Architecture BA(Hons)
Learn through making on this RIBA and ARB accredited course. Working on live briefs in a studio environment, you’ll hone your skills designing and building real architectural projects. While supported by practicing professionals, you’ll define your own agenda within a broad architectural context.
Key details
| Location | Falmouth Campus |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| UCAS code | K100 |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
Apply now
Introduction
You'll discover how to design specifically for unique places. As you work, you'll gain valuable industry skills and learn to design in harmony with challenging locations.
You will:
- Learn in a collaborative, studio-based environment that reflects practice.
- Have the opportunity to gain valuable experience through a three-week professional placement.
- Work on socially engaged live-build projects for clients like the Eden Project and the National Trust.
- Attend guest lectures from specialists across the industry.
- Access excellent technical facilities to explore your design projects through a range of analogue and digital fabrication processes.
- Benefit from strong connections with professional practice, learning from experienced practitioners.
The course is ARB part 1 prescribed and RIBA part 1 validated.
Covid-19 update
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have reviewed and made changes to our courses to provide flexible, blended delivery that offers high-quality digital engagement and access to face-to-face teaching in our facilities. You can see how your course may be adjusted by viewing the changes for the current academic year by visiting our welcome letters & latest course updates pages
What our students do
Centre for Life on Scilly
Expert panel for Architecture Final Review
Have Clay, Make Bricks
Timber Talks
Award-winning Consultant Visits Falmouth
Architecture Students Create Structure for National Trust
Student Wins Architecture Design Award
Beacon Benches: Architecture Students Collaborate with Community
Architecture Students Design Sustainable Bio Houses
Titanic Collaboration with the Maritime Museum
What our graduates do
Our award-winning graduates are being recognised by RIBA and designing on projects that look to a more sustainable future for our world.
Hands-on Experience for Graduate
Graduate Champions Sustainable Building
Graduates' Cornish Projects Shortlisted for Coveted Architect Awards
"A Perfect Blend of Logic and Creativity"
Course details
What you'll learn
This industry-focused architecture course is taught through integrated design projects where knowledge is discussed and shared in a professional studio environment. Projects range from small-scale, fast-paced challenges to comprehensive design projects, which will allow you to showcase your wide-ranging skills as they develop over the three years of the degree.
You'll apply drawing, 2D and 3D CAD design, model-making, design process and writing to architectural projects, as you develop critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. On top of sharing your ideas in active debates, you'll learn collaborative and organisational skills with group design projects.
Throughout the course, we'll prepare you for professional practice; you'll learn the principles of participatory design, allowing you to begin to navigate the complex issues you'll face working in architecture.
Upon completion of your Architecture degree you'll have the ability to define and create critically strategic projects as well as the ability to challenge existing briefs to create architecture that excels in its inclusivity and relevance to the issues that face society today and in the future.
You'll explore the craft of architecture, understand the tectonics of materials and their relationship with each other, and develop a critical understanding of architecture's response to place.
Ultimately, you'll leave us with a set of skills and knowledge that allows you to become a provocateur: entrepreneurial in your thinking and critically reflective in your work
You'll get to grips with the primary skills and language of architecture as you apply practical and conceptual skills to develop user-centred design outcomes. During your first year, you'll begin to understand how projects are formulated and the best and varied ways to start to communicate architectural intentions. You'll consider space and light in architectural composition and gain a basic understanding of different structural approaches to building. We'll equip you with an overview of context, history and theory, paying special attention to the unique history of Cornwall. By the end of the year, you'll begin to formulate an ethical and aesthetic position in relation to the architectural profession.
Modules
Place
You'll look into issues of locality, materiality and identity.
People
User-centred design and introduction to core skills of drawing/model making.
Community
You'll explore issues of collective living and working.
Structure
Exploration of how ‘things' work and are made.
