BA (Hons) Architecture

Bachelor's degree

In London

£ 9,250 VAT inc.

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    London

  • Duration

    3 Years

BA Architecture explores design for the human environment through the buildings and spaces we inhabit, and the objects we use inside those spaces.Key issues include community and sustainability. BA Architecture is fully validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects and prescribed by the Architects Registration Board, meaning that all graduates will have achieved Part 1 of the professional qualification for architects in the UK.This course is part of the Spatial Practices Programme.Great reasons to applyAs a professionally recognised course in architecture, graduates of BA Architecture will have achieved Part 1 of the professional qualification, and are eligible to progress to postgraduate, Part 2 coursesYou'll explore seven closely interrelated areas of study - studio design practice, contextual studies, technical studies, media practice, personal and professional development, professional practice, elective studies - delivered through project work, lectures, seminars, assignments, and supporting studiesYou’ll work actively with clients and commercial organisations. Recent clients have included The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, Red Bull, The Office of the Swiss Cultural Attache, Saatchi & Saatchi, Hermes, the Home Office, TINO, Green Works and With FeelingYou'll get involved in live projects, closely collaborating with charities, local communities and organisations. Recent collaborations include Crisis, Bankside Residents Forum, Bemerton Villages at Islington and The Stephen Lawrence Charitable TrustAlumni have gone on to some of the top postgraduate courses in London and beyond while others work in practices including Gensler, Michaelis Boyd, Haverstock, Sheppard Robson, Space Syntax, Stanton Williams, Woods Bagot, StrideTreglown, Zaha Hadid Architects, and many others .Open daysThursday 2 November, 2pmWednesday 22 November, 2pmFriday 1 December, 10:30amFriday 8 December,...

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
See map
1 Granary Square

Start date

On request

About this course

Entry requirementsEntry to BA Architecture is highly competitive. Selection is determined by the quality of the application, indicated primarily in your portfolio of work and written statements. A very high proportion of successful applicants complete a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design .Minimum entry requirementsThe standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:Passes at GCSE level in 5 subjects (grade C or above) including English Language, Mathematics and a double award at science, or two separate sciences such as Physics or Chemistry, and one other subject...

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Course programme

Course detail

This course is subject to revalidation. Revalidation is a process that makes sure students get a high quality academic experience. During revalidation there may be some changes to course content. Please email us () if you have any questions about this course.

BA (Honours) Architecture is part of the Spatial Practices programme. It explores design for the human environment through the buildings and spaces we inhabit, and the objects we use within those spaces.

By considering the interaction between built form and material culture we develop a greater understanding of the role architects and designers can play in the broader contexts of contemporary society. Spaces and objects within and around buildings inform and transform our understanding and use of our buildings and cities. The interrelation of architecture, spaces and objects forms our human environment.

Architecture has always been collaborative. But modern practitioners are increasingly called on to design and facilitate the integration of a broad range of other practices, from arts to engineering. Methods and materials we use to construct and maintain our built environment become critical in reflecting and questioning the impact we have on the natural environment. Issues relating to sustainability, the environment, economies and communities are central to the way this course views design.

BA Architecture enables you to adopt a critical perspective on the architectural design of our human environment in all its aspects. You'll understand how it came to be, and how we might lead its future development.

BA Architectures runs for 90 weeks full time over three years, and is divided into three levels (or stages), each lasting 30 weeks. The whole course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each Level (Stage).

Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the Levels for a BA are: level four (which is stage one of the course), level five (stage two) and Level six (stage three).

There's a progression point at the end of each level and, in order to progress, all units of the preceding Level must normally have been passed.

If you're unable to continue on the course a Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of Level four, or a Diploma in Higher Education following the successful completion of level five.

To gain a BA (Honours), students must successfully complete 360 credits. The final award consists of marks from Level six units only, weighted according to their credits.

Course dates

Autumn term
Monday 24 September 2018 – Friday 7 December 2018
Spring term
Monday 7 January 2019 – Friday 15 March 2019
Summer term
Monday 15 April 2019 – Friday 21 June 2019

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Course outline

BA Architecture has seven closely interrelated areas of study, delivered through project work, lectures, seminars, assignments, and supporting studies. Areas of study are: Studio Design Practice, Contextual Studies, Technical Studies, Media Practice, Personal and Professional Development, Professional Practice, Elective Studies.

