Course contact details
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Email:futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Phone:0131 650 4360
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL
Architecture
- MA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 14 September 2026
- Undergraduate
- Central area campus
Course summary
We offer two professionally accredited architecture degrees:
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BA Architecture is a three-year, full-time undergraduate degree
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MA (Hons) Architecture is a four-year, full-time undergraduate degree.
The Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA) recognises architecture as a cultural, environmental, and societal practice. It is a civic endeavour concerned with people and how they live.
Our undergraduate programmes build knowledge and expertise across a range of disciplinary concerns:
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design
-
technology
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the environment
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history
-
theory
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the fine arts
We establish broad horizons in which the depth and intensity of work unfolds. We offer tools and techniques of inquiry, analysis, and projection for a rigorous engagement with contemporary and future challenges.
ESALA operates at the intersection of advanced creative practice and a world-leading research environment. We bring the two together to enable critical architectural responses to the social and environmental crisis facing the contemporary world.
Our ambition is to reimagine architectural education in the climate crisis context by celebrating diverse voices, practices, and forms of knowledge.
We strive to educate ethical practitioners, thinkers, and creators who will make a positive social impact.
Through design and critical reflection, ESALA is an exceptionally rich environment for the exploration of architecture’s capacity to improve the communities it serves.
Programme benefits
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A Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Part 1 Accredited programme situated in a city that has long been a centre of education and enlightenment.
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Many pathways offer a varied choice of study in the humanities, history, theory, environmental and digital cultures with architecture.
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A culture of investigation and critical thinking in making, supported by world-class workshops, technical facilities and staff, prime sites for understanding and investigating the ethical and moral challenges of building in our contemporary world.
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The enabling of a broad foundation which questions what architecture might be within a city, university and college, emphasising reason, responsibility and individualism of inquiry in action.
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You will work within an inclusive, fair, respectful and welcoming culture in which all staff and students can flourish. Edinburgh College of Art is proud to be Athena Silver Swan accredited.
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- K100
- Institution code:
- E56
- Campus name:
- Central area campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff Not accepted
A level A*A*A - AAA
AAA - AAA. Required subjects: A levels: no specific A level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4; Mathematics at A or 7, or Mathematics and Physics both at B or 6, or Mathematics, Science plus Additional Science (or science double award) at B or 6. Evidence of artistic ability is normally required at either A level or GCSE.
Scottish Higher AAAAA
AAAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C; Mathematics at A or Mathematics and Physics both at B . Evidence of artistic ability is normally required at either Higher or National 5 level.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 37 - 34 points
from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5; Mathematics at 6. Evidence of artistic ability is normally required at either HL or SL, for example Visual Arts or Design Technology.
Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff Not accepted
A level ABB
ABB. Required subjects: A levels: no specific A level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4; Mathematics at A or 7, or Mathematics and Physics both at B or 6, or Mathematics, Science plus Additional Science (or science double award) at B or 6. Evidence of artistic ability is normally required at either A level or GCSE.
Scottish Higher ABBB
ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C; Mathematics at A or Mathematics and Physics both at B . Evidence of artistic ability is normally required at either Higher or National 5 level.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 34 points
34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5; Mathematics at 6. Evidence of artistic ability is normally required at either HL or SL, for example Visual Arts or Design Technology.
Find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 92 | total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with distinctions in all four components. |
You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C;
GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.
Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website: https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for The University of Edinburgh - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.
Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.
England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535.
For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits
.
EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.
Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
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