BA (Hons) Architecture
BA (Hons) Architecture
Institution code: N39Course 3 Year UCAS code: K100Course 4 Year UCAS code: K101Course length: 3 or 4 year options
You have the opportunity to study Architecture in an art school environment at NUA, developing professional skills in a creative community where improving the world around us through innovative design is highly-prized.
Our BA (Hons) Architecture degree is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (Part 1) and is your first qualification towards a successful career as a registered architect or in a related profession.
A distinctive combination of imagination and exploration, research and critical evaluation will be at the centre of your approach to the built environment.
And with the city of Norwich as an inspirational backdrop to your studies, you’ll engage with regional architects through guest lectures, review panels and networking events.
Purposeful design
We value creativity and user-focused, purposeful architectural design. We’ll challenge your preconceptions about the built environment. You’ll explore how people inhabit and use space and the importance of users and communities in the design process. The starting point is understanding people, proportions and how humans use spaces.
You’ll then move into increasingly complex design projects based on actual sites – developing new ways of thinking that will guide your response to locations and client briefs.
Studio environment
Our open-plan studios and adjacent workshops are well-equipped spaces for drawing, model-making, 3D digital design, laser-cutting, printing and scanning.
You’ll acquire new practical and technical skills and refine your approach to traditional and digital drawing and modelling.
At every step, you will have the support of expert technicians and the Architecture course team.
Insight from professional architects
Our close links to the profession will give you an opportunity to meet and learn from our regional partners, including:
Field trips and site visits will help you develop your observational and design skills in a mix of cultural contexts.
Beyond the region, there will be opportunities for international travel.
Graduates work in a broad range of careers including
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You’ll also get specialist creative careers advice from our Careers Team in the Ideas FactoryNUA to help support you as you plan your career.
Accredited by:
Course content
- Year 1
- Explore the fundamentals of design and construction utilising a variety of drawing, photographic and modelling techniques
- Examine the cultural contexts of historical and contemporary architecture using the local environment as a rich source of research
- Integrate structural, environmental and material considerations into your design strategies
- Establish a solid grounding in research techniques as a basis for your practice.
- Year 2
- Develop and refine your propositions through increasingly complex design briefs
- Study user needs in relation to the aesthetic and technical requirements of a built environment
- Explore structural and environmental design considerations
- Investigate a range of research, critical and conceptual tools for project development and planning
- Examine the social context of architecture, drawing on theories from other disciplines such as philosophy, cultural geography and fine arts.
- Year 3
- Undertake complex analyses of specific urban environments to formulate proposals for regeneration and development
- Apply your creative vision and applied knowledge to a large scale architectural proposal and Research Report
- Consolidate your work into a collaborative visual display and comprehensive portfolio as a basis for representing and promoting your practice.
Student work
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Convention
Typical UK offers
Candidates should have achieved GCSE passes at Grade 4/C or above in English, Maths and a Science subject.
A / AS Levels – GCE
3 A-level qualifications at grades BBB. Where candidates are not taking 3 A-levels, NUA will consider combinations of A-level/AS-level and other Level 3 qualifications.
BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF or RQF)
Distinction, Merit in an art, design or media related subject
BTEC Diploma (QCF or RQF)
Distinction*, Distinction* in an art, design or media related subject
UAL Extended Diploma
Merit
UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Merit
UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Pass
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design)
Pass
International Baccalaureate Diploma
A minimum of 27 points
NUA welcomes applicants of all ages from all backgrounds. Your application will be primarily assessed through interview and portfolio review so even if you have no formal qualifications or do not meet our typical offers it can still be worth applying.
If you are studying at the time of your application and your interview is successful, it is likely that you will receive a conditional offer.
If the qualification that you are studying is not shown, do not worry as we are able to accept other pre-entry qualifications as well as combinations of different qualifications. Please do contact our Student Recruitment Team if you have any queries.
International applications
We accept qualifications from all over the world. To find our entry requirements from a specific country, please check our dedicated international pages.
Most international students are required to hold an English language qualification. Applicants are required to have a minimum UKVI approved IELTS exam score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each section. Equivalent English language qualifications are acceptable such as, IB English language syllabus A or B/English Literature (Grade 4).
We also accept some alternative English qualifications. Learn more about our English entry requirements.
You can email us on international@nua.ac.uk if you’d like to discuss your application individually.
BA (Hons) Architecture portfolio guidance
Your portfolio should be relevant to this course, but you can include a wide range of work that shows your creativity, technical competence and understanding of space.
