Skip to main content

Architecture BSc (Hons)

4 years including placements, starting in September 2025

Chat with our students

This course is closed to applications from Home students for September 2025 entry. We are still accepting applications from Overseas students.

Immerse yourself in the art and science of Architecture through studio-based learning and placement experience. Take your first steps to becoming a qualified Architect.

Our RIBA part 1 approved degree is a great place to start your training to become an Architect. Our course gives you the practical and creative skills you need to explore, analyse and communicate architectural proposals. You’ll combine project work in design studios and studies in history, theory and the science of architecture with practical experience gained in practice. Through integrating all aspects of architecture, you’ll learn how to successfully control, compose and construct internal spaces and external forms.

At Bath, we focus your studies around studio work from the start. This is where you’ll work collaboratively to produce integrated design solutions. And, more importantly, where you’ll develop the practical skills to realise your creative potential.

Individual and group projects challenge you to integrate the principles of structural, environmental, and sustainable design into your work. You’ll use your expanding knowledge of materials and the assembly of building elements to inform how you approach design. A unique part of our course is the opportunity to work with civil engineering students on some projects during your degree. This cross-discipline teamwork gives you an insight into the design problems and professional relationships you could experience in your career. And it improves your understanding of the technical aspects of designing structures.

We also offer you a distinct study experience to most other universities in the UK through our integrated placements. You’ll go on two placements (lasting between three and six months) as part of your four-year degree, fulfilling the practical experience element needed for a RIBA part 1 qualification.

Learn from experts in the field

You’ll learn from academics with expertise in architecture and the built environment, including innovative materials and sustainable design. Their international collaborations and research activities feed into undergraduate teaching and contribute to your learning experience. You'll have a dedicated tutor for each design project along with specialist tutors, many of whom are practising Architects.

Use specialist facilities

Our 4 East South building houses purpose-built research and teaching space for our architecture students. You'll have access to design studios and be designated a space available for you through the course to support your architectural work in drawing and modelling. Our students have secure storage, access to printing, plotting, integrated review spaces with digital presentation facilities and access to kitchens. You'll also have access to undergraduate workshops for model making through traditional means, as well as a wide range of CAD/CAM machines with staff available to help and advise on your projects.

Play a video of our design studios and facilities or explore them in our virtual reality model. These are the spaces where you will develop and realise your ideas.

Start your future here

Our course is validated by the RIBA, giving you the educational basis and professional experience you need to complete the first step toward becoming a qualified Architect. Like many of our students, you can continue this journey with us on our Master of Architecture and RIBA part 3 courses.

A degree at Bath can open up a variety of career opportunities to you. The high standard of creative and analytical skills, and training you graduate with will equip you to work in a range of industries. You could also choose to pursue a career in other design-related roles such as film-making or museum curation.

Find out what our graduates go on to do.

2025/2026 Academic Year

Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 4 years. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2029. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Units

At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.

As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) in each academic year. Credits are usually split evenly across your two semesters of study. 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) are the equivalent of 1,200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.

All credits displayed on this page are ECTS credits.

Year 1

Compulsory units

  • Design studio 1.1

    10 credits

  • Design studio 1.2

    20 credits

  • Digital representation

    10 credits

  • History, theory and practice 1

    10 credits

  • Principles of structural and environmental engineering

    10 credits

Year 2

Compulsory units

  • Design studio 2

    20 credits

  • History, theory and practice 2

    10 credits

  • Year 2 practice

    30 credits

Year 3

Compulsory units

  • Design studio 3

    20 credits

  • History, theory and practice 3

    10 credits

  • Year 3 practice

    30 credits

Year 4

Compulsory units

  • Design studio 4.1

    20 credits

  • Design studio 4.2

    30 credits

  • History, theory and practice 4

    10 credits

Placement

We blend architectural studies with professional experience to help you get the best out of your degree. Our course integrates two placements (lasting between three and six months) into the second semesters of year 2 and year 3, making it easier for you to develop and transfer your skills between study and placement. You'll be able to apply your university learning in a practical context and use your placement experience to improve the architectural skills you’ll use later in your course.

Our students benefit from work experience gained in many of the leading architectural practices in the UK and other countries. You could go on placement in practices like FCB Studios, Foster and Partners, Grimshaw Architects or Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners.

Placement opportunities can't be guaranteed but you will receive tailored support from our specialist team to help you secure a placement.

Find out more about architecture practice placements and the support we offer

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.

Learning

  • Design projects
  • Lectures
  • Practical sessions
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Essay
  • Group design projects
  • Online quizzes
  • Posters
  • Project reports

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

Contact hours

Our teaching for this course is delivered through in-person learning on campus, supported by high quality online provision.

