an industry-embedded placement. You will also be supported to plan, develop and complete an independent major project. You will explore strong social, political and material engagement with the world. This may be facilitated through external partnerships and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Through a series of projects, you will experiment with multidisciplinary approaches. You will develop methodologies for public engagement with architecture – ones that expand and challenge the conventional role of the architecture. You will test and refine these approaches through design propositions. You will be introduced to a variety of research methods and issues relevant to the discipline. You will then implement these through realised design work. While working on this unit you will also research and secure and industry placement to be undertaken in Unit 2.
In this unit, you will define your own direction, including an industry placement or an in depth industry case study. Working with your advisor, you will work with or study a selected practice. You will assess the nature of their practice and projects. At the same time, you will research and develop opportunities for your own self-directed design project. You will define your own brief, based on research and analysis of a chosen site. You will develop a clear brief and a schematic design proposal which will be resolved in Unit 4.
This unit provides an opportunity to explore technical aspects of making and construction in close detail. You will engage with the conditions and constraints of structural, constructional and material systems. This will occur through a constructional prototyping project. Unit 3 will involve research and testing, collaborative teamwork and constructional implementation. It will primarily involve working as part of a team.
You will continue to work on your major project. You will resolve it as an architectural proposal. If appropriate, you will also implement aspects of this proposal on site or with collaborators and partners.
This unit is a culmination to the course and follows the completion of your major project. You will rehearse the integration of key areas through professional reporting. As a follow on from Unit 2, you will be asked to apply the technical and professional knowledge gained so far. You will demonstrate your understanding of the complexity of practice through a reflection on your own major project. This unit aims to simulate the demands and regulatory controls that professional practice is subject to. These include planning, building control, cost, contract, consultancy and constructional documentation.
M ARCH: Architecture is offered in extended full-time mode which runs for 79 weeks over two academic years. You will be expected to commit 30 hours per week to study which includes teaching time and independent study.
The course has been designed in this way to enable you to pursue studies, while also undertaking part-time employment, internships or care responsibilities.
The course is credit-rated at 240 credits.
On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Master of Architecture (M ARCH degree).
Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, an M ARCH is Level 7. All units must be passed in order to achieve the M ARCH but the classification of the award is derived from the marks for the second, fourth and fifth units.
If you are unable to continue on the course, a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) will normally be offered following the successful completion of 60 credits, or a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) following the successful completion of 120 credits.
M ARCH: Architecture is professionally validated by the RIBA. Successful completion of the course provides RIBA Part 2 qualification, the second of three stages of RIBA professional registration.
Please note that as a result of course specific regulations, unit compensation as detailed in UAL Course Regulations, is not available to students on this course.
During your course you will engage with learning and teaching that includes both online and face-to-face modes. Typically, this will include:
Unit 1 Tutors
Julia King
Verity-Jane Keefe
Sven Mündner
Cecily Chua
Joseph Henry
Ellie Howard
Tom Dyckhoff (History and Theory)
Unit 2 Tutors
Hester Buck
Maria Westerståhl
Mathew Leung
Ulrike Steven
Tom Dyckhoff (History and Theory)
Unit 3 Tutors
Paloma Gormley
Summer Islam
Unit 4 Tutors
Maria Westerståhl
Mathew Leung
Ulrike Steven
Takeshi Hayatsu
Tom Dyckhoff (History and Theory)
Unit 5 Tutors
Diana Ibáñez López
David Knight (Engineer)
Chris Stobbart (Engineer)
Professor: Liza Fior
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
And normally at least one year of relevant internship or, professional experience.
IELTS score of 6.5 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English language requirements webpage).
This course believes that the people who design the built environment should be as eclectic a group as those who use it. As such, we welcome submissions from applicants from diverse backgrounds.
We select applicants according to potential and current ability in the following areas:
You should apply by clicking on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.
Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units and modules on your current postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at Central Saint Martins, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.
Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and unit transcripts.
