Master of Architecture (Professional)

Prepare to work as an architect through accredited postgraduate study, and be part of shaping our built environment.

Get ready for your architecture career

The Master of Architecture (Professional) prepares you for a career as a practising architect. You will hone your skills as a designer of buildings and spaces—developing your ability to think visually and in three dimensions. You’ll understand and implement solutions for complex buildings.

The MArch(Prof) gives you the creative and intellectual skills to tackle big 21st century challenges, such as climate change and a lack of affordable housing. You’ll consider architectural challenges as well as creative, technical, and cultural issues.

Our industry connections in Wellington and across New Zealand will give you the opportunity to work alongside practitioners in both research and construction projects. Through practical, real-life experiences, you’ll learn how best to meet your clients’ needs.

Pathway to becoming an architect

The MArch(Prof) is accredited by the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB). This means that it meets its academic requirements for registration to practice as an architect.

After completing your MArch(Prof), you’ll need to spend three or more years gaining practical work experience before you can apply for registration. To register, the board will assess your professional competence.

Our MArch(Prof) not only leads to registration as an architect in New Zealand—you can also be registered or licensed in Australia, some parts of the United States, and the United Kingdom.

You will also be able to become a member of the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA), the professional organisation for architects.

While you are a student, you can also become a student member of the NZIA for free.

How you’ll study

Learn through a combination of taught courses and a major design research project that will prepare you for professional practice and develop mastery in your area of interest.

Part one—coursework

In your first year of the MArch(Prof) you’ll take seven taught courses.

You’ll study:

• advanced architectural design
• advanced construction theory and practice—including the integration of technology
• contemporary architectural theories
• professional practice
• advanced research techniques, including historical and theoretical approaches.

Part two—research

During the second year, you’ll complete a design-led ngā kohinga rangahau / research portfolio under a supervisor.

There are four main research areas:

• creative and critical—which focuses on design research, representation, and history and theory
• sustainability and wellbeing—which includes research about resilient and sustainable cities, designing for wellbeing and positive social impact, and design for indigenous people and minorities
• performance and technology — which includes building performance, construction technologies and materials, and simulation methods and virtual spaces
• Te Ao Hurihuri—which includes design, architecture, urban design, and building science by tangata whenua with a focus on mātauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori research.

You’ll be part of a strong culture of research and work with experienced staff who have published a variety of scholarly articles, books, and conference papers.

Find out more about supervising staff, research streams, and study options available in our main research clusters.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Get the postgraduate Architecture and Design Innovation handbook

Find out more about your study options. Fill in a form to download our Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation handbook.

Download the handbook

Other Master’s offering

If you are interested in researching a particular aspect of architecture—or if you want to deepen your undergraduate learning in a specific area—the Master of Architecture might suit you better.

️Future careers

Graduating with a MArch(Prof) will prepare you for a career in mainstream architecture in a private practice or a government organisation.

You will also be able to adapt your broad range of skills to related careers outside the mainstream profession.

You might work in a job such as:

• architect in private practice
• architect in public practice
• urban planner
• urban designer
• property developer
• project manager
• stage or movie set designer.

Scholarships

You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.

We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.

• Postgraduate and doctoral scholarships
• Search scholarships

The Wellington School of Architecture has a variety of scholarships and awards available to their students.

Applicable scholarships

• Warren and Mahoney Scholarship for Master of Architecture (Professional)
• Warren and Mahoney Māori and Pasifika Scholarship for MIA and Master of Architecture (Professional)
• Warren Trust Scholarships
• John Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship
• Team Architects Scholarship in Architecture.

Student work showcase

Browse an impressive range of student talent across the different year levels from Te Wāhanga Waihanga-Hoahoa—Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation.

Financial support

You can get support to stay on top of your finances by downloading our money management resources or by meeting with one of our student finance advisers.

We can show you how to manage your student loan or allowance, and help you sort out your budget. For students facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for support from the Hardship Fund. Depending on your situation, you might also be able to get government or community support. Talk to a student finance adviser Financing your study

Work opportunities

Work as a research assistant

You may be able to work as a research assistant while you study. These are fixed-term, short contracts where you assist an academic on a specific research project.

These contracts are decided in negotiation with academics in an area of interest.

Work as a tutor

You may be able to tutor undergraduate Architecture courses. If you are interested in becoming a tutor, get in contact with the tutor coordinator, or staff will seek out tutors for their classes.

Join our postgraduate community

Through postgraduate study, you’ll build valuable relationships and networks with peers, University staff, and future colleagues. Make the most of opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops, and social functions.