Architectural render by Lea Velichkova

Architecture (RIBA Part 1) BA(Hons)

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Start Dates

21 September 2026

Duration

3 years full-time

UCAS Tariff

136-120 points

Recent Awards For Excellence

Ofsted outstanding provider logo Architecture - QS 2025
Find out more about these awards
About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • ARB, RIBA and LAM accredited – your first step to becoming a qualified architect.
  • Top in Yorkshire for student experience and top 10 in the UK for teaching (NSS 2025).
  • Part of a creative art school and built environment community tackling real-world issues.

Accreditation and Professional Links

Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate. Read More

Architecture is about more than buildings — it’s about shaping how people live, connect, and interact with their environment. Our BA(Hons) Architecture course develops your creativity, critical thinking, and technical understanding so you can address the real-world challenges facing our built environment.

Embedded within the School of Arts and Humanities, you’ll study alongside Architectural Technology, Quantity Surveying, and Construction Project Management, while also benefiting from close links with Photography, Interior Design, Graphic Design, and Fine Art. This environment gives you access to a wide range of creative perspectives and visual disciplines that can enrich your architectural thinking and design approach.

Our teaching is informed and enriched by staff research and professional practice. Research introduces new ideas, global perspectives, and innovative methods, while staff with active industry links bring real-world insight into design projects and studio work. This ensures your learning is grounded in both cutting-edge knowledge and professional realities.
You’ll explore how architecture can positively shape the future of towns and cities. From adaptive re-use, retrofit, and urban regeneration to climate-responsive design and emerging architectural futures, the course encourages you to think critically about how buildings respond to social, cultural, and environmental challenges.

You’ll also have access to excellent facilities, including dedicated studio spaces, 3D printers, laser cutters, digital fabrication labs, and a fully equipped model-making workshop. Beyond the state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll benefit from open access, expert technical support, and a culture where every student is known, heard, and valued.

Our Architecture degree is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM). On graduation, you’ll gain exemption from RIBA Part 1 - your first step towards becoming a qualified architect.

Building at the University of Huddersfield is ranked 9th in the UK in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026. In the National Student Survey 2025, Building is ranked top in Yorkshire for learning opportunities, assessment and feedback, academic support, learning resources and organisation and management — and top 10 in the UK for teaching on my course and student voice - testament to the supportive and inspiring environment you'll experience at Huddersfield.

Career opportunities after the course *

Architect

Site Manager

Surveyor

Estimator

Builing Surveyor

*Lightcast

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

AAB-BBB at A Level or equivalent.
136-120 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.
Merit at T Level.
DDD-DDM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Merit in UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Merit in RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Pass in Diploma Foundation Studies in Art and Design combined with A Level or BTEC National qualifications, to total an equivalent of 136-120 UCAS tariff points.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
136-120 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

Applicants to Architecture courses can come from a very broad range of backgrounds, so other experiences or qualifications will be considered and are encouraged.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see Undergraduate entry requirements.

We offer a range of fair access opportunities and support to help students progress to higher education. You may also be able to earn extra UCAS points. For more details, please see our Contextual Admissions Guidance.

What will you learn?

Course Details

This module presents an historical overview of Western, Islamic and Oriental architecture from antiquity to the present day. It also provides an introduction to theoretical issues that relate to the development and manipulation of architectural space and form and the development architectural traditions and practices. Whilst providing background knowledge it seeks to inculcate the idea that history is not a mere catalogue of styles, and that a study of the complexities of the history of architecture is essential to the contemporary designer.

The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the principles and practices of building technology, digital technologies, communication and representation in the context of architecture and construction. This module consists of four parallel strands: Structures; Buildings Fabric Design; Environmental Design and Digital Communication.

The module introduces basic principles of architectural composition. The module has particular focus on the relationship between people and space(s). It provides you with a vehicle to explore the process of design and to develop an understanding of its nature, components and effects. You will be introduced to design as an integrative process through the realisation of architectural spaces and forms that satisfy specific and predetermined user requirements. You will develop a body of work in response to projects. The module will facilitate the development of presentation skills in all forms from spoken presentation at reviews and tutorials to the various and many modes of visual presentation, conceptualisation, prototyping and production.