In your first year, you'll typically have around 5 to 11 hours of timetabled sessions a week, made up of lectures, seminars, and laboratory classes. Most contact hours throughout your course will be in person, enhanced by some online delivery which will make up a small amount of contact hours, depending on your programme of study, year of study and chosen optional units. This may be supplemented by activities such as a few online learning sessions (not live), skills development sessions, and personal tutorials.

In later years, there is a greater emphasis on independent learning and the amount of timetabled hours will vary depending on the type of unit. Project and dissertation units will generally have fewer scheduled sessions to allow you time for your independent work. This may also mean the number of hours of timetabled sessions each week will vary within a year.

Overall workload and independent learning

Outside your timetabled contact hours, you're expected to carry out independent learning and assessment activities to support your studies. Typically, you should expect to spend a total of 35 to 40 hours on scheduled sessions and independent study each week.

Examples of independent activities may include:

  • individual research
  • reading journal articles and books
  • working on individual and group projects
  • working through problem sheets
  • preparing coursework assignments or presentations
  • revising for exams

Assessment breakdown

As a guide, 90% of the course will be assessed by coursework and 10% by exam. In your first, third and fourth years, you’ll complete a group design project. You’ll be assessed individually but you may also be assessed as part of a group.

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities, take a look at our Disability Service’s pages for information.  

Professional accreditations

By studying a course with a professional accreditation, you could have the chance to get workplace experience, learn about new developments in the industry and take the first steps to becoming a Chartered member of the RIBA. You may also be able to apply for jobs in the industry without having to do any more exams.

Due to national level changes, ARB prescription of Part 1 (BSc Architecture) will end on 31 December 2027 and it will no longer be required for registration as an Architect in the UK. Validation by the RIBA will remain, so that the BSc Architecture will continue to provide access to qualification as an RIBA Chartered Architect.

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) logo

This course is fully validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for the purposes of RIBA membership

Recognition of professional qualifications

As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

‘It's quite challenging and I love challenges. But you've got really good professors who are going to help you when you have problems.’
— Jane Zheng BSc Architecture (Graduating year, 2025)

Entry requirements

We consider a range of factors when assessing your application for this course, including your previous academic performance (such as GCSEs, where applicable), your personal statement, your predicted grades and the combination of subjects you study at A level (or equivalent).

Your personal statement should discuss your motivation for choosing architecture, supporting it with relevant examples of extracurricular activities, like work experience in a design practice, or reflection about a particular exhibition you have attended or a book you have read. You could also provide the key points of learning if you have studied a project qualification such as an EPQ, particularly if its topic is pertinent to architecture.

Your entry qualifications should ideally include Mathematics or Physics, together with an Art or Design subject. These subject streams provide good grounding in analytical skills and creative thinking. Architecture is a competitive course and in the past, we have generally not been able to make offers to applicants unless they have studied Maths or Physics at A level (or equivalent).

If for any reason you have been unable to study Art or Design, we look for evidence that you have substantial exposure to art and design thinking and its applications, through structured extra-curricular art or design activities.

We know that the context in which you are studying can have an impact on your ability to perform your best in exams and coursework, or limit which subjects or qualifications you are able to study at your school or college. We consider any application based on its merits, including your background and circumstances, including through:

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

A level Typical offer

A*AA

A*AA in three A level subjects.

We have a significant preference for A level Mathematics or Physics, and we have generally not been able to make offers to applicants unless they had strong study in Maths or Physics.

We also prefer an Art or Design A level – if you do not study one of these subjects your application will need to show evidence of substantial exposure to art and design.

Read more about our approach to A levels and AS levels.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level (unless studied alongside A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics alone). Read more about our approach to this qualification.

A level Contextual offer

AAB

AAB in three A levels.

We have a significant preference for A level Mathematics or Physics, and we have generally not been able to make offers to applicants unless they had strong study in Maths or Physics.

We also prefer an Art or Design A level – if you do not study one of these subjects your application will need to show evidence of substantial exposure to art and design.

Our contextual offers were updated in October 2024 for September 2025 entry.

We seek to foster an outstanding and inclusive community at Bath. As part of that, we make reduced contextual offers to applicants from backgrounds who have historically been less likely to join us.

Find out if you may be eligible for a contextual offer.

Contextual offers are automatic - if you receive an offer and meet our eligibility criteria, you will receive the contextual offer instead of our typical or alternative offers.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level (unless studied alongside A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics alone). Read more about our approach to this qualification.

A level Alternative offer

AAA or A*AB

We know that you may have study beyond three A levels that will help prepare you for your degree. If you are not eligible for a contextual offer, we recognise these studies through our alternative offers.

