BA(Hons) Architecture and Planning
This course is open for applications
Accreditations and partnerships:
About
Our BA(Hons) Architecture and Planning is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Why study architecture and planning?
Combining architectural design and city planning creates more humane, equitable sustainable environments and places.
A designer who understands planning and architecture, can respond to the needs of people, context and sustainability with effective tools to create processes and results.
There's a high demand for highly creative architect-planners who can design from the scale of a door-handle to a city and can work with policy to deliver the outcomes.
Why UWE Bristol?
Our Architecture and Planning degree is dual accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Gain broad-based knowledge and skills in architecture and planning to shape the future of our built and natural environments. Work on conceptual and practical projects across different themes in design studios that simulate professional practice.
Learn computer-assisted design (CAD), drawing, digital and physical modelling and mapping to master visual communication.
Assess urban design qualities and places on day trips and residential field trips.
Study in Europe for a year on our established exchange programme and gain valuable real-world experience that increases your employability.
Apply your learning on a year-long project combining the master planning of a complex urban area with rigorous brief development and research, all leading to a final architectural design project.
Work on a six-week agency project in an architect's office, local planning authority, or other appropriate organisation to address real challenges. Collaborate with students across related disciplines in an approach reflecting industry.
Where can it take me?
With a joint professional qualification, you'll be sought after by employers in the UK and abroad.
As a graduate, you'll be ready for a career as an architect, architect-planner, architectural assistant, technologist, urban designer, conservationist, planning officer or town planner with a background in design.
The image above shows the fantastic work from one of our students (Charlie Woollerson, 2023 Architecture and Planning graduate).
Watch: Welcome to the School of Architecture and Environment at UWE Bristol
Entry
Typical offers
You will need to meet the following Level 2 requirements:
- GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
In addition to the above Level 2 qualifications, you'll need to achieve the published tariff points from your Level 3 studies prior to entry. Below is an indicative list of the main qualification types. However, we will consider any Level 3 qualifications towards meeting our entry requirements.
- Tariff points: 128
- Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
- English Language Requirement:
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6.0 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
- A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.
- EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- Access: No specific subjects required.
- Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required. We accept the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
- Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
- T Levels: No specific subjects required.
Entry requirements
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for BA(Hons) Architecture and Planning (with Foundation Year).
International applicants
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the country information pages. If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.ukInternational/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644
Structure
Content
Year one
You'll study:
- Contexts of Architecture 1 - Cities and Society
- Making Sustainable Architecture
- Professional Principles and Digital Practice
- Studio 1.1 - Form and Context
- Studio 1.2 - People and Environment.
Year two
You'll study:
- Studio 2.1 - Living
- AP Studio 2.2
- Collaboration and Coordination
- Place and Prosperity
- Contexts of Architecture 2 - Histories and Theories.
Year three
You'll study:
- AP Studio 3.2
- Agency
- Critical Contexts
- AP Studio 3.1
- Planning Global Cities.
Final year
You'll study:
- Employability, Ethics, and Enterprise
- Integrated Planning Practice
- AP Studio 4
- Low Carbon Design.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learning and Teaching
Our Architecture and Planning degree is project-led and taught mainly in studios. Learn through lectures, seminars, laboratory work, tutorials and computer-based techniques.
Work on a variety of conceptual and pragmatic projects, culminating with a year-long study project in your final year. This combines rigorous research with a fully integrated architectural design project.
Explore techniques including computer-aided design (CAD), drawing, building information modelling (BIM) and mapping.
Collaborate with undergraduates from other disciplines within the School. This encourages mutual respect and understanding of professionals you may work alongside in practice. It also develops your presentation, negotiation, communication and delegation skills.
Attend regular presentations from visiting practitioners and guest lecturers so you can learn about industry challenges and best practice.
Complete a project based in an architect's office, a local planning authority, or other appropriate organisation to learn about current practice in architecture and planning.
See our glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Socialise and volunteer
Attend guest lectures, field-trips, live projects and social events with like-minded students in the UWE Bristol Architecture Society and Engineers without Borders. There's also a new student-led Planning@UWE Bristol Group.
Become a student rep and sit on a range of committees at University and school level, where you can influence decisions that affect your learning experience.
