Architecture
UCAS code K100
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years leading to a 2 year Masters degree (MArch)
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
About this course
As the first UK university to award a RIBA-accredited degree in Architecture, the University of Liverpool has a long and proud tradition of excellence in architectural education and research. Our approach to teaching embraces contemporary debates around sustainability, climate change, equality and diversity, reflecting the industry today.
Introduction
The programme aims to provide a comprehensive foundation in architecture, which demands knowledge of many different but interrelated disciplines, and the development of personal as well as technical skills. RIBA Part I is awarded on completion of your studies.
Each year contains core modules in the history and theory of architecture; building structures and construction; and approaches to design. Environmental issues are considered at every level of study and you will also have an opportunity to learn about practice management. These knowledge modules will be combined with studio design, which accounts for 50% of your credits in each year.
We encourage a creative and individual approach to the future, allowing us to respond to your individual strengths and to the increasingly specialist, complex nature of future professional life. From day one, we will support and nurture your creative voice, both in the Design Studio and in the decisions you make regarding your study options.
Design Studies BA (Hons)
Students studying K100 have the option to transfer to the Design Studies BA (Hons) programme in Year Two (please note: this programme is not RIBA-accredited). Students will specialise in the analysis and evaluation of ‘design’ understood as a complex historical and contemporary concept related to practices in architecture, planning, product manufacture, and the visual arts.
What you'll learn
- Architectural design skills
- The history and evolution of architecture
- The technology and principles of construction and structural design
- Graphical and modelling techniques
- Design principles and philosophies
- Current sustainability and environmental debates and measures
- Management theory and business organisation
- Knowledge and awareness of current and emerging technologies and their application in construction
Accreditation
This programme is validated by RIBA, prescribed by the Architects Registration Board for the purposes of admission to the UK Register of Architects, and validated by the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM).
Accreditation in detail
ARB
The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is the independent statutory regulator of architects in the UK, and is also the UK's Competent Authority for Architects. In order to call yourself an architect in the UK you must be registered with the ARB.
ARB ensures that all registered architects meet the required standards and have the necessary qualifications to practise, as well as upholding relevant legislation and investigating any complaints made against a member.
In order to register in the UK, you typically need to hold the following:
- An ARB prescribed UK qualification at Part 1; our BA is a prescribed Part 1 degree
- An ARB prescribed UK qualification at Part 2; our MArch is a prescribed part 2 degree
- An ARB prescribed UK qualification at Part 3, including 24 months practical training experience.
RIBA
Dating all the way back to 1837, the Royal Institute of British Architects is the UK's chartered body for architecture. It was founded to promote the advancement of architecture and maintain high-quality design and customer service. RIBA chartered membership is voluntary and is not a legal requirement to practise as an architect. However, registering allows an architect to use the term “chartered” and the RIBA suffix.
The typical route to qualifying as an architect in the United Kingdom is a combination of academic studies at a university and practical experience. It involves training for five years at university and completing a minimum of two years practical experience before final qualification.
We were the first University in the UK to award an RIBA accredited degree and have had continuous accreditation since. Our first degree, the BA Hons in Architecture is a three year degree giving RIBA part 1 on completion. Our second degree is the Master of Architecture (MArch Hons) giving RIBA Part 2. We recommend that our MArch graduates take the part 3 qualification through the route offered by the Northwest RIBA, with which we have close links.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
Year one consists of compulsory modules, in which you will be introduced to the history and evolution of Architecture, developing foundational knowledge of the concepts and theories that will form the basis of the rest of your studies. We will look at the technology and principles of construction and structural design. Half of your module credits will be taken in studio design, enabling you to develop graphical and modelling techniques, and to nurture your creative voice.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two
You will deepen your understanding through compulsory modules in architectural theory and design.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year three
You will study six compulsory modules, covering design, management, and history. Half of your credits will be taken in studio design.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
Year one of the programme comprises a series of interconnected modules, which are designed to lay the foundation for future years. The initial aim is to teach basic graphic communication and to give you the tools to develop your own design agenda.
Year two modules put increased emphasis on the context of architecture such as urban design, responsibility to society, and relationships with the construction industry.
The final year of the programme provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate you have acquired the necessary knowledge and skill to embark on a professional career in architecture. Building on the expertise and understanding of the previous two years, the design modules allow you to develop the necessary skills to design medium and large-scale buildings with a high degree of complexity.
