Take your first step towards becoming an architect with our BSc Architecture course. You will be taught by both leading academics and innovative, practising architects.
You will benefit from seven-day-a-week access to dedicated studio spaces in a newly-refurbished building, as well as use of facilities equipped with digital technologies.
The course comprises half design studios and design briefs, and half lecture-based taught courses. Design projects aim to enable you to prepare a digital and physical portfolio, while lectures are designed to develop your understanding of core academic subjects and practical skills as part of your taught curriculum. Meanwhile, optional field trips to responsibly accessible cities such as London, Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Paris will give you the chance to look at architecture in a new light.
We sit within the renowned School of the Built Environment, which has strong research and industry links, and is 3rd in the UK for research impact in architecture, the built environment and planning (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked By Subject, 2014, based on its analysis of REF 2014). We have particular expertise in a range of subjects related to our research area of 'urban living', including urban regeneration, housing, mapping cities and places, and digital and analogue representation of buildings and cities.
The learning outcomes of the course have been designed with the needs of employers in mind, and with a view to enhancing the employability of our graduates. You will have the opportunity to boost your employability throughout your studies, with the chance to work on local projects and to carry out ‘live’ design tasks at the conceptual stage for real clients. By working with students from other disciplines, such as surveying and construction management, you will also have the opportunity to gain experience essential to the professional environment and benefit from wider expertise.
The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has prescribed our BSc (Hons) Architecture degree under the Architects Act 1997 until 30 September 2022. One of the requirements for gaining a professional architecture qualification is to study on a prescribed course. Our degree is also validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). This is formal recognition from RIBA that our degree achieves the standards needed to prepare students for the professional practice of architecture.
From 2020, we are also offering a two-year postgraduate Master of Architecture programme, enabling you to take the next step towards becoming a fully qualified architect.
Find out more about our School of Architecture.
Scholarships
As part of the cohort joining the BSc Architecture course in 2021, you may have the opportunity to secure an annual £1,000 scholarship for each of the three years of the undergraduate degree (subject to conditions).
Work experience
The University of Reading has well-established links with industry within the built environment sector. Optional work experience, offered during the programme, will give you the opportunity to work alongside businesses from across the sector and will provide you with valuable experience which you can demonstrate to employers on graduation.
Overview
You will benefit from seven-day-a-week access to dedicated studio spaces in a newly-refurbished building, as well as use of facilities equipped with digital technologies.
The course comprises half design studios and design briefs, and half lecture-based taught courses. Design projects aim to enable you to prepare a digital and physical portfolio, while lectures are designed to develop your understanding of core academic subjects and practical skills as part of your taught curriculum. Meanwhile, optional field trips to responsibly accessible cities such as London, Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Paris will give you the chance to look at architecture in a new light.
We sit within the renowned School of the Built Environment, which has strong research and industry links, and is 3rd in the UK for research impact in architecture, the built environment and planning (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked By Subject, 2014, based on its analysis of REF 2014). We have particular expertise in a range of subjects related to our research area of 'urban living', including urban regeneration, housing, mapping cities and places, and digital and analogue representation of buildings and cities.
The learning outcomes of the course have been designed with the needs of employers in mind, and with a view to enhancing the employability of our graduates. You will have the opportunity to boost your employability throughout your studies, with the chance to work on local projects and to carry out ‘live’ design tasks at the conceptual stage for real clients. By working with students from other disciplines, such as surveying and construction management, you will also have the opportunity to gain experience essential to the professional environment and benefit from wider expertise.
The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has prescribed our BSc (Hons) Architecture degree under the Architects Act 1997 until 30 September 2022. One of the requirements for gaining a professional architecture qualification is to study on a prescribed course. Our degree is also validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). This is formal recognition from RIBA that our degree achieves the standards needed to prepare students for the professional practice of architecture.
From 2020, we are also offering a two-year postgraduate Master of Architecture programme, enabling you to take the next step towards becoming a fully qualified architect.
Find out more about our School of Architecture.
Scholarships
As part of the cohort joining the BSc Architecture course in 2021, you may have the opportunity to secure an annual £1,000 scholarship for each of the three years of the undergraduate degree (subject to conditions).
Work experience
The University of Reading has well-established links with industry within the built environment sector. Optional work experience, offered during the programme, will give you the opportunity to work alongside businesses from across the sector and will provide you with valuable experience which you can demonstrate to employers on graduation.
Entry requirements A Level ABB | IB 32 points overall
The application process
As part of the application process for acceptance onto the BSc Honours Architecture course, you will normally be invited for interview and asked to present a portfolio which shows evidence of your creative ability and 3-dimensional understanding. Visit our architecture applications page for more information.
Firm drop grade
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS, and we will guarantee you a place if you achieve one grade lower than the published offer.
Typical offer
ABB, plus portfolio and interview
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
BTEC National Diploma
DDM
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AA1DS1 | Architecture and Design - An Introduction to Studio | MS Amy Butt |
AA1DS2 | Architecture and Design - An Introduction to Site | MS Penelope Plaza |
AA1HTI | History and Theory of Architecture: an Introduction | PROF Flora Samuel |
AA1IPI | Industry and Practice - the Business Context of Architecture | MR Darren Bray |
AA1STI | Construction Technology: an Introduction | MR Mike Kane |
AA1VCI | Visualisation and Communication in Architectural Design – An Introduction | MS Amy Butt |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AA2DS3 | Architecture Design – Skills in architectural design1 | DR Carolina Vasilikou |
AA2DS4 | Architecture Design - Skills in Architectual Design 1 | MR Sayan Skandarajah |
AA2HTC | History and Theory of Architecture: Buildings and Places | DR Stephen Gage |
AA2IPC | Industry and Practice - the Business of Projects | MS Sarah Ernst |
AA2STC | Construction Technology: Core Studies | DR Carolina Vasilikou |
AA2VCC | Visualisation and Communication in Architectural Design – Digital Media | DR Laura Maftei |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AA3DS5 | Architecture Design –Complexity | MR Oliver Froome-Lewis |
AA3DS6 | Architecture Design –Integration | MR Oliver Froome-Lewis |
AA3HTA | History and Theory of Architecture: Critical writing | MS Penelope Plaza |
AA3IPA | Industry and Practice – the Business and Practice of Architecture | DR Izabela Wieczorek |
AA3SCA | Construction Technology: Integration | DR John Harding |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CE3CS1 | Sustainability | DR Katherine Hyde |
CE3CME | Management of Construction Projects | DR Graeme Larsen |
AA3IPP | Industry and Practice – Career Development | MS Sarah Ernst |
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £20,830 per year
*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Careers
The School of Architecture sits within the renowned School of the Built Environment, which has strong industry links and an outstanding employability record with 96% of graduates in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course [1].
Gaining a degree in architecture will open up a wide range of global career opportunities. As a BSc (Hons) Architecture graduate you could work as an architectural assistant and, after further training, an architect. You will also be well-placed to move into other careers within the sector, such as project management, planning, estate management, surveying, and urban design. Other opportunities include careers in the gaming industry, graphic design, and interior design.
[1] Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18; First Degree responders from the School of the Built Environment.
Applicants should demonstrate both an interest in the wider social and ecological questions facing architecture today and in the varied ways that we experience our surroundings.
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