Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Architecture

Why study this course with LJMU?

• LJMU ranked 13th university in the UK for Architecture (The Times UK University Rankings 2025)
• 96% of students surveyed said this course challenged them to achieve their best work (National Student Survey 2024)
• 94% of students surveyed said the teaching on the course was good or very good (National Student Survey 2024)
• Students can access study abroad opportunities and apply for overseas travel awards
• Access to some of the UK's best examples of urban redevelopment and iconic buildings
• Teaching in the RIBA award-winning, purpose-built John Lennon Art and Design Building
• European and UK study trips included within the programme
• Exemptions from RIBA Part 1 exams on graduation
• Direct involvement in live artistic projects taking place in the city
• To see what our students are doing and understand our studio culture please visit the Architecture Instagram

About your course

This professionally validated degree offers the opportunity to work on a range of authentic architectural projects in a dynamic studio environment. Input from practising architects and access to industry standard technical facilities gives you a rigorous and stimulating programme of study.

Taught principally through a studio environment that is seamlessly underpinned and informed by lectures and workshops, the over-arching ambition of the programme is to create graduates with artistic flair, and who are technically skilled and grounded in the demands of the professional role of the architect.

The learning and teaching environment is progressively informed by research in pedagogy in the creative field. While teaching the curriculum, the programme also develops less tangible skills in students, such as communication, presentation and self-motivation; a key ambition is to create independent thinkers, adept at resolving problems with creativity and originality.

A broad educational experience is offered within which students can develop diverse rigorous and creative approaches to design issues that explore and test appropriate resolutions in relation to contemporary and anticipated contextual issues.

Design projects form the backbone of the core teaching strategy. These projects are seen as primers to a divergent creative and critical thought process: they are characterised by individual interpretation and interest of the subjects that encourage imaginative solutions through discursive studio forums.

As you progress through the degree, the design projects gradually become larger in scale, more complex and ambitious in their intentions and integrative in their nature. At degree level, predominantly, the city of Liverpool is used as a contextual laboratory to test concepts that have a local flavour with global implications.

The aim is to develop graduate skills and knowledge such that they become autonomous thinkers who are capable of analysing, visualising and testing potential solutions to increasingly complex spatial and social issues within an increasingly holistic global scenario.

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.

Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Year 1

• Core modules
  • History and Theory 1: a global review of architectural Design (20 credits)
  • Fundamental Skills: Understanding buildings through drawing (20 credits)
  • Design 1: Light, space and form; narrative and spatial sequencing (20 credits)
  • Design 2: Exploration for a place for making (20 credits)
  • Design 3: Crafting a Spatial Proposition (10 credits)
  • Design 4: the Need for Design (10 credits)
  • Environment and Technology 1: Introduction to structural and environmental design (20 credits)

Year 2

• Core modules
  • History and Theory 2: Modernism; from the symbol of the present to the medium of the future (20 credits)
  • Design 5: City Design; analysing and shaping the city (20 credits)
  • Design 6: Building in the city; enriching urban form through architecture (20 credits)
  • Integrated Design 1: Explorative Project - Design (20 credits)
  • Integrated Design 2: Explorative Project - Technology (20 credits)
  • Environment and Technology 2: Use and application of Building Information Modelling (20 credits)
• Optional modules
  • Study Semester Abroad - Architecture (60 credits)

Year 3

• Core modules
  • Design Project Research - CDP (20 credits)
  • Integrated Design 2: Weather or not - explorations around climate (20 credits)
  • Integrated Design 2: Supporting Studies (20 credits)
  • Integrated Design 3: Comprehensive Design Project (40 credits)
  • Practice and Legislation: Ethical design practice and building legislation (20 credits)

Professional accreditation

This course is fully accredited by the RIBA (Royal Institute of Architects).

Liverpool School of Art and Design, where Architecture is taught, has many links with artistic and cultural institutions both nationally and locally, including RIBA and FACT (the Foundation of Arts and Creative Technologies), and collaborates regularly on both live projects and exhibitions.

In the recent 2022 RIBA Board Report, issued after their visit to the University, they commended the School of Art and Design for the provision of excellent facilities and technicians, which is "greatly appreciated by students". The board also commented that Architecture staff show a notable commitment to the students in respect of pastoral care and teaching, "in particular during the period of pandemic."

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Support Assessment

Excellent facilities and learning resources

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.

During Level 4, you will be introduced to fundamental tools and ideas that form the basis for the study of architecture. In parallel, the interpretation of themes and conceptual thinking will be established within the years overall focus of Form, Space and Light.

