Architecture

The spaces where we live, work and relax are designed by people who have followed careers in architecture.

Our courses will give you the knowledge needed to design spaces that improve our surroundings. We also look at how to create new and improve existing buildings.

The course offers a blend of technical subject work taught alongside studio modules. In years two and three there’s the opportunity to choose from up to 12 different studio units which means you can select based on your area of interest. With a mixture of teaching, workshops, study trips and working with real clients on projects, our course gives you the skills that architecture practices are looking for. You’ll also be part of our vertical studio which sees year two and three students working alongside each other, providing great opportunities for peer mentoring and skills transfer.

Based on University Park, you will have access to excellent facilities to support your studies and research. These include dedicated studio spaces and workshops.

The quality of work produced by our students is illustrated by the many national and international awards they have won, including the AJ Student Prize 2021 (undergraduate category), the RIBA Bronze Medal (2017) and the RIBA Sergeant Award for Excellence in Drawing at Part 1 (2020).

If you want to become an architect, the BArch course is followed by one year’s supervised professional experience before embarking on the two-year MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part II) and one further year's professional experience culminating in a Part Three exam.

This course is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and is exempt from the Part One professional exam.

In the first year you are introduced to the main themes of the discipline: architectural design; structures; construction; environmental design; and the history and theory of architectural design. Key topics include integrated design in architecture and architectural design studio modules. Studio projects will have an added complexity in year two and you will have the opportunity to visit construction sites to gain first-hand knowledge of how designers work. In the second semester there are opportunities to study abroad. In your third year you will develop a thorough understanding of all of the key themes and you will develop your role within the architectural profession as part of the practice and management module.