Bachelor of Architecture (Honours) Architecture

When you study the Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) at SETU Waterford, learning goes far beyond lectures. From day one, you’ll be working in a studio-based, “learning through doing” environment, where design projects grow in complexity each year, helping you build practical skills in spatial thinking, model-making, and architectural communication. The programme also includes a work placement module, giving you real insight into professional practice and an opportunity to apply your design and technical skills in an industry setting. You’ll benefit from the Granary Campus in Waterford city centre, housed alongside architectural technology and BIM students, with access to dedicated architectural studios and wider university facilities such as the library, workshops, and computing resources.

Here’s how those practical experiences and tools come together for you:

• Studio-based design projects that mirror professional briefs and challenge you to refine your architectural thinking and creative problem-solving each semester.

• Work placement opportunity (elective) in later years, giving hands-on experience in architectural practice and understanding of workplace expectations.

• Annual international trips to European cities to broaden your awareness of architectural history, urban environments, and global design trends.

• Access to Granary Campus facilities focused on built environment disciplines, including studio spaces, model-making areas, computing facilities, and material labs.

• Careers and industry events, such as the Built Environment and Architecture Careers Fair, where you can network with employers offering summer work, internships, and graduate opportunities.

• Collaborative projects and workshops that link you with students from architectural technology and BIM programmes, reflecting real-world interdisciplinary teamwork.

Graduates of this five‑year architecture degree leave SETU ready to take on creative and technical roles such as Architect, Urban Designer, Conservation Specialist, or Architectural Researcher, with opportunities available both in Ireland and internationally. The degree also opens doors to related areas like sustainable design, landscape design, and built environment consultancy. This means you can step confidently into your career with recognised professional pathways and strong support from university services and industry connections:

• Careers support services: SETU’s Careers Development Centre helps students throughout their studies with CV writing, interview preparation, networking opportunities with employers in architectural practices and built environment firms, and guidance on graduate recruitment.

• Employment outcomes: As a graduate of a Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) accredited programme, you are eligible to begin the required professional training that leads to registration as an Architect, a protected title in Ireland that enhances both employability and professional credibility.

• Industry partnerships and events: Architecture careers fairs, workshops, and employer talks provide direct contact with architectural practices and studios looking for emerging talent, helping students transition smoothly from study to work.

• Long-term accreditation value: The RIAI accreditation means your degree is recognised across Europe, giving your qualification long-term value and the opportunity to practice internationally.

• Graduate success and progression: While salaries vary by experience and role, newly qualified architects in Ireland can generally expect starting salaries in the mid‑thirty to mid‑forty thousand euro range, with potential for growth as experience and professional registration increase.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this honours degree, many students continue with postgraduate studies such as a Master’s in Architecture or Architectural Research, which allows them to specialise in areas like sustainable design, urbanism, or heritage conservation. Others pursue research degrees like PhDs or professional diplomas to prepare for higher-level roles in practice, teaching, or consultancy. Some graduates also expand into related fields such as project management, urban planning, or environmental design, broadening their long-term career opportunities.