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Architecture with a Year of Study Abroad
- BSc (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time with time abroad
- 28/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site - Cardiff
- Awarded by:
- Cardiff University (Prifysgol Caerdydd)
Course summary
At the Welsh School of Architecture, you’ll develop a thorough grounding in architecture as a discipline and a strong emerging sense of your own approach to design.
Through a combination of design project work and taught modules, you’ll study the varied historical, theoretical, cultural, political, and geographical dimensions of architecture. You will consider how architecture is made, how it performs and how technological choices can support the wellbeing of present and future generations and care for the planet. You’ll explore issues around professional and ethical responsibility to reflect on the role of the architect in society and in response to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Your design studies will continually involve imaginative engagement with real-world issues and global challenges such as climate change within localised contexts. The design studio is at the centre of our community, a place where you’ll mix with students, staff, and industry practitioners to address ethical, global, climatic and professional issues.
The BSc facilitates progression onto the MArch (Part 2), as well as our suite of postgraduate programmes. Students intending to become registered architects in the United Kingdom will need to complete a Part 3 programme such as our Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture: Professional Practice.
This programme has a year of study abroad where students can spend a full academic year in one of our partner institutions from around the world.
Distinctive Features of the Programme
Accredited by professional bodies
The programme is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Board of Architects in Malaysia (LAM). Graduates gain exemption from the RIBA Part 1 exam.
A top school of architecture
Study in one of the top 5 schools of architecture in the UK, joining our global community of staff and students.
A focus on real world issues and global challenges
Our BSc promotes ‘grounded creativity’ through exposure to global challenges and engagement with local communities, producing sought-after graduates ready to shape the future of design practice.
Dedicated studio environments
Our bespoke facilities, located in an historical building, include hybrid studios, workshops, digital fabrication and a Living Lab.
Year of Study Abroad
An opportunity to spend a full academic year at another top overseas architecture school that has a partnership agreement with the Welsh School of Architecture, thus broadening your understanding of architecture in different contexts and learning approaches to architecture through a different pedagogic approach.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Architects Registration Board
- Royal Institute of British Architects
- Board of Architects Malaysia
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:
- K101
- Institution code:
- C15
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Cardiff
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Further information for International applicants can be found at www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAA - AAB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD
in a BTEC Extended Diploma in any subject.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 36 - 34 points
36-34 overall including 6 in one HL subject or 666 in 3 HL subjects.
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales will be accepted in lieu of one A level at the A level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
The Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A Level at the A Level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.
Extended Project - A
For applicants taking the EPQ qualification, an A in the EPQ can be recognised to lower the entry requirements by a single grade. For example an AAB offer would be “AAB from 3 A levels or ABB from 3 A levels and a grade A in the EPQ”. Please note that any subject specific requirements must be met.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
You must have or be working towards English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (if you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements) and GCSE Maths grade C/4 or equivalent qualification (subject and grade). If you are taking A-level Maths (or equivalent), GCSE Maths is not required. Core Maths may also be accepted in place of GCSE Maths.
T Level - D
D in T Level Design, surveying and planning for construction.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
As part of your application to the Welsh School of Architecture, we ask you to send us a small portfolio of creative work. This is especially important if you haven’t studied art or design, or don’t have a creative background. It helps us see your potential and how ready you are for studying architecture.
Your portfolio should show your creativity. This could be through drawing, photography, pottery, dance, choreography, set design, or anything else that expresses who you are. It doesn’t have to be related to architecture. There’s no set format – we want to see your originality! We’re looking for passion, creativity, and thoughtful ideas about the world around you. Use your work to show us what you're interested in.
Here are the guidelines for submitting your portfolio:
• It must be in a digital format (PDF)
• The file size should be no more than 10MB
• It should have no more than 9 pages, including the cover
• Use A3 paper size in landscape orientation (since we’ll view it on screen)
• Don’t send us links – we can’t accept them
• You can include as many images as you want, but make sure they are clear and well chosen
• You will have a total of 6 weeks to send the requested portfolio to us from the date of the first request.
English language requirements
All applicants are expected to have demonstrable English language skills. Most courses ask for GCSE English grade C/4 or equivalent, but some courses ask for GCSE English grade B/6 or equivalent.
To find out more, please go to: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements/undergraduate
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.
At Cardiff we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, as part of this our contextual admissions policy aims to widen participation and improve access to Higher Education (HE).
For more information on Cardiff University contextual admissions, including how applications are scored and how we use that score, please see our 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.
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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| EU | £30700 | Year 1 |
| International | £30700 | Year 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
Students from the UK and Islands:
Fees stated are for the 2026/27 academic year. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Fees for entry in subsequent years are subject to increase and will be confirmed by the end of October in the year preceding your start date of your programme, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required for you to complete to the degree programme stated. Please note that you may choose to participate in study trips, associated placements or purchase equipment while studying on your degree programme which will be at your own cost. Tuition fees do not include living costs such as accommodation, subsistence or travel.
Students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland:
If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national, unless you qualify for UK fee status, tuition fees for 2026/27 will be in line with the fees charged for international students. You can check whether you are eligible for UK (Home) fee status on the UKCISA website: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student-advice/fees/full-list-of-categories-for-he-in-wales/
Students from the rest of the world (international):
Fees stated are for 2026/27 entry and are fixed for the duration of the programme, excluding Medicine and Dentistry programmes. Please note that during the pre-clinical element of Medicine and Dentistry programmes the fee rate will be fixed, after which the clinical fee rate will be charged. Further details are available on the university website at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/funding-and-fees
Fees for entry in subsequent years are subject to increase and will be confirmed by the end of October in the year preceding your start date of your programme, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required for you to complete the degree programme stated. Please note that you may choose to participate in study trips, associated placements or purchase equipment while studying on your degree programme which will be at your own cost. Tuition fees do not include living costs such as accommodation, subsistence or travel.
Sponsorship information
Cardiff University has many scholarships on offer to our prospective students. Please see our website at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/funding/scholarships for further information.
Cardiff University
PO Box 921
Cardiff
CF10 3XQ
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Course contact details
Admissions Team
Email:admissions@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone:029 2087 9999
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