You will need to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following information when completing the online application form:
Personal details (including legal full name, date of birth, nationality, addresses)
Current English language level
Current and/or previous education and qualification details
Employment history
Your personal statement should give us information about yourself and why you want to join the course (between 300-500 words) and should include:
We cannot consider your application if you do not provide all the information above.
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
Please add csm.ukeu@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL. Also consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.
15 May 2021
We recommend you apply as soon as possible before this date, for equal consideration. We may still be able to accept applications after this date, depending on availability.
Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. We’ll be in touch shortly after you apply with information about next steps. Find out more about what happens after you apply.
There are two ways international students can apply:
If you are applying directly you click on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.
Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units and modules on your current postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at Central Saint Martins, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.
Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and unit transcripts.
You will need to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following information when completing the online application form:
Personal details (including legal full name, date of birth, nationality, addresses)
Current English language level
Current and/or previous education and qualification details
Employment history
Your personal statement should give us information about yourself and why you want to join the course (between 300-500 words) and should include:
Whether you are applying online or through a UAL representative you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check we will not be able to proceed with your application.
We cannot consider your application if you do not provide all the information above.
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
Please add csm.international@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL Also consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.
15 May 2021
We recommend you apply as soon as possible before this date, for equal consideration. We may still be able to accept applications after this date, depending on availability.
Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. We’ll be in touch shortly after you apply with information about next steps. Find out more about what happens after you apply.
We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to submit a portfolio through the UAL Portal.
You will need to submit a digital portfolio of up to 20 images with supporting work illustrating your previous experience and practical skills.
The only files that can be uploaded as part of the portfolio are:
Your portfolio should demonstrate creative development, whether for a college project or in your personal work. By creative development, we mean ideas that have originated through your own experience and research and progressed towards potential visual proposals. Ideas, visual research and experimentation are more important than finished design solutions and can be shown in 2D work, or through photos of 3D objects and maquettes.
It is important that the creative work you include reflects and demonstrates your thinking, initiative and personal commitment to a particular project, theme or idea. We are interested in you as an individual, your personal interests, your creativity and initiative in finding out about your proposed area of study. We would also like to know about your favourite designers and artists, where you have seen their work at first hand and how you have acquired more information about the work that interests you.
For more portfolio advice please visit the Portfolio advice page.
Following the review of the portfolio we select a small number of applicants to move on to the next stage of the process. These applicants will be invited to an interview.
The interview typically lasts approximately 20 minutes. As part of the interview you will be asked to choose and present one of your projects from your portfolio. Interviews take place online or by telephone.
You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Portal.
£8,415 per year
This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.
Home fees are currently charged to UK resident nationals. However, the rules are complex and you can find out more on our tuition fees pages.
From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, although this may depend on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students on our Brexit information webpage
£19,620 per year
This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.
International fees are currently charged to students from countries outside of the UK. However, the rules are complex and more information can be found on our tuition fees pages.
From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, although this may depend on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students on our Brexit information webpage
M ARCH: Architecture prepares graduates for employment in architectural practice, urban design, planning, development, and public consultation. In addition, the course provides a solid grounding for continued academic development toward research and PhD study.
Drawing upon extensive industry links within the Spatial Practices Programme, the Course seeks to offer students a unique learning opportunity to engage with live projects and real clients, developing innovative approaches to public engagement and a radical reconsideration of architectural practice.
"In 10 years we probably will not call ourselves an architecture practice, it will be something else entirely" (Architect, Small London-based practice)
From "The Future for Architects", Building Futures, RIBA, 2010.
Change is inevitable and being prepared for change is a challenge. M ARCH: Architecture encourages students to take a radical approach to architectural practice; seeking ways in which the architect of the future can work across the industry and beyond. The course is predicated on the reality that the practice of architecture is changing. There are increasing pressures on the profession from shifts in the way that projects are developed, as well as the changes to the global economy. How will we practice in the future?
"The invasion of the architect's role shouldn't be seen as a threat but as a natural change that can be exploited - we must find our new opportunities and education should shift to accommodate that." (Architect, Large global practice) From "The Future for Architects", Building Futures, RIBA, 2010.