Architecture BA(Hons)

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We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

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Portfolio advice 

Admission to this course includes a review of your portfolio. This helps us to see your potential and understand how you think, create and explore ideas. We want to see your passion and curiosity – not just your finished work.

Creating your portfolio

Find out what to include in your portfolio and how to present it by reading our portfolio requirements.

Sharing your portfolio

Once you have applied and received details on how to activate your 黑料吃瓜网 username and password, you can log on to and share your portfolio link. Please make sure we can access this link without a password or login.

Support and advice

Take a look at our advice and guidance on creating a portfolio. If you need help, please contact our Admissions Team. We also run regular online portfolio advice sessions where you can get support from our expert team.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Friendly studio environment, working in collaboration with other students from all years of the degree to develop your creative voice.
• Validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), meaning when you graduate you’ll have completed the first stage to becoming a qualified architect in the UK and overseas.
• Prepare for practice through mentoring and mock interviews with professionals from RIBA South East and a degree aligned to Architects Registration Board (ARB).
• Develop real-world skills, learning through projects with local communities and from the construction of our annual exhibition pavilion.
• Showcase your work throughout the course, culminating in the end of year show.
• Design with sustainability, wellbeing and community impact in mind with real-world projects focused on the climate crisis, housing shortage and forced displacement.
• Get hands-on experience from day one in the workshop and studio to develop your physical modelling skills, supported by our brilliant technicians.

Warning
The following video contains bright, flashing lights and/or imagery that may cause discomfort and/or seizures for those with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.

Structure and study areas 

One of the amazing things about studying architecture is how broad a subject it can be. It’s not just a combination of art and science, it’s a fusion of all kinds of different ways of thinking and making. You will work in a way that is both hands-on and academically rigorous, combining critical and creative thinking in everything you do.

The course is organised into four subject areas: design studio, humanities, technology and professional practices.

Design Studio

You will be supported by specialist practitioners and researchers, benefitting from their expert insight. Dedicated studio spaces mean that you have a space to work from every day throughout your degree, so you will be able to maximise the ambition of your work.

Humanities

Explore the history, theory and culture of architecture. You will do this in relation to contemporary issues, learning from history, not just about it. You will build knowledge of the context in which you are working as well as specialising in an area of particular interest to you. You’ll develop skills in critical thinking and reflection that will feed into all your studies. 

Technology

You’ll learn the underlying principles of environmental science, structural engineering and material systems, and apply these to your own design projects. You will be supported by professional architects who will share their knowledge of innovative approaches to constructing a building.

Professional Practices

Prepare for the roles and responsibilities you will have as an architect. You’ll apply aspects such as building regulations, cost control and planning permission to your own project so you are ready for your first job.

Year 1 

You’ll begin by studying two modules (humanities and design) that introduce you to the culture of architecture, leading to the production of a small design and essay. Study then builds on the core design skills through slightly larger and more complex design problems in studio while introducing key technological principles.

Modules

• Introducing Architecture

  This module introduces you to some of the core architectural skills which will form a part of your design toolkit to serve you as you progress through this course. These include things like measuring, drawing, model-making, scale, case studies, building components, ICT, spatial and structural principles, ergonomics and graphical presentation. The module will include group learning and independent work, culminating in a small independent design project.

• Architecture Criticism 1

  On this module you will be introduced to the major themes relevant to interior architecture, architecture and spacial design disciplines. You’ll explore these themes through contemporary and historical case studies, making connections between the old and the new and considering the cultural, environmental and social values embedded in the disciplines. Workshop activities will help you to develop your critical thinking and communication skills.

• Technology: Principles

  This module introduces the structural systems, construction methods, materials and environmental performance requirements that are fundamental to high-quality spatial design and architecture. You will explore technological principles that are relevant to sustainable and climate responsive design to develop your appreciation and understanding of various technologies as essential design tools for architectural and spatial design.

• Architectural Design

  This module will enable you to consolidate, expand and develop the skills of case study analysis, drawing, model-making, spatial design and ICT you gained in the Introducing Architecture module. This work will include independent research and context recognition, building analysis, 2D and 3D representation, iterative design, graphical representation and portfolio presentation as part of the development of an architectural design project from site survey through to final proposal.

Year 2 

Modules

• Design Studio: Context

  In this module you will conduct a spatial exploration in response to issues introduced by a brief which will revolve around ideas of context, with a focus on buildings which employ re-use, recycling and retrofit strategies. You will take an element of your design project, for example a staircase, and develop it in further detail, taking into consideration current Building Regulations. You’ll then produce a 3D BIM CAD model of this design element.

• Technology: Strategies

  This module covers systems and materials that are fundamental to spatial design/architecture and construction today. You will explore strategies around environmental performance, material selection, construction methods, structures and sustainable design practice. The aim is to cultivate your appreciation of technology, construction, systems and materials and to be able to apply these in your design practice and building analysis.

• Vertical Design Studio 1

  Working in one of several thematically diverse studios, you will develop your investigations towards the design of a small to medium-sized building. Your proposal should respond to specific issues raised by you and your studio, including ideas from previous projects, the needs of building users and other stakeholders, and the relation to the local context.

