Master of Studies (MSt) in Architecture (Degree Apprenticeship)

Virtual Open Events

To learn more about the programme, you can view the recordings from our previous events: 

MSt Open Event - November 2023

Employer engagement session - 2 March 2022

Education Aims

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Architecture (Degree Apprenticeship) provides an alternative to the traditional full time route to qualifying as an architect. Apprentices must have completed ARB/RIBA Part I through a recognised degree course or apprenticeship. Apprentices apply in their year-out through the architectural practice they are working for. The Cambridge course is taught in short two-week residential courses held throughout the year which mix Master Classes, Lectures, Supervisions, Seminars and Studio work. The lectures are taught by experts from inside the University and from elsewhere. The Master Classes are taught by leading practitioners in their particular fields. The result is a unique course that seeks to prepare the apprentices for the rapidly changing world of professional practice in the 21st century. 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of the programme and completion of the End Point Assessment, successful apprentices will have acquired all the skills and knowledge necessary to act as an architect to complete RIBA/ARB Part II and RIBA/ARB Part III and becoming fully registered.

Continuing

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Architecture (Degree Apprenticeship) is designed in accordance with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s Architect Level 7 Occupational Standard. On successful completion of the MSt, learners will automatically proceed to the complementary Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Architecture (End Point Assessment).

In the March of the third year, the learner will automatically begin the 12 month PGCPPA (EPA) which includes a written assessment in the September of the third year. Following successful completion of this written assessment, a learner may progress within the PGCPPA (EPA) to an End Point Assessment with the expectation that this will be completed within 6-8 months. Successful completion of the PGCPPA (EPA) will lead to the final Part 3 qualification which allows the candidate to register as an architect and become a member of the RIBA (Chartered Architect).  

It is expected that all learners should complete both the MSt and the EPA in order to complete the Apprenticeship. 

Employers

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Architecture (Degree Apprenticeship) course offers a high achieving, cost-effective route to registration. It is ideal for highly motivated post-Part I Architectural Assistants with a medium or long-term future in your practice. With three fortnight-long intensive sessions a year and other offsite learning days scheduled to your convenience, the course provides maximum flexibility for employers.

By partnering with the University of Cambridge to offer degree apprenticeships, employers could:

• Reduce graduate recruitment costs and develop talent from within. The apprenticeship system allows employers to attract and retain high calibre, committed Architectural Assistants. As participants on our course, apprentices have access to the University’s extensive research resources.

• Benefit from high-quality courses led by respected, experienced architects and researchers. We welcome input from our Apprentices’ employers at all stages of the process.

• Draw down Apprenticeship Levy funds and invest in high-quality business solutions which plug skills gaps within your company. Non-Levy payers currently receive £6,650 towards the £13,000 annual cost of the course.

• Profile the company as an employer of choice.

For architectural practices in East Anglia, the University of Cambridge Master of Studies (MSt) in Architecture (Degree Apprenticeship) can also be cost effective, saving employers' travel expenses to campuses in more distant locations.

Finding Out More

For further information, please see the Employer Handbook at the bottom of this page.

If you are an England-based Apprenticeship Levy paying employer, and have a keen interest in the postgraduate Architectural Apprenticeship programme for the September 2024 intake, please email apprenticeships@ice.cam.ac.uk to register your interest and the Apprenticeships Team will get back to you with further information. Please also see our Apprenticeships page for further information and our Factsheet for non-levy paying employers.

Safeguarding

The University of Cambridge and the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) are committed to safeguarding the welfare of all members of its community, students, apprentices and staff. It is important that all our students and apprentices feel safe in their learning environments'.

The University's Safeguarding Statement can be read here.

The ICE Safeguarding Statement for apprentices is available here

Prevent duty

The University of Cambridge and ICE have a duty of care for students and apprentices to safeguard those most at risk of radicalisation through early intervention and support. Further information can be found on the University's Prevent webpages.

For further information on our Apprenticeship Safeguarding policies and procedures please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead at studentwelfare@cam.ac.uk.

You can also read our summary documents for apprentices and employers below.

• Safeguarding flyer (apprentices)
• Safeguarding flyer (employer)
• Safeguarding statement

Employer’s Requirements

Prospective candidates who are interested in applying are expected to already have the support from their employer before doing so. The employer will be required to complete the necessary paperwork, therefore a representative will need to be available to assist in the enrolment phase of the programme.

The employer must be based in England and all apprentices must be UK or EEA citizens, or have lived in the UK or EEA for the past 3 consecutive years, to qualify for an apprenticeship under the Government’s rule.

Employers and apprentices will be required to sign various contractual documentation with the University.

