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You will need 128 UCAS Tariff points from A levels or their equivalent.

Design project work is assessed on the basis of a portfolio consisting of a series of assignments completed during the year.

The portfolio will include drawings, photographs of models and illustrated written reports. Feedback on student progress is given throughout the year â€” usually in the form of verbal comments by a team of tutors on the basis of student presentations and review attended by fellow students. Formative assessment is made at the end of each project â€” usually in the form of a provisional mark, which allows students to respond to feedback before the final submission of the portfolio when the final (or ‘summative’) assessment is made.

Assessments of work in the contextual modules will take the form of practical exercises during the year, reports and essays and time-constrained assessment by means of tests and formal examinations.

Year 1 provides an introduction to the core competency of design in the three core studio modules that focus on: structures and materials; space and form and design skills. The parallel context modules lay the foundations of the body of key knowledge required by the architect construction technology, environmental design, architectural history and theory.  Essential skills required for HE programmes are introduced in the Modern World module.

Year 2 further develops the skill and knowledge base introduced in the first year. Design studio are concerned with more complex buildings, groups of buildings and/or alterations to existing buildings. The technology and environment module deals with the construction of larger and more complex buildings. The history and theory module includes research methods in addition to addressing more advanced theoretical issues and its coursework includes a proposal for the dissertation to be completed in the third year.

Year 3 The final year design module deal with larger and more complex buildings and culminates in a comprehensive design project that integrates all aspects of the skills and knowledge addressed in the programme. Students complete the dissertation and the second business and profession module prepares students for their transition into the world of practice.

It is possible to complete this programme of study without any additional costs.

Students may wish to purchase materials for modules, such as Major Project but this is not a requirement and will have no bearing on the final grade achieved. 

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.

The programme is designed to be prescribed/validated by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as a Part One qualification in architecture so the most likely first destination for a graduate is to work as an architectural assistant* in an architectural practice.

There are many other possible employment opportunities including other parts of the construction industry (building contractors and sub-contractors), the creative industries (applying computer drawing and visualisation skills) and planning or urban design.

Graduate skills developed by the programme (based on the ‘graduate attributes’ set out in the RIBA/ARB criteria for validation/ prescription of qualifications in architecture and the QAA benchmark statement for architecture).                

1. The ability to generate design proposals using an understanding of a body of knowledge, some at the current boundaries of professional practice and the academic discipline of architecture;
2. The ability to apply a range of communication methods and media to present design proposals clearly and effectively;
3. Understanding of the alternative materials, processes and techniques that apply to architectural design and building construction;
4. The ability to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions in order to make and present sound judgments within a structured discourse relating to architectural culture, theory and design;
5. Knowledge of the context of the architect and the construction industry and the professional qualities needed for decision making in complex and unpredictable circumstances.
6. The ability to identify individual learning needs and understand the personal responsibility required for further professional education.

(* the term ‘architectural assistant’ is the job designation of those on the route to professional qualification as an architect until completion of Part Three. Terms such as  ‘assistant architect’, ‘architect in training’ or ‘part 1 architect’ may not be used as the title ‘architect’ is protected by statute and may only be used by those on the Register of Architects (apart from three exceptions stated in the Architects Act: ‘naval architect’, ‘landscape architect’ and ‘golf-course architect’).