BA (Hons) Architecture (Part 1 RIBA/ARB)

Students on the BA (Hons) Architecture (Part 1 RIBA/ARB) degree at Arts University Bournemouth develop their abilities through a studio-led, practice-focused learning environment. From the start, they work on design projects that explore materials, structure, spatial experience, environmental response, and architectural representation. The course encourages students to make, test, and iterate ideas through drawing, physical models, digital tools, and creative experimentation. Regular critiques, seminars, and discussions build confidence as students learn to communicate and refine their design thinking.

AUB’s creative campus gives architecture students the opportunity to collaborate with peers across disciplines such as Modelmaking, Interior Architecture, Fine Art, and Textiles. This cross-disciplinary approach mirrors real architectural workflows and helps students understand how different design roles contribute to the built environment. Engagement with visiting architects, external critics, and local practices also exposes students to real-world perspectives throughout the degree.

Key Experiential Components & Facilities

• Studio Culture & Collaboration

  • Students work in dedicated architecture studios where design tutorials, group critiques, and project reviews take place throughout the year.

  • Collaborative work with other AUB departments encourages a broader understanding of design practice and materials.

• Workshops & Making Spaces

  • The university provides extensive workshop facilities, including wood, metal, and modelmaking spaces used for material testing, fabrication, and architectural model construction.

  • A purpose-built Drawing Studio, designed by Sir Peter Cook, gives students an inspiring environment for hand drawing, spatial sketching, and concept exploration.

  • Students regularly build sketch models, detailed study models, and final presentation models to explore scale and spatial ideas.

• Digital Tools & Representation

  • Students use digital design tools for 2D and 3D drawing, visualisation, and architectural communication.

  • Digital production facilities at AUB support workflows such as CAD-based drawing, digital modelling, 3D printing, laser cutting, and high-quality image production.

• Project-Based Learning

  • Year 1 focuses on foundational design skills, exploring form, structure, materials, and principles of architectural representation.

  • Year 2 and 3 projects become more complex, engaging with site context, urban conditions, sustainability, environmental strategy, and technical feasibility.

  • Students work on a range of briefs, from conceptual explorations to context-driven architectural proposals.

• Professional & Industry Engagement

  • External critics and practicing architects regularly participate in studio reviews, giving students direct insight into professional expectations.

  • The course maintains connections with local architectural practices, providing opportunities for networking and industry engagement.

• Risk-Taking & Reflective Practice

  • The course encourages students to take creative risks and explore unconventional ideas in both physical and digital formats.

  • Reflective practice is built into tutorials and critiques to help students develop self-awareness and strengthen their architectural identity.

• Accreditation & Professional Pathway

  • The program forms the Part 1 stage of the professional architectural route, being prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

  • Graduates are prepared to progress to a Part 2 Architecture master’s or move into architectural practice as Part 1 assistants.

• Campus Resources & Learning Environment

  • Architecture students benefit from specialist studios, the workshop building, digital lab spaces, and collaborative creative environments across campus.

  • The AUB Library provides a strong collection of architecture books, journals, technical standards, and design resources.

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Architecture (Part 1 RIBA/ARB) at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) develop a strong grounding in architectural design, technology, theory, and professional practice. Many progress into roles such as architectural assistant, junior designer, planning officer, or technical consultant, with typical early-career earnings of around £23,500 within 15 months of graduation.

Here is how AUB supports students’ long-term success:

• University services for employment: AUB’s Careers and Employability team provides support with portfolio development, interview preparation, industry networking, and assistance in securing placements or entry-level roles within architectural practices.

• Employment & salary stats: Approximately 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after completing the course. Graduate earnings at this stage average around £23,500, with many entering skilled architectural and design-related roles.

• University–industry partnerships: The Architecture course benefits from connections with regional practices, RIBA Dorset, visiting architects, and partners from across the construction and creative industries. Students also collaborate across AUB’s wider creative disciplines, working with departments such as Interior Architecture, Textiles, and Fine Art, as well as with external clients and manufacturers.

• Long-term accreditation value: The degree is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as an official Part 1 qualification, a mandatory step toward becoming a registered architect in the UK.

• Graduation outcomes: Alumni progress into architecture practices, planning teams, design consultancies, and specialist creative studios, often continuing interdisciplinary work thanks to the course’s collaborative, studio-based learning environment.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this Part 1 degree, students typically advance to a Master of Architecture (MArch) to achieve the formal ARB/RIBA Part 2 qualification required on the professional route to registration. AUB offers its own MArch program, and graduates also progress to specialist master’s degrees in areas such as sustainable architecture, urban design, digital fabrication, architectural technology, or environmental design.