Architecture and Urban Planning BA Honours

Course overview

On our degree we'll help you find your career path in the built environment. Whether in architecture, urban design, planning, landscape or design related professions.

You'll engage with the design processes involved in the production of the architecture, urban spaces and landscapes that shape our everyday life.

You’ll also take inspiration from the work of innovative and radical designers. This includes architects, urban designers, planners and landscape architects. Their approach encourages people to get involved in the design of their environment and address climate change.

The programme includes modules spanning our research expertise in architecture, urban design, landscape, planning and participation in the built environment.

There are also optional modules you can choose from in urban planning, sociology, geography and social enterprise.

Your understanding of how architecture, cities and landscapes can be developed will be supported through design projects, historical examples and theoretical ideas.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

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. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

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.

Stage 1 will provide students with an exciting introduction to the history of architecture and cities, architectural design and technology, and urban planning with a focus on people and climate. 

Through a varied series of design projects, workshops and visits, we'll introduce you to key design skills. You'll gain an understanding of scale and context and develop spatial imagination. You will learn to communicate your ideas verbally and visually thanks to the varied input of design practitioners, artists and academics

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Architectural and Planning Histories of the City	20
Planning Contexts	20
Architectural Design 1.1	40
Architectural Technology 1.1: Explorations in Making Architecture	10
Architectural Technology 1.2: Principles of Constructing Architecture	10
Introduction to Architecture	20

You'll gain a deeper understanding of the development of urban architecture and theories of alternative practice. Design modules will enhance your skills. You’ll engage with urban design and landscape through green infrastructure in the design of a small neighbourhood, and refine your architectural imagination through a project for co-housing. You'll also develop your research skills and prepare for your dissertation.

Stage 2 offers students the flexibility to choose from a wide range of modules across subjects and interests such as design, planning, geography and sociology.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Alternative Practice: Theories and Practices	20
Visual and Creative Practice Research Skills	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Living Communally	20
Relational Mapping, Design and Representation	40
Participation: Theories & Practice	20
Sociology of Health and Illness	20
Refugees and Displacement: Borders, Camps, and Asylum	20
Houses and Homes	20
Researching Local Economies	20
Understanding Cities	20
Digital Civics	20
Urban Infrastructures: A Lens on the City	20
Study Visit	20
Global Course on Institutional Design for Spatial Planning	20

Optional modules are required to enable students to follow an accredited pathway. Students must opt for the below approved modules:

• Relational Mapping, Design and Representation
• Living Communally
• Participation, Theories and Practices

By the end of Stage 2, students will have developed a foundation of knowledge and skills in the fields of architecture, urban design and landscape, enabling them to choose which pathway they will follow in Stage 3.

Students taking the urban design pathway will receive accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Students taking the architecture pathway will receive Part I accreditation from the Royal Institute of British Architects/Architecture Registration Board (RIBA/ARB) – this accreditation is currently being sought.

You'll undertake a dissertation on a topic related to your interest and chosen pathway, whether in architecture, urban design, planning or landscape. This year offers a wide range of module options, from climate literacy to a live design project that allows you to put theory into practice by working with a local organisation or community group.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Dissertation in Architecture, Urbanism and Landscape	40

Optional Modules	Credits
Alternative Practice: Co-producing Space	20
Chinese Cultural History and Urban Development	20
Green Infrastructure for Well-being and Biodiversity	20
Climate Literacy: Philosophies to Practice	10
Climate Literacy: From philosophies to practice	20
Landscape Architecture Studio 1: City as Landscape	20
Landscape Architecture Studio 2: Materiality of Landscape	20
Construction, Energy and Professional Practice	20
Architectural Technology 2: Construction in Detail	10
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship with Lean Innovation	20
Mapping the City	20
Career Development for final year students	20
The Networked Society: Human Identity and Practices	20
Strategies into Action: Planning	20
Development Management	20
Study Abroad	40
Feeding the City	20
Contemporary Planning Issues	20

Stage 3 students can shape their own professional career and deepen their interests by choosing from a variety of modules across design, planning, geography, sociology, business and careers services. If students opt to follow one of the pathways, they are required to choose specific modules as shown below.