During Level 5, you will explore two core aspects of architectural thinking: Contextualism and Experimentation and complete a study trip to a city in Europe. You will also complete modules which will inform and aid your work in the design studio.

The final year, Level 6, focuses on environment, sustainability and ecology where architecture is seen as emerging from and responding to a holistic context of contemporary cultural and environmental programmatic issues. You will secure the skills and knowledge required to practice architecture via a creative but rigorous approach to design project work.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

Independent design project work makes up 60% of this course, and so it is vital that you get the support you need to be able to fully develop your design skills. For this reason, you will be allocated a design tutor who will provide one-to-one teaching and support throughout each project.

The feedback system and the production of a personal development plan with a personal tutor are also designed to help you achieve your full potential, in both your studies and your future career plans.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

All students perform differently depending on how they are assessed, which is why we use a combination of assessment methods. Typically, you will be assessed on your design and research presentations (group/individual), written work (essays, reports etc), exams (seen/unseen), practical work (workshop abroad), and your portfolio. At the end of your studies there will be a one-to-one interview with an external examiner.

The type of feedback you will receive varies according to the module. For instance, design modules are reviewed twice with formal feedback given by a panel at the second review, and portfolio reviews are conducted at the end of each semester when you will work with your personal tutor to put together a personal development plan. This will address your strengths and weaknesses and help you develop your academic work as well as your career plans.

86%say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for Architecture (Full time) at Liverpool John Moores University

93%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Architecture (Full time) at Liverpool John Moores University

90%in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for Architecture (Full time) at Liverpool John Moores University

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

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Where you will study

Cross-disciplinary learning in art and design subjects takes place in the Liverpool School of Art and Design 's John Lennon Art and Design Building, based in the Mount Pleasant Campus. Here students studying a variety of disciplines, including Architecture, Art in Science, Exhibition Studies, Fashion, Fine Art, Graphic Design, History of Art and Museum Studies and Interior Architecture, will have the opportunity to develop their work in state-of-the-art workspaces and facilities within a stimulating and critically demanding environment.

Career paths

To become a registered architect you usually need to work for an additional year in architectural practice then complete a two-year Master of Architecture (MArch) diploma. Once you have passed the RIBA Part 3 exams, you can practice in any EU or commonwealth country and many other countries outside the EU.

If after graduating you choose not to go down the route of becoming a registered architect, a range of other careers are open to you. Past graduates have pursued successful careers as project managers, property developers, building contractors, furniture designers, lighting designers, architectural visualisation artists and journalists.

Many of our graduates have successfully secured employment at world-class practices throughout the UK and further afield, while others have remained in the city of Liverpool contributing to its evolution, taking key roles in leading practices that have reshaped the city over the last decade.

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.

Dion Barrett, BA Architecture and MArch Graduate

Studying at the LJMU School of Art and Design allowed me to be exposed to other disciplines such as Fashion, Art, Graphic Design and Illustration, that really shaped the way I thought about Architecture within the wider context of design. The common denominator was how success often came down do how well we communicate our ideas, and having your influences come from a broad spectrum really strengthens that ability. This honed skill is essentially me helping other architects to communicate their ideas and value.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Full-time per year: £9,535

International

• Full-time per year: £18,250

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Grades/points required from qualifications: ABB-AAB (128-136)

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

GCSEs and equivalents

• Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language, Mathematics and Science.

GCSE Equivalences accepted:

• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A levels

• ABB-AAB
• Minimum Number of A Levels: 3
• Maximum AS UCAS Points: 20

BTECs

• Extended Diploma: DDM

Access awards

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Pass overall with a minimum of 128 points

International Baccalaureate

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

OCR Cambridge Technical

• Extended Diploma: DDM

Irish awards

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

T levels

• Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

You need to obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area.

Additional requirements

• Assessment required

Shortlisted applicants will be required to submit a digital portfolio. Applicants will be sent an email requesting they upload a digital portfolio using our upload attachment facility.

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here

All short-listed applicants are requested to submit a digital portfolio - portfolio guidance.

Applicants are awarded an offer on the quality of their digital portfolio or work, and academic attainments.

We are looking for students with an enthusiasm for design, who wish to engage in the debate on the future of the built environment.

You should have a willingness to read around the subject widely. You should be willing to gain first hand experience of buildings, towns and cities and acquire information retrieval techniques, as you will be expected to read around the subject and draw upon your findings for essays and projects.

You would be expected to meet the criteria below;

• Critically aware of their surroundings
• Capable of discussing Art & Design issues
• The ability to analyse and reflectively criticise your work and the work of others
• Visual awareness