A student examining an architectural model
BA (Hons) Placement year available

Architecture

Help shape the world we live in and learn how to succeed in architectural practice.

If you’re fascinated by the built environment, and have ambitions to create spaces that are innovative, meaningful and purposeful, this is the course for you. You’ll gain the theoretical, technical and design skills to shape the built environment for a sustainable future.

You’ll become skilled in developing design concepts, experimenting with different media, and representing your ideas through drawings and physical and digital models. We'll encourage you to go on site visits, where you can analyse the language and style of buildings, their construction, and see projects taking shape in real life. Together, we’ll explore building design, ‘buildability’ and sustainability.

You'll benefit from a network of visiting designers, artists, historians and theorists plus national and international architects and scholars, focusing on contemporary, relevant themes such as climate change, passive house techniques, fire and safety measures, environmental strategies, and social and political challenges.

Architects Registration Board (ARB) and Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

Our Architecture degree is prescribed (Part 1) by the ARB and has been awarded RIBA Part 1 Full Status, unconditionally. When you complete our course you'll fulfil the first part of the three-part process to become a registered architect in the UK, and be exempt from the ARB and RIBA Part 1 examination.

Architects Registration Board (ARB) logo RIBA Validated Course in Architecture logo
Why ARU?

  • Join a course that's accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Part 1 prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB)

  • Experience an optional European field trip each year to cities such as Lisbon, Venice, Rome and Vienna

  • Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs, developed with regional employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving

  • Take part in workshops, guest lecture series, practitioners' events and our End of Year Show

  • Learn to draw, make models, and use software and digital techniques in our dedicated studios

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Course options

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Design Studio A1 (Architecture) (30 credits)
  • Essential Skills (Architecture) (15 credits)
  • Technology A1 (Architecture) (30 credits)
  • Cultural Context A: Histories and Theories of Architecture (Architecture) (15 credits)
  • Design Studio A2 (Architecture) (30 credits)
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Design Studio B1 (Architecture) (30 credits)
  • Technology B1 (Architecture) (15 credits)
  • Design Studio B2 (Architecture) (30 credits)
  • Cultural Context B Histories and Theories of Architecture (Architecture) (15 credits)
  • Technology B2 (Architecture) (15 credits)
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Year 3
  • Major Integrated Design Project Phase 1 (Architecture) (30 credits)
  • Cultural Context C Dissertation (Architecture) (30 credits)
  • Major Integrated Design Project Phase 2 (Architecture) (45 credits)
  • Professionalism, Values and Ethics (Architecture) (15 credits)
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Creative Workshops 1
  • Approach to Design
  • Critical and Contextual Studies
  • Creative Workshops 2
  • Specialist Project
  • Engineering Design
Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Placement year
  • Work Placement School of Engineering and the Built Environment (120 credits)
Module details

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Student experience

  • Architectural model of a bridge, with other models and drawings in the background

    Give your imagination free rein. Master different media, tools and skills as you create original pieces of work.

  • Two students examining a cardboard architectural model together

    Strengthen your creative work – and your teamworking skills – through peer-to-peer learning in our studios.

  • Cardboard architectural models on display, with architectural drawings on the wall behind them

    Let your work grow, change and take shape as ideas emerge.

  • A group of people looking at an exhibition of architectural models and designs

    Take pride in your creations: showcase your work to professionals through final reviews and end-of-year exhibitions.

  • About 20 Architecture students standing in front of Barcelona Cathedral

    Apply for one of our Turing Programme summer scholarships to work in Barcelona or study in Venice for four weeks.

  • A group photo of Architecture students with the O2 (formerly Millennium Dome) in the background

    Experience architecture in situ on national and international field trips.

  • Hands of students pointing at a map laid out on a table

    Our course prepares you for a career in architectural practice through Live Briefs – real-world projects designed and developed with employers.

    • ;
  • Architectural model of a bridge, with other models and drawings in the background
  • Two students examining a cardboard architectural model together
  • Cardboard architectural models on display, with architectural drawings on the wall behind them
  • A group of people looking at an exhibition of architectural models and designs
  • About 20 Architecture students standing in front of Barcelona Cathedral
  • A group photo of Architecture students with the O2 (formerly Millennium Dome) in the background
  • Hands of students pointing at a map laid out on a table
  • Architectural model of a bridge, with other models and drawings in the background
  • Two students examining a cardboard architectural model together
  • Cardboard architectural models on display, with architectural drawings on the wall behind them
  • A group of people looking at an exhibition of architectural models and designs
  • About 20 Architecture students standing in front of Barcelona Cathedral
  • A group photo of Architecture students with the O2 (formerly Millennium Dome) in the background
  • Hands of students pointing at a map laid out on a table

Facilities

You’ll be based in our School of Architecture and Planning, with use of:

  • model-making studios
  • industry-standard software for computer-aided design work
  • construction and surveying equipment
  • a fully equipped workshop with cutting-edge digital fabrication machinery and skilled staff
  • specialist 3D printers that are available to all students.

All our architecture students can take part in team activities such as designing and building structures on campus.

Being just 35 minutes from London by train allows for numerous short study and site visits and workshops.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Careers

As a graduate recognised by the Architects Registration Board, you’ll be ready to work in a range of architectural roles.

Our course prepares you for a career in architectural practice, but you could also choose to work in areas such as town planning, surveying, engineering, property, and building conservation.

ARU graduates in architecture, building and planning graduates earn more than the sector average. We are delighted that our graduates earn £4,000 more a year than the sector average 15 months after graduation.

Some of our graduates have gone on to work at:

  • Sheppard Robson
  • Esen Loft
  • Stanley Bragg Architects Ltd
  • Grafik Architecture
  • 3BM Studio
  • Clifton Emery Design
  • AHP Architects & Surveyors Ltd
  • Morgan Sindall Construction
  • Andrew Fleet MCIAT

By studying architecture at ARU, you’ll have gained creative and practical skills, such as computer-aided design, which will help you stand out from the crowd.

Graduation doesn't need to be the end of your time with us, of course. If you’d like to continue your studies, we offer a range of postgraduate degrees including our MSc Town Planning. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

ARU ranked in the top 10% in the country for graduates in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024), and 5th in the country for the proportion of UK undergraduates who are employed as managers, directors, or senior officials 15 months after graduating. We're also in the top 10% in the country for the number of graduates in employment and further study who agreed they are using what they learnt during their studies.

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

Three architectural models displayed together

"So far, the journey into architecture has been incredibly varied from life drawings and model-making to technical construction and calculations. Studio and design work has been supported by one-to-one tutorials. It has been a great experience."

Megan

BA (Hons) Architecture student and founder of the ARU Architecture Society

Entry requirements

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Placement year available

You have the option to take a placement year as part of this course. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in the industry you want to work in.

Your guide to placements