Architecture BArch

Architecture blends creativity with technical expertise, exploring how buildings and spaces are designed, constructed and experienced. It is both an art and a science, requiring imagination, problem-solving and attention to detail. An Architecture degree is ideal for students who are creative, technically minded and interested in shaping the built environment.

Course Structure

Architecture is typically studied in three stages as part of the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and ARB (Architects Registration Board) professional pathway:

• Part 1 – BA/BSc Architecture (3 years undergraduate degree)

  
  

• Part 2 – Master of Architecture (MArch, usually 2 years)

  
  

• Part 3 – Professional practice qualification (1 year of study plus work experience)

The undergraduate Architecture degree (Part 1) usually lasts three years full time. Some universities also offer a placement year or study abroad opportunities.

Teaching is highly practical and project-based, combining design studios, workshops, lectures, seminars and field trips. Assessment includes design portfolios, models, technical drawings, essays and presentations.

Typical Modules

Year 1 – Foundations of Architecture

Introduction to Architectural Design

History and Theory of Architecture

Principles of Construction and Materials

Drawing, Modelling and Digital Design

Environmental Design and Sustainability

Design Studio Project

Year 2 – Core Development

Urbanism and Landscape Architecture

Architectural Technology and Building Services

Structures and Construction Methods

Architectural History and Criticism

CAD and 3D Modelling

Intermediate Design Studio Project

Year 3 – Advanced Design and Research

Advanced Architectural Design Studio

Professional Practice and Ethics

Sustainable Architecture and Climate Response

Dissertation or Extended Essay

Final Portfolio Presentation

Optional topics may include interior architecture, heritage conservation or digital fabrication.

Useful A-Level or BTEC Subjects

• A levels: Art or Design (often required), Mathematics, Design Technology, or Physics.

  
  

• BTECs: Art and Design or Construction & the Built Environment may be accepted, ideally alongside an A level in Maths or Art.

  
  

• International Baccalaureate: Higher Level Art and Maths/Physics are useful.

  
  

• Most universities ask applicants to submit a portfolio of creative work (drawings, sketches, photography, or design projects).

What Makes a Strong Application

Universities look for students who combine creativity with technical ability. A strong application should include:

• A high-quality portfolio that demonstrates creativity, observational drawing, and design potential.

  
  

• Strong grades in relevant subjects.

  
  

• A personal statement showing passion for design, architecture, and the built environment.

  
  

• Evidence of wider engagement, such as visiting architectural exhibitions, sketching buildings, work experience in design or construction, or learning design software.

Transferable Skills You Will Develop

An Architecture degree builds a wide range of practical and professional skills, including:

• Design skills – developing concepts from sketch to final model.

  
  

• Technical knowledge – understanding construction, materials and sustainability.

  
  

• Digital skills – using CAD, 3D modelling and architectural software.

  
  

• Project management – planning, budgeting and presenting design projects.

  
  

• Problem-solving – balancing creativity with practical constraints.

  
  

• Communication – presenting ideas visually, verbally and in writing.

Wider Reading: Recommended Books for Aspiring Architecture Students

Here are four inspiring and accessible books:

“Form, Space, and Order” by Francis D.K. Ching – A classic introduction to architectural principles.

“Towards a New Architecture” by Le Corbusier – A key text on modernist architecture.

“The Eyes of the Skin” by Juhani Pallasmaa – Explores the sensory experience of architecture.

“Why Buildings Stand Up” by Mario Salvadori – An engaging look at structures and engineering.

Typical Pay After Graduation

Pay depends on qualification level:

• Part 1 graduates (BA/BSc) often work as architectural assistants, with salaries around £22,000–£28,000.

  
  

• Part 2 graduates (MArch) can expect salaries of £30,000–£38,000.

  
  

• Fully qualified architects (Part 3) often earn £40,000–£55,000, with senior architects or partners exceeding £70,000–£100,000+.