Programme Specification for Architecture BSc (Hons)
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BSc (Hons) |
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Intermediate awards available |
Cert HE, Dip HE |
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UCAS code |
K100 |
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Details of professional body accreditation |
Royal Institute of British Architects |
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Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Architecture |
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Date specification last up-dated |
February 2013 |
Profile
The summary - UCAS programme profile
BANNER BOX:
The programme is rated Excellent for Teaching Quality and also has the unconditional recognition of the Royal Institute of British Architects and Architects Registration Board giving exemption from RIBA/ARB part 1.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
300 UCAS tariff points together with three subjects at GCSE level, Grade C or above, including English, Maths & Art
BTEC Art v Design; Interior Design; Construction
GNVQ Art & Design; Construction
ACCESS Art & Design
FOUNDATION Art & Design
Overseas and other qualifications individually assessed
Entry is conditional on an interview over portfolio. We also accept portfolios by post for assessment.
Conditions may be relaxed for mature students or if the applicant shows other evidence of being particularly able to benefit from the programme.
Direct entry to 2nd or 3rd year of the degree is available to students with suitable qualifications.
The School of Architecture and the Visual Arts welcomes applicants with either a science or arts background. A combination of the two is particularly desirable. In selecting students the School looks for evidence of creative potential and willingness to work hard.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
What is Architecture?
The Architecture programme at UEL educates students to become practising architects. Students are taught on the atelier method in small groups under the direction of tutors who have freedom to devise their own projects. The programme emphasises learning through making and critical reflection on what one has made, in this way developing creativity and judgement of each student. The programme is unusual in the amount of personal tuition each student receives each week, usually from teachers who are also active as practising architects. Most of the learning is done through project work in the School's excellent studios and workshops. Since the aim is to develop to the full each student's creativity and critical judgement, the programme is very demanding.
Programme structure
The programme is only available in full-time mode and as a Single Honours programme.
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, designed by one of our staff, on a on the UEL Docklands Campus. 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. 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
Successful completion of the programme gives exemption from Part 1 of the RIBA Examination. (Exemption from all three parts gives you the right to the title Architect.) 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.
IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?
If you are interested in...
- How things look as well as how they work
- Buildings and cities and how people use them
- Making a better place to live
If you enjoy...
- Art and science
- group work
- hard work
If you want...
A wide-ranging programme that develops your creativity as well as your judgement.
Your future career
The Programme is the first stage to becoming a qualified architect. It is also good preparation for any work in which you need to be able to analyse problems and make proposals for their solution.
How we support you
Architecture students come from many different educational backgrounds so the first year of the programme is partly diagnostic. It is organised to develop all the practical skills such as drawing or computer aided design, 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.
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- To develop your creativity and judgement
- To become an architect
What will you learn?
Knowledge
- History & Theory of Architecture Art & Design
- Technology of Building
- 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 designs.
- Experience in physical making and the use of work shop machines
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Creativity
- Team working
- Clarity of analysis in spoken and written words, as well as in drawing and other visual media
- Use of computers
- Ability to analyse problems and propose solutions.
- Understanding how things are made
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 360 (120 credits per year).
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is 3 years full-time
How the teaching year is divided
The BSc Hons in Architecture is a three year programme, organised in two year-long 60 credit modules for each level. The modules which are co-requisite are: Architectural Design and Supporting Studies. In addition there is a third co-requisite 0 credit Professional Module for each level designed to ensure that a student has passed each of the supporting studies subjects at minimal pass level.
What you will study when
The modules of the programme are summarised in the table below
| Level | Module | Credits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Design 1 |
60 |
Core |
|
1 |
Supporting Studies History and Theory Technical Studies Visual Studies |
60 |
Core |
| 1 | Professional Module 1 | 0 | core |
|
2 |
Design 2 |
60 |
Core |
|
2 |
Supporting Studies 2 History and Theory Technical / Professional Studies Visual Studies |
60 |
Core |
|
2 |
Professional Module 2 |
0 |
Core |
|
3 |
Design 3 |
60 |
Core |
|
3 |
Supporting Studies 3 History and Theory Technical Studies Professional Studies |
60 |
Core |
|
3 |
Professional Module 3 |
0 |
Core |
|
- |
TOTAL |
360 |
CORE |
Requirements for gaining an award
To achieve the BSc (Hons) award it is necessary to take and pass all core modules as listed in the table.
In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher
In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher
-
NOTE: An ordinary degree in Architecture does not carry RIBA/ARB Part 1 exemption
In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher
In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.
Degree Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Honours degree, and has gained a minimum of 240 UEL credits at level 2 or level 3 on the programme, including a minimum of 120 UEL credits at level 3, the award classification is determined by calculating:
|
The arithmetic mean of the best 100 credits at level 3 |
× |
2/3 |
+ |
The arithmetic mean of the next best 100 credits at levels 2 and/or 3 |
× |
1/3 |
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% |
First Class Honours |
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60% - 69% |
Second Class Honours, First Division |
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50% - 59% |
Second Class Honours, Second Division |
|
40% - 49% |
Third Class Honours |
|
0% - 39% |
Not passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Teaching and learning is organised through:
- project work
- programme work
- essay writing
- seminars & tutorials
- lectures
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 programme 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 evaluations
- Student representation on programme committees (meeting each semester)
- Personal tutor, module leader, pathway leader, field co-ordinator
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- Circulating the minutes of the field committee and the annual quality improvement report
- Verbal feedback to specific groups
- Providing details on the appropriate noticeboard
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are 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.
The programme is recognised by the Architects Registration Board and the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Further Information
Alternative locations for studying this programme
| Location | Which elements? | Taught by UEL staff | Taught by local staff | Method of Delivery |
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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
- School web pages
- School of Architecture Year Book
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
