Dear Archinect Community,

I am currently undertaking the fourth year of the MA (Hon) program – ARB/RIBA Part I – at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. I’ve seen interesting things around the ‘School Blog Project’ and decided to share a bit of my own experience for those who are keen to learn how architects and kilts do their thing.

Starting January 2011, students in the fourth year of a four-year program come back to the grand Minto House (see photo bellow) from their placement year to do their last semester before graduation in May. Everyone will have had professional experience in different practices across the world – we have a very international community in our course – and I am looking forward to seeing what new shenanigans my colleagues have learned. It is hoped, if I’m not defeated by all-nighters or have an overdose of espressos, that this blog will document and share the tasks undertaken by colleagues and myself. I aim at giving insight into not only studio projects but the whole academic spectrum. This comprises four courses:

Academic Portfolio 1

This course requires students to curate the academic work produced during their MA (Hons) degree and present it in the form of an integrated academic portfolio as defined by the British Architect’ Registration Board (ARB).

Architectural Design Dissertation

The Dissertation provides the student with an opportunity to investigate an architectural topic negotiated with staff. The student will undertake sustained and in-depth research and present a coherently argued, fully referenced piece of academic writing.

Architectural Design Option 2

This course is a studio-based course in which students are asked to develop specific approaches to design problems in an integrated manner. The set design problems will vary from module to module; more information will follow on the brief.

Architectural Design Placement Report

While the student is undertaking a period of employment a topic is identified in discussion with University staff and a draft report submitted. The Placement Report is a focused study of a particular aspect of architectural practice, or related activity carried out during the Placement then submitted on return.



I started my architectural studies back in 2007 and since then many things have changed in the school. The architectural departments of The University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh College of Art have formally merged this year into what is now called The Edinburgh School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture (ESALA). The joint school is the culmination of a project that began in 2004 with funding from the Scottish Government to combine professional programmes in architecture (ARB/RIBA Parts 1 & 2) at the two institutions. This fact adds on to the interest of this blog as this is the first official year of the ESALA.

I will follow up with more news as the semester starts. Meanwhile please care to comment.