BA (Hons) Architecture
University of Portsmouth
Key Information
Campus location
Southsea, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students/EU residents | £16,200/year: international students
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Take your first step to becoming a registered architect on our BA (Hons) Architecture degree course – accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
You’ll join a distinctive learning environment, with access to cutting-edge facilities, working on stimulating and client-driven design projects. You’ll master key design skills, from the scale of the body's interactions with materials and constructions to the domains of cities and landscapes, engaging in social, cultural, political, aesthetic and environmental challenges of the world we're part of.
You'll focus, with our passionate and supportive community of professional architects, on the themes, values and methods relevant to architectural education and the profession to ensure your practice is future-proof and industry-standard.
After graduation, you'll have the theoretical and practical foundations to pursue a Master’s study and advance in your registration. You can also begin a career in the architecture, sustainability and construction industries, such as architectural design, urban design, and landscape architecture.
Course highlights
- Fast-track your architect registration by completing this degree and getting Part 1 qualification – an ARB and RIBA requirement
- Broaden your professional experience by working with actual clients in our in-house Architecture Project Office
- Experience a professional design studio by working in our dedicated studio spaces, developing your individual and collaboration skills
- Get a taste of working in the architecture industry by taking an optional one-year placement.
- Impress future employers by showcasing your work at our annual Graduate Show
- Enrich your experience and knowledge of architecture by going on-site visits to major international cities – past trips include Rome, Venice, Barcelona, New York and Berlin
- Master your communication skills, from hand drawings and models to using professional industry software – including Building Information Modelling (BIM), advanced parametric modelling, environment evaluation software, and 3D scanning and printing
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) – for a Part 1 qualification – and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Modules
Year 1
Core modules this year include:
- Communication: Fundamentals – 20 credits
- Design: Architectural Application – 20 credits
- Design: Exploration – 20 credits
- Design: Interpretation – 20 credits
- Histories, Theories and Matters of Concern – 20 credits
- Technology and Environment: Exploration – 20 credits
There are no optional modules this year.
Year 2
Core modules this year include:
- Communication: Creative Practice – 20 credits
- Design: Architectural Investigation – 20 credits
- Design: Architectural Narratives – 20 credits
- History And Theory Of Modern Architecture – 20 credits
- Technology And Environment: Design Practice – 20 credits
Optional modules this year include:
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice – 20 credits
- Thematic Design – 20 credits
- Student Enterprise – 20 credits
- Professional Experience – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language – 20 credits
Placement year (optional)
In this course, you can do an optional work placement year between your 2nd and 3rd years to get valuable experience working in the industry.
We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your situation and ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.
Year 3
Core modules this year include:
- Communication: Professional Practice – 20 credits
- Design: Major Project – 40 credits
- Design: Major Project Reflective Synthesis – 20 credits
- History and Theory: Dissertation – 20 credits
- Technology and Environment: Discovery – 20 credits
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry, and some optional modules may not run yearly. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Placement year (optional)
After your second year, you can complete an optional work placement year to gain valuable work experience in design practice or the wider construction industry. It will hone your skills and build your knowledge for your final year.
You can either work for a studio or company or set up and run your own business, either with fellow students or on your own. Our Creative Careers team will help and support you no matter your path.
Career Opportunities
Many graduates of this course continue their architect training with paid, mentored professional experience in practice before studying at the postgraduate level for a Master of Architecture degree.
You can use your skills in design practice, planning and historic building conservation.
Graduate jobs
Jobs our graduates have taken on include:
- Architectural designer
- Interior designer
- Landscape architect
- Urban designer
- Planner
- Architectural technologist
- Product designer
- Graphic designer
- Lighting designer
- Set designer
Graduate destinations
Companies graduates have worked for include:
- Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt
- Make
- Re-Format
- Grimshaw
- PAD Studio
- Hawkins Brown
- Design Engine
- Architecture plb
- Hampshire County Architects
- Squire & Partners
- Allies & Morrison
- Penoyre & Prasad
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.
Towards the end of your degree and up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Facilities
English Language Requirements
Certify your English proficiency with the Duolingo English Test! The DET is a convenient, fast, and affordable online English test accepted by over 4,000 universities (like this one) around the world.