Architecture - BA (Hons) - ARB/RIBA Part 1

Architects imagine new environments and breathe new life into existing buildings. Architecture helps to build communities and improve our surroundings; it has the capacity to change lives.

Explore the relationship between people and spaces, and focus on how people want to live, work and relax in the 21st century. Our course provides a balance of theory, design work and professional experience. It’s not just about creating beautiful buildings; you'll lead on projects, solve complex problems and learn to communicate your ideas.

Your course

The BA in Architecture is the first step towards qualifying as an architect. Studying regeneration, sustainability, landscape, community, and urban life, you’ll develop the practical design skills needed within the profession.

Our specialist studio spaces act as a hub for you to develop your creative and critical ideas, as well as important architectural skills. You are encouraged to be creative and experiment through models, drawings and digital representation - gaining confidence through your project work. You'll share ideas, review other students' work, and begin to develop your personality as a designer.

With a mixture of teaching through lectures, seminars, workshops and design tutorials, our course gives you the skills that industry looks for. You’ll benefit from practical involvement with local architects and projects, engaging with real-world ideas, and you have the chance to take part in a mentoring scheme with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

As one of the most successful schools of architecture in the UK, we have strong connections with construction industry bodies and professional practice, including:

Farrells
Allies and Morrison
Purcell
Guy Hollaway
Arup

Our graduates work in professionally respected architectural practices across the world, and have also followed careers in professions related to design, graphics and visualisation.

Specialist facilities

Based on our campus in the historical and architecturally diverse city of Canterbury, you will have access to excellent facilities to support your studies and research. Our open-plan studios are at the creative heart of our teaching. They are a place where you can work on projects, share ideas and inspire each other.

The Digital Crit Space provides a formal and interactive environment for sharing work and getting feedback. It is also used to present finished work.

Our specialist facilities include:

modern design workshops
dedicated model workshops
laser-cutting facilities
computer studio and labs
digital hub
Digital Crit Space for presenting designs, including 75” Clevertouch screens
an excellent library collection of books, journals and electronic resources.

Superb student experience

Our optional field study tours complement your studies. In recent years, students have visited Europe, India and the USA (note that field trips can involve extra costs not covered by your tuition fees). You might also opt to study abroad for a term in your second year.

Our School is a vibrant and forward-thinking community and we encourage debate through a range of events including guest lectures, research seminars, exhibitions, conferences and symposia, which our students attend.

Many of our students join the Kent Architectural Students Association (KASA). It is run by students and organises social events, design competitions, and contributes to the School’s weekly guest lecture series inviting renowned industry practitioners from around the world.

You are more than your grades

At Kent we look at your circumstances as a whole before deciding whether to make you an offer to study here. Find out more about how we offer flexibility and support before and during your degree.

Find out more

Entry requirements

Please also see our general entry requirements.

A level

ABB
GCSE

Mathematics grade C
Access to HE Diploma

The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis.

If we make you an offer, you will need 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 Nationals

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 for further advice on your individual circumstances. A typical offer would be to achieve DDM.
International Baccalaureate

34 points overall or 16 at HL including Mathematics 4 at HL or SL
International Foundation Programme

Pass all components of the University of Kent International Foundation Programme with a 60% overall average including 60% in Design/Art and Design module (plus 50% in LZ013 Maths and Statistics if you do not hold GCSE Maths at 4/C or equivalent ).
Apply now

All candidates need to provide confirmation of i) observational skills ii) artistic, conceptual and creative thinking and iii) analyses of colour, form and space.

All applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio as part of their application. For further guidance regarding portfolio requirements, please see: https://www.kent.ac.uk/architecture-planning/undergraduate/portfolio-advice

The ideal applicant will have a record that reflects a broad academic aptitude. Although not compulsory, an art qualification (eg A Level in Fine Art or IB in Visual Art) would be extremely useful. GCSE Mathematics Grade C is also required.

