University of British Columbia

School of Architecture + Landscape Architecture (SALA)

402 – 6333 Memorial Road, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z2
(604) 822-2779; e-mail: arch@sala.ubc.ca

Master of Architecture

Years Accredited1996 – Present
Term of AccreditationThree years
Last Accreditation Visit2025
Next Accreditation Visit2028

Accreditation Document

2024 Architecture Program Report (APR)

2025 Visiting Team Report (VTR)

Program Descriptions

The Master of Architecture is a professional graduate degree that leads to certification with the Canadian Architectural Certification Board. The three-year program is highly demanding, with a significant portion of the curriculum dedicated to required coursework. Students take design studios alongside courses in history and theory, technical and material systems, and design media. Graduates leave the program with the disciplinary knowledge and technical skills necessary for a successful career in architecture.

Program Structure

The School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA) offers a three-year, CACB accredited, Master of Architecture degree that prepares students to enter the world of practicing architects.

  • a three-Year Program open to applicants from a four-year undergraduate in any discipline; and
  • an advancement placement two-year Program open to applicants who, during their undergraduate degree, have undertaken a sufficient number and type of courses equivalent to the first year of SALA’s traditional 3-year MArch degree track.

For more information regarding the University of British Columbia Master of Architecture (M.Arch), please visit
https://sala.ubc.ca/program/master-of-architecture/

Undergraduate Degree*


*Four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline.
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3 Year Course Sequence
↓
Master of Architecture (M.Arch)

Undergraduate Degree**


** Bachelor of Architecture (professional track program), Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Bachelor of Arts – Architectural Studies (design stream from Carleton University only), Bachelor of Architectural Science (from TMU only), Bachelor of Design (from UBC), Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies (from Dalhousie University only), Bachelor of Environmental Design, Architecture Option (University of Manitoba only)
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2 Year Course Sequence
↓
Master of Architecture (M.Arch)

M.Arch Typical 3-Year Course Sequence

Year 1

  • ARCH 502 – Introductory Workshop
  • ARCH 500 – Architectural Design Studio I
  • ARCH 511- Architectural Technology I
  • ARCH 515 – Design Media II
  • ARCH 597 – Themes in Architecture
  • ARCH 501 – Architectural Design Studio II
  • ARCH 512 – Architectural Structures I
  • ARCH 517 – Design Media II
  • Select one of the following:
    • ARCH 504 – Topics in Architectural History I, Pre-1900
    • ARCH 505 – Topics in Architectural History II, 1900 – present
  • ARCH 551 – Communicating Construction
  • ARCH 543 – Contemporary Practice
  • Elective

Year 2

  • ARCH 520 – Architectural Design Studio III
  • ARCH 513 – Environmental Systems and Control
  • ARCH 532 – Architectural Structures II
  • Select one of the following:
    • ARCH 504 Topics in Architectural History I, Pre-1900
    • ARCH 505 – Topics in Architectural History II, 1900 – present
  • ARCH 521 – Architectural Design Studio IV
  • ARCH 523 – Contemporary Theories in Architecture
  • ARCH 531 – Architectural Technology II
  • ARCH 533 – Environmental Systems and Controls II
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Year 3

  • ARCH 540 – Architectural Design Studio V
  • ARCH 548 – Graduate Project Part I
  • Select one of the following:
    • ARCH 504 – Topics in Architectural History I, Pre-1900
    • ARCH 505 – Topics in Architectural History II, 1900 – present
  • ARCH 549 – Graduate Project Part II
  • ARCH 541 – Professional Practice