Architecture Program, 300 Credits

Entry Requirements

Mathemathics C, Science studies B, Social studies A. Or: Mathemathics 3b/3c, Science studies 2. Social studies 1b/1a1+1a2. Science studies B can be replaced by Chemistry A or Physics A (Biology A is not required). Science studies 2 can be replaced by Chemistry 1 or Physics 1a/1b1+1b2 (Biology 1 is not required).

Degree

After a completed study programme, the student can apply for and obtain a Degree of Master of Architecture in accordance with local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website). In Swedish, Master of Architecture is called Arkitektexamen.

Description of the education for current education cycle

Degree of Master of Architecture is achieved when the student has completed the required 300 credits. See the Swedish Higher Education Act (SFS 1992:1434), Chapter 1, Sections 8‑9.

National goals for current degree

For Degree of Master of Architecture, the student shall demonstrate such knowledge and skill required to work independently as an architect, Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100), Appendix 2.

Knowledge and understanding
 
For a Degree of Master of Architecture the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge of the disciplinary and artistic foundation of the field and insight into relevant research and development work, and
• demonstrate both broad knowledge and understanding of architectural theory and history as well as specialised knowledge of architectural design, planning and the development of built environments and also the processes, methods and statutory provisions that affect them. 

 Competence and skills
 
For a Degree of Master of Architecture the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to plan, design, maintain and renew built environments and buildings in complex contexts and with a holistic approach informed by various demands, in particular the sustainable development required by the community,
• demonstrate the ability to use appropriate architectonic methods and syntheses to undertake and evaluate advanced and creative tasks autonomously and critically and within predetermined parameters in the field of architecture and urban planning,
• demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge about physical circumstances and technological principles to the erection and alteration of buildings
• demonstrate the capacity for teamwork and collaboration with various constellations, and
• demonstrate the ability in dialogue with different audiences in both national and international contexts to present and discuss, using images and models, his or her conclusions and the knowledge and reasoning on which they are based in speech, writing or some other way and so contribute to the development of the profession and professional practice.

Judgement and approach
 
For a Degree of Master of Architecture the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to adopt a holistic view in making judgements and appraisals informed by the relevant disciplinary, social, aesthetic and ethical aspects and which at the same time take into account the different needs and functional abilities of communities and individuals as well as the interaction between individuals and their physical settings, including occupational health and safety,
• demonstrate the disposition to base his or her work on high-quality, well-designed long-term functional solutions, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and undertake ongoing development of his or her skills.

Local goals for current degree

For the Degree of Master of Architecture, the student shall

• demonstrate understanding of the resource and operational conditions that impact the architect's professional practice,
• demonstrate the ability to re-evaluate architectural conventions,
• demonstrate the ability to reflect on the role of the architect and architecture in an evolving global perspective,
• demonstrate artistically advanced ability to shape and have a well-developed ability to use creative work processes,
• be able to reflect on contemporary issues in the architect's design process, such as sustainability.

Examination format

Each syllabus sets out the examination formats used in each individual course.

Grades

Each syllabus sets out the grades used in the course.

Transfer of Credits

A student who believes to have gained knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional experience that may be equivalent to a course or part of a course in the programme can apply for transfer of credits. Granting a transfer of credits means that the student will not have to study the parts of the programme included in the decision. Information on transfer of credits is available on Umeå University's website.

www.umu.se/en/education/how-to-apply/transfer-of-credits/

General

Degree of Master of Architecture is obtained when the student has completed the required 300 credits. Of these, 30 shall consist of a thesis, and in addition to the thesis project, at least 60 credits shall be on a second-cycle level. In its design, the education programme shall primarily be project-based with thematic projects and with integrated courses that may be concentrated in time or spread out across a longer period of time and taken at part-speed. The entire programme is in English.
 
Documentation
All students shall document all architectural projects in 'architectural synthesis' and compile these in a work portfolio.

