Architecture BA (Hons)
COURSE INFORMATION (2013 ENTRY)
3 years full-time
Engineering and EnvironmentEllison Building, Newcastle City Campus
Image by Shaun Young: “A Thin Place” Mesolithic Archaeology Museum, Howick, Northumberland. Winner of the 2008 RIBA Serjeant Award for Excellence in Drawing at Part 1 and shortlisted for the RIBA President’s Bronze medal 2008
For detailed information about Architecture at Northumbria including news, projects, the students’ experience and employers’ views click here. For information on how to create your Architecture portfolio, click here. Read on for basic course information and qualifications requirements.
This first degree in architecture is unique in its approach to addressing issues of management in architectural design during the first three years of study. It aims to produce graduates able to undertake creative design and management roles within the built environment as well as progressing to the next stage of an architectural education.
Studio-based design projects are central to this course and are designed to stimulate an imaginative response to a series of significant issues or themes. Project work occupies half of the programme and is underpinned by the taught modules. Much of the work in these supporting modules is related to projects work. Students examine management issues to develop an understanding of the impact on the design process, providing valuable preparation for work in practice.
Field study visits are an important feature of the programme. Both first and second year students go on European study visits.
Modern studio facilities are provided with good access to CAD facilities and resources. Numbers are limited to ensure that students have a work space within the design studio.
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The programme is project-led, with directed, independent and peer learning taking place in design studios. This enables a highly creative approach to design within an authentic learning environment, enabling you to acquire essential knowledge, skills and techniques.
The projects are supported by lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, CAD based learning, practical events in workshops and laboratories, field study visits, and directed and independent learning.
At key points throughout the programme projects are designed to have authentic input from clients and architects in practice, engaging you with the development and process of architecture.
In your second and third year internationally recognised practices are involved in project development, tutorials and reviews, so that you have the opportunity to gain structured contact with practitioners. Senior members of staff from the practices are involved in the development, teaching, review and feedback of these studio projects.
As you move into the final year, there is an increased emphasis on taking responsibility for your own learning.
ASSESSMENT METHODS
Your knowledge and understanding will be tested in a number of ways to assess your intellectual, practical and transferable skills. These assessments include sketchbooks, reflective workbooks,self and peer group critiques, staff feedback in seminars, tutorials and interim stage reviews, experimentation in workshops and laboratories and practical exercises with live buildings.
50% of the formal assessment will be based on the development of a portfolio resulting from the studio projects you will work on throughout the course. You will also complete assignments related to studio projects and demonstrate your research, analytical and communication skills.
ACCREDITATION
Architects Registration Board / Royal Institute of British Architects
The course is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Successful completion of the course is also recognised as Part 1 of the RIBA examination.
As a condition for Prescription, the ARB and RIBA have a requirement that all modules covering aspects of the syllabus described in document “Prescription of Qualifications: ARB Criteria” must be passed. This means that in second and third year, you must pass all modules and components of modules.
CAREERS
Graduates will normally go into architectural practice or a related field of work and then progress to a Part 2 architecture course.
With a background in architecture, there are a wide range of opportunities in related fields, and graduates have chosen, for example to move into construction management, development, architectural visualisation and a wide variety of associated creative fields.
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