The module explores the basic principles of architectural composition and the relationship between people, space and place. It provides you with a vehicle to explore the process of design and to develop an understanding of its nature, components and effects. You will be introduced to design as an integrative process through the realisation of architectural spaces and forms that satisfy specific and predetermined user requirements. You will develop skills to select basic structural, constructional and environmental technologies, in relation to the expression of architectural ideas in relation to simple user requirements.

The module explores the fundamental principles of architectural composition and the relationship between people, space and place in an urban location. The module takes a broad holistic approach that encompasses diverse and interdependent areas of practice and provides a framework on which you can base your design work in future. In particular the module introduces practical exploration of structural, constructional and environmental technologies and the expression of architectural ideas in relation to human requirements.

The focus of the module will be upon the relationship between architecture and society. It will enable you to deepen your understanding of contemporary global architecture and contemporary architectural and urban design theory. It will provide an informed background against which your own ideas can develop and mature. The module explores the development of architecture and urban design from the end of the 19th century to the present day and examines contemporary movements and practices by analysing their principal characteristics, raisons d’être and the work of leading exponents. Themes and issues will be explored with reference to the work and writings of significant theorists and practitioners from a broad philosophical spectrum. You will be introduced to the specific historical / political / ideological development in a variety of contexts, which will provide an understanding of the relationship between the technology, climate, socio-economic, and cultural and religious factors affecting architectural development. The module introduces you to a range of architectural and urban design strategies and methodologies that will develop your critical understanding based on a sound theoretical foundation.

In this module, you will be given an introduction to the legal framework and approaches associated with the conservation of buildings. The module will introduce the causes and nature of building defects likely to occur in a range of contemporary and traditional buildings. Supplemented by a substantial amount of background reading, you will develop the skills needed to understand problematic material-based issues that arise in various types of construction.

In this module you will produce works of increasing sophistication having successfully completed Design Studio 1 and Design Studio 2 (or equivalent). You will explore the relationship between theory and practical design activity. You will be supported in managing your studio time and will be expected to apply technical skills and critical awareness drawn from this and adjacent modules, which will form the context for the module. Working with a studio theme set by your tutors, you’ll develop a personal body of work that integrates ideas, experimentation, and creative exploration. This theme will guide your process and challenge you to push boundaries in your design proposals.

This module requires you to produce works of increasing sophistication having successfully completed all previous Design Studio modules in year 1 and year 2 and will enable you to explore the relationship between theory and practical design activity. You will be supported in managing your studio time and will be expected to apply technical skills and critical awareness drawn from this and adjacent modules, which will form the context for the module. You will extend your understanding of the relationship between contemporary design theories and practice in order to facilitate a critical approach to the self-evaluation of design ideas and to provide an intellectual framework in support of your independent design development. You will further develop your understanding of architecture and human activity with particular emphasis upon the relationship between social and cultural trends, constructional and environmental technologies and the physical context of architectural design. The content of the module will comprise a number of design projects which will enable you to develop your skills at integrating architectural design with material and environmental technologies in an holistic design solution. In essence the module aims to integrate concepts, context of use, technical production and aesthetics. This will be developed and tested through debate and practical activity

This module allows you to explore the cultural context of architecture through the research and preparation of an architectural dissertation. You are asked to consider your own emerging interests and skills in relation to the broader architectural discourse and to select and explore a topic of relevance to your development as an architectural designer and thinker. The specific topic will be identified and defined in negotiation with your module tutor in order to support, where possible, your design studies in adjacent modules. You will be introduced to a range of appropriate methods to research, analyse, interpret and critically evaluate your subject, and you will be asked to present your evaluation in written and visual form in a structured and objective manner.

In this module you will consolidate the prior learning in technical, professional and managerial subjects to attain a level of preparedness for professional practice and career development. In part, this is a response to the requirements of built environment professional institutions where the future practitioners are expected to have a fuller understanding and awareness of business and commercial matters and the enterprise characteristics of their chosen profession.

This module asks you to apply your process and skills developed from design modules in Year 1 and 2, combined with a level of critical thinking and knowledge acquired from the lateral subjects of History & Theory, Technology, and Personal Development. You will develop a body of work in response to a studio theme. This will be defined and structured by Module Tutors to promote the integration of ideas and experimental practice in the production of the design proposals. The emphasis in this module will be on: exploring the notion of ‘event’ and how we make places and architecture which respond to this notion, developing your design thinking as an architectural narrative; forming proposals which are poetic expressions of ideas. Projects will not promote complex programmatic and organisational problems, but will rather allow in depth exploration of powerful philosophical and theoretical approaches. You will be supported in managing your studio time and will be expected to apply technical skills and critical awareness drawn from this and adjacent modules, which will form the context for the module. You will extend your understanding of the relationship between contemporary design theories and practice in order to facilitate a critical approach to the self-evaluation of design ideas and to provide an intellectual framework in support of your independent design development.

