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Architecture

BA (Hons)

Key facts

UCAS code

K100

Start dates

September 2023 / September 2024

Location

Headington

Course length

Full time: 3 years

Part time: normally 4-5 years

Accreditation(s)

Confers exemption from Part 1 of the Examination in Architecture of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB). This course is also accredited by the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM).

UCAS Tariff Points

136

  • Architects Registration Board
  • Royal Institute of British Architects
  • Malaysian board of Architects

Overview

Explore the relationship between people and spaces on our BA (Hons) Architecture course. Begin your education as an architect at one of the oldest and well regarded schools of architecture in the UK.

You'll learn to:

  • draw
  • model
  • think, discuss and write about architecture
  • and realise your design concepts using technology.  

We have dedicated, purpose-designed studios and workshop facilities. You'll work on live design projects for real clients and visit outstanding examples of architecture. 

You are taught by industry-leading academics who support your creativity and foster your potential. You'll have extensive contact time with your tutors, including two design studio days per week.

You'll graduate with transferable skills in design, digital making and representation, team-working and problem-solving. You will also develop a portfolio of work key to gaining employment.

Our recent graduates have gone on to work for OMA, Foster + Partners, Kengo Kuma Architects and Thomas Heatherwick Studio.
 

How to apply

Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.

Standard offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 136

A Level: AAB

IB Points: 33

BTEC: DDD

Contextual offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 112

A Level: BBC

IB Points: 30

BTEC: DMM

Further offer details

We welcome applications from candidates with alternative qualifications, and from mature students.

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

Selection process

Applicants will need to provide a portfolio (eg sketches, freehand/technical drawings, life drawings, 3D models, paintings, photographs). Please read our portfolio guidance notes.

On application you will be given instructions on how to upload a digital version of your portfolio.

Selected candidates will be invited for an interview. The interviewer will look for evidence of motivation, general creativity and breadth of interest, and will expect to be shown work which demonstrates creative ability of some kind. Any such work may be presented, including art work where no formal course has been followed.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 (including 6.0 in reading and writing). 

Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.

International qualifications and equivalences

Go

English requirements for visas

If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Credit transfer

Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.

Find out more about transferring to Brookes. If you'd like to talk through your options, please contact our Admissions team.

Application process

Full time Home (UK) applicants

Apply through UCAS

Part time Home (UK) applicants

Apply direct to the University

International applicants

Apply direct to the University

Full time international applicants can also apply through UCAS

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£15,500

Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£16,100

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2022 / 23
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£15,500

2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module

International full time
£16,100

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 483088

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Please note tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.

Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Learning and assessment

During Year 1 you will work on design projects. You’ll learn to design in 3D, in context and to scale while you develop an architectural brief. These will include "live projects" for real clients. You’ll learn representational techniques such as architectural drawing and model making.

You’ll be introduced to architectural history and theory, and to the principles of technology. You will also learn about the architect's role in society.  

In Years 2 and 3 you will undertake more complicated projects. Design is taught in units. Each unit has its own distinctive approach, determined by the practice and research specialisms of the unit's teaching staff.

History and theory of architecture and building technology modules will provide you with a wider understanding and integrate with your design project work.

In Year 3 you will write a dissertation on a subject of your choice. You’ll also learn more about architectural practice in preparation for your work experience placement.

Student working on a project

Study modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Introduction to Architectural Design 1

Introduction to Architectural Design 2

Architectural Representation

Architecture and Society

Introduction to Architectural History

Introduction to Technology

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Architectural Technology 1

Architectural Design 1

Architectural Design 2

Digital Culture

Cities, Culture and Society

Issues in Architectural History and Theory

Optional modules

Independent Study (15 credits)

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Architectural Design 3 (30 credits)

Advanced Architectural Technology (15 credits)

Architectural Design 4 (30 credits)

Choose from the modules listed in year 2.

Management, Practice and Law (15 credits)

Dissertation (30 credits)

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Learning and teaching

Teaching takes place in the design studio. You’ll study:

  • technology
  • practice
  • digital culture
  • and the histories and theories of architecture and design.

Teaching methods include:

  • group and individual tutorials
  • group and individual presentations
  • workshops
  • discussions
  • lectures and seminars
  • a dissertation in your final year.

Our lecturers are practising architects and research what they teach. So you’ll have access to the latest insights and knowledge in the field.

It’s important to learn from each other and that’s at the heart of how we organise our teaching. We have an open studio culture so you can watch as projects are developed. You'll enjoy the opportunity to take part in ‘live’ projects, so you’ll gain experience of real projects within the community.

Field trips

Optional field trips abroad are offered each year in addition to site and factory visits. Recent field trips have visited places such as Hungary, Bosnia, Portugal and Iceland. Field trips are a very popular option because they offer the opportunity to experience architecture first hand with your tutors.

For more information on the cost of field trips and site visits, see the Additional Costs section. 

Assessment

Assessment methods used on this course

This course is 100% coursework. Assessment methods include:

  • group and individual presentations
  • portfolios
  • journals
  • reports
  • and a written dissertation in the final year.

Study Abroad

You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Brookes. Most exchanges take place in the second year. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.

After you graduate

Career prospects

Students from the school figure regularly in national and international prizes and awards and go on to work for many of the best-known practices in the country, such as Andrew Chard, winner of the prestigious RIBA Sergeant Drawing Prize.

Recent graduates have worked for large internationally renowned architectural practices such as Rogers Stirk Harbour, Grimshaw Architects, Thomas Heatherwick and Foster and Partners as well as cutting-edge, up-and-coming practices such as Make, Kengo Kuma and Raumlabor.

Successful completion of the honours degree RIBA / ARB Part 1 programme is the prerequisite qualification for progression through a total of five years' study and two years' practice which lead to registration as an architect in the UK.

Most students, having achieved the honours degree in Architecture, go on to a placement year in practice before returning for a further two years of postgraduate study. Others use their highly sought after design skills to work in related disciplines such as digital design, urban design, product design, journalism, set design, planning, academia, disaster and emergency practice. Oxford Brookes graduates and founder directors of animation-architecture studio, Factory 15 use their architectural and digital modelling skills to create original work for the film industry.

The study of architecture at degree level can also be seen as a good grounding for other careers. You acquire a wide range of transferable skills:

  • skills in design, communication and high-level digital representation
  • teamworking, leadership and problem-solving skills
  • the ability to apply technology to design
  • an awareness of the construction industry and different forms of practice
  • critical reading and writing skills in relation to the wider social, cultural, political and economic contexts which underpin the practice of architecture.

Further study

Students wishing to go into architectural practice will need to gain practical experience, usually by spending a year working in an architectural firm. They will then go on to complete a two-year Masters in Architecture. During the Masters, students may specialise or opt for postgraduate research. Careers then open up in any aspect of architecture, which is a diverse and dynamic profession.

Our Staff

Philip Baker

Philip is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture, where he teaches on the cultural context modules across the BA programme.

Read more about Philip

Free language courses

Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

Related courses

Information from Discover Uni

Full-time study

Part-time study

Programme Changes:

On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.

For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.