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