Architecture and Urban Planning BA Honours
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
This degree engages you in the processes involved in the production of the urban spaces that shape our cities, from the design of buildings and urban spaces to the consideration of urban issues.
You’ll be inspired by the work of innovative architects and planners whose approach aims to encourage people to actively participate in the design of their environment.
You will study a range of modules spanning our expertise in architecture, urban design, social and political theory. You'll also select from modules in history and sociology, urban planning and informal housing and development, and social enterprise, economics and business.
Your understanding of how architecture and cities can be developed will be supported through design projects, historical examples and theoretical ideas.
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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Program Outline
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability. Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May. To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Through a varied series of design projects, workshops and visits, we'll introduce you to key design skills. You'll gain an understanding of scale and context and develop spatial imagination as well as an understanding of materiality and structural issues at stake. These will underpin your design work and help you communicate your ideas verbally and visually.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Planning Histories of the City | 20 |
| Planning Contexts | 20 |
| Architectural Design 1.1 | 40 |
| Architectural Technology 1.1: Explorations in Making Architecture | 10 |
| Architectural Technology 1.2: Principles of Constructing Architecture | 10 |
| Introduction to Architecture | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|
Optional modules are required to enable students to receive Royal Town Planning Institute accreditation. The accreditation route is a 5-year programme. Beginning with the BA (Hons) Architecture and Urban Planning degree, followed by the Certification of Planning Practice and concluded by the MA in Urban Design.
To qualify for this accreditation students must opt for the RTPI approved modules during their studies, highlighted below:
Economics of Development
Environment and Sustainability
Students taking the RTPI pathway will receive accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute.
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
You'll gain a deeper understanding of the development of urban architecture and theories of alternative practice. Design modules will enhance your skills and help you develop an understanding of a greater range of scales related to 20th-century heritage. You'll also develop your research skills and prepare for your dissertation.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Alternative Practice: Theories and Practices | 20 |
| Visual and Creative Practice Research Skills | 20 |
| Community Building | 0 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Marketing and Consumer Behaviour | 20 |
| Living Communally | 20 |
| Relational Mapping, Design and Representation | 40 |
| Participation: Theories & Practice | 20 |
| Sociology of Health and Illness | 20 |
| Houses and Homes | 20 |
| Researching Local Economies | 20 |
| Understanding Cities | 20 |
| Urban Poverty: A Global Perspective | 20 |
| Digital Civics | 20 |
| Urban Infrastructures: A Lens on the City | 20 |
| Study Visit | 20 |
| Global Course on Institutional Design for Spatial Planning | 20 |
Optional modules are required to enable students to receive Royal Town Planning Institute accreditation. The accreditation route is a 5-year programme. Beginning with the BA (Hons) Architecture and Urban Planning degree, followed by the Certification of Planning Practice and concluded by the MA in Urban Design.
To qualify for this accreditation students must opt for the RTPI approved modules during their studies, highlighted below:
Relational Mapping, Design and Representation
Participation, Theories and Practices
Students taking the RTPI pathway will receive accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute.
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
You'll undertake a dissertation on a topic of your choice, as well as engaging in a community live design project supporting a local organisation where you can see theory in practice.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation in Architecture and Urbanism | 40 |
| Community Building | 0 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Globalisation: Patterns, Processes & Challenges | 20 |
| Alternative Practice: Co-producing Space | 20 |
| Green Infrastructure for Well-being and Biodiversity | 20 |
| Climate Literacy: From philosophies to practice | 20 |
| Enterprise and Entrepreneurship with Lean Innovation | 20 |
| Mapping the City | 20 |
| Career Development for final year students | 20 |
| The Networked Society: Human Identity and Practices | 20 |
| Strategies into Action: Planning | 20 |
| Development Management | 20 |
| Erasmus Exchange | 40 |
| Contemporary Planning Issues | 20 |
Optional modules are required to enable students to receive Royal Town Planning Institute accreditation. The accreditation route is a 5-year programme. Beginning with the BA (Hons) Architecture and Urban Planning degree, followed by the Certification of Planning Practice and concluded by the MA in Urban Design.
To qualify for this accreditation students must opt for the RTPI approved modules during their studies, highlighted below:
Alternative Practice: Co-producing Space
A Home for All: Housing Vulnerable Populations
Development Management
Strategies into Action: Planning
Students taking the RTPI pathway will receive accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute.
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
Information about these graphs
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.
Teaching time is made up of:
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
This programme provides a mix of studio design projects and traditional teaching. A typical week will involve working in the studio, either in groups developing design projects or working independently.
Methods include:
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
Assignments – written or fieldwork
Case studies
Dissertation or research project
Essays
Examinations – practical or online
Portfolio submission
Presentations
Projects
Reflective report/journal
Reports
Skills and experience
Practical skills
You'll learn about the design process through a series of design projects. You'll gradually develop your architectural thinking, skills and knowledge working in our well-equipped studios.
You'll also gain an understanding of architectural design through working with drawing and model-making in Stage 1, and Adobe Suite and CAD software in Stage 2.
In Stage 3 you'll have the chance to participate in a live community project, seeing theory put into practice.
Chat with an Architecture student
I chose Architecture because it combines my interests in art, model-making, and spatial design. This course has the perfect ratio of technical and creative exploration, which I why I chose Newcastle.
Sophie Lee, Architecture