Extra-curricular activities contribute greatly to your personal development and are viewed favourably by potential employers.
Showcase your work
In your final year, showcase your work to prospective employers and the public at the annual degree show.
Take a look at some of our students' exhibits on Tumblr and in our online showcase.
Study time
When you start this course you'll register for six years of full-time study so you can complete a full architectural education.
After four years you'll complete the BA(Hons) Architecture and Planning (RIBA Part 1) and then spend a year in an architectural practice.
You'll then go on to the BArch/MA (RIBA Part 2) course, which is two years full-time but can also be taken part-time.
Assessment
You should expect a mix of coursework types that assess what you know and can do and help you develop the confidence and skills that employers value.
These include portfolios, reports, projects, exhibitions, presentations and written essays. Support is available if you have difficulties with numeracy, IT, literacy and study skills.
Learn more about assessments.
Fees
Full time course
Supplementary fee information
Additional costs
Additional costs are for items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
Features
Professional accreditation
Our BA(Hons) Architecture and Planning is recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and gives exemptions from RIBA Part 1 exams.
It's accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), offering the academic qualifications needed to enter the planning profession. It's also accredited by the Board of Architects Malaysia.
Placements
Students who go on work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought-after graduate.
To give you a broader perspective on architecture and planning, there are opportunities to study overseas for one year on our well-established exchange programme.
You'll get help to find a placement and support throughout from staff in the School and our award-winning careers service.
At the end of your third year, you'll complete a six-week agency project. You could be based in an architect's office, a local planning authority or another appropriate organisation.
You'll also gain experience and develop your portfolio with a series of live briefs, working with the community and Design West in Bristol.
Fieldwork
We arrange day trips so you can visit study locations and meet people that can inform your work. We also arrange residential field trips locally, nationally and internationally.
Stonewater design project trip
A group of our students have had an exciting collaboration Stonewater Housing Association. The project brief asked students to design collective housing for Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic groups in Bristol.
Study facilities
Learn in a well-equipped, purpose-built building that houses a range of studios, workshops, and digital labs.
Gain skills in design and representation in highly creative environments that enable traditional and forward-facing tools needed in professional practice.
Develop digital design and drawing skills such as computer-aided design (CAD), Revit, and Adobe in collaborative workshops.
Create architectural models using laser cutters, computerised routers, artificial sky and wind tunnels, or in our wood, metal and concrete workshops.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a Virtual Tour of the Architecture facilities and see what's on offer here for you.
Personalised virtual tour
There's no need to visit us in person to explore our facilities and campuses. Take a personalised virtual tour and discover it all for yourself from wherever you are.
Take a virtual tourCareers
Careers / Further study
Our Architecture and Planning degree will build your creativity and develop your talent for finding spatial solutions to a full range of realistic briefs. It will help you to understand the planning system, policy frameworks, and governance that shape cities and communities. It'll also show you how to integrate technology seamlessly into design ideas and give you the confidence and skills to work in top architecture and planning practices.
With accreditation from RIBA and RTPI, you'll graduate ready for a career as an architect, architect-planner, urban designer, conservationist or town planner.
If you choose to become an architect, you'll be able to draw on your knowledge of planning aims and techniques. This will give greater perspective and focus to your work.
To register as an Architect in the UK, you'll need to have completed Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 qualifications. Please contact us if you need advice about accredited qualifications and qualifying as an Architect in the UK.
The Architects Registration Board (ARB) regulates architects in the UK and sets education and registration standards. Following a 2023 consultation, ARB announced changes effective from December 2027: only Master's level qualifications (Level 7 in England, Level 11 in Scotland) and the professional diploma will be accredited. Undergraduate Level 6 degrees will no longer be required for registration.
Currently, students need ARB-accredited Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 qualifications plus work experience. This course is prescribed at Part 1 level, but students starting in September 2025 will graduate after the December 2027 cutoff, meaning their degree won't be ARB-prescribed. However, this won't affect their path to registration, as ARB will continue accrediting Master's level awards.
The degree remains validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at Part 1, and RIBA will continue its three-part validation pathway for Chartered Membership.
Get inspired
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
See also:
Life
Accommodation
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.