Program Overview

Architecture BA Honours

Overview

The Architecture BA Honours course at the University of Westminster is a three-year undergraduate program that provides students with a comprehensive education in architecture, preparing them for a career in the field.

Course Structure

The course is divided into three years, with each year building on the previous one to provide a progressive learning experience.

Year 1

• Design Studio: Architectural design is taught twice a week in small groups of around 20-22 students, with a lead tutor supported by a second tutor on the first studio day and a postgraduate student on the second.
• Technical Studies: Students are introduced to structural and environmental principles underpinning architectural design, fabrication processes, building components, and assembly techniques.
• History and Theory: Through lectures and small group seminar discussions, students study a range of European and non-western histories of architecture.

Year 2

• Design Studio: Students can choose to study within one of seven studios, each offering a particular approach to design or engagement in current issues and characterized by diverse themes.
• History and Theory: A lecture program on theory and contemporary issues in architecture and urbanism is followed by small group seminar sessions.
• Technical Studies: Students are introduced to architectural practice by following the live progress of a construction site (Site Diary module).

Year 3

• Design Studio: Students can choose to study within one of six studios, offering a diverse range of design approaches.
• Technical Studies: Students investigate a particular area of environmental or technical interest and apply this knowledge in their second Major Project.
• History and Theory: Students write a dissertation: an extended piece of written research on a subject of interest from the field of architecture.

Entry Requirements

UK

• A levels: BBB (120 UCAS Tariff points)
• T levels: 120 UCAS Tariff points
• International Baccalaureate: 120 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme
• BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM in Art and Design
• BTEC Diploma: Not accepted on its own
• Access: 120 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

International

• International Baccalaureate: 120 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme
• We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications.

English Language Requirements

• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component.

Tuition Fees

UK

• UK tuition fee: £9,535 (Price per academic year)

International

• International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)

Additional Costs

• What your tuition fees cover:
  • Prior to enrollment, you'll be provided with information on reading lists and the equipment you'll need for the duration of your course.
  • There's no requirement for you to buy books as all the key texts are available in the library.
• What your tuition fees do not cover:
  • You may prefer to have your own laptop.
  • Optional ‘starter kits’ for first-year students are available from our on-campus shop Marylebone Books.
  • The cost for printing, paper, and workshop materials will be approximately £150 per semester/£300 per academic year.
  • The cost for gallery and site visits will be £20 per semester/£40 per academic year.
  • Field trip costs: An optional field trip is offered to second-year students at an additional cost of £379 per field trip.

Portfolio Guidance

• Number of recommended portfolio pieces: 15-20 pieces
• What should I include in my portfolio submission:
  • The portfolio is an opportunity to show your range of creative skills and projects.
  • The selection should include both observational studies and creative work, and evidence developmental processes as well as final outcomes.
• How should I structure my portfolio:
  • Please send Portfolios digitally, ideally in a single PDF format, maximum 10MB.
  • Please avoid sending individual images.
• How will my portfolio be evaluated:
  • Your portfolio will be evaluated on the following criteria:
    • Personal Ambition and Interest in Architecture, Art and Design
    • Creativity and Originality
    • Spatial Exploration
    • Representation Skills

Teaching and Assessment

• How you'll be taught:
  • Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• How you'll be assessed:
  • Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
  • Assessments typically fall into two broad categories:
    • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
    • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Facilities

• Architecture studios: Our architecture studios provide unrivaled facilities for study and collaborative learning.
• Fabrication Laboratory: The Fabrication Laboratory allows students to explore the exciting field of digital fabrication.
• Marylebone Campus: In the heart of London, our Marylebone Campus is home to the Westminster Business School and our Architecture, Planning, and Tourism courses.