Course Description
Successful completion of our BArch (Hons) Architecture course is the first step to becoming a qualified architect, fulfiling Part 1 for the RIBA.
Prescribed by the Architects’ Registration Board (ARB) and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), this hands-on, project-driven course is designed to help you develop your own design approach and style. You’ll study in a studio culture that reflects a modern architectural practice, preparing you for your graduate career from day one.
You’ll be exposed to diverse aspects of architectural design, linking sustainability and urban design with business practice. You’ll learn to creatively communicate your ideas through drawing, and explore spaces through model making and 3D visualisation, with project work providing opportunities to develop skills and experience.
Why study this course?
- Our course is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and prescribed the Architects’ Registration Board (ARB), recognising the relevance and quality of our course content.
- Work in our inspiring RIBA award-winning buildings, offering industry-standard facilities and studios, including a dedicated model-making studio, 3D printing and workshops for metal, timber and concrete.
- Benefit from our Building Blocks financial package, supporting you throughout your time at NTU and enabling you to make the most of your studies. As well as money towards the cost of your course materials, you’ll also benefit from study trips and live projects, included in the cost of your course fees, free personal protective equipment (PPE) and a pre-paid printing allowance.
- Explore local and international architectural practice, with inspiring trips – both in the UK, and abroad to destinations such as Venice, Milan, Rotterdam and Barcelona – included in your course fees.
- Take part in live design projects, with briefs from real clients. Students recently worked with the UK house builder Davidsons on a project exploring ideas for future homes.
- Graduate with confidence by taking advantage of our final year mentoring programme, working alongside the RIBA.
- Exhibit your work at our final year Degree Shows, attended by industry experts and prospective employers.
- Hear visiting industry experts talk about their work. Previous visitors have included Cadval y Sola-Morales (Barcelona), Evans Vettori and Zaha Hadid Architects.
- Network with industry professionals and display your work at our annual Architecture Exchange employability event.
- 93% of students from this course are in graduate level employment within six months of finishing their degree (DLHE survey 2016/17).
How you’re taught
- Based on 40-hour weeks during term time, you will spend approximately 12 hours per week in scheduled learning. Course content is delivered through lectures, studio projects, study trips and live briefs from both industry and competitions. You will also be involved in self-directed project work with the support of NOW, our virtual learning environment.
- Outside of timetabled sessions you will need to undertake self-directed independent study. This will include preparing for lectures, researching, completing coursework, developing a portfolio, and directed reading to expand your knowledge.
- The course is supported by external professional practitioners, ensuring that your learning is continuously enhanced through exposure to real-world perspective. This includes our Guest Lecture Series, where an industry expert is invited to give a guest lecture to expose our students to the work currently happening in architectural practices. You’ll also have the opportunity to get involved with our RIBA student mentoring scheme in your final year.
Entry requirements
- A-levels – BBB; or
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM; or
- 120 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent qualifications; and
- GCSEs – English and Maths grade C / 4.
Submission of work
As part of your application, you will be asked to submit examples of work to showcase your art and design abilities. For more information about what we look for in your digital creative portfolio, download our BArch (Hons) Architecture submission of work guide.
International qualifications
If you hold international qualifications, take a look at the alternative qualifications we accept for this course.
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