Skip to Main Content

Contents

Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

The Master of Architecture (Professional) and Urban Planning (Professional) (MArch(Prof)UrbPlan(Prof)) blends courses from two standalone masters programmes. In less time than it takes to complete the two degrees separately, you will gain a combined qualification to practice as a professional architect*.

The programme will build a sound platform for the realities of contemporary practice. During your studies, you will gain skills to shape the economic, social, environmental and cultural development of our urban spaces.

This programme has received its professional accreditation and is recognised by the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB), Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) and the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), as well as the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI).

*If you wish to become a practising architect, you must complete this programme (or any of our MArch(Prof) programmes) as well as additional requirements from the registration boards.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

Successful completion of a Master of Architecture (Professional) and Urban Planning (Professional) qualifies you to work as an architectural graduate, with the goal of gaining full professional registration, or as an urban planner with enhanced design skills. You can also contribute in a variety of roles in a private or public organisation, as well as parallel roles within the industry.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Architect (following successful completion of additional professional registration requirements)
  • Cultural adviser
  • Environmental planner
  • Policy analyst
  • Urban planner
  • Urban designer


Further Study Options

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Other qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained from another tertiary institution, view our entry requirements


University of Auckland minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.                                                                                                                                                             

Taught (360-point) - 4.0 Grade Point Average                                                              

Bachelor of Architecture Studies      

Further Programme Entry Requirements

Taught 360 points

You must have completed your degree within two years of commencing this programme.

If your BAS was completed more than two years prior to starting this programme, you must submit a portfolio, written statement and CV via the portfolio system Slideroom.

Portfolio content

Your portfolio should convey your design ability and sensibility, your creativity and your skill with a range of architectural media. It must consist of between 12 and 15 pages of your own drawings and / or other creative works.

  • You can choose any page size up to a maximum of A3 to present your work.
  • You may display one or multiple images on each page.
  • Each PDF file submitted must not exceed one page in length.
  • Each digital experiment counts as one page.

View sample MArch(Prof) portfolio

Written statement

This one page document should outline your reasons for wanting to participate in the MArch(Prof) programme.

CV content

This brief CV should include descriptions and examples of relevant work experience or any other activities considered relevant to the application. Details of any academic and/or professional design awards/prizes should also be included. 

Submit your portfolio, written statement and CV via the portfolio system Slideroom by 8 December.

Postgraduate Requirements

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Find a Supervisor

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

Other Pathways to Study

You must have completed a Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) from this University with a GPA of 4.0 in 60 points above Stage III .

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes. 

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Advice on Programme Limits

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.


Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant must meet the admission requirements for the Degrees of Master of Architecture (Professional) and the Master of Urban Planning (Professional).

Note: This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Engineering and Design.

Duration and Total Points Value

2 a A student admitted to this degree must pass courses with a total value of 360 points.

b The total enrolment for this degree must not exceed 400 points.

Structure and Content

3 A student admitted to this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Architecture (Professional) and Urban Planning (Professional) Schedule.

4 A student who has not completed ARCHPRM 305, ARCHTECH 314, 315 or equivalent courses must complete one or both of ARCHPRM 700, ARCHTECH 706 as approved by the Academic Head or nominee.

5 The programme for each student requires the approval of the Programme Directors.

6 A student enrolled for this degree must, before enrolment in ARCHDES 797, achieve a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher over 180 points in the taught courses of this degree. If this Grade Point Average is not achieved, enrolment in the Master of Architecture (Professional) and Urban Planning (Professional) cannot continue.

7 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

Research Component

8 a The thesis is to be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the Programme Directors.

b The thesis topic and mode of presentation must be approved by the Programme DIrectors prior to enrolment in the thesis. The mode of presentation will normally include an exhibition of finished work (including some or all of digital, graphic and/or three-dimensional components) and an oral presentation of the finished work to examiners, supervisors, academic staff and other students in the cohort being examined.

c The exhibition and oral presentation shall be organised by the Programme Directors.

d The exhibition and oral presentation will be followed by the submission of the thesis.

e Recordings of exhibitions and oral presentations are not deposited in the University Library, nor deposited with the University’s digital repository.

f The thesis is to be completed and submitted in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Credit, Cross-credit and Reassignment

9 a A student may reassign courses from this degree to the Master of Architecture (Professional) once.

b A student may reassign courses from this degree to the Master of Urban Planning (Professional) once.

c A student may apply to reassign courses passed for the Master of Architecture (Professional) and Urban Planning (Professional) to the Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Studies.

d All courses that can be reassigned must be reassigned, including courses not completed.

Distinction

10 This degree may be awarded with Honours in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Deadlines for Completion

11 a A student must complete the requirements for this degree within six semesters if enrolled full-time or twelve semesters if enrolled part-time or equivalent.

b A student enrolled in this degree must complete their thesis by the date approved by the Programme Directors which will be no earlier than the last day of the twelfth week in the final semester of enrolment and no later than the last day of the final semester of enrolment.

c With the approval of the Programme Directors a student may submit their thesis up to 12 months after the student’s initial enrolment in the thesis if enrolled full-time, or its part-time equivalent.

Variations

12 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

13 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Schedule Notes

A student who has not completed ARCHPRM 305, ARCHTECH 314, 315 or equivalent courses must complete one or both of ARCHPRM 700, ARCHTECH 706 as approved by the Academic Head or nominee.

The programme for each student requires the approval of the Programme Directors.

Programme Schedules

Complete 360 points comprising:

  • 240 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • 30 points from Elective Courses, and
  • 90 points for all Thesis, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Thesis

Complete 90 points for ALL of the following:

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Degree Plan

Overview

Degree Plan for the Master of Architecture (Professional) and Urban Planning (Professional)

Year 1
Semester One
Advanced Design 1
Compulsory Courses
30.0 Points
Practice Management
Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Urban Planning Contexts - Level 9
Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Academic Integrity Course
Academic Integrity Course
Points
Semester Two
Advanced Design 2
Compulsory Courses
30.0 Points
Design as Research
Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Māori Planning Issues - Level 9
Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Year 2
Semester One
Housing and Community Development
Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Urban Planning Theory - Level 9
Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Contemporary Wicked Problem Studio - Level 9
Compulsory Courses
30.0 Points
Semester Two
Urban Planning Law - Level 9
Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Urban Economic Development - Level 9
Compulsory Courses
15.0 Points
Community Design Studio - Level 9
Compulsory Courses
30.0 Points
Year 3
Semester One
Thesis - Level 9
Thesis
30.0 Points
Elective Courses
15.0 Points
Elective Courses
15.0 Points
Semester Two
Thesis - Level 9
Thesis
60.0 Points

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

#ThemeDescription
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Programme Capabilities

#Programme Capability
1.1
2.1
2.2
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
6.1
6.2
6.3
8.1
8.2
8.3

Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism