Architecture with Foundation Year

Our foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Learn in a studio-centred environment where you can develop bold ideas, test them through design, and turn them into meaningful architectural proposals. You will explore how architecture shapes the way people live, work and connect, while designing spaces that are creative, functional, socially responsible and technically informed.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE:

• STRONG EMPLOYER LINKS: You will study a course shaped by current professional practice and informed by employers across the architecture and construction sectors. We work with a wide range of local and regional practices and industry partners, helping to ensure that your learning reflects the realities of contemporary architectural work.

• LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: Throughout the degree, you will benefit from practice-informed learning experiences including live projects, employer engagement, placement support and activities focused on employability. You will learn how to develop ideas, test them, present them clearly and respond to feedback in a professional way.

• WORK EXPERIENCE: The optional year in industry could be an unforgettable and CV-transforming experience.

• EXPERT TEACHING: We foster an ethos where you will produce socially, culturally and environmentally responsive design proposals, drawing upon best practice and the wide-ranging expertise of our teaching teams.

WHAT YOU'LL COVER:

• You will explore how architecture shapes the way people live, work and connect, while designing spaces that are creative, functional, socially responsible and technically informed. You will also explore sustainability as a core part of contemporary architectural design.

HOW YOU'RE ASSESSED:

• You will be assessed in a variety of ways to help you develop your presentation and communication skills, which are essential for professional practice.

YOUR CAREER

• This course can be the first step in your journey towards becoming a licensed architect. You will develop the creative, technical and professional skills needed to begin your career in architecture, while building a strong foundation for further study and professional progression. The course is aligned with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) Competency Outcomes and Standards and informed by the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Architecture. This means your learning is shaped by nationally recognised expectations for architectural education and will prepare you well for future study and professional development. Our curriculum is also designed in line with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Themes and Values for Architectural Education, helping you build knowledge and skills in design, ethics, professional practice and environmental responsibility.

STUDY OPTIONS:
This course is available with a Placement Year.