Master of Architecture (Architecture and Urban Design)
University of Malta
Information last verified July 2026
Program Overview
The M.Arch. degree programme in Architecture and Urban Design will be the second-tier qualification, superseding the 1-year Diploma in Design Foundation Studies and the 3-year B.Sc. (Hons) in Built Environment Studies, that will prepare you for an EU accredited warrant to pursue a career as an Architect. The course structure conforms to the Bologna Process, as the complementary programmes taken as a whole are informed by the requirements of Article 46 of the DIRECTIVE 2005/36/EC OF THE EU ӏn the Training of ArchitectsԮ During the course, we will provide you with a balance between theoretical knowledge in subjects that are relevant to architecture, manifested into practical architectural design workshops. In the final year of your studies, your taught and research knowledge will culminate into a Masters level Dissertation and the Synoptic Final Project, where your formidable individual and independent research skills will be implemented. The M.Arch. degree programme in Architecture and Urban Design will be the second-tier qualification, superseding the 1-year Diploma in Design Foundation Studies and the 3-year B.Sc. (Hons) in Built Environment Studies, that will prepare you for an EU accredited warrant to pursue a career as an Architect. The course structure conforms to the Bologna Process, as the complementary programmes taken as a whole are informed by the requirements of Article 46 of the DIRECTIVE 2005/36/EC OF THE EU ӏn the Training of ArchitectsԮ During the course, we will provide you with a balance between theoretical knowledge in subjects that are relevant to architecture, manifested into practical architectural design workshops. In the final year of your studies, your taught and research knowledge will culminate into a Masters level Dissertation and the Synoptic Final Project, where your formidable individual and independent research skills will be implemented.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate in the M.Arch degree, you will satisfy the academic requirements for achieving a professional status in Malta, and following inclusion in the appropriate annex in DIRECTIVE 2005/36/EC, for the title of Architect at European level. If you are considering an academic profession, or are interested in furthering your studies for a more holistic understanding of the subject, then we would encourage you to enrol into a doctorate course.
Program Curriculum
Year 1 In addition to the prescribed 120 ECTS credits for the course, students may apply to the Board to register for extra study-units. Please refer to the note at the end of the programme. Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) AUD5102 Design Workshops - Architecture and Urban Design 15 ECTS Semester 1 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) AUD5222 Contemporary Architectural Discourse 5 ECTS AUD5231 Understanding Interior Space 5 ECTS CNM5851 Pre-Contract Management Systems 5 ECTS SPI5712 Principles and Politics of Urban Design 5 ECTS SPI5714 Sustainable Urban Design and Development 5 ECTS Semester 2 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) AUD5221 Process of Creative Design 5 ECTS AUD5251 Realities in Architecture 5 ECTS SPI5711 Urban Design and Spatial Continuum 5 ECTS SPI5713 Advanced Urban Design Theory and Practice 5 ECTS Requirement for regular progression to Year 2: 60 ECTS credits Year 2 Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) AUD5009 * Final Project 30 ECTS AUD5019 * Dissertation 15 ECTS * Study-unit AUD5009 and AUD5019 - The deadline for the submission of the Final Project and the Dissertation will be determined by the Faculty Board. Semester 1 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) AUD5241 Landscape and Building 5 ECTS CNM5852 Post-Contract Management Systems 5 ECTS SPI5715 Studies in Urban Design Research and Analysis 5 ECTS Requirement for successful completion of Year 2: 60 ECTS credits. Requirement for the award of Master of Architecture (Architecture and Urban Design): 120 ECTS credits . This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Master of Architecture - M.Arch. -
Admission Requirements
Applicants must be in possession of: Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications first cycle degree in Built Environment Studies from the University of Malta, with at least Second Class (Honours) or a qualification deemed by Senate, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board, to be comparable to the qualification listed in (a). The admission of applicants under (b) may be made conditional on the results of an assessment as the Faculty Board may deem appropriate. All applicants shall be required to submit a transcript of studies showing that during the first cycle degree they successfully completed the minimum number of credits in the relative thematic studyunits, as indicated in the Schedule approved by the Faculty Board. Study-units which were awarded a Compensated Pass shall not be considered sufficient for this purpose, provided that, at the discretion of the Faculty Board, applicants who present Compensated Passes in up to 4 ECTS credits may be allowed to join the Course subject to any conditions which the Faculty Board may impose. Study-units which were successfully completed during exchange periods of study at other universities may be offered in lieu of study-units indicated in the Schedule, subject to confirmation by the Faculty Board that such study-units have a thematic content which is compatible with the relative Schedule, and that study-units so presented are at least at the same level as the study-units they are replacing. Applicants in possession of a qualification as indicated in (a) and (b) who do not satisfy the requirements of the Schedule and lack more than 4 ECTS credits in study-units from the relevant thematic area may be allowed to follow and successfully complete a preparatory programme. Under no circumstances, shall the preparatory programme be taken in order to improve a prior performance in the first cycle degree in Built Environment Studies. Notes and any other requirements The Schedule of Thematic Study-Units will be available
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
€26,800 (Non-EU)
About University of Malta
University of Malta
Msida, Malta
TheUniversity of Malta(Maltese:L-Università ta' Malta;UM; formerlyUOM) is apublic research universityin the towns ofMsidaandValletta, Malta. It serves as theflagshipandnational universityof...
University Profile- Start Date October
- Language English
- Duration 2 years
- Credits 120
