Description
The Master of Architecture (M. Arch.) is a postgraduate degree designed for registration at NQF level 9. The M. Arch. builds on the outcomes of the Bachelor of Architecture Honours, and aims at providing practice-oriented education to enable students to pursue careers in architecture and related fields in the built environment and to strengthen the architectural industry in Namibia and beyond. The programme covers four major cognate areas of learning including architectural design, building technology, urbanism, and professional practice. Furthermore, the programme was designed to increase capacity for applied research in the area of architecture and the built environment. The M. Arch will be completed by thesis and coursework, and is structured to be largely studio-based with prospects for skills in design, theory and practice.
Admission Requirements
Applicants holding a Bachelor of Architecture Honours degree, obtained at the Polytechnic of Namibia/Namibia University of
Science and Technology, or holders of an equivalent qualification at NQF level 8 worth 480 Credits of a recognised Tertiary
Education Institution are eligible for admission for the M. Arch. programme. Qualifications from other institutions will be
evaluated by the Departmental Postgraduate Selection Committee to determine equivalence in terms of core competencies,
acceptable to the Department.
The admission of students will be by means of an interview with the Postgraduate Selection Committee, during which
candidates will be required to present a portfolio of work, which might include work from previous studies as well as practical
work carried out. The results of the selection process are final and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into.
Career Opportunities
The successful completion of the programme will earn students the professional qualification of Master of Architecture. This opens windows of various career opportunities for the M. Arch. holder:
Qualification to register as Architects with the Namibia Council for Architects and Quantity Surveyors (NCAQS), after satisfying the mandatory requirements for professional registration, or equivalent professional bodies; Eligibility for employment as Architect in private sector consultancies and public sector institutions (State, Provincial and Local Authorities), tertiary education and training institutions, research organisations, financial institutions, property development enterprises and construction companies; Self-employment as Architect after satisfying the conditions of NCAQS with regards to setting up own practice; Entry into many other fields, for example, those involving urban, interior or industrial design, landscape architecture, and conservation / restoration / maintenance of the built environment
