Architecture (RIBA) Part 1 BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

About our foundation years

Our Foundation Year courses are perfect for you if you...

• are returning to education after a long time, or you don't have the qualifications for direct entry into our degree programmes
• are thinking of re-training and would like an introduction to the area
• are an international student wanting an additional year to adapt to the UK academic system
• are still evaluating which degree pathway at UEL is the right one for you

Please note: Foundation years can only be studied full-time. However, you can transfer to part-time delivery once you have completed your foundation year. Please apply to the full-time option if you wish to study in this way.

Architecture (RIBA) Part 1 BSc (Hons)

Overview

Immerse yourself in an inspiring architectural journey driven by imagination and innovation in this architecture degree. Our flagship degree, endorsed by the Royal Institute of British Architects and Architects Registration Board, gives you the first qualification you need on your journey to becoming an architect. This course offers:

• Practical expertise that includes mastering drawing, model making, and cutting-edge computer-aided design.
• A rich curriculum covering history, theory, technology, and computing, guided by experienced tutors in personalised sessions.
• A chance to explore your creativity within our design studio. Improve your skills to develop your unique style. Become a professional in the field of architecture, ready to impress employers upon graduation.

Course options

Degree

UCAS code: K UCAS points

Entry Requirements

• Academic requirements:
  • 120 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification listed on the UCAS tariff calculator, including:
    • A Levels in at least two subjects
    • BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM
    • Access to HE Diploma
    • T Levels
    • International Baccalaureate – 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher Level
  • GCSE English Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in English
  • GCSE Mathematics Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in Mathematics
• International Qualifications:
  • We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications.
• English Language requirements:
  • IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing and Speaking; 5.5 in Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent).
• Portfolio requirements:
  • A portfolio is required and should be relevant to this course. It should include a wide range of work that shows your creativity, technical competence and understanding of the subject area.

Degree with foundation year

UCAS code: KC6564 UCAS points

Entry Requirements

• Academic requirements:
  • 64 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification listed on the UCAS tariff calculator, including:
    • A Levels
    • BTEC Extended Diploma – MPP
    • BTEC Diploma – MM
    • Access to HE Diploma
    • T Levels
    • International Baccalaureate – 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher Level
  • GCSE English Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in English
  • GCSE Mathematics Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in Mathematics
• International Qualifications:
  • We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications.
• English Language requirements:
  • IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking (or recognised equivalent).

Fees, funding and additional costs

Fees

• UK/Home students:
  • £9,535 per year
• International students:
  • £15,560 per year

Funding

• UK fee status holders:
  • Government funding
  • UEL funding
  • External funding
• International fee status holders:
  • UEL scholarships
  • Ways to pay

Additional costs

• Textbooks
• Computer equipment
• Printing
• Travel
• Personal laptops and other personal devices
• Personal copies of books
• Optional study visits and field trips (and any associated visa costs)
• Your own chosen materials and equipment
• Costs of participating in external events, exhibitions, performances etc.

Learn about applying

UK Full-time starting Sept

• How to apply:
  • Apply directly to UEL by clicking on the apply button.
• When to apply:
  • Places on many courses are limited and allocated on a first-come first-served basis. We advise you to apply as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of receiving an offer.
• Advice and guidance:
  • Our Information, Advice and Guidance team provides impartial advice on courses, entry requirements, and pre-entry and access programmes in person and via the telephone.

International Full-time starting Sept

• Submitting your application:
  • Please read and consider the entry and visa requirements for this course before you submit your application.
• How to apply:
  • We accept direct applications for international students.
• When to apply:
  • Please ensure that you refer to the international admissions deadline. We advise you to apply as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of receiving an offer.

What makes this course different

• Highly Rated By Our Students
• Proud to be featured in the Architects' Journal
• Award-winning

Accreditation

• RIBA/ARB
• Our architecture course has the unconditional recognition of the Royal Institute of British Architects and Architects Registration Board, giving exemption from RIBA/ARB Part 1.

Course modules

Foundation Year

• Techniques for Designing Core Module
• Design Project Core Module
• A&D Design Workshop Core Module
• Design Media Core Module
• History and Theory Core Module
• Mental Wealth Professional Life Core Module
• Design Investigation 1 Core Module
• Mental Wealth: Professional Life 1 Core Module
• History and Theory 1 Core Module
• Technical Studies and Representation 1 Core Module
• Design Resolution 1 Core Module
• Design Integration 1 Core Module

Year 1

• Design Investigation 2 Core Module
• Mental Wealth: Professional Life 2 Core Module
• History and Theory 2 Core Module
• Technical Studies and Representation 2 Core Module
• Design Resolution 2 Core Module
• Design Integration 2 Core Module

Year 2

• Design Investigation 3 Core Module
• Mental Wealth: Professional Life 3 Core Module
• History and Theory 3 Core Module
• Integrated Technology Core Module
• Design Resolution 3 Core Module
• Design Integration 3 Core Module

Your future career

• By completing this architecture degree course successfully, you'll be exempt from Part 1 of the Architects Registration Board (ARB) examination.
• Many of our architecture students go on to study further, eventually becoming fully qualified architects.
• The majority stay at the University of East London to study our MArch (ARB/RIBA Part 2) course or our Landscape Architecture MA.
• All of the work completed whilst earning qualifications will help you to develop your architecture portfolio which can be used in your career.