Compulsory courses
Compulsory courses are courses that all students enrolled in the programme normally study. A student enrolled in the study programme is guaranteed a seat in all compulsory courses, provided that the entry requirements for the course in question are met. Entry requirements are listed in each respective course syllabus.
 
The study programme includes the following courses, listed by year. The courses are not listed chronologically within an academic year. The order may vary from year to year depending on how the project-based format is applied.
The following courses are marked with a G for the basic level and A for the advanced level.

Architectural synthesis
Architecture project 1:1 (G) 15 credits, 5AR131
Architecture project 1:2 (G) 15 credits, 5AR135
Architecture project 2:1 (G) 15 credits, 5AR210
Architecture project 2:2 (G) 15 credits, 5AR211
Architecture project 3:1 (G) 15 credits, 5AR300
Architecture project 3:2 (G) 5 credits, 5AR304
Synthesis course 1: Architecture and Urban Design Project, Positioning (A), 20 credits, 5AR420
Synthesis course 2: Architecture and Urban Design Project, Resolution (A), 20 credits, 5AR423
Synthesis course 3: Preparatory Architecture and Urban Design Project for Master's Thesis, 20 credits (A), 5AR525

Degree Project, First Cycle, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture (G) 15 credits, 5AR306.
Master's Thesis, Second Cycle, Master of Fine Arts in Architecture (A) 30 credits, 5AR522

Theory and History of Architecture
Theory of Architecture 1:1 (G) 6 credits, 5AR134
Theory of Architecture 1:2 (G) 6 credits, 5AR137
Theory of Architecture 2:1 (G) 6 credits, 5AR201
Theory of Architecture 2:2 (G) 2 credits, 5AR208
Theory of Architecture 3:1 (G) 8 credits, 5AR303
Theory of Architecture 3:2 (G) 10 credits, 5AR305
Seminar course 1b: Theory and History of Architecture and Urban Design (A), 5 credits, 5AR422:
Seminar course 3b: Preparatory Research in Theory and History of Architecture and Urban Design for Master's Thesis (A), 5 credits, 5AR527
History of Architecture 1:1 (G) 6 credits, 5AR132
History of Architecture 1:2 (G) 6 credits, 5AR138
History of Architecture 2:1 (G) 6 credits, 5AR202
History of Architecture 2:2 (G) 3 credits, 5AR206
History of Architecture 3 (G) 4 credits, 5AR302
 
Architectural Technology
Architectural Technology 1:1 (G) 3 credits, 5AR133
Architectural Technology 1:2 (G) 3 credits, 5AR136
Architectural Technology 2:1 (G) 3 credits, 5AR203
Architectural Technology 2:2 (G) 4 credits, 5AR205
Seminar course 1a: Architectural Technology, Sustainability and Environmental Impact (A), 5 credits, 5AR421
Seminar course 2a: Architectural Technology, Resolution (A), 5 credits, 5AR424
Seminar course 3a: Preparatory Research in Architectural Technology for Master's Thesis (A), 5 credits, 5AR526
 
Urban planning/Entrepreneurship
Urban planning 1 (G) 6 credits, 5AR207
Urban planning 2 (G) 3 credits, 5AR301
Seminar course 2b: Professional Studies in Architecture and Urban Design (A), 5 credits, 5AR425

Programme overview
 

Degree Project/independent project

A degree project concludes the programme and may be started once the entry requirements in the course syllabus have been met. The student shall apply the knowledge acquired during the programme in the degree project and orally, creatively, and in a written report present the result. The project comprises 30 credits and shall include some form of topic-specific specialisation. The project is completed individually, but two students may cooperate on the project following a special application to do so, provided that the individual achievements are clear. An examiner at the university assesses whether a project proposal meets the requirements to be considered to be a degree project and appoints an appropriate supervisor at the university. The examiner is also responsible for the assessment. The written report shall be linguistically and stylistically designed to ensure its quality is equivalent to reports published within the university. The report, title, and summary are normally in English with a separate sheet with the title and summary in Swedish. The degree project results in grade Fail or G.

