BA Hons Architecture

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Portsmouth

Program Overview

If you're aiming to become a registered architect, this degree gives you the first essential milestone: RIBA-validated Part 1 (giving you RIBA Part 1 exemption). You’ll work in design studios, on real and conceptual briefs, and build skills in theory, technology, materials, sustainability, and professional practice.

Curriculum Structure

Year One
You begin by developing your design language and technical grounding. Core modules like Design Communication and Portfolio help you with hand drawing, model-making, digital representation, and visual presentation; Design Fundamentals gives you space to experiment with spatial ideas, form, context, and problem-solving. Accompanying these, Histories, Theories and Matters of Concern introduces architectural theory and critical thinking, and Technology and Environment: Exploration starts you off on understanding materials, environmental impact, and the basics of structure and construction.

Year Two
In the second year, you deepen both your design capability and technical knowledge. You tackle more ambitious design projects (for urban settings, landscapes, or complex sites) that test how well you integrate theory, environment, context, and structure. Modules include Design: Architectural Investigation, Communication: Creative Practice, History & Theory of Modern Architecture, and more sophisticated Technology & Environment modules. You also have the option of a placement year to gain real-world experience.

Year Three (Final Year)
Your final year is where you pull everything together: from designing major architectural projects in response to real or near-real briefs, managing the technical, aesthetic, environmental, structural and social aspects, to producing a dissertation or research piece. Modules like Major Design Project, History and Theory: Dissertation, and Professional Practice are central. You’ll polish your portfolio, hone your professional communication, and get ready to move into professional practice or further study.

Focus areas

Design creativity & representation; Sustainability & environment; Architectural theory & history; Technical and structural technology; Professional practice & ethics; Context & city/landscape engagement.

Learning outcomes

You will graduate able to: conceive architectural designs that balance form, function, environment, and user needs; employ a variety of representation techniques (hand drawing, digital, model-making); understand the theory and history that shape architecture; evaluate and apply technical and environmental design principles; and communicate professionally, ethically, and collaboratively.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

This course is RIBA-validated and grants exemption from RIBA Part 1. It is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) up to 31 December 2027; after that date ARB will no longer require the prescription for Part 1 registration, but RIBA validation remains in effect. Also, it is recognised by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) for Part I/Part II professional qualifications.

Reputation (employability rankings)

94% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating.
The course is ranked among Top 30 in the UK for student satisfaction according to Times Higher Education 2024.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you take this degree, it’s not just lectures: you’ll be designing, making, visiting, collaborating with real clients, using industry tools, and developing work you can show professionally. Here’s how the experience is built:

You’ll work in Architecture Studios in Portsmouth’s Eldon Building — large open-plan, flexible learning spaces over three floors. These studios support both individual design work and group collaboration, against the backdrop of peer critique and shared studio culture.
Model-making and fabrication is part of your training: there are 3D Workshops equipped with machinery and materials allowing you to build scale models from materials such as wood, metal, plastics, concrete, plaster etc. These help you test, iterate, and understand physical form and construction.
Digital tools will be central: you’ll use CAD software including Autodesk Revit, Rhino, parametric modelling, data-driven environmental analysis tools such as Grasshopper, Ladybug, etc. These are used in design modules to assess energy, daylight, sustainability etc.
There’s a Virtual Reality / Mixed Reality Studio that lets you visualise and test designs in immersive formats. So you can see how spaces feel before they’re built.
You’ll do hand-drawing, digital renderings, physical model work regularly — learning a mix of traditional architectural skills and modern digital design.
There’s an optional one-year placement (after year 2 or 3) to gain work experience in practice. This gives you exposure to real architectural office workflows, clients, projects.
You’ll work with real clients via the in-house Architecture Project Office, so some of your projects have real users or live briefs.
Regular study trips and site visits are part of the programme: visiting major international cities (past examples include Rome, Venice, Barcelona, New York, Berlin), and local sites to see real architecture, materials, context and construction in action.

Key Features & Facilities (What You’ll Have Access To)

Here are the main facilities, tools, and support relevant for the Architecture degree:

Architecture Studios in Eldon Building: open-plan studios with zones for quiet work, group work, exhibitions, presentation spaces, informal spaces.
3D Workshops: for physical model-making: wood, metal, plastic, plaster, concrete, etc.
Virtual / Mixed Reality Studio & VR facilities: immersive visualisation, which allows you to test spatial design.
Relational software tools and digital hardware: open-access PCs and Macs, CAD/BIM software, large presentation screens, tools for parametric / environmental analysis.
Photography studios and darkrooms: if you need imagery, texture, representation etc.
Spaces for exhibitions: studios are also used as exhibition space (Graduate Shows etc.), which helps you prepare work to present.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Once you complete this degree, many graduates go into careers like:

Architectural Assistant (Part 1)
Urban Designer
Landscape/Environmental Designer
Architectural Technologist

Because the course gives both creative & technical skills, you’ll be well-placed in roles involving design development, sustainability, drawing and modelling, site evaluation, etc.

What the Degree Offers & Why It’s Valuable

Accreditation & Professional Recognition
• The BA (Hons) Architecture is validated by RIBA and provides an exemption from RIBA Part 1.
• It is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) for Part 1 purposes.
• Important note: Students starting from September 2025 onward will finish the course after ARB Part 1 prescription ends (31 Dec 2027). But this doesn’t block the route to qualification as an architect because ARB will still accredit at Master’s level; RIBA validation remains.
Support, Learning Environment & Practical Experience
• There’s an optional placement year to gain real-world experience.
• Design studios, an in-house Architecture Project Office allowing work with real clients, site visits (UK & international) to cities like Rome, Venice, New York etc.
• You’ll learn a mix of skills: from hand-drawing, model making to BIM, 3D scanning/printing, parametric modelling.
Graduate Outcomes & Satisfaction
• 94% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation.
• The course ranks among the Top 30 for student satisfaction in recent surveys.
Future-Proofing & Relevance
• Focus on sustainability, environmental context, social & political dimensions of architecture. This prepares you to design with current and future global challenges in mind.
• Tools & methods taught are up to industry standard (software, digital fabrication etc.), so you're likely to insert well into modern practices.

Further Academic Progression:

After finishing the BA (Hons) Architecture, these are paths you can go down:

Enroll in a Master of Architecture (MArch) programme to achieve RIBA/ARB Part 2; this is essential to move toward full qualification as an architect.
Gain practical work experience (commonly 1-2 years) in architectural firms or practice, which is usually required between parts of qualification.
After Part 2 & sufficient experience, you can take the Final Examination in Professional Practice (Part 3), which when passed allows registration as a fully qualified architect.
Alternatively, if you decide not to pursue full ARB/RIBA registration, you still have options in related design and construction fields: urban regeneration, environmental design, digital architecture, visualization, etc.