Study location	United Kingdom, City Centre Campus
Type	Bachelor courses, full-time
Nominal duration	3 years
Study language	English
Awards	BA (Hons)
Course code	K100

Entry qualification	High school / secondary education (or higher)

Language requirements	English Accepted proof of proficiency: Cambridge English, IELTS, TOEFL, Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or other equivalent IELTS: 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each band and a minimum of 6.0 in Writing) TOEFL (IBT): Overall score of 80 or above, with at least 17 in Listening, 20 in Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking CAE: level C

Other requirements	At least 1 reference(s) must be provided. A motivation letter must be added to your application.

More information	bcu.ac.uk/..rt-i-exemption-ba-hons-2018-19

Overview

Interested? To learn more about this study programme, entry requirements and application process, please contact one of our consultants in a country nearest to you.

Programme structure

The core modules covered are Design Studio, Cultural Context and Technology. The Design Studio makes up 50 per cent of the course combining theory with practice. Our Collaborative Practice (Co.LAB) module involves you in live projects with external agencies. The Praxis module supports the delivery of key skills and experience of real-world practice.

In your first year, you’ll be given a broad foundation in architecture and in the context of the ‘urbanised field’, as well as the physical and ideological relationship between them. The programme is organised around principles introducing you to a range of concepts which provide the basis for your architectural education.

You’ll interpret the non-designed and designed environment, learning to understand the impact of environmental conditions and their relationship to construction and structural design. Digital teaching in a range of CAD, NURBS modelling and rendering packages is blended with workshops in hand drawing, presentation and graphics to enable a holistic competency in architectural communication. Blogs are used as a medium for facilitating an online collation of your work with a view to building your own online portfolio for use later.

You’ll examine the role of policy in forming urban and architectural constructs, and the role of the architect in construction. A work placement gives you the chance to experience industry, with companies such as Glen Howells Architects, Green Planning Studios, Seymour Harris and Bournville Architects. You’ll have chance to work on elective programme (Co.LAB), enabling you to engage with design and production practices across the School and external clients.

Students on the architecture programme have worked with the ‘Friends of The Hayes’ to develop a bridge structure in the grounds of The Hayes – a Grade II-listed country house in Staffordshire – using timber sustainably sourced from surrounding woodland, and on a wide variety of other live projects. The theme of “process” in year two facilitates your exploration of the different forms of contemporary architecture and design practices, building on the understanding of principles achieved at year one.

Your final year considers the physical and cultural architectural context, focused on individual exploration of your own interests. You will look at ‘dynamic cities’ and the implications of new digital technologies, as well as developing and testing strategies in sustainable development and technology against architectural projects. You develop employability and entrepreneurial skills in special working seminars to prepare you for professional employment.

Career opportunities

Our outstanding industry connections help you make contacts that can lead to job opportunities. Graduates go on to work with prestigious firms in roles such as architects and graphic design interns, or even set up their own companies.

The course gives you a full understanding of the role of an architect and the creative flair and technical skills needed to succeed.

You’ll understand sustainability, technical and cultural issues and the challenges of expanding the urban environment.

You’ll develop a comprehensive portfolio that shows employers a range of skills in design practice and academic study.

You’ll develop a range of transferable skills, such as how to communicate ideas and solve problems, as well as developing negotiation and planning skills. And thanks to the unique nature of the course, you’ll learn how to work effectively and efficiently either on your own or as part of a team.