• Architecture Criticism 2

  This module provides you with an overview of contemporary global concerns in spatial design disciplines. You will explore the different ways these disciplines constitute and relate to social, economic, cultural and environmental concerns more broadly, and how they draw on and inform other disciplines and professions. You’ll develop your skills of critical thinking through analysis and research by participating in seminars and workshops.

At the start of the second year, the studio focus on retrofit and re-use is supported by the technology module. You’ll be introduced to current critical debates and begin to prepare for the research part of your dissertation.

In the second half of the year you will choose from projects (studios) that follow different briefs and methodologies, and address challenges including the housing crisis, circular economy and urban space. These studios allow you to explore different ways of working and develop new techniques and skills.

Final year

You will work on a design project incorporating technological strategies and detailed drawings of your proposal. You’ll integrate technological strategies with a design project, addressing environmental performance, material selection, construction methods, structure and sustainable design.

The humanities dissertation is based on a self-defined research project to help you identify areas you want to specialise in.

Your studies will culminate in your final project which you will showcase at the graduate show.

Modules

• Design and Technology

  This module involves a design project based on a common year brief in which you will develop a conceptual and critical approach through the spatial exploration of a building. You will integrate technological strategies, addressing environmental performance, material selection, construction methods, structure and sustainable design. You will also develop a detailed design for the construction of an element of a final design project.

• Architecture Criticism 3

  During this module, you will plan, carry out and complete an independent research project on a topic related to spatial design disciplines. You will take responsibility for shaping your inquiry and managing your research process. Your investigation may draw on written and visual sources and, where appropriate, other research methods such as interviews, observation, drawing or analytical mapping. You will also engage with digital research tools, including the critical use of generative AI where relevant to your research focus.

• Professional Practices

  In this module you will integrate issues surrounding professional architectural practice using a design project to consider all RIBA Plan of Work stages. This will involve the presentation and discussion of topics based around how professional architects work. You will be provided with material focused on the Architects Registration Board (ARB) Part 1 Prescription so you can develop a reflective position on your own design project in the context of professional practice.

• Vertical Design Studio 2

  Working in one of several studios which emphasise different architectural themes through varied forms of spatial exploration and use of media, you will develop your investigations towards the design of a building proposal. Your proposal should respond to issues including the needs and aspirations of building users and other stakeholders, technological principles and strategies, and theoretical and conceptual considerations.

Facilities 

Facilities and workshops are supported by full-time specialist technicians and include:

• dedicated studio spaces for each group and programme
• specialist model-making and construction workshops with equipment for fabrication in wood, metal, plastics, resins and textiles
• photographic studios and darkroom
• digital fabrication facilities including laser cutting and 3D printing
• rapid prototyping, 5-axis milling and CNC routing facilities
• PC and Mac computer suites with software including Adobe suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), Vectorworks, Autodesk suite, Rhino, Blender, Maya, Cinema 4D and Premiere
• in-house reprographic department 
• wide range of surveying and audiovisual equipment available for loan.

Meet the team

Student views

Zenida Fernandes, Architecture BA(Hons) graduate 

“I am excited to use my skills and knowledge as an undergraduate student to contribute to the creation of new ideas that will improve and enhance the lives of those who inhabit them.  

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time studying at the 黑料吃瓜网. The tutors are very knowledgeable, helpful and are great at guiding you in the right direction with your projects. The university facilities are excellent and I was able to make use of the library and on-campus workshop which has helped me to expand my knowledge and develop my model-making skills.”

Nasko Kondakov, Architecture BA(Hons) graduate 

“The course prepared me for precisely what’s ahead of me – collaboration with the nature surrounding us all. In a world where sustainability and environmentalism are taking centre stage, studying architecture at 黑料吃瓜网 equipped me with the skills necessary to have a head start in the revamping industry. 

“I learned a lot about spatial experiences, material consciousness and design processes – aspects of the profession which I will forever treasure. I’m excited to see what comes next.”

Zenida Fernandes’ final year project, Urban Oasis, was influenced by the routes around Lewes, England, which served as a driving force in its conception.

A cross-section of Nasko Kondakov’s final year project.

Summer shows

At the end of every academic year, the School of Architecture and Design comes alive with creativity, celebration, and community spirit at our annual Architecture and Design Summer Show. This vibrant event marks the culmination of months of hard work, innovation, and exploration by our talented students and offers a glimpse into the future of architecture and design.

Click the image below to take a virtual wander and explore our students’ creative work.

Course fees

The course fees shown here are what you will pay for the first year of your course if you start in the academic year 2026–27 and you are studying full-time (fee amount is subject to parliamentary approval). You pay fees in each year of your course. The fees you pay may increase each year.

Regulated fees

Fees for UK students on undergraduate and some postgraduate courses are set by the UK government. These are known as regulated fees. From academic year 2026–27, regulated fees will increase annually in line with forecast inflation.

Student Finance England loans for tuition fees and maintenance will also rise in line with inflation.

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Unregulated fees

Course fees for international students taking undergraduate courses and for most postgraduate courses are not regulated by the UK government. Unregulated fees may increase each year by up to 5% or the forecast Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation (whichever is higher).

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and (pdf) for more on 黑料吃瓜网 tuition fees.
• 黑料吃瓜网 Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more.

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