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Architecture (with placement year)

  • BArch (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Sandwich
  • 28/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Loughborough University

Course options

2026-2027
Apply

Course summary

Our innovative Architecture course aims to nurture creative design leaders who flourish in architectural practice, with first-rate communication and management skills, as well as multidisciplinary knowledge and abilities. It aims to produce exceptional architects through an education that is immersed in hands-on experiences.

Architects are involved in the planning and design of the buildings and spaces we inhabit. Architecture is everywhere and brings together many fields of human endeavour, including art, history, physics, engineering, and more.

Our Architecture undergraduate degree is an innovative course founded on Loughborough's 100 years of 'theory and practice' culture to foster learning in both the University and the workplace. The Architecture degree will allow you to study with allied courses in the School and wider University to mimic real-life work scenarios. More specifically, the Architecture degree exploits our internationally-renowned expertise across the built environment disciplines, including construction, engineering, and building energy. A significant part of the Architecture degree is studio-based, supported by a dedicated team of architectural practitioners.

Every year, we hold an End of Year Show to celebrate the year’s achievements and showcase student work to practitioners interested in hiring our students and graduates.

The course will exempt you from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Part I exam. Transfer onto our extended MArch programme may be possible upon completion of this degree to take a step towards becoming a Chartered Architect.

Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

Assessment method

Lecture-based modules are assessed by a variety of coursework, such as sketchbooks, illustrated essays, precedent studies, physical and digital models, technical reports, and presentations.

Some first year modules include a written exam. Studio work is primarily assessed through portfolio submission. In addition, regular and student-focused feedback is provided through pin-ups, design critics, and tutorials.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Royal Institute of British Architects
This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BArch (Hons) • Sandwich • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
K101
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Loughborough University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
  • EU
  • Wales
  • England
  • International
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
  • Republic of Ireland

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
K101
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAA

AAA (No specific subject requirements but a mix of Science, Art and Humanities subjects is preferred)

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*DD

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in a relevant subject: D*DD Preferred subjects: Engineering, Art and Design, Construction or Applied Science

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case by case basis. Please contact Loughborough University directly.

Scottish Higher - Not accepted

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: DD plus one A Level at Grade A Preferred subjects: Engineering, Art and Design, Construction or Applied Science

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus two A levels at Grades AA Preferred subjects: Engineering, Art and Design, Construction or Applied Science

Scottish Advanced Higher - AA

AA, plus Highers AAB

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 37 points

37 (6,6,6 HL)

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Applicants taking the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma will be asked to achieve the A level requirements for their course as part of their qualification. The Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted alongside two A levels providing individual course entry and subject requirements are met. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Extended Project

We recognise the benefit of the Extended Project in developing independent research and critical thinking skills. We would consider this as evidence of motivation to study a specific subject in more depth, and while we do not generally include it as part of our offer conditions, it may be used to further consider an application upon receipt of final examination results. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

We accept a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website – please view the individual course typical offers on our website and choose Ireland in the Country/region drop down field for more information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

This qualification is accepted in combination with other qualifications. For details please contact Loughborough University

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English Language grade 4/C

T Level - Not accepted

Loughborough accepts a wide range of qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/entrance-requirements/
This information details the general requirements and should be read in conjunction with the information given for each course.

Loughborough also accepts a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/country/

Loughborough uses contextual data in the admissions process to provide insights into the context in which your academic qualifications have been achieved. This may influence the typical offers outlined in the information given for each course. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/contextual-data/

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Interview
Applicants are selected on the basis of their UCAS application, and also a portfolio submission and interview in order to assess academic potential beyond that provided as part of the application. An interview also gives applicants the opportunity to visit the School, meet staff and students, see facilities and get an insight into what it is like to be a student at Loughborough.
Portfolio
Applicants are selected on the basis of their UCAS application, and also a portfolio submission and interview in order to assess academic potential beyond that provided as part of the application. An interview also gives applicants the opportunity to visit the School, meet staff and students, see facilities and get an insight into what it is like to be a student at Loughborough. We have created this guidance to help all applicants navigate the portfolio and interview process: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/abce/undergraduate/courses/ Many of our courses receive a large number of applications for each available place. We cannot unfortunately always make offers to all applicants who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades in line with our advertised typical offers.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider contextual information as part of the assessment of an application to provide us with further insight into your achievements. This may lead to reduced offers, up to two grades lower than the typical offer requirements, as well as additional consideration when your results are received. For further information about Contextual Admissions at Loughborough including our Access Loughborough Contextual Offer please visit our website.

Learn more on the Loughborough University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course
Date range:
2023-2024

Grades held by accepted students

For Loughborough University, the top and bottom 5% of student grades have been removed from these calculations. This change helps to remove any extraordinary circumstances that could impact the data. Learn more here .
AAA Most common
  1. A*A*A*
  2. Highest grades
  3. AAB
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

36% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

55 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

95 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£29750Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
International£29750Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The fees stated above are for the 2025/26 academic year; fees for 2026/27 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. We will update this information as soon as it is available. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

While the cost of your tuition covers lots of things, it doesn’t cover everything. For instance this course doesn’t cover the cost of any stationery, printing, books or re-assessments which you might need.

UK tuition fees align with the applicable fee caps set by the UK government, and as such they are subject to changes made to the agreed cap in a specific year.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment.

Additional costs may be required to include additional modelling materials, additional drawing materials, printing and travel costs for optional trips.

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