Industry links

• We have links with Tate and Lyle, RIBA, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, David Chipperfield Architecture and Grimshaw.

Graduate employers

• Previous architecture graduates have gone into roles in major architectural firms such as Kengo Kuma, Sergison Bates, Stanton Williams, Haworth Tompkins and AHMM, as well as many others.

Job roles

• BSc (Hons) Architecture offers a strong foundation for various job prospects and further studies in design.
• Architecture degree graduates often venture into creative sectors like animation, graphic design, computer game design, film, fashion, and interior design.

Further study

• Upon completing this architecture degree course, you'll gain exemption from Part 1 of the Architects Registration Board (ARB) exam, setting you on the path to becoming a registered architect.
• Many of our architecture graduates often pursue specialisations like MArch (ARB/RIBA Part 2) or MA Professional Landscape Architecture.

How we support your career ambitions

• We offer dedicated career support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking.
• Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry. This ensures they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future architecture career and provide you with the essential design skills needed.
• You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities to help you land your first architecture job.

Career Zone

• This digital platform provides you with careers and employability resources, including:
  • Jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work
  • Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts
  • 1-2-1 career coaching services
  • Careers workshops and employer events
  • Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

• Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you've mastered.
• Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

We are careers first

• Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top:
  • Work-based projects
  • Networking and visits to leading organisations
  • Support in starting a new business
  • London on our doorstep

How you'll learn

• The heart of the architecture degree course is the design studio. Here you'll learn the strategies of architectural design through hands-on design project work.
• You'll also learn from lectures, and from reading and writing designed to stimulate your creative mind.
• At the core of our teaching philosophy is the relationship that develops between students and our academic team, so we teach you in mainly small groups to ensure you have plenty of contact with your tutors and lecturers.
• As well as excellent studios, our modern, purpose-built Docklands campus in the heart of east London's vibrant regeneration area features extensive wood, metal, and digital fabrication workshops, photographic darkrooms, printing, and computer suites.
• You'll visit study sites and buildings, cities, and landscapes in the UK and abroad. Each year there's an overseas study trip, and you can choose from a variety of different design units which often involve overseas travel.
• At the end of the academic year, you'll exhibit your work at our summer showcase. There are also opportunities to enter competitions and win scholarships, individually or as part of a team.

Guided independent study

• When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study.
• This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.
• Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as game labs, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.

Academic support

• Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas - including learning and disability support.

Dedicated personal tutor

• You'll spend time with a personal tutor at least once a week to guide your academic development and ensure you have all the personal support you need.
• If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths, or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions, and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential.

Workload

• Full time students have three full days of teaching (10.00-17.00) during term time, which is 25 weeks per year.
• You will also have to work outside class time to develop your design work and complete reports, essays and other assignments. Allow for 40 hours per week total workload.
• There is a week-long field trip one week per year.

Your timetable

• Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment.
• Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm.
• For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible.

Class sizes

• At the core of our teaching philosophy is the relationship that develops between students and our academic team, so we teach you in mainly small groups to ensure you have plenty of contact with your tutors and lecturers.

How you'll be assessed

• Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make the workload manageable.
• Assessment methods include group work, exams and individual work including essays, presentations, case studies, professional development and practical activities depending on the nature of the course.
• All grades count towards your module mark.
• More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides.
• You will always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve.
• We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 15 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face-to-face assessments.

Campus and facilities

• Our waterfront campus in the historic Royal Docks provides a modern, well-equipped learning environment.
• Join us and you'll be able to make the most of our facilities including contemporary lecture theatres and seminar rooms, art studios and exhibition spaces, audio and visual labs and a multimedia production centre.
• Features include our 24/7 Docklands library, our £21m SportsDock centre, a campus shop and bookstore, the Children's Garden Nursery, cafés, eateries, a late bar, plus Student Union facilities, including a student lounge.
• The University of East London is one of the few London universities to provide on-campus accommodation. Our Docklands Campus Student Village houses close to 1,200 students from around the world.
• We are well connected to central London and Canary Wharf, with London City Airport just across the water. We also run a free bus service that connects Docklands with Stratford campuses.

Who teaches this course

• This course is delivered by the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering.
• The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers.
• Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

Official student data from Discover Uni

• The banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
• To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.
• Make an informed choice.

What our students and staff say

• Here you get to feel that you get to be part of a family, and you don’t find that anywhere else. I would strongly recommend people to come here and visit and see the amazing work that we have been doing and to come and join us. The University of East London is the future. It’s a great place to study and it’s a nice place to be.
• The modules, workshops, and on-site experience were great and enriching because by teaching us more in practice, it prepared me better for working life.

Related courses

• BA (Hons) Interior Architecture
• BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology (Accredited By CIAT)