You'll develop your technical and conceptual skills as you take on larger-scale design projects. On top of considering the environmental issues in sustainable development, you'll explore 'housing' in the broadest sense. We'll also encourage you to take on Erasmus exchanges and placements. During this second year of your Architecture degree, you'll develop confidence in the application of technical information and gain an understanding of the statutory requirements of professional practice. You'll learn to create designs that respond to the varied needs of users and continue developing a personal ethical basis for design decisions, with emphasis on client needs and concern for both natural and built environments.
Modules
Context
Larger scale design projects.
Environment
Issues of sustainable development.
Habitation
'Housing' in the broader sense.
Practice
Professional practice context and work experience opportunity.
An independent exploratory project will test your definition of what architecture is or can be, supported by a critical and theoretical view in your dissertation. You'll then complete the course with a comprehensive major project highlighting all your skills. By the end of the year, you'll be a strong communicator who is able to recognise your own strengths and weaknesses in order to maximise your opportunities. You'll also be able to demonstrate a rigorous and comprehensive level of architectural design ability that meets the ARB Part 1 Graduate Attributes.
Modules
Independent Exploratory Project
Experimental exploration of architecture derived from its environment.
Dissertation
Written critically reflective presentation of architectural and contextual history and theory.
Final Major Project
Comprehensive design project.
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details.
How you'll learn
From our studio-based learning environment to placements, industry visits and competition briefs, your project work will connect you with local, national and international issues.
You'll take part in active debates and group design projects, and visit local building sites, stonemasons, shipyards and sculptors. You'll even engage in design and build construction as you develop a practical understanding that will support your future career.
How you'll spend your time
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study | Placements |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 30% | 70% | 0% |
2 | 28% | 63% | 9% |
3 | 18% | 82% | 0% |
How you'll be assessed
Year | Written exams | Practical exams | Coursework |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
2 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
3 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
Assessment methods
- No formal exams, all work is assessed through coursework.
- Verbal and visual presentations to core teaching staff, visiting critics and your peers.
- Formative feedback is continuous throughout the studio-based modules whilst summative assessment takes place to provide you with structured feedback to help your work develop.
- Final-year projects and dissertation.
Staff
You’ll be taught by qualified architects alongside practitioners from fields like structures, services, conservation, law, planning, landscape, business, and management. With industry and academic experience, they ensure compliance with the latest regulatory frameworks and practice.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.
Tom Ebdon
Tom Ebdon joined Falmouth University in 2014 to head up the new BA(Hons) Architecture course....
Janie Hinton
I am a qualified architect, a member of the ARB and RIBA, and I have worked in practice for twenty...
Toby Carr
I am an Architect with over 10 years experience working at senior management level in a sustainable...
Mark Innes
Part-time lecturer at Falmouth since 2016. On-going occasional teaching at Dessau International...
Laurence North
I have worked at Falmouth University for almost 25 years, during this time I have worked with a...
Facilities
- Dedicated workshops featuring 3D and bronze casting foundry, printmaking, paint preparation, laser cutting and rapid prototyping.
- Digital imaging.
- Studio accommodation.
- Video and photography.
- Library with 140,000 books, 17,000 DVDs/videos, and over 400 journal titles.
- Archives including radio, slides, pictures and maps.
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
Ready to join us? If you're applying through UCAS Apply and Track, you'll need to reference the university and course codes below.
- University code: F33
- Course code: K100
Apply now
Applying as an international student?
International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the university. For more information about how to apply as an international student, visit our International applications page.
Application advice & interview information
We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.
As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 120 – 136 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma. Applicants should have GCSE Mathematics Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.
If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you'll need to take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.
UK/EU applications: 29 January 2021 (for equal consideration)
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Has observational and developmental drawing abilities.
- Shows clear communication skills.
- Has a critical understanding and contextual awareness of drawing and the visual arts.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees
£9,250 per year - full-time UK/EU
£16,000 per year - full-time international
£9,250 per year - full-time UK
£16,950 - full-time EU
£16,950 - full-time international
Typical course costs
- £450-£850 - Recurring annual costs
- £200-£300 - One-off costs for the course duration (compulsory trips, final portfolios or shows, etc)
- £900 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page.
Ask a student
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From course details, our facilities and the local area to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.