Deferment of studies

Information on deferment of studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Approved leave from studies

Information on approved leave from studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Discontinuation

Information on discontinuation is available on Umeå University's website.

Other

Advancement rules
 
First-cycle level
 
For Year 1, spring term of the Architecture Programme:
The first autumn project shall have a passing grade or be deemed to possibly achieve a passing grade after completion before the spring term begins.
 
For Year 2 of the Architecture Programme:
All compulsory modules of Year 1 shall have been passed before the start of the autumn term.
 
For Year 2, spring term of the Architecture Programme:
The autumn project shall have a passing grade or be deemed to possibly achieve a passing grade after completion before the spring term begins.
 
For Year 3 of the Architecture Programme:
All compulsory modules of Year 1-2 shall have been passed before the start of the autumn term
 
For Year 3, spring term of the Architecture Programme:
The autumn project (Architechture project 2:1, 15 hp) shall have a passing grade, or be deemed to possibly achieve a passing grade after completion before the spring term begins.
 
Second-cycle level
 
For Year 4 of the Architecture Programme:
All compulsory modules of Year 1-3 shall have been passed.
 
For Year 5 of the Architecture Programme:
All compulsory modules of Year 1-4 shall have been passed.
For anyone applying to start the degree project, all compulsory modules up to the degree project shall have been passed (270 credits for a 300-credit Degree of Master of Architecture).
 
For advancement to the next year within the Architecture Programme's second cycle, the following dates for any supplementary qualifications apply:
 
For advancement to the next year or to start the degree project in the autumn term, any supplementary qualifications must be reported before the beginning of the term.
 
For advancement to the next year or to start the degree project in the spring term, any supplementary qualifications must be reported before the beginning of the term.

Supplementary rules
 
First-cycle level
 
Completion of remainder of project:
It is part of the project that the work shall be completed within the set timeframe.
A student who has not received a passing grade on a project shall receive written notice from examiner no later than 15 working days after the examination of the course. The student shall then be informed of the possibility to submit a supplementary qualification for approval and be provided clear instruction on what the supplementary qualification shall include and a deadline for submission of the supplementary qualification. Remainders in the final project of the academic year must be supplemented during the following summer and be submitted no later than on 15 August. After this time, the project can no longer be supplemented.
 
Completion of remainder of course(s):
A student who has not passed a compulsory course shall receive written notice from examiner no later than 15 working days after the examination of the course on what needs completion for the course to be passed and a deadline for submission of the supplementary qualification.
Remainders of courses must be completed no later than on 15 August for the student to advance to a higher year.
 
Important for remainders in projects and courses:
 
Project: The Student may participate in the next project but the remainder must be supplemented and submitted no later than when then the following project shall be submitted.
If the student takes approved leave from studies, remainders in autumn projects shall be supplemented and submitted no later than on1 June in same academic year, and 15 August for spring projects. After this time, the project can no longer be supplemented.
 
Courses: If the student takes approved leaves from studies, remainders in courses shall be supplemented and submitted no later than on 15 August for the student to advance to a higher year. If the student is returning to a spring term, deadline is 15 December.
 
Second-cycle level
 
Completion of project:
A student who has not received a passing grade shall receive written notice from examiner no later than 15 working days after the examination of the course. The student shall then be informed about the possibility of supplementary qualification for a passing grade and be given clear instruction on what the supplementary qualification shall include. A time and project plan for supplementary qualification shall be established. The project includes that the work shall be completed within the set timeframe, why the supplementary qualification of the architecture project must be presented to examiner no later than on:
15 May for supplementary qualification from the autumn term of the same academic year.
15 August for supplementary qualification from previous spring term.
This opportunity for completion of an architectural project cannot be extended or repeated.
Examination takes place 15 working days after these dates.

Completion of courses:
A student who has not received a passing grade shall receive written notice from examiner no later than 15 working days after the examination of the course. The student shall then be informed of the possibility of supplementary qualification for a passing grade and be given clear instruction on what the supplementary qualification shall include. A time and project plan for supplementary qualification shall be established.