The University of Nottingham's new MArch Part 2 programme offers students the chance to develop specialist collaborative research skills in practice
The growing need for research skills was recognised by RIBA in its 2016-20 strategic plan ‘Advancing Architecture’. The University of Nottingham's new MArch Architecture with Collaborative Practice Research (ARB/RIBA Part 2) programme, which launches in September 2018, offers students the opportunity to develop these skills as part of their education, based in practice.
What are the benefits for students and practices?
The new programme:
- Gives students the opportunity to gain specialist skills by undertaking a significant practice research study as part of an extended work placement.
- Develops more highly skilled, reflective graduates whose education is aligned with emerging practice demands.
- Offers students and practices the opportunity to make new, transformative discoveries and promote a research culture in the profession.
The programme is a two-year MArch leading to an ARB and RIBA accredited degree, but importantly allows students to continue to gain valuable practice experience for the first year by working in practice for up to three days each week while taking a full range of academic modules in the remaining time.
Importantly for this year in practice, the most significant modules are focused on exploration and generation of new practice-led research.
Finding time in a pressured practice environment to commit to research and development can be challenging and the programme offers practices the chance to work with a Part 2 student to develop research interests supported by the university’s well respected academic research team.
How does it work?
The two-year programme embeds students within a host practice during year one of the programme, continuing their year out experience by working three days a week, before returning to Nottingham full time for their thesis studies in year two.
The new programme offers:
- Regular face-to-face student contact for all modules.
- Planned review activities where students from both MArch programmes can share and present work.
What sort of research can be done?
The programme has been designed to allow a wide range of research themes. There are no defined limits on topic, only that the university is comfortable that student and practice are capable of delivering the required study and level of support and that the university agrees that it can be defined as Practice Research / Research in Practice.
For more details about the programme, please visit: nottingham.ac.uk
If you are interested in this new programme, either as a practice or as a student, contact course director Graeme Barker using the details below.
Contact:
0115 748 6022
graeme.barker@nottingham.ac.uk