Students taking the urban design pathway must opt for the approved modules during their studies, highlighted below:

• Alternative Practice: Co-producing Space
• Green Infrastructure for Well-being and Biodiversity
• Development Management
• Strategies into Action: Planning

Students taking the architecture pathway must opt for the approved modules during their studies, highlighted below:

• Alternative Practice: Co-producing Space
• Green Infrastructure for Well-being and Biodiversity
• Climate Literacy: Philosophies to Practice
• Construction, Energy and Professional Practice
• Architectural Technology 2: Construction in Detail

Students interested in landscape are advised to choose the following modules:

• Green Infrastructure for Well-being and Biodiversity
• Climate Literacy: Philosophies to Practice
• Landscape Architecture Studio 1: City as Landscape
• Landscape Architecture Studio 2: Materiality of Landscape

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2022-23.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

This programme provides a mix of studio design projects and traditional teaching. 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
• individual and group project work

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Case studies

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Portfolio submission

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reflective report/journal

• 

  Reports

Skills and experience

Practical skills

You'll learn about the design process through a series of design projects. You'll gradually develop your architectural thinking, skills and knowledge working in our well-equipped studios.

You'll also gain an understanding of architectural design through working with drawing and model-making in Stage 1, and Adobe Suite and CAD software in Stage 2.

In Stage 3 you'll have the chance to participate in a live community project, seeing theory put into practice.

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

In Stage 2 you can choose to spend a whole semester studying in Europe as part of a study abroad exchange.

Find out more about study abroad

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As an Architecture and Planning student, you will split your time between our dedicated Architecture building and the newly refurbished Henry Daysh Building.

You will have access to a fully equipped analogue workshop and casting space as well as state-of-the-art digital fabrication facilities, including:

• 3D printers
• a CNC router
• laser cutters

Design studios

Our design studios include CAD facilities and drawing boards. We have dedicated AUP Studio Space with limited access however, you will also have access to studio space elsewhere in the School.

Other facilities

You will also benefit from:

• Archiprint facilities, 5x A0 Printers, 2 x A0 scanners, A3 scanners available in studio rooms
• student-run Kofi bar providing a social space for you to meet with staff and fellow students

You will collaborate with artists and engineers to test design ideas at 1:1 scale, and explore alternative forms of practice with community projects.

Find out more about our 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

Developing your employability

We will help you to develop a range of transferable skills that employers look for in new graduates. These skills have helped graduates find employment in numerous fields such as:

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

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+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Additional information

The Route to Royal Town Planning Institute Accreditation

The route to receiving Royal Town Planning Institute accreditation is a 5-year programme. Beginning with the BA (Hons) Architecture and Urban Planning degree, followed by the Certification of Planning Practice and concluded by the MA in Urban Design. To qualify for this accreditation students must opt for the RTPI approved modules during their studies. These RTPI approved modules are specified in the module and learning section.

Students taking the RTPI pathway will receive full accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute.

If you graduate from this degree with a 2:1 or above, you'll automatically receive an offer to the following programmes:

• Urban Design MA
• Master of Landscape Architecture MLA
• Urban Planning MSc

You may be considered with a 2:2 but an interview will be required.

Transfer opportunities

This wide-ranging degree opens up a great variety of career paths in the built environment. However, we understand that you may not yet be sure exactly where your architectural/planning interests lie. If you have acquired the relevant skills in Stage 1, you may be eligible to transfer to another similar degree within the School if you find your interests change, such as:

• Urban Planning BA Honours degree
• Master of Planning MPlan degree

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BA Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 9250
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 22800

Home Fee Students

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying 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

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

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

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

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
• 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