BA (Hons) Architecture

Why choose this course?
 

• ARB Part I prescribed (or exempted) and RIBA Part I validated

• Affiliation with RIBA Association of Architects (East & Herts)

• Gain experience with award-winning architectural offices
   

Gain practical skills alongside theory 
 

This course empowers you to satisfy the requirements of a brief and re-energise our environment.  You’ll learn the technical knowledge to inspire your professional portfolio.  We’ll teach you how to analyse, develop, test and communicate your ideas.  You’ll be working on drawings and models for domestic, public and commercial projects, such as houses, museums and cityscapes.  Be creative. Spend time in our fantastic studios and workshops.  We have woodworking, metalworking and casting workshops to help you develop real-world skills. Try your hand at ceramics (for building facades), printmaking and life-drawing classes to enhance your sketching skills. Use our specialist computer software suites and even download software onto your personal laptop. With 3D printers, laser cutters, a welding booth and studio space at your fingertips, we’ll help you bring your idea to life. 
 

Discover the history that has influenced architecture.  From garden cities, new towns built after WW2, to today’s contemporary cities.  How do the needs of society motivate design?  You’ll learn to be an innovative and responsible architect.  To evaluate a building’s purpose, the impact of materials and the cultural factors which underpin design.  You’ll gain insights in the international and national perspectives of the built environment. We’ll encourage you to question the role of technology, gender, politics and economics in design.  You’ll debate the issues confronting architects, including sustainability, urban sprawl and gentrification. By analysing theory and practice you’ll become confident in the founding principles of design philosophy.    
 

Every step of the way, you’ll be inspired by our expert teaching team including researchers, authors and acclaimed architects. You can benefit from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Future Architects network and the Student Mentoring Scheme. We have excellent links to industry, the RIBA and the Hertfordshire Association of Architects, these will allow your to start building you own network and finding exciting work placements opportunities.
 

 Do you want a Professional Accreditation? 
 

To become a registered architect, you need to complete Part 1, 2 and 3 of your studies. This degree programme is Part 1 prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and Validated by the RIBA. Upon successful completion, you don’t need to take any extra exams when you graduate. You can progress straight to your Part 2.
 

What's the course about?
 

In the first year, you’ll learn skills in sketching, drawing and Computer Aided Design (CAD), as well as model making and 3D representation. We’ll teach you 2D and 3D analogue and digital technologies so you can visualise your design ideas. You’ll produce technical drawings to multiple scales. You’ll take part in demonstrations and workshop-based activities to understand how engineering and technology inform practice. We’ll teach you skills in problem-solving, research and analysis, as you explore the relationship between culture and design.    
 

In the second year, you’ll grow as a critical thinker. Your knowledge of culture and theory will fuel your creativity. Explore the fascinating relationship between buildings, people and the environment. Design a public building and public space. You’ll learn to integrate hand drawing with digital editing, CAD and 3D Modelling in your proposals.  We’ll help you improve your skills with 2D and 3D printing, CNC routers and laser cutters. You’ll learn technologies to map and analyse cities and infrastructures. Discover how design can complement the world around us. Be curious. How can architecture be functional and expressive? Through reflection and debate you’ll feel confident about your understanding of contemporary architecture and your place within it.    
 

In the third year, you’ll write your dissertation, a 6000-word essay on a topic that interests you. We’ll help you develop a professional portfolio as you work on real-life projects and pitch your ideas in a competitive environment. This is your chance to inspire. The pinnacle of your studies is a major project. You’ll investigate the use of space and analyse how architecture impacts a city and its population. You’ll use your expert design and technology skills to innovate. This is your chance to prove you’re ready for professional practice or postgraduate study. 
 

Your main campus is College Lane 
 

This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.   
 

What will I study?
 

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6.  These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study.  Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.  

Additional requirements
 

• Access course: Diploma with 45 level 3 credits at merit.
   

• Portfolio: Presentation of an acceptable portfolio of artwork.
   

• IB requirements: 120-128 UCAS points from a minimum of two HL subjects at H4 or above to include Visual  Arts at SL or HL (with the remaining points to come from a combination of HL, SL and Core).
   

• IELTS: All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.
   

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

UK Students
 

Full time

• £9250 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

EU Students
 

Full time

• £14000 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

International Students
 

Full time

• £14000 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

As an architecture graduate you can opt to continue  to the second stage of the architectural education (ARB/RIBA part 2), as well as decide to work within an architectural or interior architecture practice, or as part of a multi-disciplinary design consultancy. You may also move into areas such as urban design, real estate and retail design.
 

The course offers an excellent network of industry partners. You will work closely with architectural practices both nationally and internationally on a variety of projects and collaborations. Visiting lectures from the some of the most prestigious architectural practices contribute to the teaching and learning. In addition, we draw on exemplars from regional, national and international architecture to inform the teaching.
 

During the course of study, students produce a series of projects which result in a professional portfolio representing a high degree of spatial and technical resolution that shows the development of a clear design approach and provides evidence of their employability relevant to their preferred career ambitions.
 

As an architecture graduate you can continue to the second stage of architectural education (ARB / RIBA part 2). You can also start your career within an architectural or interior architecture practice, or join a multidisciplinary design consultancy. You could also move into areas such as urban design, real estate and retail design.