Architecture: Spatial Design Practices MA at University of Portsmouth

About

Spatial design embraces the specialisms of urban, landscape, interior, and architectural design. It engages with contemporary arts practices and public art, and draws on various disciplines—including geography, sociology, and ecology—to focus on working with people, place, and the environment in ethical ways. Expand your approach to the spatial design process on our Spatial Design Practices Master’s course, and discover new interdisciplinary ways to understand, design, and make spaces that have the power to transform the world.

This course emphasises that the components of spatial design, like materials and constructions, are connected to not only our senses and perceptions but also other ‘dimensions’ such as technologies, the biosphere, society, identities, and our thoughts and feelings. You’ll study the practical and theoretical frameworks to engage with spatial design’s interconnected practices, which will help you situate it in and amongst these dimensions (called ‘situated ecologies’).

You’ll also take part in current debates on spatial design and learn about the symbiosis between design and environmental analysis to create complex, engaging, and environmentally protective spaces. In the process, you’ll find that you can start your idea at any stage—be it a construction or made artifact—and develop theoretical frameworks to produce finished spaces and objects. There will also be many opportunities for you to work through the entire design process: from concept to realisation and testing your design ideas.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

To do this degree, you need to apply for the MA Architecture course. This is because it's a ‘pathway’ degree.

You’ll study Architecture in depth and choose required Spatial Design Practices modules. You’ll graduate with an MA Architecture: Spatial Design Practices degree when you finish the course.

These are the entry requirements for the MA Architecture course.

January 2026 start

A good honours degree in a relevant subject, such as

Architecture
Interior Architecture
Landscape Architecture
Urban Design
Civil Engineering
Building Surveying
Geography
Spatial Practices
Fine Art
Other design-related subject

Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject applies to this degree.

Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

If you don't have relevant qualifications and/or experience, you'll need to provide a portfolio to support your application.

If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.

To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.

You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:

you have a UK degree
you have a degree from a majority English-speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
you are a national of a majority English-speaking country

Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English-speaking countries will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

If you don't have relevant qualifications and/or experience, you'll need to provide a portfolio to support your application.

For more information on putting together a portfolio, read our MA Architecture portfolio guide.

September 2026 / January 2027 start

Qualifications or experience

A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject such as:

Architecture
Interior Architecture
Landscape Architecture
Urban Design
Civil Engineering
Building Surveying
Geography
Spatial Practice
History
Fine Art

Or a design-related subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. An online portfolio submission may be required as part of the selection process.

Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.

Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.

To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 5.5.

You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:

you have a UK degree
you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
you are a national of a majority English speaking country

Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Applicants without relevant qualifications will be requested to provide a portfolio to support their application.

To find out how to put together a portfolio, read our MA Architecture portfolio guide.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 17,200

Application Fee

GBP

Architecture: Spatial Design Practices MA

University of Portsmouth

University of Portsmouth

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines