BSc Hons Architectural Studies

Program Overview

The Architectural Studies program at the Strathclyde architecture school provides students with a comprehensive understanding of architectural design, cultural theory, and construction systems through a combination of studio projects, lectures, and hands-on experiences such as site visits and live builds, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities in the architecture field. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills, and students have the opportunity to engage with professionals in the field through the university's extensive industry connections. The department has a reputation for excellence, as evident in its students winning national and international competitions. Graduates are well-equipped to work in a variety of architectural practices, from large firms to smaller specialist studios.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Year 1
• Design Studies 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D: The first design studio project will introduce you to the whole of the architectural design process: from conceptualisation and inception, through design development and resolution, to full size realisation and construction.
Subsequent projects will develop design methodologies to enable you to design your first building.
• Experiencing Architecture: a compulsory series of discussion seminars and communications skills workshops supporting the Design Studies programme
• Cultural Studies 1: we encourage you to develop confidence in observing and commenting on architecture of all periods, and to express yourself clearly and accurately in spoken and written communication
• Technology Studies 1: this class introduces you to areas such as building structures; construction processes; building physics; and sustainability and environmental responsibility and control
• Year 2
• Design Studies 2A, 2B, 2C: You'll work on a series of increasingly complex architectural projects set in a Scottish context, which are supported by the Experiencing Architecture 2 programme.
• Cultural Studies 2: you'll be introduced to some of the key issues, historical movements and events that have shaped and structured the modern built and cultural environment.
• Technology Studies 2: you'll have the chance to expand your knowledge of structural and construction systems and discover more about environmental engineering design skills
• Elective Class: in second-year, you'll choose an elective class from the University Class Catalogue
• Year 3
• Design Studies 3A, 3B: you'll undertake two projects in a dense urban context, the latter project being an undergraduate thesis.
• Cultural Studies 3: you'll undertake an evaluation of cultural theory and architectural history focusing on issues related to the modern movement in architecture
You'll complete a digital academic portfolio in line with the requirements of Part 1, ARB/RIBA professional accreditation
• Year 4
• You'll complete the Design Studies programme with classes 4A and 4B.
The Cultural Studies 4 class will assist you in producing your final-year dissertation, working on an area of your own interest. The Special Study Project 4 allows Architectural Studies students to further the aims and outcomes of one of the key areas of the syllabus. This project is intended to link between taught coursework and potential Masters’ projects.

Assessment:

• Subject class assignments are based on coursework and for design studies there are both periodic (formative) reviews (student presentations) and final (summative) reviews of students’ project work, including:
• drawings
• models
• photos
• annotated sketches
• notes
• other outputs, individual and group projects
• Cultural Studies is examined through both written and graphical assignments.
• Technology Studies is examined through an assignment and a written examination.
• ARB/RIBA Part 1: Portfolio
• The first three years of academic study of the BSc in Architectural Studies, carries with it the professional status of Part 1, ARB/RIBA accreditation/validation.
All students are expected to present a complete digital academic portfolio at the end of the academic session.

Teaching:

• In addition to classes, lectures and seminars, our teaching offers students a wide variety of educational experiences and unique development opportunities.
These include:
• Design Studio: design tutorials take place weekly.
You'll be taught by our academics and by professional architects and engineers from local practices
• Study trips: recent trips have been made to familiar architectural hotspots, including Barcelona, Rome, Paris and Venice.
We have also visited some less familiar sites, such as Gdansk (Poland), Toledo (Spain) and Monte Caruso (Italy)
• Site visits: you'll have the chance to visit architectural sites in both urban and rural areas of Scotland.
During these trips you'll examine, record, investigate and research the sites in response to a project brief
• Professional attributes: we help our students develop skills in self-critique, confidence building and independent learning.
We invite prominent experts to test students in an external examination interview process
• Transferable skills: these include verbal and visual presentation, group work, research methods, creativity and adaptability
• Clients and consultants: you'll gain skills in communication and networking by engaging with clients and consultants during project work.
The clients and consultants include architects, artists, conservation specialists, engineers, urban designers and planners, funders, suppliers and representatives from community groups and local authorities

Careers:

• Career opportunities for Architectural Studies graduates range from working in large multidisciplinary practices to smaller specialist firms.
• Many of our graduates are employed by highly respected practices throughout the world, while others have set up their own businesses.
Graduates have also undertaken research roles in the energy and low carbon industries.
• Our department also has a growing reputation for developing entrepreneurial graduates, who go on to make their mark in the sector independently.
Practices such as:
• Page and Park
• Nord
• Collective
• Dress for the Weather
• Tog Studio
• Lateral North

Other:

• The Strathclyde architecture school is really good.
The staff are brilliant, really helpful, very inspiring. They get you through and they make it enjoyable.
• Lewis Grant, student
• Glasgow is a very active city.
• Kristina Enberg
• Our students have been successful in winning many national and international competitions, including:
• ARCHIPRIX
• UrbanPromo
• Building Design ‘Top 6’ UK
• RIBA President's Medals
• APS
• the Royal Town Planning Institute
• A+DS
• SEDA
• They've also been selected to take part in prestigious International Architecture Biennale.
• Find out more about recent awards won by students.
• Students are supported in making entries in an extensive annual competition programme:
• the Glasgow Institute of Architects (GIA) recognises the talent of the future profession through awards and commendations across all years of study
• the Scottish Government's Policy on Architecture makes a firm commitment to student awards, jointly provided through the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) and Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS)
• as with the top national award from the Royal Institute of British Architects, The President's Medals, inclusion in publications and public exhibitions promotes work to a wide audience
• the City of Glasgow Eimear Kelt Silver Medal is awarded annually by a panel of professional judges on behalf of Glasgow City Council, to the best project by a student at the Department of Architecture

Scotland

£1,820 Fees for students who meet the relevant residence requirements in Scotland are subject to confirmation by the Scottish Funding Council.

England, Wales & Northern Ireland

£9,250 Assuming no change in fees policy over the period, the total amount payable by undergraduate students will be capped. For students commencing study in 2024/25, this is capped at £27,750 (with the exception of the MPharm and integrated Masters programmes), MPharm students pay £9,250 for each of the four years. Students studying on integrated Masters degree programmes pay an additional £9,250 for the Masters year with the exception of those undertaking a full-year industrial placement where a separate placement fee will apply.

International

£23,200