Birmingham City University
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4 Cardigan Street
Birmingham
B4 7BD
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Course contact details
Course Enquiries Team
Email:courseenquiries@bcu.ac.uk
Phone:0121 331 6295
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Architecture with a Foundation Year
- BA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 09/2025
- Undergraduate
- Parkside Building Campus
Course summary
Validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and prescribed by Architects Registration Board (ARB) to give full exemption from the ARB / RIBA Part 1 examination, you will be based at our city centre campus, where you start your journey towards becoming a registered architect.
Birmingham City University offers fully accredited courses at RIBA Parts 1, 2 and 3, enabling you to fully qualify as a registered architect within one university.
About foundation courses
This four year course has been specifically designed you to undertake additional level 3 study designed to ensure you are successful on your chosen degree.
After successful completion of your foundation year, you will have the flexibility to switch (should you wish to change direction) onto a number of related undergraduate degree options.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Parkside Building Campus
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years
Start dates
- 09/2025
Apply by
29 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- K10F
- Institution code:
- B25
- Campus name:
- Parkside Building Campus
- Campus Code:
- C
- Points of Entry:
- Foundation
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Birmingham City University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- K10F
- Institution code:
- B25
- Campus name:
- Parkside Building Campus
- Campus Code:
- C
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 88 points
A level - CDD
A Level: 88 UCAS tariff points / CCD (or equivalent). AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels. A maximum of four subjects will be considered. Preferred subjects: Art and Design, History, Geography, English, Languages, Science or separate Science such as Physics, Biology or Chemistry, Sociology, Philosophy, Psychology, Maths, Music. Excluded subjects: General Studies; Travel and Tourism.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
88 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Preferred subjects: Art and Design, Business and Economics, Construction and Built Environment, Design Technology, English, Geography, History, Languages, Land Based and Environment, Music, Performing Arts and Drama, Science. Excluded subjects: Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Early Years, Customer Service, Citizenship, Accounting, PE and Sport, Public Services and Uniformed Services, Travel & Tourism.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3. Accepted subjects: Construction, Planning, Built Environment subjects preferred but other subjects also considered
Scottish Higher
88 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
88 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Preferred subjects: Art and Design, Business and Economics, Construction and Built Environment, Design Technology, English, Geography, History, Languages, Land Based and Environment, Music, Performing Arts and Drama, Science. Excluded subjects: Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Early Years, Customer Service, Citizenship, Accounting, PE and Sport, Public Services and Uniformed Services, Travel & Tourism.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
88 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Preferred subjects: Art and Design, Business and Economics, Construction and Built Environment, Design Technology, English, Geography, History, Languages, Land Based and Environment, Music, Performing Arts and Drama, Science. Excluded subjects: Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Early Years, Customer Service, Citizenship, Accounting, PE and Sport, Public Services and Uniformed Services, Travel & Tourism.
Scottish Advanced Higher
88 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall. For students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at grade C/4 or above, grade 5 in Maths (Standard level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Minimum of 88 UCAS tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects. Required subjects: Maths at Ordinary level grade O4/C3 or above or Higher level grade H7/D3 or above.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
In addition to the A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below, applicants for this course also need GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have this or are not undertaking it, we accept other level 2 equivalents.
T Level - Pass (C and above)
Pass overall (C or above on the core)
All subjects accepted but Design, Surveying and Planning preferred.
Welsh Baccalaureate: 88 UCAS tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 88 UCAS tariff points. Preferred subjects: Art and Design, Business and Economics, Construction and Built Environment, Design Technology, English, Geography, History, Languages, Land Based and Environment, Music, Performing Arts and Drama, Science. Excluded subjects: Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Early Years, Customer Service, Citizenship, Accounting, PE and Sport, Public Services and Uniformed Services, Travel & Tourism. Applicants doing Media subjects will be considered on an individual basis by the Admissions Tutor.
NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 88 UCAS tariff points.
WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 88 UCAS tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s).
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Merit overall
Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media): Merit overall
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | with 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in the remaining three skills. |
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £17690 | Year 1 |
| International | £17690 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
- The Government is proposing to increase the cap on full-time regulated tuition fees to £9,535 for 2025/26 and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once legislation is enacted. Part-time fees are charged pro-rata, where applicable.
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