Course overview

This degree engages you in the processes involved in the production of the urban spaces that shape our cities, from the design of buildings and urban spaces to the consideration of urban issues.

You’ll be inspired by the work of innovative architects and planners whose approach aims to encourage people to actively participate in the design of their environment.

You will study a range of modules spanning our expertise in architecture, urban design, social and political theory. You'll also select from modules in history and sociology, urban planning and informal housing and development, and social enterprise, economics and business.

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

Download information about this course as a PDF

COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.

See our terms and conditions for more information

View our Frequently Asked Questions

Your course during COVID-19

Whilst things will not be the same when you join us in September, this course page is intended to give you insight into what to expect from your course and your learning experience for the duration of your degree.

We have updated all course information where there are specific changes in the first semester.

Facilities

Most of our student services are now available online. As COVID-19 restrictions lift, we'll be opening up our on-campus facilities as soon as it is safe to do so, so that you can get the best out of your studies.

Your learning experience

Your teaching will be a mixture of online and in-person on-campus teaching. In semester one, as a result of physical distancing requirements, all lecture materials will be delivered online along with many tutorials, workshops and labs.

Our aim, if Government guidance allows us, is to deliver up to three hours of labs, seminars and tutorial teaching in-person on campus where this is possible and safe to do so. We'll review this regularly and plan to return to full in-person, on-campus teaching in semester two if restrictions allow.

Assessment

In semester one, we will not be running face-to-face, on-campus examinations. We will instead use different approaches to assessment. These will test and support your learning.

Field trips

We will be running some but not all of our planned field trips. Some of those that do run, will be run virtually. For those that do not run, we will be offering alternative learning activities. These learning activities will give you the opportunity to achieve the same learning.

Terms and conditions and student complaints

The University has terms and conditions which create a positive environment for learning and academic achievement.

Further information

Our COVID-19 Study page gives more information about your Newcastle University 2020 study experience.

Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to the guidelines that may be in place at the time.

Quality and ranking

• 4th in the UK for research power and intensity – Research Excellence Framework 2014
• 7th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2021
• 8th in the UK – The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020
• top 100 – Architecture category – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020
• top 175 – Arts and Humanities category – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2018
• 90% overall satisfaction score – National Student Survey 2020

Teaching excellence

TEF Gold

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

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.

Featured module

APL1001: Alternative Practice - Histories

An introduction to the traditional ideas of the perfect city.

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.

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 as well as an understanding of materiality and structural issues at stake. These will underpin your design work and help you communicate your ideas verbally and visually.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Alternative Practice: Histories	10
Architectural Design 1.1	40
Architectural Technology 1.1: Explorations in Making Architecture	10
Introduction to Architecture	20
Planning Processes and Outcomes	10
Social Worlds	20
Community Building	0

Optional Modules	Credits
Architectural Technology 1.2: Principles of Constructing Architecture	10
Economics of Development I	10
Environment and Sustainability	10

Optional modules are required to enable students to receive Royal Town Planning Institute accreditation. The accreditation route 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, highlighted below: 

Economics of Development 

Environment and Sustainability 

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

You'll gain a deeper understanding of the development of urban architecture and theories of alternative practice. Design modules will enhance your skills and help you develop an understanding of a greater range of scales related to 20th-century heritage. You'll also develop your research skills and prepare for your dissertation.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Alternative Practice: Theories and Practices	20
Visual and Creative Practice Research Skills	20
Community Building	0

Optional Modules	Credits
Introduction to Marketing and Consumer Behaviour	20
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
Urban Poverty: A Global Perspective	20
Global Course on Institutional Design for Spatial Planning	20

Optional modules are required to enable students to receive Royal Town Planning Institute accreditation. The accreditation route 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, highlighted below: 

Relational Mapping, Design and Representation 

Participation, Theories and Practices 

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

You'll undertake a dissertation on a topic of your choice, as well as engaging in a community live design project supporting a local organisation where you can see theory in practice.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Dissertation in Architecture and Urbanism	40
Community Building	0

Optional Modules	Credits
Globalisation: Patterns, Processes & Challenges	20
Alternative Practice: Co-producing Space	20
Chinese Cultural History and Urban Development	20
Green Infrastructure for Well-being and Biodiversity	20
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship with Lean Innovation	20
Displacement and Migration	20
Career Development for final year students	20
Strategies into Action: Planning	20
Development Management	20
Contemporary Planning Issues	20

Optional modules are required to enable students to receive Royal Town Planning Institute accreditation. The accreditation route 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, highlighted below: 

Alternative Practice: Co-producing Space 

A Home for All: Housing Vulnerable Populations 

Development Management 

Strategies into Action: Planning

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

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

For design modules, the teaching is largely through design projects supported by module talks and lectures and as well as an independent guided learning. A typical week will involve working on defined tasks either in groups or working independently, which will help, build up towards the development of your design project.

For academic modules, typical week may involve online sessions, mini-lectures, structured learning, seminars, and individual and group project work.

Methods include:

• online tutorials and support
• online lectures and seminars
• independent and guided site visits
• online library-based research

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

• 

  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

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.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

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. 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

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 also have dedicated AUP Studio Space.

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.

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

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

Employability at Newcastle

96% of Newcastle University graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating, with 85.5% in graduate-level employment or further study.

Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates. See what they have gone on to achieve and be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

Statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation (Destinations of (undergraduate and postgraduate UK domiciled) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17).

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

Additional information

If you graduate from this degree with a 2:1 or above, you'll automatically receive an offer to study our MA Urban Design programme upon application. You may be considered with a 2:2 but an interview will be required.

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

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
• Architecture BA Honours degree

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2020 entry (per year)

Home Fee Students

£9250

International Fee Students

£19800

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