AAA or A*AB in three A levels plus one of the following:

  • grade A in an EPQ or IEPQ
  • grade B in a Core Mathematics qualification
  • grade B in AS level Mathematics or Statistics (except if you are studying an A level in that subject)
  • grade B in a fourth A level, where your four A levels include A level Mathematics or Statistics
  • an appropriate grade in any other project qualification we recognise

The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is not accepted in place of an A level for these offers. If you are studying three A levels and this qualification you are eligible for an alternative offer:

AAAB or A*ABB in three A levels and B in the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

If you receive an offer, you will receive each alternative offer you qualify for alongside the typical offer. You only need to meet one of these sets of conditions to meet your offer overall.

We have a significant preference for A level Mathematics or Physics, and we have generally not been able to make offers to applicants unless they had strong study in Maths or Physics.

We also prefer an Art or Design A level – if you do not study one of these subjects your application will need to show evidence of substantial exposure to art and design.

Read more about how our alternative offers work.

International Baccalaureate Typical offer

7, 6, 6 at HL

International Baccalaureate Diploma

36 points overall and 7, 6, 6 in three Higher Level subjects.

We have a significant preference for Higher Level Mathematics or Physics, and we have generally not been able to make offers to applicants unless they had strong study in Maths or Physics.

We also prefer your subjects to include Visual Art or Design Technology – if you do not study one of these subjects your application will need to show evidence of substantial exposure to art and design.

Read more about how we consider the IB Diploma.

Standard Level in essential subjects

If you are taking one of our preferred subjects at Standard Level instead of Higher Level, your offer may instead include 7 in that subject. In this case the typical offer is 36 points with 6, 6, 6 in three Higher Level subjects and 7 in the Standard Level subject.

We consider applicants studying the IBCP on a case-by-case basis based on the individual IB certificates and vocational qualifications you study within the programme. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider IB Certificates and common vocational qualifications.

For this course you will typically need to study IB courses in Visual Art and either Mathematics or Physics, with at least one at Higher Level, alongside appropriate vocational study.

International Baccalaureate Certificates

If you are studying IB subjects as part of the IB Diploma, you will usually need to complete the full diploma programme to be considered.

If you do not follow the IB Diploma programme, we can consider stand-alone IB Higher Level Certificates either on their own or combined with other qualifications. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider IB Certificates.

For this course you will typically need to study IB courses in Visual Art and either Mathematics or Physics at Higher Level.

International Baccalaureate Contextual offer

6, 6, 5 at HL

International Baccalaureate Diploma

36 points overall and 6, 6, 5 in three Higher Level subjects.

We have a significant preference for Higher Level Mathematics or Physics, and we have generally not been able to make offers to applicants unless they had strong study in Maths or Physics.

We also prefer your subjects to include Visual Art or Design Technology – if you do not study one of these subjects your application will need to show evidence of substantial exposure to art and design.

Our contextual offers were updated in October 2024 for September 2025 entry.

We seek to foster an outstanding and inclusive community at Bath. As part of that, we make reduced contextual offers to applicants from backgrounds who have historically been less likely to join us.

Find out if you may be eligible for a contextual offer.

Contextual offers are automatic - if you receive an offer and meet our eligibility criteria, you will receive the contextual offer instead of our typical or alternative offers.

Standard Level in essential subjects

If you are taking one of our preferred subjects at Standard Level instead of Higher Level, your offer may instead include 7 in that subject. In this case the typical offer is 36 points with 6, 5, 5 in three Higher Level subjects and 7 in the Standard Level subject.

Pearson Edexcel BTEC RQF Typical offer

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (RQF)

We are unable to consider the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF) for entry to our Architecture course.

Unfortunately, the qualification does not offer the breadth and depth of study that is required to be suitably prepared for our course.

BTEC Diplomas and Extended Certificates

We accept Level 3 Diplomas and Extended Certificates alongside A levels or in combination with each other. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider BTEC Diplomas and Extended Certificates.

Your qualifications will need to include a breadth of study across Mathematics or Physics plus Art or Design.

T Level Typical offer

Distinction* and A* plus A at A level

Distinction* overall with grade A* in the core component in the Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level plus grade A in A Level Mathematics or Physics

You must be studying A level Mathematics or Physics alongside your T Level qualification.

We are able to consider the above T Level technical qualification in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction and prefer applicants to be studying either the Surveying & Design for Construction & the Built Environment specialism OR the Civil Engineering specialism.

Other factors we will also consider when assessing your application:

  • Industry placement(s) relevant to Architecture
  • Evidence of substantial exposure to art and design thinking and its applications, through structured extra-curricular art or design activities.
  • GCSEs: GCSE grades are an important part of selection for this course and most students made an offer will have five or more GCSEs at grade 8, 9 or A*. We are typically looking for a strong grade in either Mathematics or Physics GCSE, Art or Design GCSE and a humanities GCSE.

