Course overview

Our accredited Architecture BA Honours degree is your first step towards qualification as a professional architect, and you'll leave with your own design style and distinctive way of working.

You'll study topics that explore the cultural, historical and technological context of architectural design, and help you understand the implications of your design decisions. Our city will provide the ultimate case study for you, with an architectural legacy that few UK cities can rival.

Projects increase in complexity through the programme, gradually stretching your architectural thinking, skills and knowledge.

Download information about this course as a PDF

Quality and ranking

• 4th in the UK for research power and intensity – Research Excellence Framework 2014
• 8th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2020
• 8th in the UK – The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020
• top 100 – Architecture category – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019
• top 200 – Arts and Humanities category – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2018
• 90% overall satisfaction score – National Student Survey 2019

Teaching excellence

TEF Gold

A ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.

Professional accreditation

Our Architecture BA Honours degree is your first step towards qualifying as an architect. This degree is professionally accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB).

ARB accreditation will provide exemption from the RIBA Part 1. After which, you would need to complete four further years in work and study. At Newcastle, we offer all the qualifications to qualify as an architect, so you will not need to change universities or move away to complete your architectural education.

See The Route to becoming a Registered Architect in additional information below.

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research, and course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, student feedback, or numbers of students interested in an optional module.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

We begin with a varied introduction to architecture featuring numerous workshops, visits and hands-on activities. Design issues such as scale, function, materiality, atmosphere, space and construction are explored in a studio environment through diverse projects and a wide range of media.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Architectural Design 1.1	60
Architectural Technology 1.1: Explorations in Making Architecture	10
Architectural Technology 1.2: Principles of Constructing Architecture	10
Introduction to Architecture	20
Architectural Representation	20

A challenging series of studio-based projects focuses on architecture’s wider role in the city and society, as well as on how buildings are made and experienced. Briefs explore dwelling, community and cultural spaces, honing design skills from urban scale to detail.

You're encouraged to assimilate knowledge and understanding of increasingly complex technical, historical and theoretical issues, so that these underpin your design work.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Architectural Design 2.1	60
ARC2009: Architectural Technology 2.1: Construction in Detail	20
ARC2010: Architectural Technology 2.2: Construction and Energy Efficiency	10
Dissertation Studies and Research Methods	10
About Architecture: Cities, Cultures and Space	20

You select from a wide range of year-long research-led design studios, each of which hosts a variety of tailored activities, including a European residential field trip.

Studios commence with a stimulating ‘primer’ project that sets the themes and establishes the agenda for your longer graduation project.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Architectural Design 3.1	60
Architectural Technology 3: Integrated Construction	10
Professional Practice and Management 3.1	10
Theory into Practice	10
Dissertation in Architectural Studies	30

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

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.

Methods include:

• tutorials and support
• traditional lectures and seminars
• site visits and library-based research

You'll be inspired by leading practitioners who deliver modules and studio-based teaching, as well as innovative architects, consultants and researchers.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Projects

Skills and experience

Practical skills

You'll work on design projects that involve manual and computer-aided drawing and model making. You'll collaborate with artists and engineers to test design ideas at 1:1 scale.

Our annual whole-school Charrettes and Thinking through Making week bring together students across stages and programmes, so you can explore hands-on approaches to architecture through workshops, installations and material experiments.

View recent work from Stage 3 students

Field trips

You'll also have the opportunity to take advantage of UK and European field trips to explore architecture in different places and cultural contexts. Destinations include Venice, Rome, Porto, Tenerife, Copenhagen and Stockholm.

Research skills

This course will develop your library-based research skills.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

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

As one of the few academic schools in the UK to focus exclusively on the built environment and rated 4th for research power and intensity in the last Research Excellence Framework (REF), you'll benefit from our expertise spanning the history, theory and practice of architecture, planning, urban design, and landscape architecture.

Develop professional skills in fantastic facilities with:

• design studios accessible 24/7, with CAD facilities and drawing boards
• our fully staffed model-making workshop equipped with a range of cutting-edge machinery including powerful laser cutters, CNC routers, Z Corp and MakerBot 3D printers
• an in-house self-service printing facility ‘Archiprint’ with 5 professional large-format colour printers and scanners specifically set up for your needs

Take a virtual tour of the Architecture facilities

Support

Parenting scheme

This scheme aims to help you adapt to student life and get the most out of your time here by putting you in contact with current undergraduate students who can share their knowledge and experiences.

Dedicated Student Recruitment and Wellbeing Manager

This key staff member offers support if you are experiencing particular issues that are affecting your performance whilst at University.

You can discuss confidential problems with them and receive relevant support and advice. They will also offer guidance about other University services that may be of benefit.

Your future

Join a network of successful graduates

90% of our Architecture BA Honours graduates were employed or in further study within six months of graduating*.

The BA in Architecture is the first step towards qualification as a professional architect. The vast majority of our graduates choose to follow their degree with a year’s employment as an architectural assistant in an architect’s practice.

Newcastle graduates have an envious position in the job market and are well received by architectural practices.

*Destinations of (undergraduate, UK and EU) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17

Develop a strong set of skills for your future

Architectural education at Newcastle places a strong emphasis on developing your ability to visualise concepts and to translate your ideas in different forms, alongside a range of transferable skills. These skills have proven very attractive to employers in the creative industries.

We see these skills as an integral part of the architectural education we offer, placing graduates of both degrees in a strong position to obtain employment in numerous fields such as:

• property development
• construction management
• planning
• urban design
• landscape architecture

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ inititiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Additional information

The route to becoming a Registered Architect

After completing your degree, there are two further stages to qualify as a Registered Architect and you can study them all at Newcastle University, including:

Master of Architecture MArch

Typically following a year out in practice, students return to university to complete the two-year Master's in Architecture programme (MArch). Completion of this course leads to the degree of Master of Architecture and gives exemption from the RIBA Part II examination. It's based on project work that focuses on culturally and technologically complex public buildings. You also develop a design thesis, often building on your practice experiences.

Professional practice and management are integrated into the programme, preparing you for the final phase of professional training.

There are also study opportunities with European universities, the National University of Singapore, and the University of Sydney in Australia.

Find out more about our Master of Architecture (MArch) programme 

Diploma in Architectural Practice and Management

This is the final qualification for entry into the profession as an ARB-Registered Architect and for membership of the RIBA. It covers professional and business aspects of work, and is taken part-time while you work as an architectural assistant.

Find out more about our Diploma in Architectural Practice and Management

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2020 entry (per year)

UK Students

£9250

International Students

£21000

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme).

The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• scholarships for students applying to study at our London campus
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages