What is the Course About?

The course is recognised as meeting the requirements for the Part 1 Examination for membership of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and of the UK statutory body, the Architects' Registration Board.

This course is the first part of the route to becoming a chartered architect, with the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering at Queen’s also recognised by the governing bodies to provide the consequent RIBA Parts 2 and 3. Postgraduate courses are also offered in this subject area.

In a world of specialists, architects are some of the few remaining generalists, considering and co-ordinating a wide range of issues.

Our course philosophy is to ensure our graduates have the knowledge and skills to fulfil their aspirations to be architects and create architecture in an ever-changing local, national and global context. This requires the incremental and comprehensive acquisition of knowledge and skill in the scientific and creative fields of design, history and cultural context of architecture, construction, technology and environment, theory and professional practice/law.

Architecture is concerned with the appreciation of the environment. The subject lays emphasis on user requirements, the use and adaptation of existing buildings, architectural history, sustainability, the social and cultural context of architecture and the relationship to the wider built and natural environments.

Contents:

The course develops knowledge and skills through design projects complemented by lecture courses and visiting particular towns, cities and pieces of architecture. There is a generous contribution from the University towards costs of an extensive study tour of central Europe in Year Three.

The course normally lasts three years and has a three-stage modular structure, with each stage consisting of six modules. Students can have a free choice of one half-module elective at each stage.

Half the course is delivered and assessed through lecture-based modules and the other half through studio-based modules.

Architecture combines a wide range of subjects from the scientific to the creative and the course is responsive to new challenges such as computer-aided design, environmental issues and the changing nature of architectural practice.

The modules on the pathway (core) are as follows:

Stage 1:

Building Technology 1

Design and Communication 1

History and Appreciation of Architecture 1

Principles of Design 1

Professional Skills 1

Plus a Half-module Elective

Stage 2:

Building Technology 2

Computer-aided Design 2

Design and Communication 2

History and Appreciation of Architecture 2

Principles of Design 2

Plus a Half-module Elective

Stage 3:

Building Technology 3

Design and Communication 3

History and Appreciation of Architecture 3

Principles of Design 3

Professional Skills 3

Plus a Half-module Elective

Other Special Features:

This course has recognition from the Architects Registration Board and the Royal Institute of British Architects as being exempt from RIBA Part (1) – the first part of the route to becoming a professional, registered and chartered architect.

After graduation students are expected to undertake a period of placement within a recognised/ approved architectural practice before beginning the RIBA Part 2 course (BArch).

Entry to the BArch course is competitive and a BSc from Queen's confers no particular advantage on an applicant. Guidance is given in Stage 3 as to how and where to apply, to compile CVs and present work. Students take placements within the British Isles and additional assistance is given to students who wish to take a placement further afield – in countries such as Canada, USA and the Netherlands.

Are there any Oppotunities for Careers and Further Study?

Architects can be found involved with a surprisingly wide range of activities. Many continue to work in private architectural practices ranging in size from two or three people to a staff of over 100, providing a general practice service to private and institutional clients, designing individual houses, social housing, commercial developments, civic buildings, concert halls, theatres and galleries, and many commissions are won through architectural competitions.

But many other graduates have diversified. They may work in stage set design, town planning or housing policy, conservation of historic buildings, interiors, furniture design or specialist building physics such as acoustics. They may provide technical assistance to voluntary and community groups tackling difficult social and economic problems. Our graduates work in many different parts of the world, have their work published and receive awards.

Although primarily intended as a first degree for those wishing to undertake postgraduate studies and become professionally qualified architects, the course offers a wide-ranging general education in design, visual appreciation and problem-solving, which is valuable in its own right.