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University of Wales Trinity Saint David| The award | How you will study | Study duration | Course start | Domestic course fees | International course fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc | Full-time | 3 years | find out | 0 | 0 |
Course Overview
The course is intended for those whose ambition is to become a qualified architect, but is also a good choice for anyone who has an interest in architecture and design and seeking a broad based degree programme that can lead to a wide variety of career opportunities.
The programme of study is centred on a sequence of design studio projects that start in the first weeks with the exploration of space, form, colour and materials. By the end of the first years students are designing small but complex buildings and places in detail.
Second year focuses on ideas of home and community through the design of houses flats and neighbourhoods and the public buildings that support social life.
The final year introduces students to larger scale buildings and the course culminates in a comprehensive design for a substantial cultural building in a real setting.
The core design studios are supported by a suite of contextual modules that provide students with a coherent body of relevant knowledge in three areas: environment and technology (structures, construction and building physics), history and theory (an overview of architectural history and theoretical writing from related fields) and profession and business (basic construction law, building procurement, cost control and business management).
In the final year each student writes a dissertation - an independent research study - on a subject of their own choice within the very broad field of architecture.
The course is designed to be the first stage (Part One) of the three stage process of professional qualification as an architect. The University is in the process of seeking recognition of the course by the Architects Registration Bard (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Key Features
This is a course with a fresh approach to architectural education that is rooted in it its locality but has a broad global perspective.
We believe that architecture is fundamentally about meeting the needs of people in ways that respect their culture and values and the character and traditions of their communities, while offering them the best that new technology and contemporary international design culture can contribute to the shaping of their environment.
At the core of our approach is a rigorous and open-minded understanding of the complex set of ideas summarised in the phrase 'sustainable development' and a belief in the importance of the crafts of construction in the creation of good architecture and places.
Our architecture course is a practical, project-based programme in which students work collaboratively in a stimulating, creative studio environment guided by a dedicated staff team offering regular tutorial support tailored to their individual needs. Our studios are equipped with up-to-date computers with a wide range of design and visualisation software and facilities for laser cutting and 3D printing.
Our large workshops give students the opportunity to make full size building elements as well as models of all scales and sizes.
Our teaching is informed by research in subjects that extend across our portfolio, supplemented by external experts from the city, region and around the world.
We believe in engaging with employers to develop, deliver and review courses that enhance our graduates' opportunities for employment and career development.
We are situated in the heart of Swansea close to the historic waterfront where the University is buildings its new campus and also within easy reach the unspoilt beaches and wild landscape of the Gower peninsula, Britain's first designated 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'.
Modules
First year
Second year
Third year
Professional Accreditations
The programme is designed to meet the UK criteria for the recognition as a Part One qualification in architecture by the ARB and RIBA -- the first stage of the three-part route to entry to the UK Register of Architects.
These criteria are jointly held by the RIBA and the ARB and are identical to the core requirements of the QAA benchmark statement for architecture.
It is anticipated that it will be possible to arrange for the programme to be prescribed by the ARB before (or very soon after) the first cohort of students is enrolled in September 2016.
The RIBA will not validate a course until after the first students graduate because its approval is based (inter alia) on an inspection of student work. It should be possible however to gain 'candidate status' for the programme during the first year of operation of the programme
Assessment
Design project work is assessed on the basis of a portfolio of work consisting of a series of assignments completed during the year.
The portfolio will include drawings, photographs of models and illustrated written reports. Feedback on student progress is given throughout the year - usually in the form of verbal comments by a team of tutors on the basis of student presentations and review attended by fellow students. Formative assessment is made at the end of each project - usually in the form of a provisional mark, which allows students to respond to feedback before the final submission of the portfolio when the final (or 'summative?) assessment is made.
Assessments of work in the contextual modules will take the form of practical exercises during the year, reports and essays and time-constrained assessment by means of tests and formal examinations.
Career Opportunities
The programme is designed to be prescribed/validated by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as a Part One qualification in architecture so the most likely first destination for a graduate is work as an architectural assistant* in an architectural practice.
There are many other possible employment opportunities including other parts of the construction industry (building contractors and sub-contractors), the creative industries (applying computer drawing and visualisation skills) and planning or urban design.
Graduate skills developed by the programme (based on the 'graduate attributes' set out in the RIBA/ARB criteria for validation/ prescription of qualifications in architecture and the QAA benchmark statement for architecture).
(* the term 'architectural assistant' is the job designation of those on the route to professional qualification as an architect until completion of Part Three. Terms such as 'assistant architect', 'architect in training' or 'part 1 architect' may not be use as the title 'architect' is protected by statute and may only be used by those on the Register of Architects (apart from three exceptions stated in the Architects Act: 'naval architect', 'landscape architect' and 'golf-course architect.').
Further Information
Programme Specification:
Year 1 provides an introduction to the core competency of design in the three core studio modules that focus on: structures and materials; space and form and design skills. The parallel context modules lay the foundations of the body of key knowledge required by the architect construction technology, environmental design, architectural history and theory. Essential skills required for HE programmes are introduced in the Modern World module.
Year 2 further develops the skill and knowledge base introduced in the first year. Design studio are concerned with more complex buildings, groups of buildings and/or alterations to existing buildings. The technology and environment module deals with the construction of larger and more complex buildings. The history and theory module includes research methods in addition to addressing more advanced theoretical issues and its coursework includes a proposal for the dissertation to be completed in the third year.
Year 3 The final year design module deal with larger and more complex buildings and culminates in a comprehensive design project that integrates all aspects of the skills and knowledge addressed in the programme. Students complete the dissertation and the second business and profession module prepares students for their transition into the world of practice.
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