BA (Hons)
Architecture
An accredited professional course for aspiring architects
Course Overview
Why take this course?
If you have a passion for understanding and improving the human environment? Then this stimulating course could be for you.
The practice of architecture requires a rare combination of creativity, enthusiasm and technical ability. Our three-year course provides a broad introduction to the cultural and environmental context of architecture, and a thorough grounding in the techniques of architectural design and technology.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Participate in study trips in the UK and overseas, with destinations including Lisbon, Helsinki, Berlin and Rome
- Undertake studio-based design projects, creating your own building plans and models
- Work on real-life contracts through our Projects Office
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB). If you plan to pursue a professional career in architecture, this course leads to exemption from the RIBA's Part I Examination.
While meeting the educational requirements of the architectural profession, this degree will also prove a valuable means of securing employent in a broad range of areas.
Here are some other routes our graduates have pursued:
- architectural photography
- journalism
- model-making
- computer graphics
Architecture's really hands on; you're always drawing, you're always sketching, you're always making models. This course is unique, in that it's artistic and technical.
Jack Foster, BA (Hons) Architecture student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- K100
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
280–320 points to include 280 points from A Levels or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a* International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- create.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2421 - Department
- Portsmouth School of Architecture
Subject:
Architecture, Property and Surveying
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Vocationally-focused courses which concentrate on both the practical and theoretical
- An exciting environment to work in, with excellent facilities including technical labs and studio space
- Enthusiastic, friendly tutors who bring the subject to life
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
Our courses are designed to provide a thoroughly professional education in architecture. We place professionalism and creativity as our key objectives. In the first year you will develop your creative, analytical and decision-making skills through a series of design projects.
You will specifically focus on the following areas:
- Architectural Design: Application
- Architectural Design: Introduction
- Consolidation Period Level 4 – Architecture
- Design: Introduction
- History and Theory: Introduction
- Representation and Communication: Introduction
- Technology: Introduction
Year two
Begin to take your studies to a more advanced level and integrate them into interesting design projects. You'll explore issues like dwelling, landscape and urban settlement, and the design of public and community buildings and spaces.
Core units in this year include:
- Architectural Design: Exploration
- Architectural Design: Investigation
- Consolidation Period Level 5 – Architecture
- History and Theory of Architecture
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Exchange: Opportunity
- Music: Practice, Performance and Research
- Professional Experience
- Representation and Communication: Investigation
- Student Enterprise
Year three
In the third year your studies are steered towards preparation for professional placement once you have graduated.
Core units to choose from in this year include:
- Architectural Communication and Professional Studies
- Architectural Design and Urbanism
- Architectural Design: Integration
- Architectural Technology: Integration
- Consolidation Period Level 6 – Architecture
- Dissertation
Teaching and Assessment
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and group work, and be fully supported throughout your degree. Our studio-teaching method will mean that you will be tutored by professionally practising experts, work alongside other architecture students and even receive assistance from our postgraduate-level students.
Studio-based projects form the core of each year's work and occupy half of the available time.
How are you assessed?
Most assessment will be via coursework, with a small number of examinations. You will be given an indication of your progress throughout the year and your design work will be finally assessed at the end of the year when you submit your design portfolio for examination.
Tutor's view
Dan Blott
Architecture
The course equips you with enthusiasm and readiness for entry into the profession through a variety of tutorial and lecture programmes. These include exciting and challenging design projects aligned to practical and stimulating introductions to architectural knowledge and skills.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Design Studios
Access to superb facilities
ARCH Project Office
The Project Office gives you access to real clients and live projects
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment
Design Studios
You’ll have access to superb facilities to help prepare you for professional practice. Our dynamic studios house advanced architectural computer facilities, with Macs and PCs offering the latest design software. Other facilities include:
- CNC milling machine for building three-dimensional models
- Laser cutting machines which automate the production of complex models
- Life drawing studios and a virtual reality suite
- Professional printers as well as extensive computing, film and video facilities
ARCH Project Office
Offering a range of consultancy services to clients, the Project Office gives you access to real clients and live projects. This is a great means to gain real hands-on experience. In the past we have overseen or managed major building or design works in the city including the Hilsea Lido, the Isle of Wight Zoo, the University’s own 3rd Space and the Bursledon Brickworks.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
There is ample space for working on group projects, a workshop with very helpful staff for model building and plenty of computers and Macs available throughout the building.
Thomas Colchester, BA (Hons) Architecture student
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Our graduates have an outstanding reputation of meeting the needs of and securing roles within the architectural profession. Once you’ve completed this course, most of you will then take a sandwich year gaining professional experience, before continuing to study at postgraduate level for a Master's in Architecture.
Others change career direction after attaining their degree and move into various areas of the construction industry, such as property development and project management.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- design technician
- space planner
- architectural technologist
- trainee quantity surveyor
Examples of what our graduates have gone on to do:
- DPA London Architects, Architectural Assistant – working alongside architects, drawing and using CAD to produce designs
- Grants of Shoreditch, Draughtsman – making plans for sections and elevations
Work experience
- Practitioners teach you in all years as part-time tutors, ensuring what you learn is current in the industry.
- Our Project Office is an active practice, giving you the opportunity to participate in live projects.
- Your curriculum includes guidance on CV and portfolio composition and 'mock' interviews with practising designers.
- Employers' evenings give you direct contact with local and regional practices.
- The 'Summer Exhibition' showcases your work to employers.
- The School's participation in a RIBA mentoring programme gives you the opportunity for direct experience of live practice.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more