Suitable applicants progressing via this route will be invited to interview as part of the admissions process.

Scottish Highers Typical offer

AA in Advanced Highers

AA in two Advanced Highers.

We have a significant preference for an Advanced Higher in Mathematics or Physics, and we have generally not been able to make offers to applicants unless they had strong study in Maths or Physics.

We also prefer Art or Design in your studies – if you do not study one of these subjects your application will need to show evidence of substantial exposure to art and design.

We make offers based on Advanced Highers. You will typically be expected to have completed five Scottish Highers and your grades in these will be considered as part of your application. We prefer applicants who have achieved AAAAA in their Highers.

Read more about how we consider Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Access to HE Diploma Typical offer

39 credits at Distinction

We welcome applications from mature students who have significant work experience in a relevant field and who can demonstrate evidence of recent study in a relevant subject area. Your work experience and recent study will need to demonstrate both numerical and art and design skills.

Applicants offering an Access to HE Diploma (generally in science or engineering, with significant work experience in an art/design field or an additional art/design qualification) would typically be expected to pass the Access to HE Diploma with at least 39 credits achieved at Distinction. We may specify particular units in which Distinctions must be achieved.

Your application would need to include evidence of strong mathematical ability at Level 3: this may be achieved through achieving grade A in Maths or Physics A level or by achieving credits at Distinction in mathematical units of an Access to HE Diploma course.

Suitable applicants progressing via this route will be invited to interview as part the admissions process.

Art Foundation Typical offer

We cannot consider an art foundation course on its own - you will also need appropriate academic study (such as A levels) in other areas, ideally including Mathematics and/or Physics. However, an art foundation course may be an option if you have already achieved level 3 qualifications (such as A levels) that meet or come close to meeting our typical offer but if you weren’t able to take art or design previously.

Alongside your existing qualifications, we may be able to consider a Distinction in an art foundation course, such as:

  • UAL Level 3/4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
  • BTEC Level 3/4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Please contact admissions@bath.ac.uk with the details of your circumstances and qualifications for further information on whether you can be considered and what any typical offer is likely to be.

Combinations of qualifications Typical offer

Combinations of qualifications

We accept a range of other qualifications offered in UK, as well as combinations of typically studied qualifications (such as A levels and BTECs). You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider UK qualifications.

To be considered for this course, your combination of qualifications must normally include A level Mathematics or Physics plus A level Art or Design (or equivalent).

You can contact us at admissions@bath.ac.uk for more advice.

GCSE requirements

  • GCSE English Language or Literature grade 6 or B (or equivalent from English language category A)
  • GCSE Mathematics grade 6 or B

GCSE grades are an important part of selection for this course and most students made an offer will have five or more GCSEs at grade 8, 9 or A*. We are typically looking for a strong grade in either Mathematics or Physics GCSE, Art or Design GCSE and a humanities GCSE.

Your GCSE grades will be carefully considered as part of our contextual admissions process and depending on your circumstances, we may be able to consider you with GCSE grades of mostly 6 or B.

Read more about how we consider GCSEs.

English language requirements

Category A

If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
  • IELTS Indicator: 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
  • TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
  • TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition: 100 overall with 24 in each component
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): we do not accept this qualification
  • Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
  • Duolingo (taken up to 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 140, Conversation 125, Production 110
  • Duolingo (taken after 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 130, Conversation 130, Production 130
  • LanguageCert SELT: C1 Expert Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test

See the full list of accepted English qualifications.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Architecture BSc (Hons) including placements

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

Fee information is not yet available for this course. Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.

Find out more about student fees

Extra costs

The following course-related costs are not included in your fees:

Plotting of drawings, model making and the creation and binding of reports

You should allow for at least £110 per year.

Software

As part of your course, you may need to use software such as AutoCAD, Sketchup and photo editing and publishing software. You’ll need to purchase licences for this software (we estimate this could cost around £624). You will need a laptop with the graphics capability to run these (your laptop is likely to cost upwards of £600 for this).

Study visit to a European city

£250 payable at the start of your third year of study. This is based on current costs but may subject to change.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying an undergraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. This is in addition to your student loan and you do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.

Application information

Selection process

We will usually assess you based on your UCAS application and we do not consider portfolios.

We will usually assess you based on your UCAS application. If you are studying certain qualifications, such as an Access to HE Diploma, you will be invited to attend an interview as part of our selection process.Very exceptionally we may invite you to an interview if you have circumstances we cannot assess from an application alone. Our interview page gives more information on what you should expect from an interview.

Course enquiries

Visit our undergraduate virtual experience

Learn more about living and studying at Bath