BA (Hons) Architecture (Part 1 ARB/RIBA)

The BA (Hons) Architecture degree will help you to prepare for professional practice (part 1 ARB/RIBA) and investigate the ways we live in the world through material and spatial relationships. You'll develop skills that will form the foundation of your career in architecture: making, collaborating, designing and communicating. Integrating practice with theory is at the heart of professional architectural practice, so that’s exactly what you’ll do here.

You’ll explore, experiment and develop new solutions. Discussing and presenting your work you'll share ideas about architecture through making tangible propositions, mindful of how they might be realised.

This ‘research-by-making’ approach encourages risk-taking, innovation and entrepreneurship. Both inside and outside the studio, as well as in regular seminars, lectures and reviews, you’ll work on projects that require a creative balance of rigour and risk, informed by your design, technical and contextual knowledge.

At every stage in your degree, you’ll have opportunities to build on your own practice through collaborations with other courses. You’ll develop an understanding of the practice and theory of architecture, grounded in making, along with critical thinking and a familiarity with the material nature of architectural ideas. You’ll explore the practice of making thoughtful, tangible, inhabited places that mediate between the individual, the world we live in, and the others we live with.

Students on BA (Hons) Architecture have the chance to broaden their horizons through exciting exchange and international summer programmes. These opportunities allow you to study abroad at one of our brilliant partner institutions, experience different cultures, and enhance your academic journey.

In your first year, you'll gain a sound conceptual knowledge and skill base for the study of the subject.

You'll be introduced to the conceptual and practical skills and processes necessary for making an architectural proposition, the methodologies of analysing and communicating architectural proposition, and an understanding of theoretical aspects of architectural design.

A programme of studio projects, lectures, seminars, visits, case studies, guided reading and tutorials will be used to disseminate information and concepts. You'll gain experience through practical studio-based experimentation and develop your creative design abilities through individual and group working opportunities.

In your second year, you’ll explore issues around building in an urban context and future scenarios for architecture. You’ll propose innovative and thoughtful interventions and urban spaces to house public activities associated with the economic, sustainable and physical opportunities of the area.

Throughout the year, you’ll continue to increase your professional competence through the development of skills, knowledge and understanding. You’ll extend your knowledge through the study of construction, structure and environmental control.

Your communication skills will be applied to the design and development of an existing environment and the making of an architectural proposition. Visiting lecturers and subject specialists inclusive of professionals from industry will contribute their knowledge to your development.

Your third year begins with experimentation through design and research by making. You’ll further explore the ways that these ideas can inform architecture.

You’ll investigate architectural design as a way in which our built environment is conceived and perceived, focusing on contemporary issues. You’ll look at the role of the architect alongside the influence of clients, development, construction, planning, legal, regulation and wider social, ethical, economic and cultural values. You’ll demonstrate skills in models, drawings and digital media and produce a portfolio of work to prepare you for employment or postgraduate study.