Apply
The London School of Architecture
London School of Architecture Logo Apply

Eligibility and Funding

Please ensure you have read through all the information in this section carefully before you submit your application.

General Entry:

Applicants should have a 2.2 Honours degree in architecture and ARB/RIBA Part 1. An equivalent architectural degree to Part 1 may be acceptable, but applicants must be aware that they cannot progress to ARB/RIBA Part 3 without having completed and passed Parts 1 and 2 in order to register as an architect in the UK, according to current UK government legislation.†

Students who are commencing the course are advised that, should they wish to be eligible to receive their Part 2 upon graduation, they must have been awarded ARB/RIBA Part 1. This should normally have been achieved prior to enrolment or, in agreed circumstances, within the First Year of the course.

Applicants must also have 12 months relevant experience in an architecture firm.

 

Language Requirements

Students whose first language is NOT English must provide evidence of their English language skills demonstrated by:

  • the equivalent of level B2 of the Common European Framework of References for English language to study at degree level or above
  • by gaining a further English language qualification if deemed achievable by the LSA

To meet the English language requirements of the LSA, candidates must obtain one of the following language qualifications:

  • IELTS (UKVI): A score of 6.0 overall is required, with at least 5.5 in each category. IELTS reports have a two-year validity period. Certificates must therefore have been obtained within two years of the candidate’s visa application date.
  • Trinity College SELT Test (ISE II (B2) or ISE III (C1)): A pass is required in each category at minimum. Trinity reports have a two-year validity period
  • Pearson PTE (Academic UKVI): A score with at least 51 in each category

English language exams vary in terms of how long they remain valid. Candidates should provide the LSA’s Admissions Team with a scanned copy of their official test certificate and the TRF number from that certificate. The required scores must be achieved during a single sitting of the examination.

In addition to the above, applicants may also choose from one of the following English language test and qualification options:

  • GCSE/IGCSE English, IGCSE English (First Language) or English Language: Pass at 5 (or grade C) is required
  • A Level English Language or English Language and Literature or English Literature: Grade C or above is required
  • IB English A (SL) and IB English A (HL): Language and Literature or Literature: Grade 5 or above is required
  • IB English B (for non-native speakers) (SL): Grade 7 or above is required
  • IB English B (for non-native speakers) (HL): Grade 5 or above is required

Applicants must enter the name and result of their test on their application, and provide an original copy at registration. If an applicant doesn’t have one of these qualifications but is currently being taught in English, they may contact the LSA’s Admissions Team for advice at enquiries@ube.ac.uk.

 

Please note the following information is currently under review and is subject to change for 2026/27 admissions. 

Funding

This section includes important information about fees and access to student finance loans. Please note that we are currently unable to support prospective students with visas unless you currently hold a valid visa to study and work in the UK: we do not currently have a Student Route Visa (previously ‘Tier 4’) UKVI licence. EU and International students currently residing in the UK with alternative visas allowing for study and work within the UK are eligible to apply. We hope to obtain a UK licence soon and we will update this information accordingly if our application is successful. We offer small bursaries to support enrolled students and have a hardship fund. Please familiarise yourself with our Refunds and Compensation Policy in this section before applying.

Tuition Fees

 

Tuition fees are due and payable at registration for each year, and you have three payment options:

  1. Self-Financing Students to pay in full.
  2. By three instalments. The annual fee can be split evenly between the three terms, at the latest on September 2026, January 2027 and April 2027.
  3. Through Student Loan Company (SLC) application for tuition fee loan and/or maintenance loan (see further advice below).

You are required to ensure that you have secured funds to pay your tuition fees at the point of enrolment. Students who anticipate difficulty in making tuition fee payments as outlined above should contact the school as soon as possible to discuss their financial position and options.

  • EU/EEA students who have been living in the UK for 3 years or more and have pre-settled or settled status: will be eligible for Home Fees and will be able to apply for the full amount from the SLC.
  • International students who have lived in the UK for more than 3 years, have a visa (allowing you to live and study in the UK) or the duration of the course will be eligible for Home Fees but not be eligible for SLC funding.

We will send you a fee assessment to establish if you are eligible for Home Fees if you are offered a place.

Non-home fees – 2025/26

For students who are not eligible for Home Fees (for example, EU/EEA/international students who have been living in the UK for less than 3 years). These students will not be eligible for SLC funding.

Student Loan Company Advice

The London School of Architecture’s MArch Designing Architecture is Part 2 of your 5 year architectural education and as such is eligible for Undergraduate funding as together Part 1 and Part 2 are considered a single course as long as:

  • You have not withdrawn from your Part 1 course before starting your Part 2
  • You have studied full-time throughout your Part 1
  • You have not undertaken another MA programme before starting Part 2
  • There has been no longer than 3 years between completing Part 1 and starting Part 2. (where the gap exceeds 3 years the SLC has discretion to assess whether a connection with architecture has been maintained)

You can apply for your undergraduate funding via the SLC.

If you are not eligible for UG funding, you may be eligible for the postgraduate loan.  This loan is paid directly to you and you can use it to pay for your tuition fees and/or living expenses.

Please note when making your application:

  • Your university is The University of the Built Environment
  • The programme is the MArch in Designing Architecture
  • You will be studying full time and in university (not on a placement year)
  • Please make sure that you apply for funding as soon as you can so that you have arrangements in place for when you are due to start your studies in September.
  • Ensure that you can manage all your study related costs and living expenses.  Some useful information and budgeting tools can be found on these websites:

Students whose domicile is Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are required to apply directly to the Wales and Northern Ireland educational authorities.

For any further enquiries please email enquiries@ube.ac.uk.

Bursaries and Hardship Funding

If demand exceeds the number of bursaries available, students will be prioritised on your home postcode given in your application, AND household income (to enquire as to whether you meet the adult quintile postcode criteria, please contact enquiries@ube.ac.uk).

Students who have been allocated bursaries will be notified and funds will be disbursed over the academic year.

Other Sources of Funding

Please review the following external resources:

Refunds and Compensation Policy

This regulation does not apply should a student exercise their statutory right to cancel their enrolment within 14 days of accepting their offer, in which case no fees or charges will apply and any monies paid will be refunded.

By the act of registering with The University of the Built Environment, a student accepts liability to pay the full tuition fee for the year of study.

Programme/tuition fees are charged for the educational services and facilities provided in the delivery of a programme of study, subject to the Programme Terms and Conditions relevant to the year of entry (‘the student contract’). The fee is an annual, consolidated charge for the provision of tuition, registration, learning resources, infrastructure, examination, assessment and graduation.

The University will re-calculate the amount of tuition fee to be charged in circumstances where a student withdraws or interrupts their programme during the academic session. In such an event, a student will have no claim to a refund of fees charged for any period they were registered during that session.

No tuition fees will be charged to any applicant who fails to register on their programme of study having previously firmly accepted an offer to do so.

Fees charged to registered students will be calculated based upon the date the University is formally informed of any change in registration.

A student who is deemed withdrawn may appeal the decision.

Apply to Programme

Start you application journey now if you are interested in joining the Part 2 MArch programme in 2025/26.

Find out more →

Process

Read through this page carefully for more information on the LSA’s admissions process.

Find out more →

↑ Back to top