Master's Thesis, Master of Fine Arts in Architecture and Urban Design 30 credits
About the course
The course consists of an advanced and substantial degree project within a given framework.
The degree project enables students to integrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities they have acquired during the architecture programme and apply them to an advanced architectural project. The emphasis of the degree project is on establishing, explaining, and defending the student's own position as a future professional. As part of the degree project, students apply the contextual, historical, technical, and design research conducted in "Seminar Course 3a" and "Seminar Course 3b", as well as "Synthesis Course 3", to develop an ambitious well researched and well-grounded architectural project.
Students will be expected to develop a design for an advanced architectural proposal, which may include but is not restricted to its physical, historical, and social framework, along with its structural, tectonic, environmental, material, and sustainable characteristics and its impact on its context.
While the master's thesis inevitably leads to an advanced architectural proposal and while it must meet the learning outcomes for the course, it may focus on urbanism, landscape, social and participatory processes, technical and material innovations, etc.
Students who wish to locate their project in another context, for example in another country, city or region where field study of context is required, may do so in dialogue with the supervisor and in accordance with the given framework for the exam project. In this case the student will be required to regularly visit Umeå during the course period as agreed with the supervisor.
This course is part of a programme
This course contains occasions that are included in a degree programme at Umeå university and applies only to those of you who are admitted to the programme. You will receive information about application times and what applies to you from your institution.
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Spring 2026
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Master's Thesis, Master of Fine Arts in Architecture and Urban Design
Offered as a part of a Degree programme
Spring 2026 / Umeå / English / On site
Application opens 15 September 2025Show more Show less
Starts19 January 2026
Ends7 June 2026
Number of credits30 credits
Type of studiesOn site
Study pace100%
Teaching hoursDaytime
Study locationUmeå
LanguageEnglish
Application codeUMU-52713
Eligibility Admission to the course requires at least 240 credits, including the courses: Synthesis course 2: Architecture and Urban Design Project, Resolution (20 credits) Seminar course 2a: Architectural Technology, Resolution (5 credits) Seminar course 2b: Professional Studies in Architecture and Urban Design (5 credits)SelectionGuaranteed admission within TYARK and TAASM.
ApplicationThe online application opens 15 September 2025 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 October 2025.
Application and tuition feesAs a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 118,400
Total fee: SEK 118,400
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How to apply
Apply online via universityadmissions.se
You apply to our programmes and courses via universityadmissions.se – the official website for higher education applications in Sweden. There, you can track your application, check that your documents have been registered, and log in to find our your admission results.
Late applications
Admissions to most programmes and courses typically close after the final application deadline. However, some programmes and courses may still accept late applications if seats are available. These are marked “Open for late application” on universityadmissions.se. Please note that late applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed.
More about application and admission
Explore your future at Umeå University
Join a vibrant academic community where high-quality education meets groundbreaking research in science, technology, humanities, and the arts. At Umeå University, you will learn from passionate, expert teachers and benefit from a close connection between research, education, collaboration, and innovation.
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