k190 - Architecture and Urban Planning BA
Architecture and Urban Planning BA Honours
UCAS Code: K190 (full time: 3 Years)
Course Overview
This degree offers a lively and thought-provoking introduction to important ideas about architecture and cities.
At a Glance
UCAS Code
K190
UCAS Institution Name and Code
NEWC, N21
Degree Awarded
BA Honours
Course Duration
3 Years
Entry Requirements
A Level: ABB
IB: 32 points
Opportunities
We place particular emphasis on the idea of ‘alternative practice’, 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 study topics such as:
- understanding sustainable development
- researching local economies
- understanding cities
- architectural and urban design
We use design projects, historical examples, theoretical ideas and a live community project to support your understanding of how architecture and cities can be developed.
If you graduate from this degree with a 2:1 or above, you will 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.
Quality and ranking
Architecture at Newcastle is highly regarded:
- 6th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2019
- 6th in the UK – The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019
- 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
What you will study
Diverse range of modules
You will study a balance of architectural and planning topics that provide you with an understanding of urban architecture and alternative practice.
You'll also have the opportunity to explore diverse topics such as:
- architectural history
- the current planning process
- other modules relating to cities, space and people
For more detailed information on what you will study at each stage see the Course Details section.
Practical design experience
You will learn about the design process through a series of projects. This will develop your architectural thinking, skills and ability.
You'll also gain an understanding of architectural design through working with drawing and model-making, particularly in Stage 1 and Adobe Suite and CAD software in Stage 2.
Other opportunities
You'll have the opportunity to learn from leading professionals, and hear from practitioners through our 'Conversations with Practice' lecture series.
In Stage 3 you'll have the chance to participate in a live community project, seeing theory put into practice.
Boost your employability with a work placement
Apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optional work placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can apply to spend your placement year with any organisation and will receive University support to do so.
You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
It will extend your degree by a year and is subject to availability.
Find out more about Work Placements.
Study abroad
Study for one semester in another European country in one of our partner institutions, including opportunities in Sweden, The Netherlands or Belgium.
Find out more about study abroad.
Facilities
Workshop
Our purpose built workshop comprises of 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
All students receive a safety induction in the use of the equipment and expert technical staff are on-hand to offer help and advice.
Design studios
Our design studios include CAD facilities and drawing boards. We have dedicated AUP Studio Space with limited access however you will have access to studio space 24/7 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.
Transfer opportunities
We know that you may not yet be sure exactly where your architectural/planning interests lie. That's why we make it easy for you to transfer to a similar degree within the School if you find your interests change.
After completion of Stage 1, you can apply to transfer to Stage 2 of one of the following degrees:
- Architecture BA Honours degree
- Urban Planning BA Honours degree
- Master of Planning MPlan degree
Entry to Stage 2 of Architecture BA Honours (K100) will be assessed on individual merit.
- It is based on a portfolio interview with the Degree Programme Director and/or associated staff in K100 to consider eligibility for transfer
- It requires that you selected and passed the ARC1013 and ARC1014 modules
Entry to Stage 2 of Urban Planning BA Honours (K421) or Master of Planning MPlan Honours (K400) is assessed on individual merit and requires that:
- you achieve a mark of 50% or more in the TCP1014 module
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
About the School
As an architecture student at Newcastle, you will join one of the largest and most dynamic Schools of its kind in Europe.
We’re one of the largest and most active centres for built environment research. Our expertise spans architecture, planning, urban design, digital architecture, urban conservation and landscape architecture, bringing breadth and depth to your study programme.
The School is partly located in the Quadrangle, the oldest part of the University campus.
Visit the School website to take a virtual tour of architecture facilities at Newcastle University.
Study in the city
Newcastle provides the ultimate case study for our 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.
Safeer, Architecture and Urban Planning BA HonoursThe design work is a highlight of the course. You get to work closely with peers in the 24 hour studio, where you can easily get a second opinion on your work.
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Compare this course
See how this course compares with others for topics such as student satisfaction, fees and costs and prospects after graduation using the Unistats Key Information Set.
Modules for 2018 entry
Please note
The module and/or programme information below is for 2018 entry. Our teaching is informed by research and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, student feedback, or insufficient numbers of students interested (in an optional module). To find out more read our terms and conditions.
Module/programme information for 2019 entry will be published here as soon as it is available (end of May 2019).
Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts for an academic year and you need to complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage. Further information, including the credit value of the module, is available in each of the module descriptions below.
Stage 1
Compulsory modules
- APL1001 Alternative Practice: Histories
- ARC1007 Architectural Design 1.1
- ARC1013 Architectural Technology 1.1: Explorations in Making Architecture
- ARC1015 Introduction to Architecture
- TCP1014 Planning Processes
- TCP1025 Social Worlds
Optional modules
You choose one of the following modules for semester 2:
- ARC1014 Architectural Technology 1.2: Principles of Constructing Architecture
- TCP1019 Economics of Development I
- TCP1020 Environment and Sustainability
Transfer opportunity
After completion of Stage 1, you can opt to transfer to Stage 2 of either the BA Architecture (K100), BA Urban Planning (K421) or Master of Planning (K400) programmes. If you wish to transfer, you will be assessed on individual merit.