International students should visit our International Student website for further specific information. International fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot study part-time due to visa restrictions.

English Language Requirements

Please see our English language entry requirements web page.

If you need to improve your English language standard as a condition of your offer, you can attend one of our pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes before starting your degree programme. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.

Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

Stage 1

Compulsory modules currently include

ARCH3180 - Form Finding (15 credits)

This module introduces the student to the 'design project' and how to interpret and analyse a brief. The project will investigate spatial concepts, and will examine various types of spatial enclose, scale and function.

Find out more about ARCH3180

ARCH3190 - Building Design (15 credits)

Building on their experience gained in the autumn term this module deepens students' understanding of the design of interior and exterior space by the investigation and design of environments that confront the senses and where the integration of the sensory range is paramount. The potential of different materials within a design proposition is addressed. The module addresses the further awareness of the integration of function, aesthetics, technology and comfort within a design proposal. It also addresses the incorporation of vertical movement within a design proposal.

Find out more about ARCH3190

ARCH3200 - Building Envelope (15 credits)

Aspects of the Technology & Environment curriculum covered in this module include the fundamentals of the external envelope, the thermal environment, human comfort, artificial light, and natural ventilation. An important aspect includes the weathering of materials, and an introduction to building services-plumbing, electrical, etc.

Students will explore these technical and environmental aspects in the context of a design project, providing students with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience with the complexity of technical integration in architecture at a small scale. Moreover, students will experience the relationship between theory and practice and technical/environmental design

Find out more about ARCH3200

ARCH3220 - Modern House (15 credits)

The concept of building type is crucial in developing an understanding of the built environment as a coherent endeavour. Recurrent plan types are important in establishing order in architecture and interiors. Equally, divergence from the norm is important in rethinking established spatial types. The most ubiquitous building type is the house, and its analysis comprises the essence of this module. We shall be studying the house as an example of vernacular design, as a response to the particular environment of a region, as well as analysing key examples of the modern house. By this means, the key periods and events in the development of modernism may be charted. Students will gain an understanding of the modern house by reading relevant literature and architectural drawings and photographs, in addition to making scale models of particular houses, and writing illustrated essays.

Find out more about ARCH3220

ARCH3230 - Folio (30 credits)

This module teaches the principles and skills of orthographic and metric projections, perspective drawing and rendering of drawings to communicate design aspirations. The acquisition of skills to make 3D models, from conceptual to finished scaled presentations is started in this module. The module will develop various skills in recording the observed environment through appropriate drawing, modelling and a whole range of graphic systems. Emphasis will be placed on the use of the sketch book and the development of freehand drawing, but the module will also develop students' skills in visual communication and presentation dealing with 3D computer modelling. Students enhance their modelling skills to develop high quality rendering skills.

Find out more about ARCH3230

ARCH3240 - Ancient and Medieval Architecture (15 credits)

This course provides stage one students with an introduction into ancient and medieval architecture, predominantly Western. It will include a series of weekly lectures based on different key episodes in architectural history, supplying the students with both the historical information that will form the foundation for their future studies, as well as with a grasp of basic architectural concepts and ways of discussing and presenting them. Typical forms of historic building technologies will be discussed, together with their relevance to current technologies.

Find out more about ARCH3240

ARCH3250 - Light and Structure (15 credits)

The key concepts of sustainable design are introduced. An awareness of the distinction between structural and non-structural elements in buildings is taught. Lectures and workshops on structures and basic constructional techniques are also introduced along with the study of the environmental factors of natural light, with reference to their impact upon building interiors. The palette of building materials is outlined, conveying both their sensory impact as well as their physical properties. An awareness of the prime means of placing and fixing different materials in addition to the aesthetic and technical aspects of joining materials.

