Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Architecture with Foundation Year

Overview

The foundation of your future

There's more than one way into a successful architecture career. If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Architecture programme but you have the experience, maturity and determination to work in the sector, then this course is for you.

This foundation year isn’t a freestanding degree - but it’s the perfect preparation for one. Think of it as the first year in a four-year period of studying that will lead to the BA (Hons) Architecture degree at LSBU (upon successful completion of the foundation year).

Student showcase

Each year, we hold an End of Year Show in the LSBU Hub - an opportunity for students from across all years and Architecture programmes to showcase their creativity and network with future employers from leading architecture firms in the UK and overseas.

You can browse some of the work from the 2024 show on Dezeen.

Fantastic facilities

You will benefit from our extensive range of specialist facilities, including:

• Architecture Design Studios with inspiring and unrivalled views over the City of London;
• a Building Information Modelling (BIM) Centre;
• a Digital Architecture and Robotic Lab;
• a Strengths of Materials Lab;
• a wood workshop, laser cutting and 3D printing.

Why Architecture at LSBU?

• Our roots in London Council School of Building (1904) and Brixton School of Building (1940) mean that LSBU has offered architectural education for over 100 years.
• Our central London location is a great place from which to build professional networks. We have local connections with organisations such as Southwark Council, English Heritage, and We Are Waterloo.
• We host a range of exciting events throughout the year to help you expand your architectural experience and professional networks.
• Professional accreditation – the course is fully validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects and prescribed by the Architects Registration Board.
• 97.5% of students on this programme said that the course is intellectually stimulating (National Student Survey 2024).
• Professional accreditation – the course is fully validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects and prescribed by the Architects Registration Board.
• High earning potential - our Architecture, Building and Planning graduates have a median graduate salary of £37,200 - the second highest graduate salary for this subject area in the UK (2023 LEO Data)
• Our students regularly win prestigious RIBA Awards.

Explore life as an Architecture student

Mode | Duration | Start date | Application code | Application method

• Mode: Full-time
• Duration: 4 years
• Start date: September
• Application code: K10F
• Application method: UCAS

Course Accreditations

• RIBA
• ARB

The foundation year modules are not accredited; however, the degree programme holds full accreditation from the above organisations.

Location

• Southwark Campus

London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.

If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.

Entry Level Requirements

Need further information? Call us on to discuss entry requirements.

• UK Qualifications
• International Qualifications

TBC.

If you do not meet the entry criteria above we also review any previous skills, knowledge or experience you have gained outside of your education and are happy to talk through any extenuating circumstances you feel relevant.

Choose your country

Select country here:

Select a state

• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Algeria
• Angola
• Argentina
• Australia
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Bulgaria
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Dominican Republic
• Egypt
• Estonia
• Ethiopia
• Finland
• France
• Gambia
• Georgia
• Germany
• Ghana
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Ireland
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Mongolia
• Morocco
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Norway
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Russian Federation
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Sierra Leone
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Somalia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tunisia
• Turkiye
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America
• Uzbekistan
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Go

Missing English and Maths qualifications?

If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.

Advanced entry

If you have already completed some studies at another university, we may be able to consider you for advanced entry. Please see our advanced entry page for more information.

Fees

United Kingdom

• £9535

Tuition fees for home students

International

• £16500

Tuition fees for international students

Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.

International students

The course is not currently open to international students.

International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.

Home

• Mode: Full-time
• Duration: 4 years
• Start date: September
• Application code: K10F
• Application method: UCAS

Accommodation

Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.

Or, if you’d rather rent privately, we can give you a list of landlords – just ask our Accommodation Service.

Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Finance

You don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.

Prepare to start

Applicant events

After you’ve received your offer we’ll send you emails about events we run to help you prepare for your course.

Enrolment

Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.

Foundation Year

• Art & Design
• Constructing the Built Environment
• Design Concepts
• Integrated Practical Skills for Architecture and Construction
• Integrated Project
• Study Skills

Year 1

We will welcome you into a large studio space, which is then divided into groups working on principles of architectural design and creative practices. Year 01 design studio focuses on sketching, model-making, drawing, site and building visits. Once you have completed your first year of study, you’ll have a wide choice of design studios to choose from where you learn about the many different approaches to architecture and design, whilst working with your peers and independently.

• Design 101
• Design 102
• Cultural context 1
• Technology 1
• Communication 1: drawing and digital media

Year 2

In year 2 you will work on three architectural design projects throughout the year, each with specific themes and context for you to research and explore.

• Design 201: experimental media
• Design 202
• Cultural context 2
• Technology 2
• Communication 2: digital design

Year 3

You will engage with more complex design studio projects, with more time to resolve detailed design solutions, linked to technology and structures.