To transfer to Stage 2 of Master of Planning MPlan Honours (K400) or Urban Planning BA Honours (K421) you will need to pass all modules for this course and achieve 50% or more in the TCP1014 module.
Entry to Stage 2 of Architecture BA Honours (K100) requires you to have a pre-arranged one to one portfolio meeting with the Degree Programme Director and associated staff in K100 to consider eligibility for transfer. It also requires that you selected and passed the ARC1014 module.
Stage 2
Compulsory modules
- APL2001 Alternative Practice: Theories and Practices
- APL2007 Visual and Creative Practice Research Skills
Optional modules
You shall take 80 credits of optional modules normally selected from the following list. You should ideally select 40 credits from each Semester 1 and 40 credits from Semester 2 to give a 60/60 split.
- ACE1000 Introduction to Marketing and Consumer Behaviour
- APL2004 Relational Mapping, Design and Representation
- APL2005 Twentieth Century Architecture
- APL2023 The Place of Houses
- NCL2007 Career Development for second year students*
- NCL2100 Developing Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Employability*
- TCP2005 Houses and Homes
- TCP2025 Researching Local Economies
- TCP2028 Understanding Cities
- TCP2030 Urban Poverty: A Global Perspective
- TCP2031 Digital Civics - Designing Applications for Digital Public Engagement
- TCP2033 Urban Infrastructure: A Lens on the City
- TCP2034 How Public is Public Space? An Interdisciplinary Perspective
- TCP2035 Study Visit
*You may only take one of these modules
With approval from the Degree Programme Director alternative optional modules to those listed above may be selected.
Work Placement (optional)
You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optional work placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can apply to spend your placement year with any organisation and will receive University support to do so. It will extend your degree by a year and is subject to availability. Find out more about Work Placements.
Stage 3
Compulsory modules
You choose one of the following modules:
Optional modules
You choose 80 credits normally selected from the following list:
- ACE3000 Globalisation: Patterns, Processes and Challenges
- APL3001 Alternative Practice: Co-Producing Space
- APL3002 A Home for all : housing vulnerable populations
- APL3004 Chinese Culture, Politics and Urban Development: Architecture, Planning and Visual Culture
- BUS3000 Enterprise and Entrepreneurship with Lean Innovation
- BUS3027 Innovation and Creativity
- NCL3007 Career Development Module for final year students*
- NCL3008 Advanced Career Development*
- POL3100 History of World Political Thought
- POL3107 Documentary Film and World Politics
- TCP3053 Development Management
- TCP3028 Strategies into Action: Planning
- TCP3055 Erasmus Exchange**
- TCP3061 Contemporary Planning Issues
*You may take only one of these modules
** You can take this module if you are taking APL3003
With approval from the Degree Programme Director alternative optional modules to those listed above may be selected.
All candidates are considered on an individual basis.
If your qualifications are not listed here, please see our additional entry requirements web pages to find out which other qualifications are considered.
The entrance requirements below apply to 2020 entry.
Careers
Architecture and Urban Planning careers
Our Architecture and Urban Planning BA Honours degree will equip you to follow a number of career paths including:
- consultancy
- education
- development
- community activism
- global urbanism
- property development
- sustainability
- surveying
Routes into our Architecture BA Honours degree, Urban Planning BA Honours degree, or Master of Planning MPlan degree are also possible, depending on performance.
Architectural education at Newcastle places a strong emphasis on developing your ability to visualise concepts and to translate your ideas in different forms to a variety of audiences. These skills have proved very attractive to employers in the creative industries and many of our former students have gone on to careers in television, film, advertising and other design-based professions.
As well as a good degree, employers are looking for transferable skills including numeracy, interpersonal skills, teamworking, initiative, decision making and computer literacy. 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:
- teaching
- law
- the creative industries
- property development
- construction management
- planning
- urban design
- landscape architecture
Find out more about the career options for Architecture from Prospects: The UK's Official Careers Website.
What our graduates go on to do: employment and further study choices
See what our recent graduates went on to do and view graduate destinations statistics. These statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation. Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates.
The destination data is available in varying levels, beginning with the University and moving through Faculty and School down to individual course reports. This final level may give you some useful ideas about possible options after your course or a course you are considering.
Careers and employability at Newcastle
Newcastle University consistently has one of the best records for graduate employment in the UK.
96% of our 2017 UK-domiciled UG/PG graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating.
85.5% of our graduates are in graduate level employment or further study within six months of graduating.
We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through an initiative called ncl+. This enables you to develop personal, employability and enterprise skills and to give you the edge in the employment market after you graduate.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.
Applying to Newcastle University through UCAS
To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
UCAS codes for Newcastle University
- institution name - NEWC
- institution code - N21
UCAS buzzword
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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.
Making your application
On the UCAS website you can also find out more about:
- application deadlines and other important dates
- offers and tracking your application
Application decisions and enquiries
Find out more about our admissions process and who to contact if you need help with your application.