Curious about studying Architecture with a Foundation Year - BArch (Hons)at Birmingham City University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Architecture (with Honours) - BArch (Hons)
Parkside Building
Full Time
Sep 2027
4 Year
First founded in 1908, as the Birmingham School of Architecture, education in architecture, currently located in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, has been at the heart of the profession in the city and across the region for over 100 years. This synergistic and interdisciplinary link between architectural education, industry, and the city’s wider history of making, continues to be part of the ethos of the course – building professionals that are adapted to the unique challenges of contemporary practice, and of the city we are rooted in. The BArch (Hons) RIBA Part 1 course reframes architectural education as a tool for equity, civic responsibility, and cultural transformation. The course aims to equip our students with the skills to be creative, ethical, and entrepreneurial – capable of rising to 21st century challenges. We encourage our incredibly diverse student body to bring their lived experiences into studio generating design responses that reflect their own backgrounds. We empower students to radically respond to the urgent issues facing our city and the world, from climate crisis, to urbanisation, and the changing landscape of our cities. We seek not only to diversify the profession but to change what architecture is and does in our own communities. ###
What's covered in this course?The programme is scaffolded over three years to help students grow and build confidence, specialist knowledge, professional literacy, and critical agency, to go out into the world as change makers. Each year includes design studio, professional studies, history/theory, and technology/environment modules that are taught as holistic interrelated topics. Here students have an opportunity to come out with their own unique set of skills, style, and approach as they develop and take ownership over their own design process and agendas. Through a mixture of industry activities, live clients, real world scenarios, and engaging with our professional networks in Birmingham and beyond, students can be sure they have the skills they need for a professional practice that is rapidly changing. We have a long tradition of fostering entrepreneurship, with multiple award-winning practices having been founded by our entrepreneurial graduates. With many of our visiting lecturers coming from architectural practices with active experience working on projects that are helping to define our growing city and region, and with major projects and development on our doorstep, there are lots of great opportunities for our students and graduates to learn from and participate in the design that will radically change the way the entire region functions. Through engaging with live clients and projects, local site visits, guest lectures, and engaging with local visiting critics you will be offered ample opportunities to be a part of the future of Birmingham and beyond.
This module focuses on developing the 2D design skills and techniques required to communicate and visualise design concepts around space and form. You will work on a series of mini projects using predominantly manual techniques such as freehand sketching, technical drawing, and physical model-making. You will also be introduced to some digital techniques such as Photoshop and Desktop Publishing via InDesign.
This module is designed to encourage you to make connections between theory and practice and engage further in critical analysis. You will explore the historical aspects across the two design disciplines (a major and minor) and scales and current practices. You will further explore the use of precedent studies, which will provide you with the tools to respond to the challenges and changes in different environments and habitations.
This module is designed to give you an introduction to the design processes used by the various disciplines and includes appraisal of design briefs, understanding context, design drivers, and the development of concepts and visuals through design feasibility studies. You will begin to understand how to turn your ideas into designs and the level required to reach a professional standard. Underpinning the practice, you will explore and discuss fundamental concepts, particularly relating to human scale, ergonomics and anthropometrics, looking at design and its relationship to the physical aspects of the environment.
The aim of this module is to develop a concept design within your chosen discipline. You will document the design process, reflect on the experience and the final outcomes and the reasons for selecting your chosen field. The project will culminate in a comprehensive presentation, which will capture the whole design process via a design portfolio.
This module focuses on developing presentation skills, from visual and graphic presentation techniques to pitching and presenting ideas. You will have opportunities through workshops and online tutorials to learn Adobe Creative Suite and 3D software such as Sketch-up. Hands on workshop practice will be introduced across a range of materials.
This module is designed to develop your academic skills and make the transition to degree level study. It specifically focuses on your ability to critique, reflect and verbalise your thoughts and concepts through channels such as presentations, blogs and live journals. You will learn how to use research methods to inform your practice and have the opportunity to advance your academic writing and referencing skills.
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