• Design 301
• Design 302
• Cultural context 3
• Technology 3
• Professional practice

Careers

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
• Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Choose to study architecture and you'll gain more varied skills and employability than almost any other professional subject. Our central London location is the perfect place to find inspiration, as well as build your professional networks and take advantage of work experience opportunities. Our strong design and academic reputation creates excellent links into practice.

Your career

To qualify as an architect, you need to complete a 3 year (or part time equivalent ) bachelor's degree, plus a 2 year postgraduate master's degree (or part time equivalent), and two years' (minimum) professional practical experience, followed by the final RIBA part 3 course and examination. Whilst it’s a long process, once you’ve qualified your starting salary could be around £30,000 a year, rising with experience.

As an LSBU graduate you can apply for further study at any RIBA recognised schools both nationally and internationally. We also offer a MArch: Master of Architecture full-time and part-time course, along with our Level 07: Architect Apprenticeship course, all validated by the RIBA and prescribed by the ARB.

Each year, we hold an End of Year Exhibition in the LSBU Hub. This is an opportunity for students from across all years and Architecture programmes to showcase their creativity and network with future employers from leading architecture firms in the UK and overseas.

RIBA mentoring scheme

Working with the RIBA, the mentoring scheme gives our third year students an insight into architecture as a profession, and is another boost to your employability.

Our central London location is a great place from which to build professional networks – opportunities are concentrated in London and south east England.

We put considerable energy into developing quality professional links, inviting practitioners to contribute to teaching and studio sessions and holding lectures where external guest speakers include established and emergent architects and internationally recognised design researchers. These links help you gain the skills that employers really want.

Guest lecturers from the 2022/23 academic year included:

• Prof Iain Borden, Professor of Architecture and Urban Culture at University College London
• Dr Andrew Wilson, Senior Lecturer in Architecture at University of Queensland
• Sophie McCarthy, Design Director at Atomik Architecture
• Ian Bogle, Creative Director at Bogle Architects
• Stephen Hadley, Associate Director at Stanton Williams
• Kevin Coello, Architecture Assistant at Stanton Williams

Accreditation

The foundation year modules are not accredited; however, the degree programme holds full accreditation from the following organisations:

Our degree courses are validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and prescribed by the Architects Registration Board for RIBA part 1, RIBA part 2 and RIBA part 3.

• The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is the professional members' organisation for architects that champions better buildings, communities, and the environment through architecture. They provide guidance on professional standards, training, support, and recognition that puts their members around the world at the peak of their profession.
• The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is the UK's statutory body for architects.

Placements

As a graduate of the BS(Hons) Architecture course, you will be ready for professional practice and typically undertake a placement as an Architectural Assistant, RIBA Part 1.

You arrange this yourself, but our staff are on hand to help and your graduate design portfolio should support in your search for professional experience.

Teaching and Assessment

This creative course provides a design-focused education that emphasises considered design of our environment through engagement with contemporary material, social, and environmental issues. We focus on developing individual design creativity and imagination through the use of live projects, field trips, site and building visits.

We have digital fabrication facilities on the 7th floor of the Keyworth Centre, which are integrated with the design studios and completely dedicated to architecture courses. Our facilities include: 3D printing, laser cutting, 6-axis robotic arm, 3D scanning, plotter printing and scanning, aerial drone for photography and videography, digital photographic studio, and visualisation and animation studio, virtual reality headset, and our DARLA

You will be required to participate regularly in design studio crits, reviews, lectures, workshops, seminars, and 1:1 tutorials. Architectural study trips abroad also enhance teaching and learning, although these are optional as some students may be unable to travel due to visa or cost restrictions.

You’ll be encouraged to engage in staff practice and research interests and work in teams that include practitioners, specialists, visiting architects, and critics from a range of related disciplines. Our strong links with professional practice is supported by our Architecture Advisory Board, apprenticeship programmes, and our LSBU Architecture Open Lecture Series. Many of our tutors are also practitioners, immersed in architectural practice in London and further afield.

Studio teaching

We offer four vertical design studios addressing contemporary themes:

• Architecture and civic space
• Transformative spatiality
• Performance and curation
• Infrastructure and landscape

Although you will be required to take responsibility for much of your own learning, you will receive considerable support and guidance from staff via course guides, module guides and week to week guidance and tutorial support from the academic staff.

Percentage of time spent in different learning activities| Lectures, seminars and workshops| Self-directed study
---|---|---
Year 1 | 37% | 63%
Year 2 | 34% | 66%
Year 3 | 37% | 63%

Personal Tutoring

As a Built Environment and Architecture student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU. The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.

Your tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have appointments with your personal tutor twice a semester for 30 minutes throughout your course. You can contact your tutor for additional support by email or in person.

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Contact information

Course Enquiries - UK Tel: International team enquiry Tel: +44 (0)

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