ARCHITECTURE - BA (HONS)

Validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to give full exemption from the ARB / RIBA Part 1 examination, you will be based at our innovative Birmingham School of Architecture and Design, where you start your journey towards becoming a registered architect.

The Birmingham School of Architecture and Design offers fully accredited courses at RIBA Parts 1, 2, and 3, enabling you to fully qualify as a registered architect within one school.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS COURSE?

This course focuses on the diverse architecture of Birmingham, focusing on urban environments and studying neighborhoods, cities, and regional and global networks. The course fosters direct links and contacts within the practice, helping students find work experience. The school collaborates with RIBA West Midlands, the Midlands Architecture Centre (MADE), and Birmingham City Council. Students will begin to construct their online webpage of work and projects, which can be transformed into an online portfolio and/or CV. The RIBA Validation Board visit praised the school's links with professional practice and the supportive learning community. The school is relatively small, accepting around 65 students each year, creating an intimate learning environment with strong individual support.
Participants in Co.LAB, a collaborative architecture and design initiative, work on live projects with other disciplines and industry and community partners. This engagement with one-to-one scale interventions and real-world practice helps students become more rounded and responsive designers. Students are offered opportunities to attend national building information modeling (BIM) events, gain insights from guest speakers, and use film work to create creative outputs. In the final year, students will showcase their work at the Graduate Show, an event attended by practitioners and recruited by leading practices like Grimshaws, Hopkins Architects, Hawkins Brown, and Glenn Howells Architects. The course is located in the state-of-the-art Parkside Building, praised for its investment and facilities by RIBA.

Essential Requirements: 

• 136 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level with a minimum of 2 A Levels.

GCSE: 

• GCSE English Language at grade C/4 or above
• GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above
• Must have been achieved at the point of enrolment

English

• IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.0, with 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in the remaining three skills.

The BA (Hons) Architecture programme offers a comprehensive understanding of the role of an architect, including creative flair, technical skills, sustainability, technical and cultural issues, and urban environment challenges. Students develop a portfolio that showcases their skills in design practice and academic study, as well as transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, negotiation, and planning. The unique nature of the course allows students to work effectively independently or as part of a team.
The BA (Hons) Architecture programme also includes a two-week, assessed work placement scheme at Level Five, which takes place towards the end of the academic year. Over the past three years, over 100 practices have participated, providing a diverse range of scale, philosophy, sectors, and location. Placements have been secured with nationally and internationally-renowned practices, such as Michael Hopkins and Partners, MAKE, Grimshaw Architects, Hawkins Brown, Populus, Gensler, Glenn Howells Architects, and Associated Architects.
During the placement, students are encouraged to participate in various activities, such as meetings, site visits, and design reviews, while developing additional CAD and graphic skills. Many students have successfully gained summer paid work in practices as a result of the placement.
A case study of Adam Nuttall, who spent two weeks in practice at Gensler, highlights the importance of enhancing employability skills in the architectural profession. By working in a small Birmingham office with 12 employees, Adam gained a more personal experience and the opportunity to make useful contacts.