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Architecture

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

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 also available with a Foundation Year option.
You will have the option to take a placement year between years two and three.

How to apply

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:
K110
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff 112 points

We encourage you to outline all your qualifications and achievements in your application to provide us a full picture. Your offer will typically be based on your predicted and/or achieved grades from full level 3 qualifications or above e.g. A levels, BTEC Ext Diploma, Access to HE, etc.

Any subject specifics are outlined below in the A-levels section, and these specifics are applicable across all equivalent qualifications.

A strong application/performance and appropriate experience will be taken into account where typical criteria is not met.

A level BBC

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DMM

Access to HE Diploma D: 15 credits M: 24 credits P: 6 credits

Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits with 45 at Level 3

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification

T Level M

English language requirements

IELTS overall score at a minimum of 6.0; with at least IELTS 5.5 in each band (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) or another Secure English Language Test(SELT)at CEFR level B2 or above

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 have excluded the Grades on Entry data for this course. We may operate some flexibility with entry grades to support widening participation, though most of the students that enrol on this course achieve the published entry tariff or above. Applicants who achieve grades below the published tariff may be offered an alternative course or a 4-year route if there is one available. For further information please contact askadmissions@derby.ac.uk.

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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 quoted fee is an indicative fee based on last year’s fees, as the fees for the 2026 term not yet been confirmed.

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