A challenging and interesting course that is a necessity for anyone who has the intention of becoming a professional architect. Architects are influential in creatively shaping our physical environment and in coming up with complex design solutions in the context of sustainable regeneration programmes linked to housing, public building and urban design.

The range of subjects on the course will give students a better understanding of the practise of architecture and the build process as a whole. The degree is a mixture of coursework, working in practice and professional exams, all with the ultimate objective of showing students how everything fits together in a building. These programmes combine the vocational along with the academic and undergraduates will gain knowledge of many different but interrelated disciplines. Key to this is the ability to gain an insight into the design process by trying to see things from a client’s perspective. This point along with using established planning protocols will ensure that projects always meet the specific needs of users.

As a architecture student you will be taught amongst other things how to; estimate the behaviour of structural elements under load, calculate the amount load-bearing brickwork, steel, and reinforced concrete required on a construction project. You will be shown how to bring together complex parameters of context, concept, place, space and use. The vocational and practical emphasis of the course is intended to encourage students to question and understand the economic, social, cultural and political imperatives at play.

Typically towards the end of the degree students will concentrate on surveying, urban design, project management, contracts and other procedures involved in the planning process.  Other areas looked at will include all the constructional elements involved in complex building projects, from the financial plans, extensions and piping right through to floor height. Being properly trained in designing buildings is critical to the efficient and accurate construction of modern structures and with creating the internal conditions of comfort and protection against the climate and adverse weather conditions. Architecture graduates can enter a variety of professional positions in both the public and private sector. The curriculum is aimed at helping students obtain a breadth of contemporary architectural education that will develop their overall skill sets and maximise their employment prospects. Classes are focused on providing undergraduates with relevant, creative skills required to successfully find employment.

A sample of the modules and topics studied on a architecture degree course

  • Local planning policies
  • Development planning
  • Design guidelines
  • Studio Design
  • Structural Design
  • Construction
  • Materials
  • Environmental Science
  • Design Computing
  • Architecture with urban design
  • Architectural Technology
  • Theories of architecture
  • Building science
  • Graduate Design: Resolution
  • Material resolution
  • Landscape and Urbanism Theory
  • Architectural Drawing and Visual Communication
  • Management of the Built Environment.
  • Health and Safety
  • Building Economics
  • Sustainability and Innovation
  • Resistance and propulsion
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Building Systemics
  • Environmental design,
  • Advanced 3D visualisation techniques
  • Enterprise Architecture techniques and frameworks
  • Data Architecture
  • Professional practice, management and law
  • Space Exploration
  • Interior Space in Architecture
  • Contemporary Issues in Architecture
  • Modern Architecture and Art
  • Interior Design
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • Introduction to architectural theory and history
  • Fundamental principles of construction
  • Structural design of buildings
  • Stress analysis
  • Strength of structural materials
  • Gardens and Landscape
  • Principles of Structural Design
  • Energy and Climate Change
  • Current Topics in Urbanism
  • Social Intentions in Architecture

Skills you will learn on a architecture degree course

  • Individualistic approach.
  • Ability to work as part of a multi-discilpinary team.
  • Providing technical support to work colleagues.
  • Ensuring that the right technology is selected and deployed.
  • Defining architectural standards.
  • Delivering the quality of results.
  • Developing a delivery-focused approach to work and your thinking.
  • Professional practise.
  • Forward and long term thinking.

Architecture degree interview questions
During the interview session the admission staff will be trying to assess your skills and abilities. They will do this by asking you questions and by looking at your portfolio, essentially to see how well you can draw and communicate visually. Bear in mind that they may ask you questions about the course you are applying for. It’s therefore a good idea to thoroughly read the prospectus and course structure to make sure you are fully aware of what they have to offer.

Why do you want to study architecture?

Answers

  • It can lead to a stable well paid job in a growing sector that has excellent long term career prospects.
  • Its very much a practical hands on vocation where you get to be involved in real life problem solving.
  • I have a real enthusiasm for the subject and have always had a keen interest in buildings, their make up and how they are constructed.
  • Becoming a architect is one of the few vocations where you can directly apply theory to practise.

Why did you choose our university?