It is concerned with the study of a real place in a largely familiar or unfamiliar context, the identification and analysis of specific locations for a new building, preparation of a design brief and the development of architectural design proposals that express an architectural narrative, satisfy specific and predetermined user requirements and resolve spatial organisation. As part of an organised group you will undertake a study of a specific location established by the module tutor. The region studied will be based in the UK and/or abroad, and reference and comparison will be made in relation to other regions both within the UK and further afield. You are to develop an intimate understanding of the place through an in depth investigation, which extends beyond the familiar and obvious information to reveal the context in a new light. You will explore the distinctive regional characteristics and you will be asked to think very carefully about all aspects of the place in order to examine the underlying principles that lead to specific developments in architecture and urban design. You will examine precedents of building types and technologies. You will be asked to explore relationships between environmental, cultural, social, economic, political and religious factors in relation to urban and architectural development in a broadly familiar cultural context. You will identify and analyse specific locations for a new building and prepare a design brief. You will prepare an in-depth site analysis in preparation for design development. The module will culminate in a Major Design Project which will draw upon previous experience to produce a holistic architectural design, which not only satisfies functional needs, but is also responsive and appropriate to the context of the chosen location.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

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Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you’ll study the award-winning Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* — so you’re ready for the career you want, whatever subject you choose.

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Interested in a placement?

Placements

If you intend to follow the route to become a qualified architect then, upon successful completion of the degree, through which you’ll attain the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Part 1 professional qualification, you’ll need to undertake a year working in professional practice before continuing to RIBA Part 2.

We have excellent links with architectural practices around the world and our students have found employment in a wide range of practices, from the smallest architectural firms to the largest, working on a huge variety of projects at home and overseas.

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

If you intend to follow the route to become a qualified architect then, upon successful completion** of the BA(Hons) degree, through which you'll attain the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Part 1 professional qualification, you would be eligible for admission to our Architecture/Architecture (International) (RIBA Part 2) MArch course. The first year of this course is a year out which would be spent working in a professional practice, before continuing to full time study at the University in the subsequent 2 years.
Alternatively, you may choose to specialise in other areas after the course, such as sustainability, 3D computer applications, management, or a range of other disciplines including journalism.

**Successful completion is classed as passing Architecture BA(Hons) with First-Class Honours (1st), Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1), Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) or Third-Class Honours (3rd).

89% Percent of graduates from this subject area were in work or further study 15 months after graduation

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 22/23, UK Domiciled

The University gave me a fantastic grounding in drawing and design. Since gradutaing I have opened my own successful practice.

- Robert Evans
Architecture BA(Hons) graduate

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£9,790 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

£17,600 per year

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/

Materials:
You will need to supply your own materials during the course. These include sketchbooks, drawing equipment, materials for producing models and printing. The approximate cost of these items in recent years has been £500 in year one, £375 in year two and £575 in the final year. These costs may vary based on the materials you choose and the approximate costs are given as a guide only.

Scholarships and Bursaries

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Tuition Fee Loans

Find out more about tuition fee loans available to eligible undergraduate students.

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What’s included in your fee?

We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

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If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

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What does the University offer?

Gallery

See below for a glimpse at some of our facilities

Barbara Hepworth outdoor image side of building

Barbara Hepworth Building

The Phidias Lab in the Barbara Hepworth Building

Create Lab

Architectural technology workshop

Workshop

Digital Print Centre

Digital Print Centre

A gallery of work by our Architecture (RIBA Part 1) BA(Hons) students and graduates.

Design of Cabinet du Climat

Khaleque Mahatab - Cabinet du Climat

This museum does not just showcase a collection of objects, but it highlights global efforts to conserve cultural heritage in the face of the climate crisis and displacement. It also inspires curiosity through an archival entity that contextualises and reflects the significance of both tangible and intangible aspects of cultural identity.

Architectural design by a student

Olivia Keighley- Resurgence Remedy

The importation of medical facilities is high and demanding, but the question is, are pills really the healthy solution for both the world and your health? My project aims to explore an urban farm growing herbs from natural resources that involves educating both young and old generations while creating a social and climatic environment.