Find out more about ARCH3250

Stage 2

Optional modules may include

ARCH5410 - Collective Dwelling (30 credits)

This module introduces students to urban design, focussing on housing as a building type. It takes place in two stages, the first being to plan a group of buildings, possibly in an urban context, and the second to develop the design of one of the individual housing blocks comprising multiple units. Students will examine the various typologies of collective dwellings and investigate alternative ways in which these can be combined to form urban blocks. In preparation for this module students will explore some of the principles and theories of urban design and apply some of these in their projects. The principles of sustainability will be examined in the context of energy and environmental assessment methods, and the use of appropriate construction techniques will be explored. Students will develop both digital and hand-drawn presentation and communication techniques.

Find out more about ARCH5410

ARCH5420 - Climate (15 credits)

Students will explore passive means of environmental control to achieve comfort in different climates. Vernacular precedents of passive design will be examined and distinguished from the cultural influences on design in different cultures. The concept of exterior and interior climates will be critically investigated and students will develop a good understanding of the microclimate created by cities, landscapes, groups of building and individual structures. The influence of materials, form and construction on environmental performance will be examined with reference to precedents and benchmarks. Specific techniques and methodologies for climate analysis and environmental design will be learned and applied.

The assignment concerns the development of environmental design strategies that are to be integrated appropriately into the design work of the concurrent module Architecture and Landscape. Students will demonstrate how they have provided for fresh air to move through the main building of Architecture and Landscape, as well as how they have exploited passive resources for cooling, temperature control, solar gain and the control of solar gain, both in the summer and winter and for the daytime and night-time. The integration of these into the main building of Architecture and Landscape will take heed of the functions of the spaces and their disposition and be arranged for good efficacy. Students will concisely describe the rationale of the environmental strategies and explain the operation of any technology used in realizing these strategies and illustrate this with appropriate plans and cross-sections.

Find out more about ARCH5420

ARCH5440 - Renaissance to Neoclassicism (15 credits)

This module addresses the developments in architecture from the early fifteenth century to the beginning of the nineteenth century. The cultural context of the time will be studied by outlining the socio-economic conditions, the new attitudes to knowledge, arts, history and architecture. Architectural treatises of the early Renaissance and the related developments in the practices of painting and sculpture will be brought into the consideration in order to highlight specific innovation and dynamics of architecture. The underlying conditions of the movements known as Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, Rococo and Neo-classicism will be addressed and relevant buildings, objects of art, architectural texts and dominant narratives will be studied. Landscape design will be discussed through the comparative analysis between the formal landscape design and the phenomenon of the picturesque. The architecture of symbolism and utopianism is also considered. The eighteenth-century organization of life and labour, the emerging spaces of production, as well as the establishment of the academies, museums, and other institutions will be addressed, in order to highlight the way in which these phenomena contributed to the rise of the architectural profession and the building guilds. Typical forms of historic building technologies will be discussed, together with their relevance to current technologies.

Find out more about ARCH5440

ARCH5490 - Forms and Structure (15 credits)

This design module integrates concerns for structure, construction and form in the process of architectural design. The objective is to help and to encourage students to design with each of these subject areas simultaneously informing the others.

A series of lectures and seminar group exercises will introduce students to the principles of structural design including structural typologies; loads and forces; simple beam bending theory; mechanics of materials; and structural geometry. Students will be presented with strategies and qualitative methods of structural analysis which will support the activities of the module. Basic structural theory and the study of form and construction will be consistently related to real buildings, structures and materials.

Find out more about ARCH5490

ARCH5510 - Nineteenth-Century Architecture (15 credits)

This course will enable the student to learn through a series of detailed thematic and historical investigations how a number of specific important aspects and events in architectural history have changed the way in which we experience the built environment and, also, to appreciate the responsibility of all architects and designers towards the societies in which they live. Its focus is the nineteenth century. Students will be assessed in the form of an examination which will draw on material researched through guided casework study. Typical forms of historic building technologies will be discussed, together with their relevance to current technologies.

