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BSc Architecture

UCAS code
K100
A level offer
ABB
Year of entry
2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years

Year of entry
2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years

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 6th in the UK for research power in Architecture, Built Environment and Planning (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest REF 2021). 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 December 2028. 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.

We also offer 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 2024, you will 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. During the programme, there will be opportunity to work alongside businesses from across the sector, which will provide you with valuable experience that you can demonstrate to employers on graduation.

Overview

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.

We also offer 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

Work experience

Entry requirements A Level ABB

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.

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.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

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.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Compulsory modules

Visualisation and Communication in Architectural Design: An Introduction

Gain a solid grounding of practical and professional skills required in architecture. As well as extending understanding and concept application, you’ll use manual making and computer-based tools to explore designs for different projects, and develop your graphical, spatial and communication skills.

History and Theory of Architecture: An Introduction

Examine the history and theory that informs architectural thinking, including the development of cities and how an understanding of culture and society relates to architecture and design studio work. By considering examples of architecture worldwide, you’ll develop an understanding of local issues across different climates and societies.

Design Studio 1

Explore architectural design, working in a studio, and the idea of ‘place’. You’ll consider design in different contexts, architectural agency and responsibility in relation to environmental issues and three-dimensional thinking about space and form.

Construction Technology: An Introduction

Discover the materials, structures, technologies, environmental sciences and services used to design buildings, examining these in relation to buildings of various sizes and considering their environmental resilience.

Design Studio 2

Develop your understanding of ‘site’ and architecture in context. Applying skills and knowledge gained in your first year, you’ll explore your design capabilities and further develop your sketching, drawing and model-making skills.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Industry and Practice: The Realisation of Projects

Develop your understanding of the business and realisation of projects in architecture, increasing your awareness of how architecture functions and the key roles of participants. Topics include project management, legal and contractual frameworks, procurement practices, government policy, the changing role of the architect, professionalism and institutions.

Construction Technology: Core Studies

Develop your knowledge of materials, structure, technology, environmental science and services for designing buildings, considering the ethics, regulations and standards related to the science and technology of architecture. Emphasis is placed on complex buildings, environmental resilience and the relationship between humans and society.

Design Studio 3

Apply and develop your architectural skills to projects of greater complexity, refine your drawing, model-making and digital technology skills.

History and Theory of Architecture: Buildings and Places

Explore how architecture responds to different contexts across civilisations and societies, with a particular focus on scale of buildings, groups of buildings, neighbourhoods and communities.

Design Studio 4

Use the studio environment to extend your learning so far as your explore and develop your design capabilities.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Dissertation

All architecture and design is informed by research and understanding of historical culture and societal issues related to the built environment. Choose from a range of topics related to architecture and produce a piece of critical writing on that subject that will inform your subsequent studio work.

Realisation 1

Explore the academic study of architecture and forms of practice. Testing the definition of design practice, you’ll develop reflective approaches to design using different materials, media and equipment and debating the related opportunities and priorities that inform your personal attitudes, critical thinking and design practice.

Design Studio 5

Refine your design skills and creativity, utilise key skills and digital technologies to further explore and develop your design capabilities.

Realisation 2

Acquire the core skills and knowledge that underpin the delivery of projects and realisation of buildings in professional practice. Through practical application and integration, you’ll explore topics spanning construction technology, project delivery and project management.

Design Studio 6

Apply your learning and design capabilities to projects of increasing complexity in the studio environment.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £27,650

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.

Placement year fees

If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.

Careers

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.