Skip navigation
Architecture (with Placement year) at Anglia Ruskin University - UCAS

Course options

Course summary

Help shape the world we live in and learn how to succeed in architectural practice. Why study Architecture at ARU?

  • Our course is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Part 1 prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB).
  • Join an optional European field trip each year to cities such as Lisbon, Venice, Rome and Vienna.
  • 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.
  • Take part in workshops, guest lecture series, practitioners events and our End of Year Show.
  • Learn to draw, make models and use software and digital techniques in our dedicated studios.
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. You’ll gain the theoretical, technical and design skills to shape the built environment for a sustainable future on our Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) accredited and Part 1 Architects Registration Board (ARB) prescribed degree course. You’ll become skilled in developing design concepts, experimenting with different media, and representing your ideas through drawings and physical and digital models. We'll encourage you to go on site visits, where you can analyse the language and style of buildings, their construction, and see projects taking shape in real life. Together, we’ll explore building design, ‘buildability’ and sustainability. You'll benefit from a network of visiting designers, artists, historians and theorists 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. You'll explore architectural practice and consider how conceptual ideas become usable buildings. Develop your practical skills and learn to express and communicate ideas in different ways. Produce freehand and technical drawings and explore 2D drafting techniques using industry-standard software. Look at paper architecture, modelling, collage and photography and the principles and skills of orthographic and metric projections. You'll also learn about common materials and construction methods, structural calculations and structural analysis. Set everything in context by exploring the history and theory of architecture. Tackle a series of architectural briefs and projects, from single households to collective living and public buildings, considering design, building technology, the environment and human needs. Look at issues that concern professional architects, such as how global issues like pollution and habitat loss affect architectural design and practice. Explore current construction issues and trends, and look at how buildings can be conserved, re-used and adapted.  As an ARU 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, engineeri

Modules

Year 1: History and Theory of Architecture (Introduction) Folio Skills Essential Skills for Architecture Architecture and Planning Design Studio A Architecture and Planning Design Studio B Design Explorations Building Technology Elements of Construction Design Year 2: Design Studio A1 (30 credits) Essential Skills (15 credits) Technology A1 (30 credits) Cultural Context A: Histories and Theories of Architecture (15 credits) Design Studio A2 (30 credits) Year 3: Design Studio B1 (30 credits) Technology B1 (15 credits) Design Studio B2 (30 credits) Cultural Context B: Histories and Theories of Architecture (15 credits) Technology B2 (15 credits) Ruskin Module (15 credits) Year 4: Major Integrated Design Project Phase 1 (30 credits) Cultural Context C: Dissertation (30 credits) Major Integrated Design Project Phase 2 (45 credits) Professionalism, Values and Ethics (15 credits)

Assessment method

Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to help measure your progress. These will include design projects, presentations, timed assignments, exams and coursework.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Architects Registration Board
  • Architects Royal Institute of British

How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
K101
Institution code:
A60
Campus name:
Chelmsford Campus
Campus code:
A

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

2025 entry requirements have been published using the current cycle information however, due to a current review these are subject to change. Please check back here for updates.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://aru.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/architecture#entry_requirements

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
55%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
90%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 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

In the 2025/26 academic year, the placement year fee will be £1,500. https://www.aru.ac.uk/student-life/support-and-facilities/careers-and-employability/placements https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/tuition-fees https://www.aru.ac.uk/student-life/preparing-for-study/help-with-finances
Architecture (with Placement year) at Anglia Ruskin University - UCAS