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One of the most important roles of architectural intervention is to enhance the quality of life of those whom it touches. We deal in the invention of new, hitherto unimagined environments, the resuscitation of existing buildings and urban settlements, and the careful enhancement of our towns, cities, rural environments and landscapes.
Overview
Kent teaches two architecture degree programmes:
This programme, Architecture BA (Hons), gives exemption from the Part 1 examinations required by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Our Master of Architecture (MArch) programme gives you exemption from the Part 2 examinations required by the ARB and RIBA.
Both offer multidisciplinary learning experiences, studying areas such as regeneration and sustainability, landscape, community and the quality of urban life, which equips our students with the skills they need to practise in the profession.
Study abroad
On the Architecture BA, you have the opportunity to study abroad for a term in Stage 2. In addition, field study tours are an embedded part of the programme. In recent years, students have visited Lille, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Rome and Vienna, as well as San Francisco, Oakland and Washington DC.
Think Kent video series
In this talk, Dr Timothy Brittain-Catlin from the Kent School of Architecture examines new ways of writing and talking about buildings and asks if being a critical failure in architecture really matters.
About the Kent School of Architecture
Kent School of Architecture has a reputation for tackling global issues at a local scale, with many projects set in the south-east region. Through this work, and our open lecture programmes and events, the School continues to build links with the profession and the wider community. The School is also committed to the development of sustainable design and this is taught at all stages of the curriculum.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, Architecture was ranked 13th in the UK for student satisfaction. Architecture was also ranked 3rd in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2016, and 1st for graduate employment prospects in The Complete University Guide 2016.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Teaching and assessment
We use a variety of learning and teaching methods, including lectures, workshops, studio-based work and field study trips. Students also attend tutorials, seminars, small group discussions and one-to-one design sessions, giving them a range of feedback opportunities to improve their skills.
Assessment is by a portfolio of work, which includes design project coursework, written assignments and examinations, alongside research papers and technical reports. We place particular emphasis on sketchbooks and notebooks assembled over the academic year, which contribute to the student’s own personal development plan.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- Provide a broad education in architecture, primarily for those who will continue in architectural education and who will practice architecture.
- Develop students’ intellectual, creative and imaginative powers within architectural design to the fullest possible extent.
- Promote study of the practice and tradition of architecture within its social, cultural and environmental contexts, in order to develop knowledge and understanding.
- Develop an understanding of the professional practice of architecture and in particular to develop and implement team skills.
- Develop construction and environmental skills appropriate to architectural practice and to understand the influence of technology and the relevance of sustainability.
- Promote the importance of an integrated approach to building design and to explore how an appropriate balance is achieved between competing demands.
- Encourage a keen awareness of contemporary theory, technology and practice in order to provoke students’ creativity and innovation.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
Stage One
- The critical and contextual dimensions of architecture and design with respect to cultural, social, ethical, historical and theoretical considerations.
- Design processes and the development of a design/architectural language.
- The influence of environmental design technology on the production of a sustainable, safe and healthy built environment.
- Structural and constructional principles, the properties and meanings of materials, and the ways that these may inform and influence design decisions.
- The integrative relationship between space, structure, environment and materials.
- The history of, and current debate about, design and architecture.
- The verbal and graphical means of communicating design solutions to both professional and non-professional audiences.
- The relationship between the disciplines of interior design, interior architecture, and architecture.
Stage Two
- The breadth of architecture and design within its historical, cultural and social context.
- Design processes and the development of a design/architectural language.
- The influence of environmental design technology on the production of a sustainable, safe and healthy built environment.
- Structural and constructional principles, the properties and meanings of materials, and the ways that these may inform and influence design decisions.
- Cultural theory and modernism.
- The verbal and graphical means of communicating design solutions to both professional and non-professional audiences.
- The relationship between the disciplines of interior design, interior architecture and architecture
Intellectual skills
Stage One
- Apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry.
- Evaluate and research sources of information and evidence.
- Synthesise information from a number of sources.
- Apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a body of knowledge.
- Utilise problem solving skills.
- Analyse, evaluate and interpret the evidence underpinning design practice.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the legislative constraints and guidance on the development of the built environment.
Stage Two
- Develop further the skills needed for academic study and enquiry.
- Evaluate research and a variety of types and sources of information and evidence critically.
- Synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of theory and practice.
- Apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.
- Utilise problem solving skills to generate sophisticated design solutions.
- Analyse, evaluate and interpret the evidence underpinning design practice critically and initiate change in practice appropriately.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative constraints and guidance on the development of the built environment.
Subject-specific skills
Stage One
- Understand creative design skills such as a consistent and methodological approach within a theoretical context.
- An awareness of the advantages of collaborative working practices.
- Test and analyse architectural and technical design options against developed briefs.
- The ability to manipulate both colour and light to modify the character of space and surface.
- An ability to plan in response to functional, spatial, aesthetic, technical and social requirements, within the scope and scale of a wider environment
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate verbally and graphically, using appropriate media and drawing conventions.
Stage Two
- Understand creative design skills such as a consistent and methodological approach within a theoretical context.
- Work both as a creative and imaginative individual and as part of a team within the area of architectural design.
- Adopt a critical attitude towards the design brief.
- The ability to measure, predict and analyse sound, light and thermal factors in buildings and to respond to them creatively.
- An ability to plan both in the horizontal plane and in section in response to functional, spatial, aesthetic, environmental requirements, within the scope and scale of a wider environment.
- The ability to use verbal and graphical means of advanced communication including physical models, computer and 3D drawings.
Transferable skills
Stage One
- Research and consider sophisticated design problems in the light of contemporary criticism.
- The ability to analyse information and experiences, formulate independent judgements, and articulate reasoned arguments through reflection, review and evaluation.
- Develop an ability to solve design problems and articulate solutions comprehensibly in visual, oral, and written forms.
- An ability to engage in design thinking which is logical and imaginative.
- Acquire independent judgement, critical self awareness and ability to identify strengths and weaknesses. Ability to manage time effectively.
Stage Two
- Research and consider sophisticated design problems in the light of contemporary criticism.
- The ability to analyse information and experiences, formulate independent judgements, and articulate reasoned arguments through reflection, review and evaluation..
- Develop an ability to solve design problems and articulate solutions comprehensibly in visual, oral, and written forms.
- An ability to engage in design thinking which is logical and imaginative
- Acquire independent judgement, critical self awareness and ability to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Ability to manage time effectively.
Careers
Our two programmes prepare you for work at Part 1 (BA) and Part 2 (MArch) level. Having completed 24 months (minimum 12 months post-Part 2), you are eligible to be considered for Part 3 of the ARB/RIBA professional practice examination, leading to full professional registration as an architect.
However, our programmes are founded on transferable skills that prepare students for work in many other industries, such as the design, graphics and visualisation professions.
Professional recognition
The BA (Hons) Architecture (Part 1) and MArch (Part 2) programmes are fully prescribed by the ARB and have been validated by RIBA for the maximum period.
Entry requirements
All candidates will need to provide confirmation of i) observational skills ii) artistic conceptual and creative thinking iii) analyses of colour form and space.
They must do so via either a) a formal qualification such as A level grade B in Art or Art Design or Design & Technology, or IB Visual Arts HL 5 or SL 6 or b) a portfolio which can cover: a range of forms including painting, drawing, design, photography, models and textile design. The portfolio can be in digital form with images, in JPEG format and documents in PDF.
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | AAB. Only one general studies and critical thinking can be accepted against the requirements |
| GCSE | Mathematics grade C |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall including Mathematics 4 at HL or SL |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.