Find out more about ARCH5510

ARCH5520 - Architecture and Landscape (30 credits)

This course focuses upon the relationship of landscape and architectural, particularly through the siting of a building, site planning, and elementary planting design and landscape detailing. The design project is treated as a totality, with architecture and landscape fully integrated both spatially and conceptually. The building brief is of moderate complexity, following sustainable principles relating to the Climate module. The history and theory of landscape architecture is covered in a series of accompanying lectures. Lectures and workshops with landscape architects and others introduce students to the contemporary profession of landscape architecture, techniques of landscape representation, and to the dynamics of professional team work with related disciplines. Computer drawing, 2D and 3D, is also taught in this module, and students present aspects of their design scheme using these methods.

Find out more about ARCH5520

ARCH5530 - BA(Hons) Architecture Term Abroad (60 credits)

An architecture study abroad committee will make selections and recommendations for study abroad based on the merit of the applicant following submission of an application supported by a portfolio and transcripts.

During the placement students will be enrolled on this dedicated BA Term Abroad module.

Spending a term as full-time student at an overseas university, students will follow teaching and tuition in architecture. The curriculum will vary according to the partner institutions. Additionally, students will usually be offered to take language classes and/or courses on the culture of the host country.

Find out more about ARCH5530

Year abroad

You have the chance to study abroad for a term in your second year. Previous study destinations have included:

Virginia Tech (US)
École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture et de Paysage de Lille.

Year in Computing

The Year in Computing is a free-standing, self-contained year and can be taken after stage two or three (that is, between your second and final year), or after your final year. You can take a Year in Computing if you are a current undergraduate student at the University of Kent, studying another non-computing degree programme.

You can only apply for the Year in Computing once you are a student at Kent.

Stage 3

Compulsory modules currently include

ARCH5550 - Architectural Practice (15 credits)

This module engages students with the professional practice of architecture. Assignments will review and analyse a design project from the perspective of professional practice. A series of lecture and seminars introduce students to the subjects of professional ethics, planning and building law, practice management, and building information modelling (BIM).

Find out more about ARCH5550

ARCH5560 - Twentieth Century Architecture (15 credits)

This module focusses upon key buildings, sites, and urban designs beginning chronologically in the 1890s, and concluding at the end of the twentieth century. Students will be introduced to these key projects, their designers, and the relevant cultural and theoretical contexts through lectures and readings, primarily following a chronological order. The geographic scope will be international. There is one required textbook for the course, which will be used to structure the lectures and the final exam. Discussion sessions with students will aim to prepare them for the final exam, which will consist of short essay answers.

Find out more about ARCH5560

ARCH5570 - Urban Intervention (30 credits)

This module engages students in the re-design of an existing urban centre or locality, orientated around issues of social, economic and environmental sustainability as they are interpreted in urban and architectural design. Starting with urban analysis, the project develops through a series of scaled responses and strategies, developing an overall programmatic vision for the locality. The project culminates in a detailed urban design presentation that responds to the specific character of the site, making detailed proposals for public realm, demolitions and infill proposals, which also relate to broader sustainable concerns. This practical design project is supported by lectures seminars and tutorials which will provide an overview of the development of competing theories of urban design and masterplanning, introducing distinctive contemporary urban plans, as well as a consideration of their historical provenance, regulatory, historical, theoretical, ergonomic, and aesthetic principles.. Workshops and tutorials will also cover the technical and environmental specification of sustainable urban design at various scales, including microclimate, artificial and natural light in public spaces, landscape and water strategies, planting and greenery, material specifications, vehicular and traffic management and public space and pedestrian use.

