About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: K100
- Level: Undergraduate
- Department: Planning and Architecture
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Two years full-time, three years part-time
- Delivery: Part-time, full-time
- Study Abroad: No
- Programme leader: Jonathan Mosley
- Key fact: Applicants for this course should attend Open Days for Postgraduates.
Introduction
The course provides an opportunity for graduates of RIBA/ARB validated Part 1 courses (including the BA(Hons) Architecture and Planning and the BEng(Hons) Architecture and Environmental Engineering at Bristol UWE) to continue their architectural education at Bristol UWE to achieve RIBA Part 2. Once they have completed Part 3, they can join the UK Register of Architects.
Three important considerations that have influenced the structure and content of the course:
- Current thinking of the RIBA and the ARB
- Objectives of the EU Architects' Directive
- Continuity with the approach of the BA(Hons) Architecture and Planning.
This course is underpinned by a strong link with the research centres of the Faculty: the Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments and the Construction and Property Research Centre.
The staff of these centres are involved in a wide range of research and consultancy project throughout the UK, Europe and beyond, and will be integral to studio project teaching.
Structure
Content
The course provides an opportunity for you to acquire the knowledge and develop the skills necessary to embark upon a career in architectural practice, and begin the period of office based experience that is required for RIBA Part 3 examination.
This course continues the themes of People, Sustainability and Context which help form the particular academic character of the BA(Hons) Architecture and Planning. Also continued into this course is the inter-professional ethos of the School.
The strongly design-led programme draws extensively on the Department's research in urban design, regeneration, urban policy and sustainability. There is a further emphasis on an appreciation of the wider professional and social setting within which the architect operates.
In parallel, the course fosters an understanding of the organisation of the construction industry and its inter-professional nature, and focuses on the management of architectural practice while maintaining a professional, ethical attitude towards society, the client, the user and the environment.
The aims of the course may be summarised as follows:
- To systematically develop the creativity, knowledge, skills and practical experience which you gained in a first degree in architecture, leading to further development of your architectural design skills (including the application of environmental design, constructional and architectural technologies) and a greater understanding of the social, economic, ecological, cultural and professional context of architectural design.
- To ensure that your capacity for creativity is deepened by carrying out complex designs and developing technical expertise to a high standard, and broadened by gaining greater knowledge of the physical, economic, social, political, environmental and intellectual context within which the activity of building and development takes place.
- To build on the unique ethos of the BA(Hons) Architecture and Planning which emphasises the importance of an understanding of urban design and the study of context in the creation of successful architecture.
- To refine your aesthetic perceptions and skills, and your ability to justify and communicate your design decisions.
- To further develop your professional attitudes, and the professional ethos and practice techniques required of an architect, through study and reflection of experience in practice, and through maintaining a continuing dialogue with tutors.
- To heighten your understanding of management, both in project management and in architectural practice, through the appraisal of approaches to management and building procurement and reflection of experience in practice.
- To provide you with an opportunity to further develop research and independent study skills by undertaking a study in depth of an aspect of architectural design or the context in which the architect operates.
- To reinforce your awareness that architectural education is a continuous process throughout the life of the practising architect.
The MA Architecture aims, in addition to the above, to:
- Provide you with experience of advanced independent enquiry in an aspect of architectural design or the context in which architecture exists, working near the boundaries of current knowledge.
- Develop higher level skills of research design, project management and communication.
- Develop your capacity to engage in sustained and rigorous inquiry into a topic.
- Foster a critical attitude towards the design and the use of research in a practice-orientated setting
The full-time course is structured as follows:
Year One
You will select one of the architecture studio options - usually three options will be offered. The architecture studio module accounts for 50 per cent (60 credits) of the credits in the first year of the course.
You will take three other modules totalling 60 credits in the first year, covering professional practice, environmental design and an optional module selected from the wide range offered by the Department, in areas such as urban design, sustainability, and urban regeneration.
Year Two
A final design project is the main focus (60 credits) of the second year of the course, within the architecture studio module. It is an integrative design-based project that involves you in the exploration of complex architectural issues and the subsequent production of a detailed design scheme. You will be required to explain and justify your design scheme in both written and verbal presentations, including technical reports which explore the structural, environmental and procurement aspects of the final design.
In parallel with design project work, you will complete the sequence of management studies in a second professional practice module, and take a graduate level module chosen from those offered by the Department. You gain a grounding in research techniques applicable in professional practice, which also form an introduction to the dissertation for those who choose to pursue the MA Architecture degree.
Part-time course
The BArch/MAArch course is offered on a part-time basis to allow people with family, financial and other commitments the opportunity to complete their academic education. Part-time students are taught alongside full-time students so that they receive the same level of tutorial support and so they can fully share in the dynamic of the course, and in particular the studio. As you would expect, we require the same level of commitment and academic rigour from all students, whether full-time or part-time.
As the course is fully modular, you can decide how many modules you wish to study at one time, to reflect your other commitments. The recommended combinations of modules for part-time students would take three years. This means taking 80 credits each year, compared to full-time students who take 120 credits each year. If you would prefer to study over four years, please contact us to discuss possible options.
80 credits is a manageable but substantial work-load. To succeed - and to enjoy the experience - you need to commit enough time to come to UWE Bristol to experience the studio culture, use the library, receive tutorial support and take advantage of the facilities and support which the Department offers.
We therefore ask part-time students to commit to attending an average of two days a week during term-time. These will normally be Mondays and Thursdays. There may sometimes be variations to this, but the timetables are issued well in advance, and we will give at least four weeks notice of any change. You will also need to attend a week-long residential field course which is an integral part of the Design Studio module.
