BA (Hons) Architecture

Why Architecture at ARU?

• Our course is rated 3rd in the UK for Academic Support within Architecture courses by the NSS 2024.
• Study on a course (BA Hons Architecture) developed in line with industry standards, accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Part 1 prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB).
• Expand your knowledge by participating in an optional European field trip each year to cities such as Lisbon, Venice, Rome and Vienna, or applying for one of our Turing Programme summer scholarships to work in Barcelona or study in Venice for four weeks.
• Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; designed and developed with regional employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.
• Connect and engage with practitioners through our regular extra-curricular workshops, guest lecture series, annual practitioners event, and End of Year Show.
• Utilise our dedicated studios and workshop facilities to learn how to draw, make models, and use all relevant software and digital techniques.

If you’re fascinated by the built environment, and have ambitions to create spaces that are innovative, meaningful and purposeful, this is the course for you.

By studying Architecture at ARU, you’ll gain the theoretical, technical and design skills to shape the built environment for a sustainable future – and to work as a professional architect.

As a collaborative individual, you'll be keen to make connections that will help kick start your career. We'll guide you towards the right work experience and support you throughout your course.

You'll take part in Live Brief projects throughout your degree, collaborating with city and borough councils, Timber Development UK, and local and London firms such as Studio Forty, Studio Mai, Stace LLP, Levitt Bernstein, Sheppard & Robson, Barr Gazetas, LSI Architects, Vonberg Architects, RH Partnership Architects, Suzanne Brewer Architects and Aukett Swanke.

On the BA (Hons) route, you’ll have the option to take a placement year as part of your course to gain valuable work experience.

We'll encourage you to go on site visits, where you'll gain hands-on experience. Our links with professional institutions such as the RIBA Mentoring Programme, as well as local firms, ensure you'll stay up to date with industry practice.

As well as benefiting from your lecturers' knowledge, you'll also benefit from a network of visiting designers, artists, historians and theorist plus, national and international architects and scholars, focusing on contemporary, relevant themes such as climate change, passive house techniques, fire and safety measures, environmental strategies, and social and political challenges.

Accredited by Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), you can be sure that this course will give you skills that reflect emerging technologies and knowledge, and will be in demand with employers when you graduate.

At ARU, we believe it's important to recognise our students' hard work. That's why, at the end of each academic year, we showcase and celebrate your achievements with an End of Year Show.

As a graduate recognised by the Architects Registration Board, you’ll be ready to work in a range of architectural roles.

Our course prepares you for a career in architectural practice, but you could also choose to work in areas such as town planning, surveying, engineering, property, and building conservation.

ARU graduates in architecture, building and planning graduates earn more than the sector average. We are delighted that our graduates earn £4,000 more a year than the sector average 15 months after graduation.

Some of our graduates have gone on to work at:

• Sheppard Robson
• Esen Loft
• Stanley Bragg Architects Ltd
• Grafik Architecture
• 3BM Studio
• Clifton Emery Design
• AHP Architects & Surveyors Ltd
• Morgan Sindall Construction
• Andrew Fleet MCIAT

By studying architecture at ARU, you’ll have gained creative and practical skills, such as computer-aided design, which will help you stand out from the crowd.

Graduation doesn't need to be the end of your time with us, of course. If you’d like to continue your studies, we offer a range of postgraduate degrees including our MSc Town Planning. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

ARU ranked in the top 10% in the country for graduates in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024), and 5th in the country for the proportion of UK undergraduates who are employed as managers, directors, or senior officials 15 months after graduating. We're also in the top 10% in the country for the number of graduates in employment and further study who agreed they are using what they learnt during their studies.

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.