Architecture (Placement Year) Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Why Lancaster?

* Study in a school that guarantees a dedicated studio space for every student, available 24/7

* Take inspiration from our location – a rural, green campus on the edge of industrial cities and the Lake District

* Learn from experts shaping conversation on technology, environment, and architecture and delivering TEA Talks

* Benefit from top facilities - from hand tools, 3D printers and laser scanners to CNC routers, large-scale printers and specialist software

* Immerse yourself in a programme that puts design innovation at the forefront of its teaching through our dedicated research lab, Imagination Lancaster

* Enhance your CV with live project work, networking events, practical experience, summer school and mentoring

Radical creativity with a conscience

Studying architecture at Lancaster will give you the know-how to be agile and ethical in your architectural practice. Tackling three key areas: future practice, digital crafts and the climate emergency, this course will teach you to build with sustainability in mind and design innovative spaces that match the needs of the communities that will use them.

With sustainability at the heart of all that we teach, we empower students to search for innovative solutions that repurpose materials and extend the lifecycle of buildings. We help students to become pioneers of future technologies like digital fabrication, rapid prototyping and the maker movement.

We are one of the first courses in the country to implement the latest ARB and RIBA guidance on teaching ethics, professionalism, fire safety and sustainability, ensuring your knowledge is fully up-to-date when you graduate.

Hands-on learning

Our campus is an inspirational setting for studying architecture. You will experience a great contrast in the Architecture of our working spaces – an Arts and Crafts manor house and our award-winning contemporary arts building. Our studio layout allows you to experience the culture of a professional practice and work collaboratively with other students, whilst taking advantage of our top facilities.

Alongside lectures, seminars and practical workshops you will have one-to-one tutorials with award-winning academics who have first-hand experience in the industry. With plenty of opportunities for hands-on work in the studio our small class sizes allow us to get to know all our students well, which makes for a friendly and productive environment.

Our Summer school (Charrette) is a great chance to practice alongside academics and architecture students from other years.

Building Connections for your Future

With a strong and established network of national and regional partners, this course will equip you with the resources and the connections to effectively put your architectural skills into practice. Every student will have the opportunity to complete a placement in a local architectural practice through the RIBA North West Student Mentoring Scheme. This scheme provides two weeks’ experience within an architecture business, as well as valuable mentoring sessions with a professional architect.

At Lancaster we have ongoing partnerships with several leading practices. Facilitated in part by the regional RIBA chapter and the Lancashire and Westmorland Society of Architects, we encourage students to start networking early, via events ranging from RIBA practice meet-ups, awards ceremonies, competitions, and cross-University studio reviews.

Through our design-led research lab, Imagination Lancaster, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with academics and public and private sector organisations, putting you at the forefront of live research projects that have real world, economic and societal impact.

Sometimes known as a year in industry, your placement year will take place between your second and final year of study and this will extend your degree to four years.