Find out more about ARCH5570

ARCH5580 - Architectural Design (30 credits)

This module, the final design project of the BA programme, focuses on the detailed design of a significant new piece of architecture that responds to sustainable urban development objectives and the environmental, social and built context. The module develops and assesses a student's capabilities, skills, knowledge and understanding of the relationships and intersections between new building work, existing urban fabric and the principles of architectural sustainability within the broader cultural context and theoretical discourse. Central to this is the development of a responsive design brief that supports, develops and enhances the existing use of a site towards improved and new uses and enhanced environmental, social and economic sustainability, integrated into the urban context. Two key design skills will be demonstrated: the integration of the conflicting demands surrounding a proposal that successfully balances the requirements of client, user and the public with the cultural, technical, urban and environmental pressures encountered; and the thoughtful engagement with and application of the principles of sustainability to architectural design in the built environment. The design and integrated technical proposals must therefore be contextual and developed with reference to historical and social aspects of the existing built environment, as well as broader environmental concerns. This practical design project is supported by both lectures, seminars and workshops on the technical and environmental specification of sustainable architectural design, including illumination, acoustics, heating and cooling strategies and material specifications. Additionally, lectures, seminars and tutorials addressing regulatory, historical, theoretical, ergonomic, spatial, formal and aesthetic principles of architectural design are provided.

Find out more about ARCH5580

ARCH5970 - Dissertation (30 credits)

This module offers students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of a particular aspect of architecture. The topic to be studied is agreed with the Module Convenor and an appropriate supervisor is nominated from the teaching staff. Moreover the dissertation will provide students with the opportunity to develop more advanced academic research and writing skills. It forms part of the research strand within the architectural curriculum, which complements the design strand of the studio.

Find out more about ARCH5970

Home full-time £9250
EU full-time £15400
International full-time £20500

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

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.*

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

Fees for Year in Industry

Fees for Home undergraduates are £1,385.

Fees for Year Abroad

Fees for Home undergraduates are £1,385.

Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.

Additional costs

The following course-related costs are not included in your tuition fees:

The estimated cost of your art materials over three years (around £150 per year, on average)
Optional field trips (approximately £400 each at current prices)
Printing costs of around £45 per year (on average)
The cost of books that you might wish to purchase from recommended reading lists (our library has an extensive range of core texts available to borrow)

General additional costs

Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Funding

University funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.

Government funding

You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.

Scholarships

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.

The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.

Scholarships

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

Search scholarships

Teaching and assessment

We use a variety of learning and teaching methods, including lectures, workshops, studio-based work and field study trips. You also attend tutorials, seminars, small group discussions and one-to-one design sessions, giving you a range of feedback opportunities to improve their skills.

Our dedicated student workshop is run by experienced model makers and is equipped with a CNC router as well as a comprehensive collection of workshop equipment, laser-cutting facilities and access to an electronics workshop.

You also have the exclusive use of our digital workshop which enables you to explore aspects of 3D scanning, printing and modelling; using cutting-edge technology; from point-cloud 3D capture to fused deposition modelling 3D prototypes. We hold seven hobbyist 3D printers and three high-end 3D scanners, to enhance our experimental approach throughout the process and development of an architectural design brief.

Overall workload

You spend approximately 1,200 hours each academic year studying for your degree. On average, 60% of your time is spent in an activity led by an academic. The rest of your time is for independent study. Typically, this will involve design project work, reading, essay writing, technology and environment coursework.

Your independent study is supported by excellent facilities including the library, architecture studios, architecture workshop, digital workshop and digital crit space.

Academic support

We offer a mentoring scheme in collaboration with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), as well as practical involvement with local architects and projects. You also have access to academic advisors, academic peer mentoring, drop-in sessions, skills workshops and software specific workshops and training.

The University’s learning advisory service offers support and guidance to enhance your study skills. Our student support service helps students with additional needs resulting from disabilities or learning difficulties.

Teaching staff

Our School has an enthusiastic team of academic staff with many years of teaching experience at degree level, and strengths in historical, environmental, technical and digital aspects of the subject. Our lecturers are respected practitioners within the field and many are active researchers contributing to contemporary debates through their publications. Learn more by visiting our staff profiles.

