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Architecture (Full-time) (BSc Hons)

Swansea
3 Years Full-time
128 UCAS Points

Architects are experts in the design of buildings and places, providing the setting for human life. Their primary skill is turning design concepts into reality. They work with engineers, contractors and other professionals to create sustainable, imaginative environments. This course embodies a fresh approach to architectural education that is rooted in its locality but with a broad global perspective.

The course is the first stage (Part One) of the three-stage process of qualification for architects. It is validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB). The teaching maintains a balance between theoretical and practical aspects of architectural training. Architecture is about meeting the needs of people in ways that respect their culture combined with the advances of technology and contemporary design.

Within the studio, we teach a wide range of skills: freehand drawing, surveying, CAD and model making. We also employ specialist part-time staff to develop specific skills, such as CAD and graphic composition. You will be encouraged to explore and develop a design, firstly by working in small groups and secondly by developing your own individual approach to design.

Architecture is fundamentally about meeting the needs of people in ways that respect their culture and values and the character and traditions of their communities -  while offering them the best that new technology and contemporary international design culture can contribute to the shaping of their environment.

  • The course is the first stage (Part One) of the three-stage process of professional qualification as an architect.
  • The course is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and Validated by RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects).

Course details

Start date:
Study modes:
  • On-campus
  • Full-time
Language:
  • English
  • Bilingual
Institution code:
T80
UCAS code:
K100
Course length:
3 Years Full-time
Entry requirements:
128 UCAS Points

Tuition Fees 2023/24 and 24/25
Home (Full-time): £9,000 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £13,500 per year

Accredited:
RIBA

Why choose this course?

01
This is a course with a fresh approach to architectural education that is rooted in it its locality but has a broad global perspective.
02
Our large workshops give students the opportunity to make full-size building elements as well as models of all scales and sizes.
03
Our teaching is informed by research in subjects that extend across our portfolio, supplemented by external experts from the city, region and around the world.

What you will learn

The course is intended for those whose ambition is to become a qualified architect, but is also a good choice for anyone who has an interest in architecture and design and is seeking a broad-based degree programme that can lead to a wide variety of career opportunities.

The programme of study is centred on a sequence of design studio projects that start in the first weeks with the exploration of space, form, colour and materials. By the end of the first years, students are designing small but complex buildings and places in detail.

The second year focuses on ideas of home and community through the design of houses flats and neighbourhoods and the public buildings that support social life.

The final year introduces students to larger scale buildings and the course culminates in a comprehensive design for a substantial cultural building in a real setting.

The core design studios are supported by a suite of contextual modules that provide students with a coherent body of relevant knowledge in three areas: environment and technology (structures, construction and building physics); history and theory (an overview of architectural history and theoretical writing from related fields); and, profession and business (basic construction law, building procurement, cost control and business management).

In the final year, each student writes a dissertation — an independent research study — on a subject of their own choice within the very broad field of architecture.

The course is the first stage (Part One) of the three-stage process of professional qualification as an architect. The course is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the University is seeking recognition of the course by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Architecture Studio 1A (Design Skills)

(20 credits)

Technology and Environment 1

(20 credits)

The Modern World

(20 credits)

History and Theory 1

(20 credits)

Architecture Studio 1B (Space and Form)

(20 credits)

Architecture Studio 1C (Structure and Materials)

(20 credits)

Technology and Environment 2

(20 credits)

History and Theory 2

(20 credits)

Architecture Studio 2A

(20 credits)

Architecture Studio 2B

(20 credits)

Profession and Business 1

(20 credits)

Architecture Studio 2C

(20 credits)

Architecture Studio 3B

(20 credits)

Profession and Business 2

(20 credits)

Architecture Studio 3A

(20 credits)

Architecture Studio 3C

(20 credits)

Architecture Dissertation

(40 credits)

Course Page Disclaimer

  • We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals. 

    For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.

testimonial

Staff

Our People

You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for assessments and feedback (NSS 2023) meaning the comments you get back from your work will help you learn. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students us as Top 10 in the UK for Lecturers and Teaching Quality. Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses. 

Accommodation

example of student bedroom

Swansea Accommodation

Swansea has a huge student population, and the variety of accommodation available will leave you feeling spoilt for choice. Various purpose-built student accommodation providers provide accommodation in Swansea, and the accommodation team can guide you through your options. It will offer ongoing support throughout your time as a UWTSD student.

Further information

  • You will need 128 UCAS Tariff points from A levels or their equivalent.

  • Design project work is assessed on the basis of a portfolio consisting of a series of assignments completed during the year. 

    The portfolio will include drawings, photographs of models and illustrated written reports. Feedback on student progress is given throughout the year — usually in the form of verbal comments by a team of tutors on the basis of student presentations and review attended by fellow students. Formative assessment is made at the end of each project — usually in the form of a provisional mark, which allows students to respond to feedback before the final submission of the portfolio when the final (or ‘summative’) assessment is made.

    Assessments of work in the contextual modules will take the form of practical exercises during the year, reports and essays and time-constrained assessment by means of tests and formal examinations. 

  • Year 1 provides an introduction to the core competency of design in the three core studio modules that focus on: structures and materials; space and form and design skills. The parallel context modules lay the foundations of the body of key knowledge required by the architect construction technology, environmental design, architectural history and theory.  Essential skills required for HE programmes are introduced in the Modern World module.

    Year 2 further develops the skill and knowledge base introduced in the first year. Design studio are concerned with more complex buildings, groups of buildings and/or alterations to existing buildings. The technology and environment module deals with the construction of larger and more complex buildings. The history and theory module includes research methods in addition to addressing more advanced theoretical issues and its coursework includes a proposal for the dissertation to be completed in the third year.

    Year 3 The final year design module deal with larger and more complex buildings and culminates in a comprehensive design project that integrates all aspects of the skills and knowledge addressed in the programme. Students complete the dissertation and the second business and profession module prepares students for their transition into the world of practice.

  • It is possible to complete this programme of study without any additional costs.

    Students may wish to purchase materials for modules, such as Major Project but this is not a requirement and will have no bearing on the final grade achieved. 

  • You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.

  • The programme is designed to be prescribed/validated by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as a Part One qualification in architecture so the most likely first destination for a graduate is to work as an architectural assistant* in an architectural practice.

    There are many other possible employment opportunities including other parts of the construction industry (building contractors and sub-contractors), the creative industries (applying computer drawing and visualisation skills) and planning or urban design.

    Graduate skills developed by the programme (based on the ‘graduate attributes’ set out in the RIBA/ARB criteria for validation/ prescription of qualifications in architecture and the QAA benchmark statement for architecture).                

    1. The ability to generate design proposals using an understanding of a body of knowledge, some at the current boundaries of professional practice and the academic discipline of architecture;
    2. The ability to apply a range of communication methods and media to present design proposals clearly and effectively;
    3. Understanding of the alternative materials, processes and techniques that apply to architectural design and building construction;
    4. The ability to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions in order to make and present sound judgments within a structured discourse relating to architectural culture, theory and design;
    5. Knowledge of the context of the architect and the construction industry and the professional qualities needed for decision making in complex and unpredictable circumstances.
    6. The ability to identify individual learning needs and understand the personal responsibility required for further professional education.

    (* the term ‘architectural assistant’ is the job designation of those on the route to professional qualification as an architect until completion of Part Three. Terms such as  ‘assistant architect’, ‘architect in training’ or ‘part 1 architect’ may not be used as the title ‘architect’ is protected by statute and may only be used by those on the Register of Architects (apart from three exceptions stated in the Architects Act: ‘naval architect’, ‘landscape architect’ and ‘golf-course architect’).

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