These contracts will require the employer to commit to providing the 3-4 years of experience needed to qualify an apprentice to get Part III and the employer must provide regular mentorship in line with the normal RIBA requirements to the apprentice to make sure that their on-the-job training needs are being met. The apprentice for their part, will be required to work diligently throughout the course and the University will undertake to provide the relevant training to provide the knowledge, skills and behavioural requirements to complete the course.

Expected academic standard

Applicants for this course will normally be expected to have achieved a UK 2.i honours degree or overseas equivalent.

Level 2 Maths and English - GCSE grade C (5) or above (or equivalent) must be evidenced in the form of a certificate during the admissions process.

They must already have achieved ARB/RIBA Part 1, however they can have done so either through an apprenticeship or through a recognised degree course.

All candidates will be interviewed and expected to present a portfolio at interview. Evidence of exceptional ability in studio work is essential.

There is provision to accept non-standard applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic criteria but such applicants must produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience and their suitability for the course.

Language requirement

For those candidates who are not native speakers, the following levels of English are required:

IELTS Academic: Overall score of 7.5 (a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)

TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 110 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component)

CAE: Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element) plus a Language Centre assessment

CPE: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 in each individual element)

You may also be referred to the language assessment centre where a fee may apply. 

All Apprenticeship costs must be covered by the employer. Levy-paying employers can pay for part of the cost (up to the maximum funding band of £21,000) using their apprenticeship levy which will cover the University composition fee.

The total charge for this course is £39,000 (£13,000 per year) which includes the end point assessment (EPA) and residential costs, these additional costs above the £21,000 must be met by the employer. Thus, the extra amount due will be £6000 per year. Where reassessment or retakes are required, the employer will also be liable for these costs.　

The Apprenticeship costs cover:

• Course teaching
• Course materials
• Supervisory support and mentoring
• Residential costs (not including meals or travel costs*)
• End point assessment (EPA)

*Travel and meal costs will need to be agreed between apprentices and their employers prior to the start of the course but apprentices are not permitted to contribute towards fees. Employers are asked to support their Apprentice with these matters. Employers are not expected to pass on any of the tuition costs to the Apprentice via any other arrangements.

Application deadline: 30th April 2024

There are two parts to the application process. The prospective apprentice and employer will first complete the application to the apprenticeship. At this point, the apprenticeships team will carry out conversations with the employers and establish eligibility. Once that part of the process is completed, the prospective apprentice will be sent a separate link to apply for the MSt part of this programme. Both parts of the application process will need to be completed by the application deadline. 

Supporting documents

Below are details of the Course Specific Questions and other supporting information you will be asked to provide before you can submit your application. These are marked with an asterisk (*). References and transcripts can be provided either at the time of submitting your application or shortly after.

If you have any questions, please contact ICE Admissions: mst.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

References

You will need to provide the details of two referees who can provide academic or professional references. You will be asked to provide email addresses for your referees so that they can submit their reference via the online referencing system, so it is important for you to ensure that your referee is able to provide a reference for you before you submit your application form.

Your referees should be senior people acquainted with your work and able to comment on your professional experience and suitability to undertake the course. One of the referees should be a line manager or someone in a senior position in your practice.

The referee should describe how long they have known you and in what capacity as well as commenting on your suitability and commitment to the course.

If your referees are unable to use the online referencing system, or do not have email addresses, please contact mst.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk for further assistance.

Transcripts

A transcript is a list of all the courses you have taken during a programme of study, with the result you obtained, and with the credit value if applicable.

If you are currently studying, please provide a transcript listing the courses taken during your programme of study, with the results or grades obtained for each. Current Cambridge students should upload a copy of their unofficial transcript from their Student Self-Service.

If you have previously completed degree-level study, please provide a transcript and degree certificate for each degree-level programme you have studied, showing the date the degree was awarded and the final class or grade obtained.

The transcript should be uploaded via your Self-Service, using the ‘Academic - pre-decision’ category. Please note that we may also ask you to send the originals via post if we make you an offer of admission and supplying these may be a condition of your offer.

If your documents are not in English, you must also upload a full translation of each document, prepared by a registered translator.

*Level 2 Qualifications - Mandatory

Level 2 (GCSE) equivalent at grade C (5) or above in Mathematics and English. Evidence will be required during the admissions process in the form of a certificate.

*Letter of support from your employer

Prospective apprentices who are interested in applying are expected to already have the support from their employer before doing so. The employer will be required to complete the necessary paperwork, therefore a representative will need to be available to assist in the enrolment phase of the programme.

Writing sample

If a writing sample is required to support your application, this will be requested by the course administrator.