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Cardiff University: Welsh School of Architecture
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/architecture/
Join one of the UK’s top-rated architecture schools* and help shape a more sustainable future.
At Cardiff University’s Welsh School of Architecture, we offer a vibrant, collaborative environment where students and staff from diverse backgrounds come together to address global challenges. Our strong studio culture encourages creativity grounded in empathy and real-world impact.
Our distinctiveness lies in our long-standing commitment to sustainability and the wellbeing of current and future generations. Through innovative teaching and impactful research, we aim to create built environments that enhance lives today while safeguarding tomorrow. Our global collaborations with academia, industry, and leading practices enrich the student experience and amplify our research impact.
As a result, we are consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 schools for Architecture and the Built Environment**.
*Top 5 in the UK: Guardian University Guide 2025, Complete University Guide 2025, Times Good University Guide 2025
**QS World Rankings
Our postgraduate taught programmes
We offer master’s degrees for those with an undergraduate degree to become fully qualified architects, as well as courses for professionals and graduates to gain specialist skills, with a range of funding and scholarship opportunities .
Accredited architecture courses
Both our two-year Master of Architecture (Part 2) and PgDip in Architecture: Professional Practice (Part 3) are ARB/RIBA accredited.
- Architecture (MArch)
- PgDip in Architecture: Professional Practice *distance learning option
Specialist postgraduate courses
These courses all confront the role of the built environment in the production of global challenges such as climate change. In different ways, they also explore the potential of design practice and innovation to address these challenges, shaping better prospects for future generations and our collective future world.
Some are available part-time or through distance-learning to support working professionals wishing to remain in practice while studying. Many also integrate expertise from other schools in the university creating opportunities for specialised, cross-disciplinary learning.
- MA Architectural Design
- MA Urban Design
- MSc Computational Methods in Architecture
- MSc Environmental Design of Buildings *distance learning option
- MSc Sustainable Building Conservation
Hear from Dr Sam Clark, our Director of Recruitment and Admissions, about postgraduate study at the Welsh School of Architecture.
Our postgraduate research programmes
Our Architecture PhD/MPhil programme builds on our reputation in sustainability, urbanism, architectural history, and design-led research. Students work closely with leading academics in their chosen fields, supported by a dynamic and collaborative research environment.
Our inclusive Research and Scholarship Groups play a key role in mentoring research students and early career researchers. You’ll benefit from broad exposure to your subject area and the opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration our five groups offer:
A full-time PhD registration is three years (or five years part-time) and a full-time MPhil is one year (or two years part-time).
Hear from Dr Vicki Stevenson, our Director of Postgraduate Research, about postgraduate research at the Welsh School of Architecture.
Our facilities
We’re based in the Grade II listed Bute Building, just a short walk from the heart of Cardiff’s city centre. Our historic and architecturally significant space is home to a wide range of specialist facilities that support both academic and creative exploration including:
- A dedicated auditorium for student-led symposia, conferences, and events — including the annual, student-curated Welsh School of Architecture Summer Show.
- Comfortable break-out and rest areas that encourage informal learning and social interaction.
- Postgraduate research students receive a laptop which enables them to study in whichever of our study spaces suit their requirements at the time.
- A bespoke architecture library, robotics laboratory, media lab, Living Lab, and workshop.
- A variety of studio, exhibition, and teaching spaces designed to foster creativity and collaboration.
A student-friendly city
Cardiff – one of the UK’s most welcoming, affordable, safe and student-friendly cities – offers students a vibrant environment in which to live and study. With students making up around 20% of the city’s population, Cardiff has a youthful, inclusive feel and a strong sense of community.
Beyond campus, the city boasts world-class sporting events, arts and culture, excellent shopping, and a thriving food scene. Beaches, national parks, and mountains are all within easy reach, offering students a unique balance of urban and outdoor living.
Cardiff is exceptionally well connected, with excellent public transport links and direct train services to London and other major UK cities – all just around two hours away – making it an ideal base for international students.
Supportive and inclusive student experience
With over 2,200 postgraduates from more than 115 countries, Cardiff University offers a truly global experience.
Cardiff offers a supportive environment through personalised academic mentoring, free IT tools and software, and extensive student services. The Centre for Student Life offers a wide range of services to support students. These include financial advice, visa and immigration guidance, career support for international students, and help with health and wellbeing.
Additionally, students can access disability support, mentoring, academic skills coaching (including English and maths), and residence support. Assistance with settling into university is also available. For students with families, the university offers childcare services, providing essential support for those balancing studies and parenting.
Postgraduate students benefit from tailored services including exclusive events, social opportunities, postgraduate-only study areas, and networking opportunities through the Postgraduate Association.
The Doctoral Academy provides additional resources and tailored support for research students, while all students are assigned a personal tutor to guide them through academic matters.
For those interested in learning more about life in Cardiff, prospective students can chat online with current Cardiff University students to get firsthand insights about living and studying here.
Follow the Welsh School of Architecture on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Watch our videos to find out more about the courses we offer:
Master of Design Administration
Architecture (MArch)
Hear from Dr Sam Clark about postgraduate study on offer at the Welsh School of Architecture:
Hear from Dr Vicki Stevenson about postgraduate research at the Welsh School of Architecture:
We also have a range of videos about our individual postgraduate degrees on the Welsh School of Architecture YouTube Channel:
Contact details
Web: www.cardiff.ac.uk/architecture
architectureadmissions@cardiff.ac.uk (undergraduate and postgraduate taught)
ARCHI-research@cardiff.ac.uk (research students)
Welsh School of Architecture
Cardiff University
Bute Building
King Edward VII Avenue
Cardiff
CF10 3NB
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Available courses
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