School of Architecture and Built Environment

BSc (Hons) Architecture

BSc (Hons) Full-time 3 years

This RIBA-accredited degree provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to excel in a wide range of associated design careers, including becoming a professional architect. 

This RIBA-accredited degree provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to excel in a wide range of associated design careers, including becoming a professional architect. 

Award
BSc (Hons)
Start date(s)
16 September 2024
UCAS Code
K100
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (3 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

Top 30 course in Guardian university league table rankings 

96% of students were satisfied with the academic support on this course

(NSS, 2024) 

This course is accredited by:

  • Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
  • Architects Registration Board (ARB)

A BSc (Hons) Architecture degree provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to excel in a wide range of associated design careers. Take your first step towards becoming a professional architect by completing this degree, which is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as a Part 1 qualification.

Experience a professional design studio in our new purpose-built facilities, which include dedicated studio spaces and individual workspaces. In this course, you will get the opportunity to collaborate with our passionate and supportive staff and develop your architectural and professional skills. You’ll learn through design projects that reflect real-life, client-driven architectural work.

By studying BSc (Hons) Architecture, you’ll develop key communication skills, such as hand drawing and model making, as well as skills in using professional industry software. You will also get hands-on experience with the latest architecture and design technologies such as 3D laser scanning, VR tools, and 3D printing – designed to prepare you for employment. With our wide network of collaborating companies, this degree gives you the opportunity to meet future employers, and you will also have the opportunity to showcase your work at our annual Degree Show.

We help enhance your experience and knowledge of architecture with visits to major national and international cities. Past trips have included London, Berlin, Rome, Paris, and Dubai.



What's unique about this course?

  • Accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
  • Accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB)
  • Taught in Springfield Super Campus
  • Access to double height architectural studio space
  • Access to state-of-the-art VR and AR technology

What happens on the course?

Our BSc (Hons) Architecture offers a unique educational experience grounded in design, technology, and science. 

Our mission is to inform good design that improves people’s lives, whilst minimising the detriment to our earth’s ecosystems. Design is at the heart of the curriculum which then underpins modules including design studio, history and theory of architecture, urbanism, building science, sustainability, structures, construction, and professional practice. There is a strong emphasis on understanding the context, materiality, and function of design. Projects progress in scale and complexity, beginning with the human scale in the first year, urban scale in the second year, and holistic in the third year. 

This approach provides a broad education in architecture, with a clear pathway to guide those transitioning from school and college to become self-motivated, fully autonomous learners within higher education. Our philosophy is focused on welcoming and valuing distinct views that broaden each of our own perspectives through critical thinking and respectful debate. There is no one singular style of architecture attached to the school.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

The School of Architecture and Built Environment (ABE) has been a cornerstone of the University since its inception as a technical college in the early 20th century, giving BSc (Hons) Architecture students the space and facilities to thrive. The experience within the School of ABE is unique as it mirrors the sector. It draws together students from across the various disciplines of architecture and related to the built environment, and is the only school in the world that offers dedicated degree courses for every stage of the lifecycle of a building, from design to demolition.

Our school has recently moved into the new Springfield Campus, a £100 million project, turning a 12-acre Grade II-listed former brewery into Europe’s largest specialist design, construction, and built environment campus. Besides housing the School, this site will also house the National Brownfield Institute, a government-supported institute focusing on transforming brownfield land into new communities through next-generation thinking and techniques. This vibrant learning environment creates a unique and exciting place for students to learn and socialise.

The Architecture course has dedicated studio facilities at the Springfield Campus, providing each student with a dedicated workspace for the entire academic year. This enables us to develop a professional, office-based working environment to support your learning and prepare you for professional practice.

In addition to having your own individual workspace, you also have full access to our model-making facilities, including facilities for hand model making and 3D printing. As part of the course, most of the materials you will need to create models are available without additional cost to you.

Within the School of ABE, our apprenticeships align with both our social mobility ethos to provide higher education for all, while also highlighting the strong industrial links we have both regionally and nationally.

 

After graduation, you'll have the theoretical and practical foundations to pursue postgraduate study and advance your journey to becoming an architect. There are also opportunities to pursue other careers within the architecture, sustainability and construction industries, such as architectural design, urban design, and landscape architecture.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
International Full-time £13450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £13450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

Key Entry Requirements 

Either: 

  • A-levels: Grade profile of AAC 
  • Access to HE: Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (128 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 30 credits at distinction)
  • BTEC: Grade profile of DDM 
  • T-Level: Pass grade D.  
  • Tariff: Other Level 3 qualifications are accepted for entry. A minimum of 128 UCAS  Tariff points will be required. 

International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here 

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points 

Plus: 

  • GCSE: English language and maths grades 9-4/A*-C or equivalent 
    • Equivalent qualifications include the following at Level 2:  Functional Skills, Key Skills, Learn Direct. 
    • Equivalency Test: If you have not achieved your Level 2 qualifications, you are eligible to take our University equivalency tests. The tests for this course are free of charge and can be taken completely online. Our admissions team will confirm in your offer if you are required to take one of these assessments.  

Other Requirements

Students must have studied a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, it is expected that some applicants will be mature students with work experience, who wish to further their career development. These applicants will be processed through standard procedures, which may involve an interview as part of the process. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

Architects Registration Board (ARB)

Prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) at Part 1 level for the purpose of registration in the UK.

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

Validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at Part 1 level for the purpose of eligibility for membership of the RIBA.

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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Full-time Course