Program Overview
Architecture BA(Hons)
Course Overview
Generate imaginative, impactful designs and start your future career on this highly creative, socially engaged and ecologically sensitive RIBA Part 1 Validated Architecture course.
Through drawing and making in real and virtual environments and understanding the influences of the histories and theories of architecture and urban design, you will develop the technical and artistic competencies needed to tackle environmental and societal challenges.
Based in a supportive and inclusive studio environment you’ll be encouraged to collaborate and innovate: exploring the craft, technologies and materials of architecture and design.
You’ll graduate with creative, practical and communication skills and the professionalism needed to excel in a career in architecture or the wider creative, environmental and construction industries.
Why Study This Course at Falmouth?
- Work on live project briefs with real clients, foster critical thinking and hone your understanding of professional practice.
- Work in collaborative design studios with access to making, printing and digital technical workshops, based on our beautiful Falmouth Campus with subtropical gardens.
- Develop powerful communication skills; communicating complex ideas visually, verbally and through professional and academic writing.
- Ignite your curiosity and draw inspiration from Cornwall’s unique landscape, geology and cultural heritage.
- Have the opportunity to gain valuable experience through a short-term professional placement or mentoring, and optional study trips.
The course is RIBA part 1 validated.
Course Details
BA(Hons) Architecture Course Video
Throughout the course, we'll prepare you for professional practice. You will be able to generate a range of ideas and concepts in response to the identified needs of a brief – resolving demands for aesthetic, spatial, social, and environmentally sustainable proposals.
Projects range from small-scale, fast-paced challenges to comprehensive design projects, which will allow you to showcase your wide-ranging skills as they develop over the three years of the degree.
You’ll become equipped to create sustainable strategies for resilient and ethical built environments for the communities you design for, and become confident in communicating your ideas through drawing, modelling and making using both live and digital techniques.
There is a strong focus on the histories and theories of architecture and urban design, climate literacy and matters of equality, inclusion and diversity.
Upon completion of your Architecture degree, you will have the ability to define and create critically informed projects of varying types, within a range of contexts including at the urban scale and through adaptive reuse.
Year One
During your first year you will be introduced to architecture through a series of smaller projects in a range of locations. You’ll begin to understand the language of architecture and the anatomy of buildings as you apply practical and conceptual skills to develop user-centred proposals, developing your understanding of the principles of sustainable and regenerative design.
You’ll consider structure, form, space and light in architectural composition and gain a basic understanding of different structural and environmental approaches to building. You will enhance your drawing, making and digital skills and be introduced to techniques which you will apply throughout the course. We'll equip you with an overview of context, history and theory, with a special focus on ethical practices, professionalism and collaboration.
Modules
- Habitation 1: Explore the connection between people, place and nature, issues of locality, materiality, identity and concepts of settlement, shelter and habitation.
- Environment 1: Learn about the anatomy of a building, structure and form. The focus is on user-centred design, and how structures, technology and environmental considerations influence architecture.
- Community 1: Explore issues of designing for public buildings and spaces in an urban context, thinking about meeting the needs of society sustainably.
- Practice 1: Be introduced to a range of professional contexts. You will explore the teams that are involved in the realising of built projects, and will work and design collaboratively, drawing and making at a larger scale.
Year Two
In the second year you’ll develop your technical and conceptual skills as you take on larger-scale design projects. You will develop confidence in the application of artistic practice and technical skills, gaining an understanding of the regulatory requirements of professional practice and you will carry out your own practice research.
You'll learn to create designs that respond to the varied needs of users and continue developing a personal ethical basis for design decisions, with emphasis on equality, diversity and inclusion and concern for both natural and built environments.
Modules
- Habitation 2: Explore matters of social sustainability, inclusion and participation within an urban or rural context and in response to social needs for a housing project.
- Environment 2: Undertake a deeper exploration into sustainable project strategies and the specific technical challenges of the building materials, assembly and the synthesis of technological and aesthetic requirements.
- Community 2: Respond to a larger, more complex site for a community or public building and public realm project in an urban context. You will have the opportunity to develop your own spatial brief and your own architectural language through artistic practice, refining your critical thinking and writing skills.
- Practice 2: Develop your knowledge, understanding and application of ethical professional practice context, regulatory frameworks and the identification and management of risk.
Year Three
In your final year you will undertake two design projects; focusing your learning and ability to combine technical, ethical practice and aesthetic requirements in response to a brief.
The first project will test your definition of what architecture is or can be, and allows you to experiment with visual communication.
Your Dissertation or Practical Submission with Critical Essay builds on the academic research and critical writing skills developed over the course. By the end of the year, you'll be a strong communicator visually and verbally, and will have built a comprehensive portfolio highlighting all your skills.
Modules
- Synthesis 1: Undertake an experimental exploration of architecture derived from both built and natural environments, strongly focused on sensory design, cultural identity, sustainable and regenerative practice.
- Dissertation: Choose from two possible pathways for your dissertation, both covering academic research and critical writing set within a broad thematic framework for you to develop your own enquiry supported by your tutors.