How you're assessed
Written exams count for roughly 25% of your overall marks, with the balance coming from the creativity, reasoning and imagination you’ve shown in your work during the programme. In the studio modules, assessment is always carried out by a team of staff, who review all of the designs to arrive at a consensus on marks.
At the end of each academic year, portfolios of designs are reviewed by all architectural staff to reach a further consensus understanding of each student’s progress. We believe that excellent design is encouraged as much by what we teach, as by how far the student is prepared to pursue their architectural ideas.
We avoid a box-ticking approach to marking, looking instead for exploration and consistency in the design that demonstrates independence and invention. Our approach to marking by consensus gives, we believe, the best guarantee of fairness while encouraging personal experiment. The best coursework shows an awareness of the greater world of architecture and the building industry, and contributes to knowledge. We try hard to avoid templates of performance while keeping within best practice. To this end, guidance issued is as clear and precise as we can make it, whilst expecting that creativity will dominate.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
BBC |
| GCSE |
GCSE Maths and English grade C/4 |
| BTEC Level 3 national extended diploma |
DDM |
| BTEC combinations |
BTEC National Diploma DM plus B at A level; BTEC National Extended Certificate M plus BB at A level. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced |
C in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level |
| Access |
Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits with 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit |
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
Semester abroad
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Summer abroad
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
- Study abroad without adding an extra year
- Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
- Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline
Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Study as part of XJTLU 2+2
Students studying Architecture BEng at XJTLU can study this course at the University of Liverpool. Read more about Architecture BA (Hons) as part of the 2+2 programme .
The natural next step for ambitious XJTLU students who want to build a brilliant career.
- Spend two years at the University of Liverpool campus
- Improve your prospects of progressing to postgraduate study at a top 100 university
- Receive two degrees: one from XJTLU, one from the University of Liverpool
- Get support with visas, accommodation and your career.
Your experience
The Liverpool School of Architecture benefits from comfortable, well-lit studio, work and seminar/review spaces, including a ‘hi-tech’ design studio, to which you will have 24-hour access.
Our facilities include a Print Media Design Suite, computing labs, workshops, a laser suite, a CNC router room, 3D printers, computing labs and research labs. A team of dedicated technicians will help you to get the most of these facilities and to realise your ideas.
Explore where you'll study
Meet our Architecture students
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
Why study Architecture at Liverpool?
- Established in 1894, the Liverpool School of Architecture was the first university in the UK to award a RIBA-accredited degree in Architecture
- As one of the UK’s premier centres for architectural research and education, the Liverpool School of Architecture is the ideal place to pursue your architecture studies
- We are ranked 3rd in the UK for Architecture (The Guardian University Guide 2025) and 7th in the Times and Sunday Times Higher Education Good University Guide 2025.
- In the latest Research Excellence Framework assessment (REF 2021), we were rated 5th in the sector for overall research classified as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).
- We are strongly focused on research, and have many leading architectural experts based amongst our teaching staff
- Our membership of the School of the Arts and wider University presents intriguing specialist opportunities, in fields such as autonomous building systems, arts and building design, and climate change risk mitigation
- Work is underway on a major refurbishment of our premises, which will comprise a new-build addition of more than 2,000M. The £23 million scheme has been designed by Dublin-based architects O’Donnell + Tuomey, and is expected to be completed by 2026.
The ambition the school of architecture has is unmatched by any other in the UK.
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
David Grant – Architecture
Careers and employability
The BA in Architecture is the first step into the profession, into which many of our graduates go. The programme is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB), and the degree constitutes Part I of the education, which eventually leads to professional registration.
Architecture graduates can follow a few options. Graduates who want to pursue a career in architecture are able to apply for the MArch programme, which provides the RIBA-accredited Part II.
Other careers – this programme is also an ideal preparation for further study and hugely valuable in a whole range of other careers.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in the following:
- the Arts Council;
- the construction industry;
- and multidisciplinary think tanks;
- games design and the fashion industry;
- property development.
We also hold an End of Year Degree Show to conclude your BA studies and showcase the range of work produced during your time on the programme. We invite a number of architect firms to attend the event, many of whom have gone on to make job or work experience offers to our graduating students.