Assessment

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 your own personal development plan.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. Typical assessment breakdown:

Stage 1 – 15% exam, 85% coursework
Stage 2 – 15% exam, 85% coursework
Stage 3 – 0% exam, 100% coursework

Stage 1 assessments do not contribute to your final degree. Stage 2 counts towards 20% of your final degree and Stage 3 counts towards 80% of your final degree classification.

Find out more about how undergraduate courses work.

Feedback

You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. In design-based modules, feedback is given throughout the year in design tutorials.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

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.

Independent rankings

Architecture at Kent was ranked 16th in The Complete University Guide 2021 and The Times Good University Guide 2021.

Architecture at Kent was ranked 16th in The Times Good University Guide 2021 and 7th for graduate prospects in The Guardian University Guide 2021.

Architecture at Kent was ranked 1st for research intensity in The Complete University Guide 2021.

Careers

Graduate destinations

Many of our graduates go on to work in well-known architectural practices, such as:

Farrells
Grimshaw
HLM Architects
HOK
Jestico + Whiles.

Our graduates have also followed careers in professions related to design, graphics and visualisation.

Help finding a job

Kent School of Architecture and Planning has links to professional practices and this network is very useful to students when looking for work in an architectural practice. You are encouraged to network at our events, and we run special sessions to help you with writing your CV.

The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service, which can give you advice on how to:

apply for jobs
write a good CV
perform well in interviews.

Career path into architecture

To qualify as a professional architect requires a specific route of study and work experience.

Your BA (Hons) degree provides an exemption from the Part 1 examinations required by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
After graduation, you work for at least six months in an architectural practice.
You then continue your studies on the MArch degree programme, which takes two years and provides exemption from the RIBA/ARB Part 2 examinations.
Following the MArch, you continue to work in an architectural practice until you have a total of 24 months of professional experience (including the previous period of work).
You are then eligible to take Part 3 of the ARB/RIBA examinations, which lead to full professional registration as an architect.

Career-enhancing skills

You graduate with an excellent grounding in architectural knowledge and a range of professional skills in:

visual and verbal presentations
digital media
model-making
freehand drawing.

To help you to appeal to employers, you also develop key transferable skills in:

computing
analysing data
writing well.

You can also gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.

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.

Contact us

United Kingdom/EU enquiries

Enquire online for full-time study

T: +44 (0)1227 768896

International student enquiries

Enquire online

T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk

School website

Kent School of Architecture and Planning

Discover Uni is designed to support prospective students in deciding whether, where and what to study. The site replaces Unistats from September 2019.

Discover Uni is jointly owned by the Office for Students, the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and the Scottish Funding Council.

It includes:

Information and guidance about higher education
Information about courses
Information about providers

Find out more about the Unistats dataset on the Higher Education Statistics Agency website.

Architecture - BA (Hons) - ARB/RIBA Part 1

Overview

Your course

Specialist facilities

Superb student experience

Flexible tariff

Entry requirements

A level

medal-empty GCSE

medal-empty Access to HE Diploma

medal-empty BTEC Nationals

medal-empty International Baccalaureate

medal-empty International Foundation Programme

English Language Requirements

What's it like to study Architecture?

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Course structure

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Architecture - MArch - ARB/RIBA Part 2

Fees

Your fee status

Fees for Year in Industry

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Additional costs

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Funding

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Government funding

Scholarships

General scholarships

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

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Teaching and assessment

Overall workload

Academic support

Teaching staff

Assessment

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

Feedback

Contact hours

Programme aims

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

Stage One

Stage Two

Intellectual skills

Stage One

Stage Two

Subject-specific skills

Stage One

Stage Two

Transferable skills

Stage One

Stage Two

Independent rankings

Careers

Graduate destinations

Help finding a job

Career path into architecture

Career-enhancing skills

Professional recognition

Applications

Contact us

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GCSE

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Scholarships