- Synthesis 2: The final project comprises a larger scale building within an urban context as a comprehensive design project and consolidates all your design, technical and communication skills.
- Practice 3: Demonstrate your practice knowledge through a written report and the culmination of your design communication and representation skills will be exemplified in an employment portfolio and exhibition panel.
Facilities
- Dedicated workshops featuring 3D and bronze casting foundry, printmaking, paint preparation, laser cutting and rapid prototyping.
- Digital imaging.
- Studio accommodation.
- Video and photography.
- Library with 140,000 books, 17,000 DVDs/videos, and over 400 journal titles.
- Archives including radio, slides, pictures and maps.
Staff
Our staff team bring together a wealth of high-profile practice experience, industry contacts, diverse research interests and are passionate about teaching excellence, social justice and the environment.
- Tanya Griffiths: Course Leader, Architecture BA(Hons)
- Dr Sarah Riviere: Senior Lecturer, Architecture BA(Hons)
- Dr Tiago Pinto da Costa: Senior Lecturer
- Laura Battersby: Lecturer, Architecture BA(Hons)
- Janie Hinton: Lecturer in Architecture
- Mark Innes: Lecturer
- Mark Coles: Associate Lecturer
- Francesca Rausa: Associate Lecturer, Architecture BA(Hons)
Careers
As an Architecture graduate, you could become:
- Architect
- Architectural Technician
- Architectural Designer
- Specialisms in Landscape Architecture, Heritage Conservation and Town Planning
How to Apply
You can apply for our undergraduate degrees via UCAS. You'll need our university UCAS code (F33) as well as your course code (which you'll find on your course page) for your application.
Entry Requirements
We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course.
- 104 - 120 UCAS Tariff points
- GCSE Mathematics Grade 4 (C)
UCAS Tariff points will primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T Levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma. Applicants should have GCSE Mathematics Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
Language Requirements
For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.
Fees, Costs & Funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for students starting the course in September 2025
- Annual tuition fee: £9,535 per year (Full-time UK)
- Annual tuition fee: £17,950 per year (Full-time EU/international)
Tuition fees for students starting the course in September 2024
- Annual tuition fee: £9,250 per year (Full-time UK)
- Annual tuition fee: £17,950 per year (Full-time EU/international)
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Typical Course Costs
- £300 - Recurring annual costs
- Approx. £1000 - £1500 - One-off costs for the course duration (laptop, external drive and essential equipment)
- £120 - £800 - Yearly study visits (optional)
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our student funding pages.
Program Outline
Architecture BA(Hons) - Full Extraction
Degree Overview:
This RIBA and ARB Part 1 accredited course focuses on the interplay between thinking and making, preparing you for professional practice as an architect. You'll work on live briefs and gain hands-on experience in dedicated studio environments and well-equipped workshops. You'll develop a sustainable and socially engaged approach while mastering techniques for understanding places, acquiring powerful communication skills, and learning how to design for communities and clients in response to environmental issues.
Objective:
This program aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to become successful architects who can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future. Graduates will be able to:
- Design for communities and clients in response to environmental issues
- Use sustainable and socially engaged approaches in their work
- Develop powerful communication skills
- Gain hands-on experience in live briefs
Outline:
The program is divided into three years, with each year building on the previous one.
Year One:
- Focus on core skills and language of architecture
- Develop user-centered design outcomes
- Understand how projects are formulated
- Develop an ethical and aesthetic position on the architectural profession
- Gain an understanding of environmental issues in sustainable development
- Explore "housing" in the broadest sense
- Take on Erasmus exchanges and placements
- Develop confidence in applying technical information
- Understand the statutory requirements of professional practice
- Create designs that respond to the needs of users
- Develop a personal ethical basis for design decisions
Year Three:
- Complete an independent exploratory project
- Write a dissertation
- Complete a comprehensive major project
- Become a strong communicator who can recognize strengths and weaknesses
- Maximize career opportunities
- Demonstrate a rigorous and comprehensive level of architectural design ability
- Meet the ARB Part 1 Graduate Attributes
Assessment:
Assessment is 100% coursework and includes:
- Verbal and visual presentations to staff, visiting critics, and peers
- Formative feedback throughout studio-based modules
- Summative assessment providing feedback to help develop work
- Final-year projects and dissertation
Teaching:
The program uses a "digitally enhanced learning & teaching" approach, focusing on in-person learning with some online elements. Students are taught by qualified architects and practitioners from various fields. The program emphasizes studio-based learning, project work, industry visits, and competition briefs.
Careers:
Graduates are employed by renowned firms like Adjaye Associates, Foster + Partners, and others. The program equips students with transferable skills, making them desirable to employers in various fields.
Other:
- Falmouth students have received prestigious awards, including the Serjeant Award for Excellence in Architectural Drawing.
- Students work on live projects for clients such as the Eden Project and the National Trust.
Annual tuition fee Student Full-time UK £9,250 per year Annual tuition fee Student Full-time EU/international £17,950 per year