You may wish to include some of the following:
- 2-Dimensional creative work such as drawings, sketches, collages, paintings, photographs or illustrations that demonstrate technical ability and creativity. Try to include a wide range of different media and show work which demonstrates a variety of skills such as observational, landscape, life, perspective, architectural and technical drawing; use of colour, form, scale, accuracy, composition and creative imagination in a mix of digital and hand rendered images
- 3-Dimensional creative work (usually documented through good quality photographs). You may include models, product prototypes, artefacts, sculptures or installations that you have designed and constructed. Try to demonstrate your understanding of scale, form and structure through the work you include
- Work created using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, CAD, Sketch Up or other architectural design software
- Don’t be afraid to show us work that you don’t think was successful. Be prepared to tell us why, and talk about what you learned in the process.
Further portfolio advice and tips
Get more advice on presentation formats, layouts and when to submit your portfolio in the application process.
Your interview
After you apply to study BA Architecture at NUA we’ll invite you to an interview on campus or by Skype or telephone, depending on your circumstance.
If you apply by the UCAS deadline of 15 January your interview will usually take place in February. We’ll ask you to prepare your portfolio ready to bring with you or submit online ahead of your interview.
Fees and Funding
The cost of your course is determined by your status as either ‘UK/EU’ or ‘International’, so it’s important to check your fee status. If you’re unsure, the UKCISA website will help you determine whether you’re eligible to pay a UK/EU fee (also called a ‘home’ fee). If you’d prefer to speak to NUA directly, please contact student.finance@nua.ac.uk
UK/EU students are eligible for a tuition fee loan from the UK government, meaning you won’t have to pay your fees up front. Further details about tuition fee loans are provided below. International students are not eligible for the UK government tuition fee loan.
2020/21 Tuition Fees For New Entrants
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Citizen status |
Course |
Fee |
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UK/EU nationality |
Undergraduate degree (full-time three and four year degree) |
£9,250 |
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International (non-EU) |
Undergraduate degree (full-time three and four year degree) |
£15,000 |
Fees will remain the same for each year of your course.
International students
Find out more about 2020 fees for international students and the support available.
Financial support for UK/EU students
Tuition fee loans and loans for living costs are available, as well as non-repayable NUA bursaries that take into account family income. Find out how to apply for funding.
Tuition Fee Loan for Undergraduate study
Tuition fee loans are available for UK and EU students.
- Available to cover the full cost of your tuition
- You don’t have to pay for your course up front yourself
- Only start paying back when you are earning over £25,725 per year
Maintenance Loan for Undergraduate study – 2020/21
Student Maintenance Loans are available for UK and eligible EU students to help with living costs such as accommodation, food, clothes, travel and course expenses. The amount students receive is dependent on household income and any maintenance grant received.
- A loan of up to £9,203 may be available if you live away from home.
- A loan of up to £7,747 may be available if you live with your parents.
How can you find out more?
To learn more about loans, repayment calculations and other financial support, visit Student Finance. If you have any questions about fees, please email student.finance@nua.ac.uk
Scholarships
Find out about scholarship programmes available to NUA applicants.
Bursaries
For new entrants whose household income is assessed as £25,000 or less, the university will offer a contribution towards the costs of studying at NUA (such as equipment, materials and other course-related costs). This will be £200 for new entrants to Year 0 and Year 1, rising to £300 in Year 2, followed by £500 in Year 3. Find out more about bursaries at NUA.
NUA alumni, staff and feeder staff discount
All NUA alumni are eligible for a £1,000 discount on NUA postgraduate degree fees. All NUA staff and staff from feeder institutions are eligible for a £500 discount on NUA postgraduate degree fees.
Related Courses
Students
Margaret Belle
"NUA means opportunity. An opportunity to engage with something you desire to explore; in every way possible through the support of the university"
BA (Hons) Architecture
Nicholas Cassidy
"I’ve become more adventurous when developing design, the course encourages you to test concepts and always seek alternatives. But it’s not just my practice that’s developed, I have so much more confidence"
BA (Hons) Architecture
Edd Mitchem
"Our studio has the perfect atmosphere — it feels like a working practice and with a city centre campus it’s easy to immerse yourself in the historic and inspirational buildings of Norwich."
BA (Hon) Architecture
Tammy Rootsey-Freeman
"I love that the course allows me to focus on my technical drawing, thinking logically but also having the opportunity to be very creative with my designs."
BA (Hon) Architecture
Teaching
staff
Lecturers
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Antigoni Patsalou
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Kirsten Tatum
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Graham Thompson
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