This four-month programme consolidates the expertise offered by our longstanding MA in Advanced Architecture into a short course that is ideal for both graduates and professionals. Develop enhanced architectural design skills and benefit from specialist options that reflect contemporary practice and technologies.
Please note, your course welcome starts on 25 January 2027. Teaching starts on the 1 February 2027.
The PGCert in Advanced Architecture is designed for graduates and practitioners across a broad range of built environment disciplines who wish to deepen their expertise in advanced architectural design. It will enable you to strengthen your design and technical capabilities, develop specialist knowledge in emerging technologies, and even establish a foundation for design-led or research-based progression towards a PhD.
Highly flexible in structure and content, this four-month programme offers an adaptable suite of academic, practice-based, and research-focused topics. You can tailor your studies to suit your own interests and level of experience, selecting from areas such as computational design, artificial intelligence, digital fabrication, robotics, extended reality technologies, sustainable design, building information modelling, environmental assessment, and digital heritage. You can also combine several of these disciplines to create a personalised learning trajectory.
This qualification is ideal for graduates and practitioners who want to deepen their expertise in advanced architectural design. It is particularly suited to those with backgrounds in architecture, engineering, interior architecture, interior design, environmental design, urban planning, computational design, BIM coordination or landscape architecture.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Your PGCert will comprise of 60 credits of modules, all of which are optional, allowing you to tailor the qualification to your specific areas of interest.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching is delivered through a range of formats. Lectures, small group seminars, studio tutorials, skills-based workshops, guided independent study, group work, and reflective or experiential learning form the core teaching methods.
Lectures introduce key themes and debates at the appropriate level of study, while small group seminars allow students to examine specific design issues or topical debates in greater depth, and encourage active participation. Guided independent study is essential throughout the programme, and group work is integral to studio teaching. Studio teaching follows established architectural pedagogy, with weekly small group sessions led by a tutor.
A range of assessment methods is utilised, such as coursework portfolios, reviews and presentations. Studio work is formally assessed by a digital portfolio with students being allowed time to reflect and act upon formative feedback received. The assessment of studio work is by the studio team and moderated by an experienced design tutor not teaching in the course. The External Examiner has full access to both the final design presentations and the development wikis. Assessment of non-studio modules follows standard University practice.
At Liverpool, we take a distinctive approach to education through the Liverpool Learning Framework. This means teaching that is engaging, inclusive and designed to help you succeed during your studies and beyond.
You’ll develop specialist subject knowledge alongside the skills employers value most, including:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
We also embed key priorities across our curriculum, including AI literacy, employability, and sustainability, helping you prepare for the future and make a positive impact in the world.
We’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
You can study some of the modules on this course as standalone CPD (Continuing Professional Development) modules. Contact us using the buttons at the bottom of the course page to find out more.
This course is also available as a twelve month MA programme.
The Liverpool School of Architecture benefits from comfortable, well-lit studio, work and seminar/review spaces, including a ‘hi-tech’ design studio, to which you will have 24-hour access.
Our facilities include a Print Media Design Suite, workshops, a laser suite, a CNC router room, 3D printers, computing labs and research labs. A team of dedicated technicians will help you to get the most of these facilities and to realise your ideas.
Asterios Agkathidis and Mohammed Al Suwaidi introduce the MA in Advanced Architecture.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
This programme is ideal for graduates and practitioners who want to accelerate their career progression in the AEC and built environment sectors.
You will gain an advanced and highly relevant skill set spanning:
These capabilities are increasingly sought after across architectural practice, the wider built environment sector and emerging technology-driven design fields. As such, this qualification aims to significantly enhance your employability and career progression.
Some students will use the PGCert as an opportunity to refine their academic interests and identify the most suitable area of specialism for doctoral study, using the programme as a stepping stone towards a PhD.
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £4,150
Full-time place, per year - £10,000
Tuition fees are for the academic year 2026/27.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,858 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in Architecture (or a closely related subject e.g. Landscape Architecture, Interior/Art Design, Civil/Structural Engineering or Urban Design). Please contact us if you wish to check whether your degree subject is suitable, however a wide spectrum of subjects are acceptable. Candidates who do not meet these requirements will be considered on their individual merits and should discuss their particular circumstances with the Programme Director. |
| International qualifications |
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 4.5 overall, with 4 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with writing at 6.0 and no component below 5.5 | 6 weeks | On campus or online |
| 5.5 overall, with writing at 5.5 and no component below 5.0 | 10 weeks | On campus or online |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component at 5.0 | 12 weeks | Online |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no more than one component at 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component at 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, for further details.
Discover more about the city and University.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience, living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
If you have any questions about the course content, please contact the programme director.
Last updated 7 April 2026 / / Programme terms and conditions