Architectural Design

Architectural Design focuses on a broad range of perspectives linking several common concerns: site and context, use and form, building methods and materials, and the role of the architect. Context is considered in terms of preexisting natural and constructed forms and sociological patterns of use. The architect is seen less as the sole creator of a completed building than as a collaborator in shaping the physical environment.

A variety of architectural design studios is offered. After establishing a basis in a core curriculum, the focus shifts to choices among design projects of ascending complexity. Introductory studios provide a basic architectural design background and vocabulary and help undergraduates decide whether they want to continue in architecture. The intermediate studios provide a range of experience of form-making in which individual faculty present their particular approaches to exploring design issues. The advanced studios give graduate students the opportunity to sharpen their skills and develop their own approaches toward form-making. In their theses, students carry a project of their own from concept through theory and design to a final product.

The MArch degree prepares students for professional registration as architects in the United States. The MIT Department of Architecture offers the MArch degree, which is a professional degree structured to educate those who aspire to licensed registration as architects. It is the centerpiece of the Department of Architecture.

The MArch is awarded upon satisfactory completion of an approved program of at least 164 units, 96 of which must be H-level subjects, and an acceptable thesis. Those who have not yet studied in a department of architecture must complete a program of 312 units, 96 of which must be H-level subjects, and an acceptable 24-unit thesis. 

Subjects required for the 3½-year program include:

• Six architectural design studios (3 core studios and 3 option studios)
• Geometric Disciplines and Architectural Skills I and II(4.105 and 4.107)
• Proto-Architecture (4.109), if needed
• Geometric Disciplines and Skills (4.107)
• Four Building Technology subjects (students entering in September 2015 will take 4.464, 4.462, 4.463, and a BT Restricted Elective)
• Precedents in Critical Practice (4.210)
• Professional Practice (4.222)
• Architecture from 1750 to the Present (4.645)
• One History, Theory and Criticism restricted elective (4.241, 4.607, 4.612, 4.621 or 4.652)
• One Computation/Media Lab elective (4.5xx or MAS.xxx)
• Urban Design elective (11.xxx)
• ACT elective (4.3xx)
• Three elective subjects that form a concentration
• Five free elective subjects (one may be 4.109, if needed)
• Preparation for MArch Thesis (4.189)
• Graduate Design Thesis (4.ThG)

All elective subjects must be at least nine units.

• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts for all relevant degrees
• IELTS or TOEFL Score. (The minimum score required for MArch candidates is 7 and the minimum TOEFL score is 600 (250 for computer-based test, 100 for Internet-based test). While either test score is accepted, the IELTS score is preferred. All students whose first language is not English are required to take the English Evaluation Test (EET) prior to registration at MIT. Even students who satisfy the IELTS/TOEFL requirement for admission may be required to take specialized subjects in English as a Second Language (ESL), depending on their EET results. These subjects do not count toward the required degree credits.)
• Curriculum Vitae, uploaded to the system.
• A portfolio of work
• Statement of Objectives
• Submission of completed application form by the application deadline

MArch Admissions Requirements

The program requires the following academic preparation:

• A Bachelor's degree with high academic standing from a recognized institution or, in the judgment of the department, the equivalent of this degree.
• Two semesters of satisfactory study in college-level mathematics (such as, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus).
• Two semesters of satisfactory study in college-level natural sciences (such as, physics, biology, chemistry).
• Six semesters of satisfactory study in college-level humanities and/or social sciences.
• Students may be admitted with limited deficiencies in 2, 3, or 4 above, but this deficiency must be removed prior to entry into the second year of graduate study in the department.

Applicants are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. In order to meet the admissions deadline, it is recommended that candidates take the GRE on the earliest possible test date. Test scores must be no more than five years old.

A digital portfolio is required of all MArch applicants, including those who do not have a previous architecture degree or background. The portfolio file should be exported as PDF for screen viewing. The file should contain no more than 30 pages with a file size not larger than 15MB. Two-page spreads are allowed, but each spread counts as one of the 30 pages.

The portfolio should include evidence of recent creative work, whether personal, academic or professional. Choose what you care about, what you think is representative of your best work, and what is expressive of you. Work done collaboratively should be identified as such and the applicant's role in the project defined. Name, address and program to which you are applying should also be included. We expect the portfolio to be the applicant's own work. Applicants whose programs require portfolios will upload a 30-page maximum), 15MB (maximum) PDF file to the online application system. The dimensions should be exported for screen viewing. Two page "spreads" are counted as one page.

Applicants will be notified by mail of the Department's decision by April 1. Decisions cannot be given by telephone.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Financial aid awards to Master's degree students are in the form of a partial tuition award. Master's degree students are also eligible to compete for work opportunities in the form of Teaching or Research Assistantships, or hourly positions available in the department.

Students are eligible for financial support from the Department, both tuition and/or Departmental employment, for the period of the standard residency requirement of the degree program. For PhD students this is up to a maximum of ten semesters. For MArch students entering in Year 1 or with advanced entry in Year 2, the maximum number of semesters of eligibility is seven and five, respectively. SMArchS, SMBT and SMACT students are eligible for a total of four semesters of financial aid.

Students in all degree programs must be registered as a full-time resident graduate student for the period of the award, and be in good academic standing in order to be eligible for continued financial aid.

In all cases, students should refer to the details laid out in the offer of admission.

Students are also assessed a Student Activity Fee of $304 per year which cannot be paid by MIT funds