Our Graduates
We are extremely proud of our graduates and all they achieve. Most of our graduates go on to pursue careers in the built environment professions, others embark upon fantastic career opportunities utilising the wide range of skills developed through studying with us.
Matthew Lawes Graduate Profile
Matthew graduated in 2009 from our BA Architecture programme and now works as a freelance Director and Animator specialising in adverts (including our School Video) idents and TV spots for a range of companies. Matthew's longer term career plans are to run a production company that houses a number of well established and talented directors and creatives from all areas of animation and film. Eventually Matthew would like to move into live action feature film filmmaking as a director.
What made you chose APL at Newcastle University?
Newcastle University has a level of prestige that only a handful of universities offer. Having visited Newcastle the year before I was keen to experience the city and all it had to offer on a more permanent basis.
What did you like most about being a student at APL?
The level of support tutors and lecturers gave us was second to none. They were patient and keen to develop us as students of architecture and design. The process is a long and hard one but with the right support network around you it seems a lot less daunting.
What was the best bit about the BA Architecture course?
Personally I enjoyed the group tutorials and crits - this gave me a chance to develop as a designer and communicator in a very public environment. The lessons I learnt from these have stuck with me throughout my graduate years.
What did you like best about the city?
For a relatively small major city there is so much to do - everything from the nightlife to surfing in Tynemouth, yoga in Exhibition Park to Tyneside independent cinema.
Joanna Hinchcliffe Graduate Profile
Joanna graduated from Newcastle University in 2010 after completing both Part I and Part II Architecture degrees. Joanna is now employed by ADP LLP in the Newcastle studio and has worked there since graduating.
Whilst working for ADP Joanna has gained valuable experience on a range of projects and RIBA stages. The studio structure has provided the opportunity to develop as an architect both more independently on smaller traditional projects and as part of larger cross-studio teams. Joanna is currently working on the re-modelling of a small but delightful church. Joanna is also part of a large team working on a new library for a university, an exciting project utilising BIM.
What did you enjoy the most about your programme and/or life as a student at APL?
The Part I and II courses at Newcastle suited me well, despite their intensity! During my first degree I especially enjoyed the variety of the modules – from life drawings, design and landscape projects, building construction lectures to psychology of the home ‘Theory and Principles’ assignments. I had not anticipated the array of aspects of architecture we would study or how fascinating I would find them. It was so beneficial having a studio space in the heart of the campus and a great opportunity to get to know others on the course too.
What did you enjoy the most about life as a student in Newcastle?
It is hard to pin point what I enjoyed most about life as a student; meeting friends that I’m sure will be life long, exploring the city that has become my home and studying a subject that I found myself developing a passion for…too much to choose from!
What is your best memory or proudest achievement from your time at APL?
One of the modules I took in the Part II degree was titled Linked Research. This led to me and a fellow student exploring the ‘Constraints on Improving Housing Conditions in Kampala, Uganda’, including six weeks of field work in Uganda. It was a fascinating study where we worked closely with a truly inspiring tutor (Peter Kellett) who was particularly committed to the wider module participants learning from the variety and discoveries of each others work; both a successful and enjoyable approach! Our project won the Newcastle University Vacation Scholarship Prize, a university wide award for undergraduate research; both a proud moment and a fitting conclusion to a highlight of my studies.
Rachel McDonagh Graduate Profile
After graduating Rachel was fortunate to receive funding from the Legacy Trust UK through NE-Generation to set up a youth engagement project called "Space Invaders" whose aim is "promoting the potential of people and places". Through weekly workshops, the programme offers young people the opportunity to get creative with local underused spaces, developing their own skills and confidence whilst making a positive impact on their built environment.
What made you chose APL at Newcastle University?
I'm from Northern Ireland and for me; Newcastle was like a home from home with warm, friendly people who make up for the cold weather! The University is also well respected by employers and its teaching is kept up to date through ongoing research.
What did you like most about being a student at APL?
I think what I like most about my course is the fact that students' ideas and concerns are taken seriously. The staff are really proactive in understanding and responding to the needs of students - from practical things like installing an extra bike rack or upgrading software, to more personal issues such as setting up a mentoring scheme for first year students, there's always a sense that the school is moving forward.
What was the best bit about the BA Architecture course?
One of the things I most enjoyed about the Architectural Studies course was that it was really varied and we were encouraged to develop independent thinking through exposure to a range of approaches. A question that I continue to grapple with is the role of the architectural profession in fostering a sense of pride, ownership and proactivity regarding the built environment among local residents, particularly in areas of deprivation.
What did you like best about the city?
