STUDY AT THE INSTITUTE

The Architectural Institute School of Architecture Paris equips its graduates with the artistic, philosophical, intellectual and technical skills required by industry to produce the next generation of future professionals.

PROGRAMME

The Architectural Institute post-graduate courses are composed of an in-depth, two-year period of study in central Paris, culminating in a year-long research project in the second year, and public end of year show exhibition and the award of the Architectural Institute Diploma in Architecture or the Architectural Institute Diploma in Interior Design.

FACILITIES & RESOURCES

The Architectural Institute offers professional industry-standard tools and facilities to its students.

  • High speed internet connection

  • Access to Google Workspace

  • Lecture theatre and projection space

  • Modelmaking workshop

  • Individual fixed desks

  • 24/7 studio access

  • Lasercutter

  • 4x 3d printers

  • Woodworking tools

  • Kiln and pottery wheel

  • Library

  • JStor research access

PEDAGOGY

The pedagogy of the Architectural Institute Paris is rooted in testing the complex and divergent issues in which architecture exists through a single, comprehensive, year-long studio project. Developing a post-graduate architectural project from September until June allows for greater time of research, narrative, representational expression, philosophical engagement, and craft output than found in semester-long briefs. Such projects are intellectually demanding, and critically rigourous, with graduates leaving with portfolios with projects of great depth and complexity. 


The two year post-graduate course at the Institute is composed of these subjects:

  • The History and Theory subject involves the study of the historic architecture and philosophical movements of Paris from Antiquity to the present day, and forward to projected future projects for the city. This is delivered through site visits, lecture series, talks, and seminars in the first two terms of the first year.

    Students are assessed through a dissertation that follows on from the History and Theory courses, and affords the opportunity for a single topic research paper of between 10,000 and 12,000 words to be developed and presented. The resulting essay may be related to other subjects studied, or may provide an opportunity for significant divergence from the student’s other work that year. The final paper is presented in the first week of the second year as a paper submission.

  • The Studio subject involves the production of an architectural project over the period of one academic year. This project is to be based within the greater Paris region, Île-de-France, or in the Greater London area. This subject is delivered through weekly tutorials and termly project reviews. The studio project is developed through a period of several months rigorous research into an area of interest to the student. With support from studio tutors this research is then formulated into a brief identifying and elaborating on a scenario written by the student and presented at the beginning of the Spring Term. In terms two and three, an architectural response to this brief is formulated. As the length of time of the Studio Research project is much longer than many students will have experienced in their undergraduate studies, and it is expected that a greater depth and complexity in their work, and ultimately more sophisticated portfolios will result. The Studio Research project results an architectural output unique to each student, and frames their learning each academic year.

  • Key Skills Workshops augment the Studio Research, and are composed of projects or lectures on a highly specialised subject, and delivered by an expert in the field from industry. These workshops are an opportunity both to gain specific skills and knowledge or simply broaden the scope of study that term.

  • Professional Practice introduces students to a range of issues they will face in their future careers in architecture; from the protected title and activity of the architect, establishing a practice, fees and forms of appointment, clients, urbanism authorisations and the planning process, detailed and technical design, pricing and the tender process, and on-site work. This is delivered through a simulated "first project" after graduation, providing the necessary skills for graduates to undertake professional commissions, or to progress towards professional registration. This course covers the process using the systems and regulations in both the UK and France.

GRADING SYSTEM

In common with many MArch courses in the UK, the Institute implements a system with a following grades: Fail, Pass, Merit, Distinction.

This encourages maximum freedom of expression, and allows students to take risks and innovate without fear. In order to maintain high academic standards, a Pass mark is awarded only to high quality and rigorously researched submissions. Exceptional projects in any subject area may be awarded a Distinction at award level, at the discretion of the Head of School when proposed by their subject tutor and agreed by the External Examination Board.


FRENCH STUDY

Students who wish to undertake French language courses during their studies will be able to do so. These are offered to assist the student with their day to day activities while they are living in Paris. These will be available at both beginner and intermediate level and will not be subject to assessment.

APPLY

Applications for the 2025/26 academic year are currently open. Start your application today.