Prepare for a vital role in shaping the world – combining creativity with environmental and technical knowledge – on a progressive architecture course accredited by RIBA.
Position yourself at the forefront of environmental building design and creative thinking
Hone your design, drawing and modelling skills in in state-of-the-art design studios
Work on real-world projects across diverse landscapes and architectural challenges
Take on placement opportunities to gain real-world experience with UK-leading architectural practices
Join a forward-thinking community of architects who are socially aware, environmentally focused and digitally prepared

With an emphasis on applied learning, this BArch Architecture course will help you develop your potential and achieve your goals, so you can shape the future of architecture.

Your course has been designed to embrace real-world challenges and provide you with the practical skills and knowledge you need to succeed. 

Work placements

You’ll have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV. 

You’ll apply a wide range of practical abilities and knowledge to real-world situations, developing independent and creative decision-making skills. 

Live projects 

You’ll apply your knowledge, skills and research in studio design projects, with increasing challenges from year to year. 

You’ll creatively engage with diverse scenarios, contexts, clients and live project briefs. Communication and collaboration are fundamental to both studio learning and architectural practice. You’ll cultivate ethical approaches to architectural practice through research, history and theory modules – exploring social and political issues across a range of design projects. 

You’ll gain a strong repertoire of skills using industry-standard digital software – from CAD to digital modelling, environmental simulation and graphic presentation. 

Field trips

Connect theory to experiential learning with opportunities for European and UK trips, site and building visits, and studying abroad. 

Previous destinations have included renowned architectural cities such as Rotterdam, Rome, Venice, Barcelona and Berlin. UK visits have included London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester and Bristol. 

Networking opportunities

You’ll gain professional engagement and real-world learning from guest speakers, practising tutors, and a short work placement in your final year.

We’ll encourage you to take on extra-curricular activities to raise your profile and gain confidence, including design competitions, exhibitions and networking events. 

There’s also a chance to attend and exhibit at Future Now. This is Sheffield’s festival of creativity – where we ask emerging creatives to show us the future through exhibitions, events, performances and screenings.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Our academics bring a wealth of professional experience, cutting-edge knowledge and research into our studios. We also have a great team of visiting lecturers from some of the UK’s prestigious architectural practices. 

In our workshop spaces you’ll have support from specialist technicians. Here you’ll have access to a range of design software, modelling equipment and digital fabrication machines.

You learn through:

• Small group seminars 
• Studio design tutorials 
• Lectures 
• Workshop practicals
• Coursework
• Design portfolio assessments
• Physical model assessments
• Illustrated reports
• Essays
• Placement opportunities
• Verbal presentations

Assessment briefs throughout the course are designed to support and encourage individual and diverse exploration, set against common learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

Key themes

This course provides a collaborative, practical and applied learning experience at all levels, bridging the gap between your studies and real-world situations. Sustainable design practices are embedded across all years of study, exposing you to current global issues and fostering innovative and experimental approaches to building design. 

To support your transition into higher education, our Introduction to Architecture module is seen as an extended induction to the course. Immerse yourself in the captivating context of architecture's culture, history, and theories – to inspire your own design projects.

You’ll develop practical and technical skills – including proficiency in a range of modelling software, from Computer Aided Design (CAD) to Building Information Modelling (BIM). These tools enable you to explore designs and create data-rich environments, enhancing your capabilities as an architect.

You’ll engage in team-based projects within the design studio environment, with an opportunity to work across disciplines in an innovative collaborative project module. You’ll also work with real clients on design projects, allowing you to hone your practical skills and make tangible contributions to the world. 

Course support

At every level of study, students are given the opportunity to thrive, culturally, personally and professionally. Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience a range of dedicated support, such as:

• Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
• Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
• Free access to office and studio space, expert workshops, freelance opportunities and a vast business network ready for you to tap into

This course prepares you for a career as

• an architect
• in your own company as a chartered architect
• in architecture practices in the private and public sector in the UK, Europe and internationally
• construction companies
• digital design and management
• environmental consultants
• construction project management or design management
• property development
• teaching in colleges or universities
• third sector and charitable organisations

 

UCAS points

• 128

This must include at least 64 points from 2 A Levels or equivalent BTEC qualifications. We accept General Studies. For example:

• ABB at A Level.
• DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
• A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and General Studies.

We make you a lower offer after reviewing your portfolio at a selection event.

GCSE

• English Language or English Literature at grade C or 4
• Maths at grade C or 4

• Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design) - distinction

• Access - at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2 from a relevant QAA accredited course

All applications are welcome. We follow a flexible and inclusive process when making offers.

At the initial stage of making your application you will receive one of the following decisions.

• Conditional offer you must meet specific conditions, which may be academic and/or non-academic conditions before you can be accepted on the course. If the conditions are met, the offer becomes unconditional.
• Unconditional offer this is made when you have met the specific conditions we've asked for.
• Unsuccessful we are not able to offer you a place on the course. We do not feel that you have demonstrated the necessary skills or experience to be successful at this time; however this does not prevent you from applying in future, should you undertake further study or develop your skills and experience. For individual feedback on the decision you can contact feedbackrequests@shu.ac.uk.

All applicants who are made a conditional or unconditional offer at the application stage will be invited to a course discussion with a member of our architecture staff. You will have the option of an online discussion or on campus discussion. There are a range of dates to choose from.

You will be sent a selection of up to date course information with the invite to attend a course discussion. If you received a conditional offer, you should prepare a portfolio of work for the discussion. Your portfolio should demonstrate your creative potential. It should demonstrate your imagination, originality and enthusiasm and show you to be someone with a good range of skills in graphic communication and may contain sketching, drawing, painting, photography, 3d work.

Attendance at the course discussion is fully optional, but it does provide you with the chance to receive a reduced UCAS point offer

The discussion is an opportunity for you to find out more about the course and for us to get to know you as an individual.

We also consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience will also be considered

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.

Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.

We welcome applications from people of any age. Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 at the point of enrolment.

All of our decisions will be communicated via UCAS Track, so please check your account regularly.

Portfolios for international applicants

International applicants will be invited to submit a digital portfolio after we receive your application. Your portfolio should aim to cover the main requirements stated here. It must contain no more than 10 pages and must not exceed 3MB in overall size. You must rely on your creativity and graphic judgement. You can present more than one piece on each portfolio page.

Some international applicants will also be invited for an online interview.

Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.

Important notice:

The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

Year 1 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Environmental Architecture Design Project 1: People, Space And Place	40	Coursework
Environmental Architecture Design Project 2: Dwelling And Climate	40	Coursework
Histories And Theories Of Architecture 1	20	Coursework
Introduction To Architecture	20	Coursework

 

 

Year 2 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Collaborative Project	20	Coursework
Environmental Architecture Design Project 3: Community And Place	40	Coursework
Environmental Architecture Design Project 4: City	40	Coursework
Histories And Theories Of Architecture 2	20	Coursework

 

Final Year Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Environmental Architecture Design Project 5: Landscape	40	Coursework
Environmental Architecture Design Project 6: Civic	40	Coursework
Histories And Theories Of Architecture 3	20	Coursework
Professional Practice With Short Placement	20	Coursework