Newcastle has loads to offer - it's got a great cultural scene with emerging musicians playing in local pubs and artists often opening their studio doors to the public. The metro rail system is also great for students to get around cheaply and takes you straight to the coast where there's a beautiful beach if all the studying gets a bit much! Shopping is also great, and a favourite place of mine is the Grainger Market where you can stock up on fruit and veg for a fraction of the price you'd pay in the supermarket! All in all, it's a great city, and I've enjoyed it as much as an adult in the working world as I have as a student.
Richard Charge Graduate Profile
Richard graduated from Newcastle University in 2005 having completed 5 years study of Town Planning. Richard is now a Director at +Plus Urban Design, a company he proudly co-founded. +Plus Urban Design have established themselves as design advisors to a wide range of clients in different sectors across the UK. Richard is also a national Built Environment Expert (BEE) for Design Council Cabe helping to deliver high-quality designed places throughout the country.
What did you enjoy the most about your programme and/or life as a student at APL?
The opportunity to choose specific areas of specialism such as conservation and urban design as part of the undergraduate course allowed me to get a better feel for the subjects I would later study further.
What did you enjoy the most about life as a student in Newcastle?
The great friends I made.
What is your best memory or proudest achievement from your time at APL?
Winning the Thomas Sharp Prize and being awarded an Honorable Commendation at the 49th IFHP International Design Competition in Rome all in the same year!
Ian Mell Graduate Profile
Ian graduated with a PhD in 2010 and is currently working as a Research Associate at the University of Sheffield on a EU funded project ‘Valuing Attractive Landscapes in the Urban Economy’ (VALUE). This project draws on Ian's doctoral work and applies economic evaluation techniques to investments in urban greening to calculate economic values.
What did you like most about being a student at APL?
I would recommend Newcastle because of the support, expertise and student experience. My supervisory team and my relationship with other students within the department was 100% positive and helped me to achieve the successful completion of my thesis. I was given the opportunity to engage in additional research and teaching work, allowing me to develop my CV and work on projects that have been delivered to the European Union. This proved to be an excellent opportunity to work with experienced researchers and produce internationally important research.
What was the best bit about your PhD studies?
APL provides opportunities to participate in departmental activities – lecturing, seminar and other research projects that allow students to develop the skills they need to work within academia. It is also an excellent testing ground for students to establish themselves as academic leaders. The department also provides a good student experience with a high level of interaction and friendliness between doctoral candidates, academic and support staff.
What did you like best about the city?
Newcastle is a great place to be a student. Having completed my UG and PhD there I find the city one of the most friendly and engaging places to live. People are incredibly friendly and welcoming to people from all over the world making it a more vibrant and diverse city.
Describe your current role?
My role in Sheffield is to co-ordinate work packages, establish, commission and manage field research and lead the production of journal papers and project reports. This is a complex role involving the co-ordination of a number of UK and EU partners working on a number of issues. My experiences in APL (and other roles) have helped me to manage this role effectively by employing time management, negotiation and leadership skills. I enjoy the role as the VALUE project is the first of its kind in Europe and has afforded me the opportunity to disseminate the results in a number of global forums. It is also welcoming to know that you are working on a potential game changer of a project that could have wide ranging implications for your field of study.
My work in Sheffield is strengthening the experiences I gained from working in practice after I completed my PhD. For two years I worked as a Project Manager for East Cambridgeshire District Council implementing Green Infrastructure projects (including a £1 million investment) and writing open space policy.
Scott Gibson Graduate Profile
Scott graduated from our MA Urban Design Masters in 2011 and is now working as an Urban Design Officer for Northampton Council.
What made you chose APL at Newcastle University?
I chose to study urban design at Newcastle University because of the reputation of the programme. Having worked in planning for 12 years for both the public and private sectors, I had always had an interest in urban design and a desire to translate visions for development into change that genuinely create better quality places, it was therefore only natural for me to expand my career from planning to urban design.
What did you like most about being a student at APL?
The range of facilities to support students on the course, particularly the studio space, with up to date IT equipment, and facilities for scanning and printing. The studios are open 24/7 which was particularly useful. During daytime hours the Kofi Bar is a good place to meet students from across the APL community.
What was the best bit about the MA in Urban Design programme?
During my first year, I enjoyed the European Study module. This involved a field trip to Las Palmas to study an area of the city and produce a design–led proposal for a social regeneration project, which in my case was a community hub called Los Tres Caminos (The Three Paths). In my final year, my Design Thesis was the most challenging but enjoyable aspect. It gave me the opportunity to focus on a subject that I felt passionate about. In my case this was the issue of supermarket-led regeneration in town centres.
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We are currently developing our graduate profiles database and more interesting graduate profiles will be added to this web page in due course. To see more student profiles featuring current students and past graduates please visit the following Student Profiles web page.