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

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.

All students are registered for the award of BA (Hons). However, exit awards are available if you leave the course early, having successfully completed one or two levels. If you successfully complete a level of the course, you'll automatically be entitled to progress to the next level.

For the award of a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 120 credits at Level 4. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the first year of your course.

For the award of a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 240 credits of which a minimum of 120 must be at Level 5. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the second year of your course.

For the award of a BA (Hons) you must have achieved a minimum of 360 credits of which a minimum of 240 must be at Level 5 or above, of which a minimum of 120 credits must be at Level 6. This qualification will be awarded upon successful completion of your course.

A BA without Honours may be awarded if you have achieved 300 credits, at least 180 of which are at Level 5 or above, and at least 60 of which are at Level 6.

You'll need to evidence three-dimensional making abilities, observational drawing skills, curiosity, problem-solving skills, contextual knowledge of architecture and an interest in the design of both domestic and public places.

• We would like to see portfolios that demonstrate a range of creative and representational media, including various forms of drawing, collage, photography, digital media, sculpture and three-dimensional making.
• We will be particularly interested in exploring how you have responded to a given brief or task from your school or college.
• We will expect to see evidence of three-dimensional work that you've produced or a photographic record of them.
• Sketchbooks demonstrating research, thinking and curiosity are very helpful. We like to see expressive, creative drawing.
• CAD or technical drawing is not a requirement, but please include examples if you have any. Other digital media are interesting to see (either on your own device or in an easily transferable format.
• If you can provide examples of work that you have produced outside your studies, including evidence of relevant work experience, this will enhance your portfolio.

Throughout the BA (Hons) courses, directed learning will be complemented by allocated private study. As you progress through the course, the balance of studies shifts from an emphasis on taught learning to self-directed study. Student-initiated study forms a substantial part of Level 5 and Level 6 units.

For every unit of your course, we'll inform you of what you are expected to learn, what you have to submit, how your work will be assessed, and the deadline for presenting your work for assessment. This is made available through Unit Information, which is on your course blog.

You'll receive a final mark for each unit in the form of a percentage, which will be recorded on your formal record of achievement (transcript). Each component of assessment is graded using a notched marking scale, whereby only certain marks are used within each grade. The only marks available within any ten-point band are *2, *5 and *8 (e.g. 62, 65, 68). These marks correspond to a low, mid, and high level of achievement within each grade band.

All learning outcomes must be passed to successfully complete the unit.

On successful completion of your Honours degree course, you will be awarded a degree classification based on your unit marks. The final classification is determined using all unit marks at Levels 5 and 6 using two different algorithms, which are detailed in the HE Student Regulations. If the two algorithms produce different results, you'll be awarded the higher class of degree.

If you've joined Level 6 through either the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route or having completed a Foundation Degree (FdA), the final classification is determined using only your unit marks at Level 6.

For further information on assessment, progression, awards and classifications, please visit viewpoint.aub.ac.uk.