Architecture BArch (Hons) DPS

What you'll study

Excited to learn more? For a taster of what you can expect to study on our Architecture BArch (Hons) degree, take a sneak preview of some of the modules you may have the opportunity to study below.

The information below reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. Please see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Final year

In Year 1, the focus is on architectural thinking and making.

Design Studio 1

Design Studio 1

Explore architectural qualities through material investigations and the production of objects; engage architectural composition through the interplay of space, humans and place.

Design Skills

Design Skills

Discover the shared power of the pencil (sketching, drawing) and the pixel (Sketchbook, Photoshop); develop acts of observation and communication through a broad repertoire of visual skills e.g. photography, physical modelling, blog.

Architectural History

Architectural History

Examine an historic narrative of influential buildings, technologies, events and individuals that have shaped the evolution of our built environment; appreciate architectural language and writings.

Architectural Technology

Architectural Technology

Grasp principles of materials, structures and construction elements and methods; analyse the behaviour and design of overall structural systems.

Architectural Science

Architectural Science

Investigate fundamental performance requirements for internal environments – thermal, visual, aural and air flows; apply passive and active design features to buildings located in a range of climate conditions.

In Year 2, the focus is on design creativity and building performance.

Design Studio 2

Design Studio 2

Express an architectonic language of building craftsmanship e.g. interfaces and connections between materials; interrogate building performance through occupational and environmental evaluations.

Design in Context

Design in Context

Embrace professional practice through a range of stakeholder roles and values; scrutinise common project constraints such as land laws, procurement routes and building regulations.

Advanced Design Skills

Advanced Design Skills

Exploit techniques in computational design/fabrication and time-based representation (animations/films); collaborate in multi-disciplinary team applications of BIM and virtual reality.

Critical Theory

Critical Theory

Connect past and current topics of debate in architecture with wider cultural issues and thinking; review urban planning theories and diagnose urban models and their evolving forms.

Advanced Technical

Advanced Technical

Model and analyse advanced structural and construction technologies; utilise static and dynamic performance models to evaluate design decisions.

In the final year, the focus is on urban interventions and community propositions.

Design Studio 3

Design Studio 3

Scale up in size and complexity with considerations of urban planning and infrastructure management; consider global urban expansion and the relationship between local culture and global practice

Design Interventions

Design Interventions

Challenge the existing conditions of cities and communities through social and physical acts; understand the technical, environmental, regulatory and aesthetic considerations of adaptations.

Dissertation

Dissertation

Design research on a technical aspect of architecture e.g. building systems, materials, science production or a softer, humanities side e.g. historical, theoretical, practice or process-based analysis

Professional Practice

Professional Practice

Examine the legal, ethical and management concepts underlying the practice of architecture; survey the economics of buildings such as funding methods, site appraisals and value engineering.

Programme specification

Module specification