Programme Specification for Architectural Design PG Dip
|
Final award |
PG Dip |
|
Intermediate awards available |
PG Cert |
|
UCAS code |
N/A |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Architecture |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
November 2011 |
Profile
The summary - programme advertising leaflet
Programme content
The programme is rated Excellent for Teaching Quality. This award is designed for students who have an equivalent first degree to BA/BSc Hons, but do not have RIBA Part 1 Exemption. The programme content is identical to the Professional Diploma in Architecture which has the unconditional recognition of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Architects Registration Board and gives exemption from RIBA part 2.
Graduate Diploma in Architectural Design at UEL
The Architecture programme at UEL educates students to become practising architects. Students are taught on the atelier or Module system in small groups under the direction of tutors who have freedom to devise their own projects. The School emphasises learning through making and on reflecting what one has made, in this way developing creativity and critical judgement of each student.
The programme is exemplary in the amount of personal tuition each student receives each week, from teachers who are usually also active as practising architects. Most of the learning is done thorough project work in the School’s excellent studios, computer suites and workshops
Admission requirements
- BA/BSc Architecture: 2.2 or equivalent
- Overseas and other qualifications individually assessed
- Entry is conditional on an interview over portfolio. We also accept portfolios by post for assessment.
- In selecting students the School looks for evidence of creative potential and the development of professional judgment and that the candidate will contribute to and benefit from the programme.
Programme structure
The programme is generally only available in full-time mode. It is organised on the Atelier (or Module) system.
Learning environment
Some of the learning is through lectures and seminars, and involves reading and writing, but the heart of the programme is the design studio where students learn to become architects through project work. The School of Architecture and the Visual Arts has its own new building on the Docklands Campus, designed by one of our staff. As well as its excellent studios there are extensive wood and metal workshops, photographic darkrooms and computer suites. Students also make visits to study sites and buildings, cities and landscapes in the UK and abroad. At the end of the Academic Year the students exhibit their work at the end of year show.
Assessment
Most assessment is done through design projects and related work. Students receive feedback on their progress throughout the year but assessment only takes place at the end of the academic year. There are no closed book examinations.
Added value
The skills of analysis and creative synthesis and of communicating in drawings, words and using IT are useful in many other areas of life and work.
Your future career
The programme is the second stage of architectural education. It is also good preparation for any work in which you need to be able to analyse problems and make creative proposals for their solution.
How we support you
Diploma students come to the School from all over the world, from many different educational backgrounds so the first year of the programme is partly diagnostic. It is organised to develop all the practical and conceptual skills which an architect needs. Each student has a personal tutor whom they meet at least once a week. The tutor is responsible for guiding your academic development and will give personal support. You also get a lot of support from fellow students because most of the teaching and learning is in small groups working on common themes in the project work.
Bonus factors
- Develop your creativity and judgement
- Become an architect
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What will you learn?
Knowledge
- History, Theory and Practice of Architectural Design
- Technology and Organisation of Building Industry
- Social and Environmental Sustainability
- Regulatory framework in which architecture is produced
Thinking skills
- Use creativity, conceptual skills and judgement to identify human needs and hopes and to meet or express them in space and form.
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Ability to use a range of media (drawing, models, computers, photography, video) in analysis and representation to create architectural design.
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Creativity
- Team-working
- Clarity of expression in spoken and written words, as well as in drawing and other visual media
- Ability to analyse problems and propose solutions
- Use of computers
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 240 credits.
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is 2 years full-time.
How the teaching year is divided
The Diploma in Architectural Design is a two year programme, organised in two year-long 60 credit modules for each year. The modules which are co-requisite are: Architectural Design and Supporting Studies
What you will study when
|
Year |
Module |
Components |
Credits |
Status |
|
4 |
ARM101 |
Design |
60 |
Core |
|
4 |
ARM102 |
Supporting Studies, Technical Studies |
20 |
Core |
|
- |
- |
Professional Studies |
10 |
Core |
|
- |
- |
Option: History & Theory Computing & Design Sustainability |
30 |
Core |
|
5 |
ARM201 |
Design |
60 |
Core |
|
5 |
ARM202 |
Supporting Studies, Technical Studies |
20 |
Core |
|
- |
- |
Professional Studies |
10 |
Core |
|
- |
- |
Option: History & Theory. Computing & Design, Sustainability, |
30 |
Core |
|
- |
Total |
- |
240 |
Core |
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research.
Masters Award Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Graduate Diploma award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of the final 120 credits and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
Distinction |
|
60% - 69% |
Merit |
|
50% - 59% |
Pass |
|
0% - 49% |
Not Passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Teaching and learning is organised through:
- Project work
- Course work
- Essay writing
- Seminars and tutorials
Knowledge, thinking skills, practical skills and general skills are developed through lectures, seminars and tutorials associated with design projects, coursework, and essay and report writing.
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed through its manifestation in course work, design projects and essays.
Thinking skills are assessed through their manifestation in course work, design projects and essays.
Practical skills are assessed through course work and design projects.
Skills for life and work are assessed individually through the ability to produce design projects, coursework and essays, and the ability to explain one's work verbally at reviews and to the assessment panel.
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information, course teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University's Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme;
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students.
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments;
- Attending assessment boards;
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
- Ensuring that regulations are followed;
- Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module and Component evaluations
- Student representation on programme committees (meeting 3 times year)
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- Circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- Events list published weekly
- Providing details on noticeboard
Listening to the views of others
The following methods is used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
The relevance of the education is tested by inviting practising architects to criticise student work at regular intervals.
Further Information
Alternative locations for studying this programme
| Location | Which elements? | Taught by UEL staff | Taught by local staff | Method of Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site
- The student handbook
- Module study guides
- UEL Manual of Regulations and Policies
- UEL Quality Manual
- Regulations for the Academic Framework
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