Architectural design by a student

Mohamedessa Noon- Climate Chains

Engaging exhibitions and an integrated cycling centre, the museum connects education with action, transforming climate awareness into tangible, local change. Architecture here becomes a teaching tool, a call to action, and a space where people envision and enact a more just, healthy, and climate-resilient future.

Architectural design by a student showing a museum

Timmans Toby- Shattered Futures

This museum aims to depict the struggles and emotional journey of a climate-displaced person. It seeks to shatter the illusion of safety and distance, exposing us to the realities faced by those living in this nightmarish scenario, and hopefully inspiring visitors to empathise with climate-displaced people and recognise that it could happen here.

Student drawing of The Immersive Ocean Exhibit Centre in York

Davies George - Montipora Valley

The Immersive Ocean Exhibit Centre in York is inspired by Montipora coral, shaping shard-like forms that create varied spaces—from a spacious lobby to intimate immersive exhibits. The design guides visitors on a flowing journey through the building.

Student architectural drawing of rooftop urban farming

Davies George

The project introduces an urban farming building in Manchester to educate people about the rapidly expanding aquaponics industry. The building's shape is staggered and divided into three main sections, with the biome at the centre and the hotel and aquaponics system on each side. The materials link the building to the city’s industrial heritage.

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Student story - Olivia

Hear from students and staff about what it is like to study Architecture and the Built Environment at Huddersfield.

Our facilities

Discover our industry standard facilities in the School of Arts and Humanities.

School Brochure

Discover more about The School of Arts and Humanities in our brochure

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Stay connected with the course

Keep up to date with Architecture work, news and events.

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Connect with the School of Arts and Humanities

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Undergradute Open Days

Visit our Undergraduate Open Day to explore our courses, tour the campus, and meet academics and students who can answer your questions.

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Why Hud

Explore the unique opportunities and resources that make our institution a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and future-focused education.

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Explore Huddersfield

Make Huddersfield your home. A Yorkshire town, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with easy access to neighbouring cities; Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. You’ll find plenty of places to eat, drink, shop and socialise, there’s ambitious plans for future development. Our campus is situated next to the town centre - making your commute a breeze.

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Your Student Experience

Get involved in great opportunities helping you to make friends from all across the world and create lifelong memories. Join one of over 100 societies with the Students’ Union, experience new cultures through global events, earn whilst you learn and build your skills via our Global Professional Award.

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Budget Friendly

Huddersfield is not only one of the friendliest towns, it also offers you a lower cost of living than most big cities. This means you could have more money to spend, making your uni experience even better. On campus you’ll also find plenty of facilities and services to help you budget and make your money go further.

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Sustainability Matters

We’re committed to sustainability and aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. Our plan includes reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and improving wellbeing through sustainable buildings. We’re investing in digital solutions, low-impact travel, and embedding sustainability into teaching and research, investing over £1m in carbon reduction.

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Committed to Your Future

Since 2015, we’ve invested £198 million to create spaces where you can learn, collaborate and thrive. We’re continuously investing in our campus with your wellbeing in mind—adding features that make our buildings healthier, more supportive and better places for you to succeed.

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Careers support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

Find out more about careers support

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you’ll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you’ll soon discover that you’re never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.

See our support services

Teaching Excellence

Great teaching is engaging and inspiring — it helps you reach your full potential and prepares you for the future. We don’t just teach well — we excel — and we have the awards and recognition to prove it.

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Inspiring Academics

Our researchers carry out world-leading work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Staff within the Department of Design and Architecture may teach you on this course.

Find out more about our staff

Research Excellence

You’ll be taught by staff who want to support your learning and share the latest knowledge and research.

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Accommodation

Looking for student accommodation? Huddersfield has you covered. HudLets has a variety of accommodation types to choose from, no matter what your preference. HudLets is the University’s approved accommodation service, run by Huddersfield Students’ Union.

Take a look at your options

Further Study

If you want to continue your learning beyond your undergraduate degree, there is a range of financial support available for postgraduate study, including discounts for Huddersfield graduates.

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Legal information

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons:

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and if you are unhappy with the change we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff being unable to teach due to illness, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will consult with affected groups of students and any changes would only be made in accordance with our regulations. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you let us know before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for any additional tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so and you may be eligible for an exit award depending on how far through your course you are.

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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