Architecture

We encourage you to apply even if you have little experience of space planning or building design. Our Architecture degree will enable you and your fellow students to build on your diverse experiences. Together, you’ll develop skills in the foundations of architecture: design, drawing, making, planning, communication and collaboration.

You’ll learn to use new and emerging technologies, and develop skills in drawing, model-making, design processes and project management. You’ll engage with the materials of our built and natural environments: stone, glass, iron, wood, green landscapes, brick, copper, steel and waterways.

Designing our spaces, buildings, cities and landscapes is a collaborative process across design practices that involves practical and intellectual complexity, creativity and innovation. Through interdisciplinary work-based learning, BA (Hons) Architecture at Bath Spa provides you with theoretical understanding and practical experience, and develops your interpersonal, collaborative and professional skills.

Year one
Working on a range of projects, you’ll be introduced to the key practical and conceptual skills of architectural design. You’ll develop a solid foundation in research theories and methodologies to support your design skills as you start to understand and develop your own professional practice. Using our unique and interconnected local and regional environments as a starting point, you’ll also be introduced to the historical and theoretical contexts of architecture in relation to place, space, community, and our collective ethical and sustainability responsibilities to our environment.

Year two
You'll engage with complex, real-world projects and practice-based, peer-to-peer learning to continue to develop your practical, creative and professional skills. You’ll deepen and expand your architectural design knowledge. We’ll help you further develop your practical understanding of, and expertise in, research, project design and project management, and your ability to work collaboratively – an essential skill for all design professionals.

Year three
We’ll help you as you use your own creativity, knowledge and practical skills to successfully realise real-world collaborative and interdisciplinary projects. You’ll consolidate your experiences, expertise and professional practice into a comprehensive portfolio that clearly articulates the skills and professional experience you've developed during your BA Architecture degree.

Our Architecture course is entirely assessed by coursework. You'll be assessed by a variety of methods that may include:

• Reports
• Reviews
• Reflective learning and professional practice pieces
• Proposal papers for projects
• Project progress reports
• Project evaluations
• Portfolios
• Presentations

We combine academic study with practice-based teaching. You’ll learn through a variety of activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, online activity and discussion, work-based learning, research projects and practical real-world projects.

Staff on this course offer access to a wide range of academic and practical expertise in the interconnected disciplines that make up architectural studies. You’ll benefit from one-to-one tutorials, workshops, peer-support and shared learning.

We work with you to ensure that what you learn on the BA Architecture degree translates into effective practice in the workplace, and develops your professional potential.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

As this is a prescribed Part 1 course, you can use this degree towards your eventual registration qualification as an architect.  

The broad scope of skills developed on this course also prepares you for a range of professional employment opportunities in the wider architecture, design and construction industries, including: 

• Interior and spatial designer 
• Industrial designer 
• Building surveyor 
• Urban planner 
• Conservationist 
• Production designer 
• Historic buildings inspector 
• Project designer 
• Project manager 
• Graphic designer 
• Lighting or set designer 
• Game designer 
• Architectural photographer.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

The course is taught at our RIBA Award-winning Locksbrook Campus.

As a BA Architecture student you’ll benefit from access to comprehensive digital workshops and specialist art and design facilities, including:

• Our student service point at Locksbrook where you can purchase subsidised art and design materials, hire out equipment for free and collect Library resources
• Access to our well-stocked Library at Newton Park
• Specialist technical workshops across all of art and design
• Access to studio space where you can work on projects and refine your practice

The preliminary and intensive Integrated Foundation in Art and Design is designed to develop your ideas, skills and confidence in readiness for progressing to year one of your degree programme.

This year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement, for assessment.

Please note that the Professional Placement Year does not count towards the year of professional experience required for Part One of the qualifications to become an architect.