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 Royal Institute of Architects (RIBA), provides the first step to qualifying as a professional architect 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. 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 – Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (Richard Rogers), and David Chipperfield Architects. Top reasons to choose this course
- Explore architectural thinking across design, history, theory, technology and sustainability.
- Study a degree validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), meaning when you graduate you’ll have completed the first stage to becoming a qualified architect in the UK and internationally.
- 94.3% of Brighton students on this course who completed the National Student Survey 2025 said teaching staff are good at explaining things.
- Prepare for practice through mentoring and mock interviews with professionals from RIBA South East and a degree aligned to 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 including model-making and construction workshops, photographic studios, laser cutting and 3D printing and rapid prototyping.
Modules
Year 1 Introducing Architecture Architecture Criticism 1 Architectural Design Technology: Principles Year 2 Design Studio: Context Technology: Strategies Vertical Design Studio 1 Architecture Criticism 2 Final year Design and Technology Architecture Criticism 3 Vertical Design Studio 2 Professional Practices From your first year, you’ll step into the world of architecture by exploring its foundations in Introducing Architecture, where you’ll discover the cultural, historical and environmental forces that shape our built environment. In Architectural Design, you’ll bring ideas to life through sketches, models and digital tools, while Technology: Principles gives you the structural and material knowledge to design with confidence. Architecture Criticism 1 will sharpen your ability to analyse buildings, spaces and design philosophies, helping you see architecture in new and critical ways. In your second year, you’ll apply your creativity to real-world settings in Design Studio: Context, developing designs that respond to place, culture and community needs. Technology: Strategies deepens your technical expertise, ensuring your designs are as practical as they are inspiring. In Vertical Design Studio 1, you’ll collaborate with students from other years, learning from their perspectives while sharing your own, while Architecture Criticism 2 expands your critical and reflective skills, enabling you to evaluate complex projects with confidence. Your final year is where everything comes together. Design and Technology challenges you to integrate creative, technical and environmental thinking into your work. Vertical Design Studio 2 pushes your design skills to their highest level, tackling ambitious projects that reflect your personal vision. In Architecture Criticism 3, you’ll engage with advanced theoretical debates, refining your voice as a designer and thinker. Alongside this, Professional Practices prepares you for life after graduation – covering the legal, ethical and business realities of architectural work. By the time you finish, you’ll have a portfolio that showcases your design talent, technical capability and professional readiness, giving you the skills and confidence to make your mark in the architectural world.
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:
- K100
- Institution code:
- B72
- Campus name:
- Brighton
- Campus code:
- B
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 136 points
A level - AAB - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM - DMM
Access to HE Diploma - M: 30 credits
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 27 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H3, H3, H3, H3
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Additional entry requirements
Portfolio
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
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
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 |
| 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