MArch Architecture at Norwich

Congratulations on your successful selection to the Architecture and Interior Design Programme at Norwich University of the Arts.

We are looking forward to welcoming you in September.

As a student on MArch Architecture, you will be working in a studio culture that foregrounds human-centred, research-led design and critical engagement with contemporary spatial practice. Throughout your studies you will be encouraged to explore architecture and interior design as social, environmental, and cultural acts, not just as formal or technical exercises.

This welcome pack gives you key information about how to prepare, what to bring, and what to expect when you arrive. 

Welcome Week begins on Monday 21 September – this is when we will meet you on campus, introduce the course team, and show you around the studios and facilities. You will also take part in sessions that introduce university life, support services, and our wider creative community. It is a great chance to begin connecting with fellow students and to explore both the city of Norwich and the surrounding landscape. We look forward to seeing both our undergraduate BA and postgraduate MArch student on this day.  

Your first full day of teaching is Monday 28 September, when we will present to you the outline of the year structure, our activities, and the overall ambition of your course.  

Your timetable will be available online when you enrol. We have ensured there is no teaching timetabled for Monday and Wednesday afternoons; this will give you time during the week for independent study, as well as for clubs, societies, and other commitments. 

We look forward to starting this transformational journey with you in September!

Things to read and do before you start

Here are some suggestions for you to look at before you commence your studies.

• Your sketchbook. This will be your most valuable tool and resource. Get in a habit straight away of keeping a sketchbook and/or a note journal. Starting now to draw each day without pressure is a great practice to keep building up.
• Visit the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Art in Norwich. You can visit the Sainsbury Centre, its permanent collection and current exhibition, and the sculpture garden.
• Curious about life at Norwich University of the Arts? Our students are here to help! Just Choose a student to chat with, ask your question and they’ll get back to you within 24 hours!  
• If you happen to be in London this summer, make sure to visit this year’s Serpentine pavilion by Marina Tabassum, with an additional smaller Play Pavilion by Peter Cook.
• Keep strong drawings, designs, and reflections in your feed. If you are on social media, we recommend following these pages:
  • @thearchitecturalreview (IG);
  • @aseriesofrooms (IG);
  • @the_donnies (IG);
  • @koozarch (IG);
  • @dezeen (TikTok, IG)
  • @archdaily_ (TikTok; IG)
  • @norwichuni_architecture (IG)
  • @norwichuni_interiordesign (IG) 

Suggested equipment and materials

This list is a suggestion of equipment that you will need during your course.

Some of it you probably already have, but all of it you will use at some point, so read through the list to check what you will need. 

When in Norwich, you may find second hand items, or use the University Shop for your equipment. 

Drafting and drawing tools

• Standard writing pens
• Ball Pentel-type roller ball pen (extra fine, fine and/or medium)
• Fine liner pens (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5)
• Traditional pencils (2B, HB, 2H)
• Propelling/mechanical pencil (0.5mm with 2H leads)
• Soft eraser
• Scale ruler (metric: 1:10, 1:5/1:50, 1:10/1:100, 1:20/1:200)
• 30cm steel ruler (preferably stainless steel or aluminium)

Cutting and fixing tools

• Swann-Morton scalpel (Size 3 handle and 10A blades) 
• Stanley knife (retractable, preferably with a metal handle) 
• Scissors (small and large, suitable for paper cutting) 
• Masking tape, sellotape, blue tack, glue stick 

 Paper 

• A3 layout pad (80 sheets, 45–80gsm) 
• A3 tracing paper pad (50 sheets, 90gsm) or A3 width tracing paper roll 
• A5 or A4 notebook / sketchbook / journal 

 Digital & Storage

• USB memory stick or external hard drive 

Many of these items can be bought at discounted rates from  the University Shop or the 3D-Workshop, so consider picking them up during Welcome Week if you don’t already have them. 

In town, Thorns DIY offers 10% off for Norwich students on purchases over £15. 

Laptops

While studio and lab computers are available, many students find it more convenient to use their own laptop. You do not need a laptop at the start of the course.

If you are looking to purchase your laptop, you should ideally wait until starting the course, as many suppliers offer student discounts.

Your laptop should be able to run Adobe Creative Cloud apps (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), as well as architectural software like AutoCAD, Rhino, and Revit Architecture.

You do not need to purchase this software: Norwich University provides access to the required software for installation on your device, refer to the guide for details of laptop specifications.