The SUTD’s Master of Architecture (MArch) programme offers a future-forward professional degree programme, highlighting design and research for sustainability and the digital transformation of the architectural profession. The programme launches the careers of leaders in architecture by emphasizing independent critical thinking in a thesis project, supported by close collaborations with faculty on cutting-edge research. Our students have a track-record of international awards and recognitions thanks to a curriculum that builds a unique design and technology skillset and supports for student-led innovation.
“My vision for the new capital (at Kalimantan) aims to redefine sustainable urban architecture for Indonesia and beyond.”
Michelle Gouw, SUTD MArch 2021
Winner, Global Design Graduate Show Award 2021, Architecture category & 15-Minute City Urban Design Competition 2021
The SUTD MArch design curriculum emphasizes diversity of choice and opportunities for self-determination. Students choose from a variety of electives, design studios and thesis advisors, defining a path that matches their personal strengths and passions. Rigorous professional practice and research preparation seminars provide a shared basis for the curriculum. International guest lectures, reviews, and masterclasses provide further opportunities for shared discourse in the programme and allow our students to hear from diverse voices and share their work and ideas more broadly.
“(My thesis) reimagines a future of living on water […] centred around a renewable material known as biorock, (where) natural sedimentation replaces the unsustainable practice of land reclamation.”
Poon Weng Shern, SUTD MArch 2021
A strong foundation in professional experience for all students is established in a 16 week structured internship which begins the programme. SUTD places our students with leading firms in Singapore and facilitates valuable professional advising and networking opportunities. During the structured internship students are introduced to our faculty thesis advisors in regular contact sessions, beginning the process of formulating the thesis.
SUTD has recently aligned its MArch studio courses with the thesis project, allowing students two terms to formulate their thesis and providing a more robust framework for design and research collaboration with the thesis advisor via studio experience. The alignment of advanced design studio with thesis research and thesis project creates a system we call the MArch LABS, where students have the opportunity to choose to collaborate on multi-year themes, or pitch their own thesis ideas in open LABS. Current LABS include Future Health, Circular Cities, and Regenerative Assemblies, with additional Open LABS led by Eva Castro and Thomas Schroepfer. Students may also choose to develop an independent thesis topic with an individual advisor.
“(My thesis) seeks to pose the question: Can Artificial Intelligence allow for more democratic collective design processes? What are the systems that would support such an Architecture?”
Chia Sheng Wei, SUTD MArch 2021
ARCASIA Thesis Of the Year (TOY) 2021, Gold Award
The SUTD MArch is a one-year programme, that builds on a 4-year undergraduate programme, and is open to all students with 4 years of university education in architecture. Graduates earn a prerequisite degree for professional registration in Singapore.
Our MArch programme is committed to growing a community of architects and researchers—students, alumni and faculty — working together to create a better, more sustainable world.
Applicants with only 3 years of formal university education in architecture may apply for admission to the MArch two-year track programme. Under the two-year track programme, students will attend two academic terms in the SUTD Undergraduate Architecture programme (Term 7 and Term 8). Upon successful completion of these two academic terms students will be directly enrolled into the ASD MArch programme without additional applications. The MArch two-year track programme is also open to applicants with four years of formal university education who nonetheless require additional skills or knowledge to align with the SUTD curriculum.
Note: Applicants admitted into MArch two-year track programme are considered as Non-graduating (NG) students during the two academic terms in the undergraduate programme (Term 7 and Term 8). NG students would have to pay non-subsidized fees (https://www.sutd.edu.sg/mneed/Fees-and-Scholarships/Fees).
The application window for the M.Arch 2025 intake will be from 1 August 2024 – 31 December 2024.
Click here to see our full MArch curriculum.
Click here to see recent MArch thesis projects.
Accreditation of SUTD MArch Degree
“SUTD’s five-year Master of Architecture programme, which includes the completion of the Bachelor of Science, with a major in the Architecture and Sustainable Design (ASD) pillar, received full accreditation. Evaluated by the Board of Architects’ (BOA) accreditation panel that comprises BOA Board members, practicing architects and academia, the university received positive reviews and support. In general, the panel was very impressed by SUTD’s good urban development research outcomes, differentiated pedagogy with a focus on technology, excellent facilities and equipment to support teaching and learning as well as its committed faculty and staff. The BOA has indicated on their official website that SUTD’s Master of Architecture is an accredited programme since December 2016. In addition, it is now recognised by the BOA as one of the required qualifications for the purpose of professional registration.”
Mr Tan Shao Yen
President
Board of Architects Singapore
Master of Architecture
The masters of architecture programme at the Architecture and Sustainable Design (ASD) pillar represents the deep investigation into the technology and research infused design perused by SUTD. This is an accelerated course held over 3 terms, principally comprising practice, studio and thesis elements. It is designed to orientate and focus students through a longer term thesis-based design methodology and project; and to realize new visions of novel creative and social design futures.
Structured Internship
The first term is situated in internship. This experience is used as a way to understanding the industry in a hands-on way with time to consider and develop a situational awareness to help guide the next two terms. Internships can be provided by SUTD connections and can be perused inside and outside of Singapore. During this time, students return to SUTD periodically and a thesis challenge and topic is collaboratively worked on between student and faculty.
Term 9
The second term centres on an option studio held by leading academics and visiting local and international practitioners. Option courses drive deeper understanding into advanced architectural topics and applied technologies. Alongside this are seminars introducing the thesis project methodology, with each student partnering with an individual faculty mentor to develop the thesis proposal and research. There are also the required courses to cover the technical and legal aspects required of an accredited masters course.
Term 10
The final term is the centre piece of the masters’ course. It is a focused term allowing students time and freedom to explore their previously developed thesis ideas into a full design. Each year the thesis is focused by a collective topic relating to needs or broad challenges within architecture and society shared at the start of the course. Taking the initial research and situational experience from the first two terms and culminating in a design solution at a building or master planning level. This is presented in front of peers and an international jury.
The Master of Architecture programme is accredited by the Board of Architects Singapore.
Programme Structure
SUTD Undergraduate / M.Arch Academic Calendar (for students matriculated AY2022 to AY2023)
JAN – APR
MAY – AUG
SEP – DEC
| * Term 3 Electives: | Science & Technology for Healthcare |
| Data Driven World | |
| Designing Energy Systems | |
| Spatial Design World |
SUTD Undergraduate / M.Arch Academic Calendar (for students matriculated AY2024 onwards)
JAN – APR
MAY – AUG
SEP – DEC
| * Term 3 Electives: | Science & Technology for Healthcare |
| Data Driven World | |
| Designing Energy Systems | |
| Spatial Design World |