This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.
University of Brighton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Our Architecture BA(Hons) degree, validated by the Royal Institute of Architects (RIBA), provides the first step in qualifying as a professional architect in the UK and overseas and prepares you for many different roles within the architectural and design field. At Brighton you’ll be part of a community that helps you grow, no matter what your background. Our integrated foundation year course offers an extra year to prepare you for study at degree level. This degree gives you the design, technical and critical-thinking skills to turn your ideas into spaces that respond to real-world challenges. You’ll also take part in field trips, public exhibitions and our end-of-year show, graduating with the confidence and experience for Part 2 study. Our inclusive approach to learning will help you go further; we’ll make sure you play to your strengths and learn in ways that suit you best. Brighton graduates have gone into both local and internationally renowned practices. These include Norman Foster/Foster + Partners – one of the world’s most influential practices and designer of the Millenium Bridge and the iconic 30 St Mary Axe (Gherkin) building – as well as Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (Richard Rogers) and David Chipperfield Architects. Top reasons to choose this course
- Foundation year that offers a route into architecture if you don’t have the required qualifications, are changing career or returning to study.
- Explore architectural thinking across design, history, theory, technology and sustainability.
- Study a degree validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) so when you graduate you’ll have completed the first stage to becoming a qualified architect both in the UK and internationally.
- Prepare for practice through mentoring and mock interviews with professionals from RIBA South East and a degree that’s aligned to the Architects Registration Board (ARB).
- Work on live briefs and community projects and build a portfolio to impress future employers.
- Collaborate in our studio space with students from all years of the course and develop your creative voice.
- Showcase your work throughout the course and in the end-of-year show.
- Design with sustainability, wellbeing and community impact in mind with real-world projects focused on the climate crisis, housing shortage and forced displacement.
- Get hands-on experience from day one in the workshop and studio to develop your physical modelling skills, supported by our brilliant technicians.
- Develop your digital design skills using industry-standard software including Revit, Rhino and Grasshopper.
- Access our specialist facilities which include model-making and construction workshops, photographic studios, laser cutting and 3D printing and rapid prototyping.
Modules
Foundation year Term 1 will focus on analogue skills, introducing you to observational and hand-drawing skills as well as physical/3D modelling techniques, enabling you to understand different scales. In term 2, you’ll build on the skills you’ve learned and combine these with digital practice. You’ll be introduced to digital drawing, modelling and fabrication, and representation and communication techniques. Projects will develop your knowledge of the design process and your technical ability. Term 3 focuses on a final project within your chosen discipline and course. You’ll produce a portfolio where you’ll document your development and your final design project. The project will be specific to your discipline and draw together all the skills learnt over the year, preparing you for your degree. It will include physical hand drawings, photography, models, digital work and discipline-specific outputs. Year 1 You’ll build the core skills of architecture – from drawing and model-making to spatial thinking and digital design. Through design projects and critical study, you will learn how culture, technology and sustainability shape meaningful places. Core modules Introducing Architecture Architecture Criticism 1 Technology: Principles Architectural Design Year 2 You’ll deepen your design thinking by responding to real contexts – from retrofit and reuse to user needs and locality. Through studio projects, technology strategies and critical research, you will learn to shape sustainable architecture that engages with global social and environmental challenges. Core modules Design Studio: Context Technology: Strategies Vertical Design Studio 1 Architecture Criticism 2 Final year You will work on a design project incorporating technological strategies and detailed drawings of your proposal. You’ll integrate technological strategies with the design project, addressing environmental performance, material selection, construction methods, structure and sustainable design. Through a self-directed research project, you’ll be able to focus on a specific subject, theme or issue within the field of architecture which is of particular interest to you so you can identify areas you want to specialise in. Your studies will culminate in your final project which you will showcase at the graduate show. Core modules Design and Technology Architecture Criticism 3 Professional Practices Vertical Design Studio 2
How to apply
14Jan
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:
- K15F
- Institution code:
- B72
- Campus name:
- Brighton
- Campus code:
- B
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 72 points
A level - DDD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5. in each element, or equivalent English Language qualification. |
Review our English Language requirements
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit 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 |
| EU | £17250 | Year 1 |
| International | £17250 | 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
The fees listed in the table above are for full-time UK undergraduate students in academic year 2025-26. You will pay further fees in each year of your course. Fees may increase each year. UK undergraduate and certain postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government. The annual fee increase will not exceed the UK government's maximum regulated tuition fee limit set for the relevant academic year. Many of our courses include the option of a salaried placement year. Tuition fees for a placement year are charged at a lower rate of £1850. The international tuition fees listed above are for full-time courses during the academic year 2025-26. Further tuition fees are payable in each year of study. Non-regulated tuition fees, which usually apply to international students and UK postgraduate students* are subject to an annual increase of a maximum of 5% or the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), whichever is higher.
*Some designated postgraduate courses are regulated by the UK government – the annual fee increase for eligible UK / Home students on these designated courses will not exceed the UK government’s regulated tuition fee limit set for the relevant academic year.
Provider information
University of Brighton
Mithras House
Lewes Road
Brighton
BN2 4AT