BA (Hons) Architecture

This degree can set you on the right path to become a professionally qualified architect.

The skills you’ll learn on this course will be beneficial to you in your working life, regardless of your chosen career direction.

Through this course, you’ll become a confident critical thinker with an ethical stance – this will set you up to engage with – and respond to – the challenges faced by our society.

Find out more about where an architecture degree can take you

Careers service

Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements and networks, working with the academic staff teaching on your course.

We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.

Learn about our careers service

We are here to help you to explore, connect and succeed.

• Live, real-world projects working with expert practitioners from diverse subjects equip you with sought-after skills and experience to kickstart your career.
  
  
• An innovative, creative environment awaits you with high-quality facilities, technology and forward-thinkers in our Roland Levinsky Building.
  
  
• Leading practitioner talks, field trips, exchange and summer school options at home and abroad give you the insight and context to succeed.
  
  
• Professional accreditation from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) means you won’t need to complete RIBA Part 1.

• Year 1

• Develop an awareness and knowledge of the basic principles of architecture and learn key skills. You’ll be challenged to interrogate the meaning and role of architecture through experimentation and testing through making. You will learn through projects about people and environments with a mix of subjects and cultures.
  

  Core modules

  • Communication 4.1 (COMM411)

    This module will introduce students to architectural presentation and representation skills. Underlying this intention will be to mainly support design studio work, especially to explore and develop the skills to discover how to communicate your ideas in two dimensional and three dimensional visual form.

  • Design Studio 4.1 (DESN411)

    In this module through both individual and group work, students to be introduced architectural design project. This introduction is underpinned by an engagement with creative / critical thinking, and exploration of basic graphic and three-dimensional representation skills as a means of inquiry and presentation, pursued through various project briefs of increasing size and complexity.

  • Integrated Design 4.2 (DESN412)

    In this module through both individual and group work, students to develop and explore architectural design project further following the skills that they gained in DSGN401 module. This module will provide the opportunity for students to further engage with creative / critical thinking, and exploration of architectural graphic and three-dimensional representation skills as a means of inquiry and presentation, pursued through various project briefs of increasing size and complexity.

  • History Theory and Critical Context 4.2 (HTCC412)

    This module will introduce students to the task and methods of historical enquiry and to architecture as its subject matter through a survey of architectural history up to the late nineteenth century. Followed by the introduction of theoretical discourse which describes the practice and production of architecture, the critique of architecture, and its conceptual possibilities.

  • Technology 4.1 (TECN411)

    This module will provide the opportunity for students to develop their understanding of basic building construction and building physics. Students will be introduced to sustainability, materials, structure, construction and building physics.

• Year 2

• Build a critical understanding about design in broader social and urban settings. In the second year, the emphasis is on collaborative work in teams and professional contexts, tackling social challenges of living and working in urban communities.
  

  Core modules

  • Design Studio and Communication 5.1 (DSCM511)

    In this module through both individual and group work, exploratory, analytical studies and an architectural design project in the context of a specific theoretical framework are the focus for exploring and developing creative and critical thinking (i.e. design) skills. This module enables students to develop their digital representation and digital design skills, by delivering lectures, workshops and online tutorial sessions focused on up-to-date digital technologies such as digital fabrication, computer-aided drawing and building information modelling.

  • Design Studio + Communication 5.2 (DSCM512)

    In this module through both individual and group work, exploratory, analytical studies and an architectural design project in the context of a specific theoretical framework are the focus for exploring and developing creative and critical thinking (i.e. design) skills. This module enables students to develop their digital representation and digital design skills, by delivering lectures, workshops and online tutorial sessions focused on up-to-date digital technologies such as digital fabrication, computer-aided drawing and building information modelling.

  • Critical Context 5.1 (HTCC511)

    This module will develop students understanding of historical enquiry and to architecture as its subject matter through a survey of the architectural history of the twentieth century. The module will also develop students’ understanding of theories related to the practice and production of architecture, the critique of architecture, and its conceptual possibilities.

  • Common Challenge: Technology 5.2 (TECN512)

    This module allows students to develop their understanding of building construction technologies, with a specific application to architectural design. This includes environmental factors such as daylight, as well as sustainable technologies and materials, structural systems, multi-part construction and internal environments.

• Final year

• Live projects give you an opportunity to respond to global challenges. Through interdisciplinary consultation and collaboration, you’ll turn theory into practice, gaining experience across the scale from master planning to architectural details. Graduate with a strong portfolio that showcases your skills and experience.
  

  Core modules

  • Common Dissertation: Critical Practices (ADA600)

    The module engages students in situating practice through research, contextualisation and critical reflection, in relation to their final stage study and post University aspirations. Programmes can offer: a traditional dissertation; preparation for an extended dissertation; situating existing practice; or the construction of a new body of work as practice-based research.

  • Design Studio + Communication 6.1 (DSCM611)

    In this module through both individual and group work, exploratory, analytical studies and an architectural design project in the context of a specific theoretical framework are the focus for exploring and developing creative and critical thinking (i.e. design) skills. This module examines the context of architectural practice, and how buildings are procured and delivered within this context. It explores the principles of business management and how businesses operate. It also considers the construct of professional and personal ethics.

  • Design Studio and Communication 6.2 (DSCM612)

    In this module through both individual and group work, exploratory, analytical studies and an architectural design project in the context of a specific theoretical framework are the focus for exploring and developing creative and critical thinking (i.e. design) skills. This module examines the context of architectural practice, and how buildings are procured and delivered within this context. It explores the principles of business management and how businesses operate. It also considers the construct of professional and personal ethics.

  • Technology 6.2 (TECN612)

    This module will enable students to develop their understanding of the integration of construction and environment via a complex building design proposal. Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of materials, structure, and construction and building physics focusing on relevant issues in creating a sustainable integrated design solution.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BA (Hons) Architecture Programme Specification_0114

UCAS tariff

104 - 136

Digital portfolio
You will be required to submit a digital portfolio demonstrating a range of creative skill sets.
Advice on how to create and submit your portfolio.

A level
A minimum of two A levels; General Studies accepted.

International Baccalaureate
26–34 points.

18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
DMM-DDM (Distinction Distinction Merit).

BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification, it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information, we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

All Access courses
Pass a named Access to HE Diploma (preferably Art and Design or combined), including GCSE English and Maths grade C/4 or above or equivalent, with at least 21 credits at distinction, 12 credits at merit and 12 credits at passes to 30 credits at distinction.

T level
Merit in digital production, design and development.

Applicant portfolio advice - find out how to make an impression with your portfolio.