BA (Hons) Architecture with Foundation Year

About your course This professionally-validated programme gives you the opportunity to work on a range of authentic architectural projects with input from practising architects in a dynamic studio environment with access industry standard technical facilities. The Foundation Year The Foundation Year is the first year of a four-year degree programme shared by Architecture, Fashion: Design & Communication, Fine Art, Graphic Design & Illustration, and Interior Architecture degree programmes, designed for students who have the interest and ability to study for a degree, but haven’t had the opportunity to study art and design subjects before, are returning to education and would benefit from time to gain confidence and adjust to degree level studies, or do not have the qualifications to enter directly onto the three-year degree programme. It is a preparatory year of study that equips students with the necessary academic and practical skills for success in higher education, with the aim to introduce students to contemporary art and design practices, including those required to undertake studio-based projects at higher education.

A series of general taught modules that gradually build in exposure to discipline-specific practices provides an introduction to art and design principles and practices. All students study the same four modules and are taught together as a non-discipline specific group in two out of four modules, with opportunities to split into discipline-specific groups in the 'Exploring Materials, Process and Practice' and 'Studio Practice Project' modules. Students are taught through a combination of studio-based projects, workshops, lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials, and have access to a shared studio space and specialist workshops and technical support in the John Lennon Art and Design Building to develop their practical skills.

Once students pass the Foundation Year they will progress directly onto the first year of the BA (Hons) Architecture degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria). The BA (Hons) Degree Programme Taught principally through a studio environment that is seamlessly underpinned and informed by lectures and workshops, the over-arching ambition of the programme is to create graduates with artistic flair, and who are technically skilled and grounded in the demands of the professional role of the architect.

The learning and teaching environment is progressively informed by research in pedagogy in the creative field. While teaching the curriculum, the programme also develops less tangible skills in students, such as communication, presentation and self-motivation; a key ambition is to create independent thinkers, adept at resolving problems with creativity and originality. A broad educational experience is offered within which students can develop diverse rigorous and creative approaches to des