Newcastle University

Architecture BA Honours
UCAS Code: K100 (3 Years)

• Course Overview
• Modules
• Entry Requirements
• Careers
• Finance

Our Architecture BA Honours degree is your first step towards qualification as a professional architect. It is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and provides exemption from the RIBA Part I examination.

This design-based degree provides you with the opportunity to develop your design ideas. We encourage you to develop your own style, while providing you with the knowledge to understand the implications of your design decisions.

You will work with and learn from leading professionals, who will teach you how to think, not what to think. 

We begin by introducing you to the design process through a series of study visits and design projects, gradually developing your architectural thinking, skills and knowledge. These projects increase in complexity during the degree, giving you the opportunity to showcase your growing skills.

During the degree, you will:

• work on design projects that involve a lot of manual and computer-aided drawing and model making in our well-equipped design studio
• undertake library-based research and hands-on construction
• study topics that explore the cultural, historical and technological context of architectural design
• be inspired by leading practitioners, who deliver our 'Conversations with Practice' lecture series
• take part in study visits in the UK and abroad

Newcastle provides the ultimate case study for architecture students. The rise and decline of heavy industry, combined with Newcastle’s recent cultural renaissance, have left an architectural legacy that few UK cities can rival. This constantly evolving city is on your doorstep and we take advantage of our location with a series of study visits to introduce you to the design process.

You also visit another European city in Stage 2 to explore and record architectural design in another country.

Professional accreditation

This degree is professionally accredited and prescribed by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB).

Successful completion of this degree satisfies ARB requirements and provides exemption from the RIBA Part 1. This is the first step towards qualifying as an architect.

Following on from this degree, Newcastle University offers further professional qualifications that give unconditional exemption from the RIBA and ARB examinations, taking you to qualification as a registered architect. This means you would not need to change institutions if you choose to continue your architectural education.  

Quality and ranking

Newcastle is ranked in the top five in the UK for architecture in The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2014, The Guardian University Guide 2014 and The Complete University Guide 2014.

The quality of the architecture study experience at Newcastle is also recognised with an overall satisfaction score of 92% in the National Student Survey 2013.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is largely through studio design projects supported by lectures and personal research. A typical week will involve working in the studio, either in groups developing design projects or working independently. Tutorials and support will be given by a variety of practitioners and academic staff. There are traditional lectures and seminars as well as site visits and library-based research.

Your contact hours will vary and the studios are open 24 hours a day, allowing you to plan and manage your workload to fit around other commitments and activities. 

Assessment methods include traditional critiques for design projects, written course work, group work and written examinations. Teaching and assessment methods may vary from module to module; more information can be found in our individual module listings.

Visit our Teaching and Learning pages to read about the outstanding learning experience available to you at Newcastle University.

Facilities

We offer excellent facilities to support your studies including:

• fully staffed model-making workshop, equipped with a range of cutting-edge machinery including two powerful CNC laser cutters and a ZCorp 3D printer
• design studios with CAD facilities and drawing boards that are accessible 24/7
• print facilities, including A0 and A1 plotting and an A0 scanner
• student-run Kofi bar, providing  a social space for you to meet informally with staff and fellow students

School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape

As an architecture student at Newcastle, you will join one of the largest and most dynamic Schools of its kind in Europe.

We are one of the few academic schools in the UK focusing exclusively on the built environment. Our expertise spans architecture, planning, urban design, digital architecture, urban conservation and landscape architecture, bringing breadth and depth to your study programme.

The Architecture Building is located in the Quadrangle, the oldest part of the University campus. Here you will be part of a relatively small student cohort, creating a real sense of community.