Architectural Assistant Degree Apprenticeship BA (Hons)

You'll study sustainable construction methods, analysing how structural design interacts with the environment.

Through research and practice-based projects, you'll apply your understanding of materials, structures, and processes to develop innovative solutions.

This module provides crucial knowledge of the construction industry's local and global impact.

You’ll emerge with the technical grounding and creative vision to design responsibly for the future.

You'll develop your architectural drawing and modeling skills as you learn hand drawing techniques as well as digital tools. You'll prepare to represent your designs through sketches, diagrams, and renderings, and build on your previous studies to develop the key skills you need to prepare your designs for architectural portfolio presentations.

You'll take on design projects that push you to apply your skills and knowledge.

Through inquiry, iteration, and reflection, you'll develop a strong understanding of design concepts. Working both individually and with peers, you'll experiment with space, materials, and user experience to refine your creative process.

You'll at how big cultural, industrial, and philosophical changes have influenced building styles and how we think about space. Discuss important modernist buildings from around the world and their impacts. Think about designs that focus on social and environmental responsibility. Build your own way of understanding projects, guiding your work, and thoughtfully connecting with history.

By learning about the recent history of architecture, you’ll find both inspiring examples and cautionary tales.

You’ll study the client needs, site, budget, and other constraints shaping the brief. Learn how to turn these requirements into buildable designs. Critically look at past examples and solutions. Tell the story of the project through compelling visual narratives and exercises that bring together different influences into your own design. You’ll also reflect on an architect’s ethical responsibilities to their client, society, and profession.

By combining your study with real-world experience, you'll gain valuable insights into commercial design and your role as an architect.

In this module, you’ll look at different systems, from structure to the building’s outer layer, and see their impact on space. Learn from past designs how to balance attractiveness and efficiency. Get to grips with tools that help analyse elements like natural light and sound quality from the start. Understand how things are made, put together, and the finer details. Use your new understanding of technologies and eco-friendly architecture in a hands-on design project.

With practical experience thinking holistically across technology, environment, and design, you’ll know how to create innovative buildings elevating user comfort and wellbeing.

You'll evaluate influential histories and theories that have shaped these creative practices. More importantly, you'll learn to think critically about the context and real-world issues surrounding design. Through discussions, projects and presentations, you'll develop your own perspectives on how design can address today's big issues. Your communication skills will grow as you articulate original ideas through diverse media. By the end, you'll have a deeper appreciation for the narratives, concepts and challenges that drive innovation in architecture and design.

You’ll investigate sites, delving into their history and environmental aspects. Your architectural concepts will emerge as reflections of these insights. Ideas evolve as you go through cycles of drawing, modeling, and discussing your work. You’ll present a creative proposal that tackles the complexities of the site. Along the way, it’s important to think critically about your design choices and how you communicate them.

Engaging thoroughly with a place and its purpose sharpens your abilities in research, idea generation, and presentation, all crucial to an architect’s creative journey. 

Allow the unique aspects of each context to inspire your designs, leading to innovative shapes and spaces.

With guidance, you'll develop and execute an in-depth investigation of a focused theme.

Your skills in critical analysis, academic writing, and source evaluation will be honed through the process of proposing, researching, and presenting original findings.

This self-directed module allows you to define your own learning experience within the rich landscape of architectural history and theory.

You'll produce a dissertation showcasing your knowledge and insight into this profoundly influential field.

You'll develop strategies for interviews, portfolios, and effective communication.

Through case studies, you'll gain insights into project delivery, practice management, and the architect's multifaceted role.

This module covers legal and ethical duties, helping you navigate the complex matrix of building regulations.

You'll also learn to collaborate across disciplines, managing stakeholders professionally.

On completion, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to thrive in the dynamic world of architectural practice.

You’ll understand the intricate requirements of a specific locality. This understanding will help you craft a creative brief for a building that engages the public. Looking into past examples will reveal various influences on your work. Your response to the brief will take shape as you create models and drawings, continuously refining them. Incorporating structural and environmental considerations is also key. At the end, you’ll present a design that not only reflects the site’s story but also showcases your unique creative vision.

Throughout this process, as you work on cultural buildings, your design skills will grow, highlighting how architecture can positively impact communities.

You’ll explore how to use structures, materials, energy, and technology for architecture. Then you’ll make an architectural plan that uses these elements.

Use simple models to test and improve your plan. Think about how the weather, building methods and materials affect your design.

You’ll also look at the costs of different products. Most importantly, you’ll see why you need to care about the environment in every step of your design.

This module will let you create sustainable plans that work well. Your plans will show how technology and environment are connected.

You’ll get a project brief and then create a plan using your research, creative design, and technical know-how.

Build your design with attention to the location, what users need, how to make it sustainable, and how to construct it. Show your work through drawings, models, and written stories.

You’ll show your knowledge of architectural history, theories, technology, and practice through exams. Above all, you’ll reflect on your personal growth and areas for improvement.

By passing the final assessment, you’ll show employers you’re up to the standards of the industry in knowledge, skills, and behaviour.

This module is your chance to show off your own design style before you start your professional career.

You'll focus on presentation and communication, preparing for the End Point Assessment of the Degree Apprenticeship.

This includes reflecting, summarising, and professionally presenting your work while articulating your design approach within the wider architectural practice.

Discover modern city settings and brainstorm thoughtful ideas for different areas, from small communities to entire districts.

You’ll create a building plan that considers the environment, society, and the economy.

You’ll also test and use your technical know-how to find the best materials and structures for your designs.

This module is a fantastic opportunity to improve your design approach through self-reflection.