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Undergraduate

Architecture BA (Hons)

What is Architecture BA (Hons)?

Are you inspired by design and fascinated by buildings, architecture, urban and landscape spaces that make up the world around us? Do you question what inspires their creation, their purpose, who designs them and how they’re created – and what might happen to them in the future? If so, then this programme is designed for you.

You’ll take the first step to becoming an Architect – an exciting career pathway that influences a fast-paced industry in a rapidly changing world. We’ll encourage you to bring your imagination to life, challenge perceptions and become a future-focused design creative who explores ways to improve and enhance the lives of other people.

This course is fully accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) until May 2027, which leads to Part 1 Prescription, allowing you to progress to subsequent accreditation stages and eventually becoming a registered Architect post-graduation.

At University and course level, we understand the importance of sustainability and energy use in the future of buildings and the wider built environment. The course boldly embraces the notion of retrofit-first in all its teaching while promoting sustainable design as a compulsory component of any proposal. This means that the projects you’ll work with will, in most cases, engage with existing buildings- promoting reuse, adaptation, upcycle and recycle scenarios while promoting very modern architecture.

Sustainable design principles will govern the way the project thinking and final proposals evolve. You’ll study the history of art and architecture, visual and spatial design, materiality, construction, ethics, economics and digital communication. The complexity of projects will increase semester by semester, ranging from small and simple proposals to large and multifunctional considerations.

Study style

This course is aimed towards a professional career pathway in architecture – which demands knowledge of a broad range of interconnected disciplines and technical knowledge. You’ll study both individually and collaboratively, experiencing design alongside interrelated disciplines like construction, digital software, arts and historical theory, urban studies and sustainability.

You’ll work in a range of social, economic, cultural and environmental contexts on a wide range of projects – from micro-architectural objects through to complex resilient super cities. You’ll use up-to-date communication, construction and environmental techniques to make the most appropriate use of the built and natural environments.

You’ll benefit from the expertise of specialist practice and research-active lecturers, who provide a rich and stimulating environment in which to study architecture. You’ll explore, collaborate and design alongside your peers in dedicated studio space, working with the latest digital software, BIM, 3d scanning and printing, as well as dedicated model making workshop.

Get Architecture BA (Hons) course updates and hear more about studying with us.

Entry requirements

    • 128 – 136 UCAS tariff points, ABB – AAB at A levels, DDM – DDD at BTEC, or a Merit in your T-Level.

      If you are unsure whether we could make you an offer or you have any questions, just get in touch with our admissions team who will be able to advise you.

      Entry to this course is by interview. Check out our Interview Guide to learn what to expect and help you prepare.

    • We welcome applicants with a pass in a relevant Foundation or Extended Diploma (Level 3 or 4).

    • You must have a minimum of five subjects at GCSE grade 4/C or above, to include English and Mathematics, or equivalent.

    • We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants, although some entry requirements may still apply for Professionally Accredited Courses. We accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas and make offers on an individual basis.

Course modules

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Fees and costs

See the further details of fees and potential extra costs when studying a course at the University of Gloucestershire.
Start date Location UCAS code Fee (UK)
per year
Fee (international)
per year
Sep 2023 Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham K100 £9,250 £15,450
Sep 2024 Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham K100 TBC TBC

Possible careers

Graduates from this course can go on to work in:

  • Architecture
  • Architectural Technology
  • Interior Design
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Urban Design and Master Planning
  • Planning
  • Project Management
  • Real Estate
  • Product Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Lighting Design
  • Furniture Design
  • Set Design
  • Design Manager
  • Site Manager
  • Architectural Journalism.

Industry links

We highly align ourselves with current industry practice and engage with local as well as national and international practices. With this in mind, you’ll keep up to date with contemporary architectural practice by work with visiting professional studio practitioners on specialist projects and showcase your work and ability to potential employers at our degree show.

Study a multidisciplinary course

Unlike traditional built environment subject areas, our architecture students learn from and collaborate with other constructed environments students’ disciplines, such as quantity surveyors for example, from the start of their course – challenging the preconceived ideas of their disciplines, exploring strategies for constructing resilient futures, developing entrepreneurial business ideas and learning to work with others in the multi-disciplinary team.

Collaborate with students from different courses

Students studying this course will work on construction and design related collaborative projects with students from Interior Architecture, Quantity Surveying and Urban Planning disciplines – collaborating, designing, innovating and learning from each. They also understand the challenges the other disciplines face when working in others professional context, enabling individuals to develop a raft of transferable skills, and become considerate professionals and good negotiators.

Combine design, technology and sustainability

The course embeds design, technology and sustainability – challenging you to be innovative, adaptable and responsible designers within our ‘real site, real client and real issue’ projects, adding value to a client’s proposal. We believe that students should be exposed to the challenges faced by professionals in their discipline from the word go, enabling them to graduate into their industry as confident aspiring professionals

Trips and experiences

You’ll be inspired by the town of Cheltenham, world famous for its festivals, and vibrant, contemporary and innovative scene. The course resides in specialist studio facilities, within a Gothic architectural campus in Cheltenham. The city of Gloucester is a showcase for recent regeneration within historic contexts. Studying Architecture in Gloucestershire offers a unique settings to explore contrasts in historic and contemporary architecture precedents, in closely located urban and rural contexts.

You’ll explore and be creatively influenced by historic and contemporary architecture, interiors and vibrant external urban city spaces – as well as engaging with a thriving creative and commercial community amidst exciting festival environments.

Placements

An especially strong focus of the course is on interdisciplinary collaborative projects which focus on outcomes with a real client, real site and real issues project work. You’ll work with Quantity Surveyors, Interior Architects, Urban Planners, Construction Project Managers and Landscape Architects on group projects which mimic professional practice working within multidisciplinary teams.

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