Answers

  • I was impressed by the standard of work I saw on display at your architecture school.
  • I like the city that your university is based in, to me it’s a vibrant, compact and buzzing place that suits my interests and aspirations.
  • Your lecturers have a reputation for being very interactive.

Other questions

Name one particular architect or building that you admire and give reasons for your choice?
Do you have any work experience of working with architects?
Tell us a bit more about yourself?
What do your consider to be your best project to date?
What are your future aspirations?

Architecture personal statement

These can be vital in ensuring a place at university, it’s therefore imperative that you write a statement that is of the highest standards. Below is a example of how a architect undergraduates personal statement should look like. You should use it for guidance purposes and to get ideas on how to write your own one. You are advised not to copy it word for word or to plagiarise it.

Example 1

“I am a ambitious, hard working and challenge orientated individual who is eager to fulfil a lifelong desire to become a qualified architect. Having just recently passed my A levels I am now actively looking for a suitable and reputable university to enrol with. With this in mind I have opted to apply to your university primarily because of it’s; excellent teaching facilities, strong links to industry and  innovative approach to teaching.

My reasons for wanting to become a architect are varied. Essentially I am attracted by the lifestyle and also the strong belief that society as a whole respects architects and the work that they do. I am also drawn to it for a number of other reasons. Firstly because the industry offers superb career opportunities and huge potential for progression and advancement in later life. Secondly it’s a worthwhile and rewarding career that can make a significant and visible impact on our surroundings, peoples life’s and society in general. Thirdly it’s a exciting cutting edge sector where the job and its role is constantly evolving and changing.

On a more personal note I would describe myself as a confident, enthusiastic and sociable individual who is able to communicate easily with people on all levels and possesses excellent interpersonal skills. In my spare time I take a keen interest in architectural matters by practicing my drawing skills, especially sketching the interior and exterior of buildings.

All things considered I would like to turn my passion for architecture into a career and enrolling for a architecture degree course with your university is the first step towards achieving my dream. I believe that my existing skills and experience, coupled with my commitment to become an architect along with my desire to learn more makes me a ideal candidate for this course.”

Architecture personal statement example 2

“Architecture is the art of how not to waste space. For me this sentence sums up one of the biggest challenges that an architect will ever face, how to effectively maximise a given amount of space. It is something that has fascinated and attracted me ever since I was first introduced to the field.

I see architects as people who have vision and a desire to build, they are individuals who use their creativity to come up with solutions that can impact directly on the lives of people and communities. However everything I have learnt so far indicates to me that for a architect to be truly effective their skills must also be coupled with strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate ideas clearly to clients and colleagues.

There is no single reason for me wanting to become a architect, instead it is a combination of factors. For a start I greatly enjoy being able to use my creative skills and imagination to solve problems and I feel that being an architect will allow me to use these qualities. I also do not want to end up in a lifetime job where I’m stuck in an office pushing pieces of paper around. Instead I would like a career where I will be challenged, have responsibility and get to work as part of a team. I believe a degree qualification in architecture will open the door for me in a career where I will never be bored, tired or lose passion in what I are doing. Being an architect will give me all of these things and more, including a opportunity to work with the latest technology which is another one of my interests.

I already posses a wide range of design, technical and professional knowledge and experience all of which have prepared me to make sound judgements in difficult and pressurised situations. As a creative individual by nature I have deliberately studied Art & Design at college so as to fine tune and harness my natural abilities.

Whilst studying for my A levels I also worked part time at a company of local architects as an office assistant to a multi-disciplinary design team. The firm which has a international reputation for design excellence allowed me to gain experience of working on projects from the outset of design phase right through to the end of completion of the building. In minor administrative ways I was involved in planning applications, project coordination. This practical experience gave me a real insight into the industry and helped me gather many key skills that I feel will be invaluable to me on a degree course. I specifically learnt the importance of having high standards and providing a professional service to all clients.

Having researched all of my options I firmly believe that the course at your university offers me the ideal setting to turn knowledge into ability. I am very excited at the prospect of studying at your well respected institution and expanding my knowledge of this field whilst and gaining expertise in new methods. I firmly believe that my strong desire to gain a degree qualifications in architecture along with my experience to date make me an ideal candidate for your course.”

 

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