Course summary

Framing architecture as a radical act of care, our BA Architecture course aims to nurture disciplinary disruptors, future leaders, innovators and thinkers, equipped for the now and ready to redefine the architectural practice of tomorrow. Architecture is the quiet choreography of the spaces we inhabit — a practice that does far more than shape buildings. Architects acting under this aegis gather the many strands of human endeavour—art, history, physics, engineering—into a single, unfolding narrative. Everywhere we move, architecture is already there: not only as structure, but as an imaginative act, a way of giving form to how we live, remember, and aspire. Taught in the £62 million Parkside Building at our City Centre Campus, this course is validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Successful completion of this course grants exemption from the Royal Institute of British Architects Part 1 Prescribed Examination. In order to register as an Architect in the UK you will need to hold an ARB-accredited master’s-level qualification and an accredited Practice qualification (or an accredited combined qualification) that together show that you have met the necessary competency outcomes (the threshold competencies that we expect of all architects on the Register) and have a minimum of two years practice experience. What's covered in this course? With the diverse architecture of Birmingham as your initial inspiration, you'll focus on urban environment and study neighbourhoods, cities, and regional and global networks. Industry connections in your second and third years help you foster direct links and contacts within practice, helping you to find work experience. We work closely with RIBA West Midlands and Birmingham City Council. You'll have the chance to be part of Co.LAB, a collaborative architecture and design initiative working on live projects with other disciplines and with industry and community partners. This engagement with one to-one scale interventions and real-world practice helps you in your learning journey to become a more rounded and responsive designer. The course offers you great opportunities. Students from all years are offered places to attend events and to engage directly with practitioners and industry specialists, as well as informing you of changes in current practice. You'll also benefit from the insight of guest speakers from internationally renowned practices, designers, artists and thinkers. In your final year, you'll showcase your work at the Graduate Show, an event attended by practitioners where previous students have been recruited by leading practices including Grimshaws, Hopkins Architects, Hawkins Brown and Glenn Howells Architects. You will study in our state-of-the-art Parkside Building, which has been praised for its investment and facilities by RIBA. While based in Parkside, you will sharpen your CAD and digital visual communication skills, prototyping and digital production, while also having access to a range of specialist software. Professional Placement Year This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.  If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course. Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.