BA (Hons) Architecture

From your very first year, the Architecture programme at LSBU is highly design-studio centered. You’ll spend more than half your assessment time working on studio projects—hands-on design work, model-making, sketching, site visits, and building studies are core. As you advance, there are live design projects, field trips, workshops, and opportunities to work in groups. You’ll also be mentored by practicing architects and external critics (“jurys” or “crits”) who will review your designs.

You won’t just learn theory; you’ll apply it using industry tools. There’s a strong focus on digital fabrication, environmental simulation, and computational design. For instance, you’ll use software and labs for building physics, energy modelling, and virtual/digital environments to test and present your ideas.

Key experiential learning components & facilities:

Here are specific facilities, tools, project types, and support you’ll have at LSBU for this course:

• Architecture Design Studios
  Large dedicated studio spaces (e.g. near the top of the Keyworth Building) with inspiring views of London. These are where you’ll do most of your design work, model-making, drawing (both hand and digital), and also formal reviews.
• Building Information Modelling (BIM) Centre
  Used for collaborative design, planning, simulation, integrating digital workflows. You’ll learn to use BIM in design projects.
• Digital Architecture and Robotic Lab (DARLab)
  This is a high-end facility for digital manufacturing, prototyping, and experimentation. Includes a robotic arm with quick-change plates, 3D printers/scanners, laser cutters, and VR/visualisation tools. You’ll use these to build models, explore fabrication methods, test new material forms, etc.
• Strength of Materials Lab and Wood Workshop
  For understanding materials, their behavior under stresses, learning how materials perform in real life, and being able to build physical prototypes and models. Wood workshop, plus laser cutting and 3D printing are part of the hands-on fabrication toolkit.
• Environmental/Acoustic Facilities
  Anechoic and reverberation chambers, labs for building physics and environmental simulation. These allow you to test sound, thermal behavior, energy usage, lighting etc., in controlled conditions.
• Software Tools & Digital Simulation
  For example, LSBU uses IES Virtual Environment (IESVE) for building physics, energy modelling, CFD (computational fluid dynamics) etc. You’ll use such tools in both class and major projects.
• Crits, Reviews & External Feedback
  Regular design reviews (“crit juries”) where you present your work to staff, practitioners, sometimes guest critics. Helps sharpen your communication and presentation skills.
• Field & Site Visits
  Modules include site/building visits, sometimes abroad, where you see real architecture in context. These visits help ground your theoretical and studio work.
• Library & Research Support
  LSBU’s library services for Architecture include a dedicated Architecture subject guide, reading lists, support for academic research, plus computing facilities with specialist software. Also, you get help from librarians.
• Professional Links & Industry Placements
  The course is fully accredited by RIBA and the Architects Registration Board (ARB). Students do placements/apprenticeships with leading firms and get opportunities through guest lectures, partnerships with local councils, heritage organisations, etc. 

After completing the BA (Hons) Architecture at LSBU, graduates typically find roles such as:

• Junior Architect / Architectural Assistant
• Design Technician or Draughtsperson
• Urban Designer or Planning Consultant
• Roles in related fields like heritage/conservation, digital design, or 3D visualisation

Many go on to become fully qualified architects (after further study and experience), or branch into roles that value strong design thinking, technical drawing, project management or sustainability expertise.

Why This Program is Strong — Key Benefits & Evidence

• University Services to Support Employment
  • LSBU’s Employability Service gives you workshops, CV/interview support, and access to a job board with placements (part-time, full-time, voluntary).
  • Careers Hub and 1-1 advice are available during studies and for two years after graduation.
  • LSBU also runs mentoring schemes in partnership with RIBA to help students get insights from practising architects.
• Employment Stats & Salary Figures
  • LSBU’s Architecture, Building & Planning graduates have a median salary of £37,200 one year after graduating, which is the 2nd highest in the UK for that subject area (LEO data 2023).
  • More detailed figures for this BA (Hons) programme: ~ £27,000 fifteen months after graduation.
  • Starting architects’ salaries often around £30,000+ per year in the UK once part-qualified and working in practice.
• University-Industry Partnerships
  • LSBU has strong local connections: Southwark Council, English Heritage, “We Are Waterloo” among others.
  • Students work or do placements/apprenticeships in recognised firms like RSHP, Grimshaw Architects, Scene Architects.
  • Special collaborations: e.g., a student competition funded by Braeburn Estates / Canary Wharf Group for designing exhibition hoardings around Shell Centre.
• Long-Term Accreditation Value
  • The architecture degree is fully accredited by RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB). This means once you complete BA (Part 1), followed by further required study (RIBA Part 2) and experience + Part 3, you are eligible to register as a professional architect.
  • The programme has been reviewed and confirmed to meet RIBA / ARB graduate criteria (Parts 1 & 2).
• Graduation Outcomes
  • High employability: many graduates work with well-known firms, both in the UK and internationally.
  • Graduates have been accepted into prestigious further study programmes in schools such as The Bartlett (UCL), the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the Architectural Association, Royal College of Art.

Further Academic Progression:

After finishing the BA (Hons) Architecture at LSBU, you could continue along several academic / professional paths:

• Enrol in the MArch (Master of Architecture) / RIBA Part 2 programme to deepen your design, technical and professional skills. LSBU offers its own MArch that’s RIBA validated.
• You can also pursue Architect Apprenticeship routes (Part 2 equivalent) if you prefer combining paid work with study. LSBU provides options for Part-time or apprenticeship-based progression.
• Postgraduate specialisms: urban design, heritage conservation, digital architecture and robotic fabrication, sustainability (environmental design), etc. These can broaden your career options beyond standard architectural practice.