Studio Design Practice forms the core of your studio-based learning and is directed by your studio tutors or through your own, self-directed projects. In individual and group tutorials, workshops, seminars and critiques you're encouraged to develop your design thinking, plus ways to support your position as a practitioner.

Contextual Studies locates your learning within an understanding of the historical and contemporary issues relevant to design for the human environment.

Elective Studies are offered as part of contextual studies. Working in mixed groups with students from other courses in the School, Elective Studies promotes critical thinking through the presentation of ideas, debate and discussion, and requires you to consider your subject and role in a wider contexts and to position your practice within the 'bigger picture' of cultural production and meaning-making.

Technical Studies looks at the theory and practice of materials, structures, production and construction. This area of study supports design development through practical as well as theoretical understanding of how design is both conceived and realised.

Media Practice takes in lectures, seminars and workshops that introduce you to the many ways design ideas are communicated through physical and digital media.

Personal and Professional Development provides the skills and knowledge you need to be an active member of a learning community, to become a self-sufficient learner, and to be able to enter the professional world and manage your subsequent career development.

Professional Practice explores the practice of architecture and the broader context of running a business. In seminars and workshops you'll consider how the profession influences the design and realisation of architecture, spaces and objects.

Main study - Stage One

Stage One introduces the core skills and concepts that allow you to develop design proposals and a critical understanding of design for the human environment. Through projects, workshops, seminars and independent study you're encouraged to explore issues related to the way we conceive of and understand the buildings, spaces and objects that form the world around us. You'll also consider the professional roles and responsibilities within architectural practice.

Main study - Stage Two

You'll continue to develop design skills and conceptual thinking, but the emphasis shifts to the exploration of personal responses to design issues.

Live projects, undertaken in teams and individually, offer a chance to do design work in 'real' situations, often with real clients, as a way to understand your own position in professional practice and to begin to identify your future direction.

Main study - Stage Three

The three parts of this stage allow you to consolidate your past experience and to explore, in depth, possible directions for the future.

'Consolidation' is a detailed building design project, bringing together your skills, conceptual ideas and understanding of architectural practice. 'Dissertation' is a major academic paper, on a topic of your choice that begins to frame your specific interests and critical perspective on design. 'Trajectory' develops in tandem with 'Dissertation' and offers the chance to undertake a large-scale, self-directed project.

These projects help you identify and define the specific area of design for the human environment you might pursue through professional practice or postgraduate study.

BA Architecture Programme Specification 2018/19 (PDF, 109KB)

Industry collaborations

Working with paying clients on live briefs will give you valuable commercial experience which may mean your work being taken forward for production or, if so desired, in the purchase of your intellectual property. All paid projects are conducted within a carefully developed legal framework, which includes student agreements to protect your work and help you realise its commercial value.

Recent client projects in the Spatial Practices programme include: London Borough of Camden | National Trust | Arup | Mindfolio | New World Development | Grange Hotels | Oasis | Hot Spots Movement | Redbridge Council | Southbank Centre. Find out more about the Ochirly client project.

Once you’ve graduated, you may be picked as part of a small team to work on a live creative brief, organised by our Business and Innovation department, under the supervision of an experienced tutor. This can be a valuable first step in working professionally in a chosen discipline and has resulted in graduates being hired by clients.

Facilities

  • 3D Large: Wood

    Find out more about our 3D Large: Wood workshop

  • Print Workshops (Archway)

    Find out more about the printmaking facility at Archway

  • CAD

    Find out more about our CAD facilities at King's Cross

View all facilities

Staff

Course Leader: Alex Warnock-Smith
Co-Stage One Leader: Amanda Hopkins
Co-Stage One Leader: Ruth Lang
Stage Two Leader: Gregory Ross
Stage Three Leader: Oscar Brito
Contextual Studies Co-ordinator: Shumi Bose
Communications Co-ordinator: Andrew Sides
Technical Studies Co-ordinator: Adrian Robinson

BA (Hons) Architecture

£ 9,250 VAT inc.