It is vital that your employer understands these commitments.
Study time
The course can be studied full-time (over two years) or part-time (over three years). Graduates of the Bachelor of Architecture course who then successfully complete a dissertation will be awarded a Masters of Arts in Architecture.
Assessment
Assessment is based on both coursework and examination, with a substantial emphasis on project work.
Special Features
Professional accreditation
The course meets the Part 2 requirements of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB).
Study facilities
The course is based in a new studios building designed by a member of the Department. One feature of the building is a colour theory installation, which in 2004 won the Royal Fine Art Commission 'Building of the Year' award for Architectural Education.
"The Studios are more of a textbook than a building, an object lesson in functional and sustainable design. They are to function as a learning tool and provide an opportunity for research through their construction, the use of innovative materials and performance monitoring." Royal Institute of British Architects Journal, September 2004.
"UWE has the best green architecture school in the country." Richard St George, Director of the Schumacher Society
News
We are very pleased to announce that Charles Wellingham, RIBA Part 2 at UWE, has been shortlisted for the RIBA President's Medals Part 2. He is the first Part 2 graduate to be shortlisted.
Tutors: Elena Marco and John Comparelli
Tutor's statement:
"An innovative project has been undertaken at the University of the West of England (UWE), which seeks to identify the most effective way of introducing health into the architectural curriculum as a major driver for sustainable design. The unit project establishes a health-related cross-professional development programme for healthy urban environments, with a twist on the established 'Artist in Residence' methodology that aims to foster a creative collaboration between the artist and the host institution. For this project, a 'Health Practitioner in Residence' has acted as an agent-of-change to inspire architecture students to immerse themselves in the world of public health, and to bring science into their creativity.
Against this background, Charles' project focuses on both the physical and mental wellbeing that our built environment can provide. He has had the ambition to transport you to a different world, where time is experienced differently. The user can get lost so deeply that the awareness of time can even fade away all together, and the importance of the moment becomes paramount. There is something sacred in becoming transported back to a moment of grace through the spaces he has created. Through this landscape, his different spaces he captures an absolutely singular, solitary place in time and space where we can retreat from everyday lives.
Charles is one of the best students we have ever had the pleasure of teaching. As you would expect from a nominee of the RIBA President's Silver Medal, he has consistently demonstrated maturity, intelligence and hard-work in equal measures. However, over and above this, Charles has the rare ability to combine conceptual thought with an understanding of the practical constraints of a project. This is clearly demonstrated through his 'A Moment's Grace' project, in which he has created a challenging and provocative brief. In a short space of time he has risen to the challenge of immersing himself in the world of Public Health and using this new knowledge to drive his designs forward into new and unexplored dimensions. This is an extremely well thought through project, embedding sustainable ideas within a holistically healthy environment. From his analysis of the site context to his careful control of light and shade, Charles has created a sanctuary with a deeper layer of meaning, demonstrating a truly astonishing level of intellect, creativity and professionalism that we believe deserves recognition."
Also Alfie Hope's dissertation Fabric formwork: a critical review of the institution concrete casting process, can use of fabric formwork contribute to a more efficient and sustainable industry? tutored by John Comparelli has been selected to be exhibited as part of the RIBA President's Medals Exhibition. Again, a fabulous achievement for UWE.
Careers/further study
The particular focus on sustainability and urban design, together with the strong emphasis on links with practice, the multi-disciplinary ethos of the Department and the University's strength in the development of transferable skills, will provide you with a professional architectural qualification which offers excellent career opportunities.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating- includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Key employer partnerships
Our degrees can lead to a wide variety of career choices. To ensure that our degrees make you as employable as possible we work closely with partner employers in our planning and architecture consortium.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Find out what being an architect involves.
Useful links
UWE - careers in architecture
Guardian - what to do with a degree in architecture
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
Entry requirements
Students will be selected on the basis of their formal application (see 'How to Apply' on this page) together with an interview to which applicants must bring a portfolio. The interview will assess the applicant's suitability, competence and state of readiness to enter and complete the course. Applicants may be asked to carry out an additional assignment or written test to demonstrate competence in particular areas.
As a guide, applications are welcomed from:
- Graduates (2:1 or above) of the BA(Hons) in Architecture and Planning and BEng(Hons) Architecture and Environmental Engineering courses at UWE Bristol.
- Graduates (2:1 or above) who hold other UK Part I qualifications prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and/or validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) *.
- Graduates (2:1 or above or equivalent standard) who hold a first degree in Architecture from an university outside the UK if the applicant can demonstrate its equivalence in academic terms to Part 1*.
- People who have successfully completed the RIBA Part I Office-Based Examination.
- Holders of other appropriate academic or professional qualifications.*
Students would normally have completed (before starting the course) at least one year of work experience in architectural practice. Experience in other disciplines (including engineering, planning, urban design, construction and product design) or other fields of architecture (including interior architecture and architectural research) may be acceptable if it is judged by the course leaders to be appropriate to the study of architecture at Part 2 level. Work experience may include voluntary work and/or self-initiated projects.
Applicants will be invited to attend an open day at which the programme aims, structure and teaching approach will be explained.
* NB graduates of Part 1 courses NOT prescribed by the ARB will not automatically be eligible for entry to the UK Register of Architects on completion of prescribed Part 2 and Part 3 qualifications. For further information on meeting the requirements for UK registration go to http://www.arb.org.uk/
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011