In the first year, you’ll learn skills in sketching, drawing and Computer Aided Design (CAD), as well as model making and 3D representation.  We’ll teach you 2D and 3D analogue and digital technologies so you can visualise your design ideas.  You’ll produce technical drawings to multiple scales.  You’ll take part in demonstrations and workshop-based activities to understand how engineering and technology inform practice.  We’ll teach you skills in problem-solving, research and analysis, as you explore the relationship between culture and design.    

In the second year, you’ll grow as a critical thinker.  Your knowledge of culture and theory will fuel your creativity.  Explore the fascinating relationship between buildings, people and the environment.  Design a public building and public space.  You’ll learn to integrate hand drawing with digital editing, CAD and 3D Modelling in your proposals.  We’ll help you improve your skills with 2D and 3D printing, CNC routers and laser cutters.  You’ll learn technologies to map and analyse cities and infrastructures. Discover how design can complement the world around us.  Be curious.  How can architecture be functional and expressive?  Through reflection and debate you’ll feel confident about your understanding of contemporary architecture and your place within it.    

In the third year, you’ll write your dissertation, a 6000-word essay on a topic that interests you.  We’ll help you develop a professional portfolio as you work on real-life projects and pitch your ideas in a competitive environment.  This is your chance to inspire.  The pinnacle of your studies is a major project.  You’ll investigate the use of space and analyse how architecture impacts a city and its population.  You’ll use your expert design and technology skills to innovate.  This is your chance to prove you’re ready for professional practice or postgraduate study. 

Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.  

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.  

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it. 

What's next for my career?

As an architecture graduate you can opt to continue  to the second stage of the architectural education (ARB/RIBA part 2), as well as decide to work within an architectural or interior architecture practice, or as part of a multi-disciplinary design consultancy. You may also move into areas such as urban design, real estate and retail design.

The course offers an excellent network of industry partners. You will work closely with architectural practices both nationally and internationally on a variety of projects and collaborations. Visiting lectures from the some of the most prestigious architectural practices contribute to the teaching and learning. In addition, we draw on exemplars from regional, national and international architecture to inform the teaching.

During the course of study, students produce a series of projects which result in a professional portfolio representing a high degree of spatial and technical resolution that shows the development of a clear design approach and provides evidence of their employability relevant to their preferred career ambitions.

As an architecture graduate you can continue to the second stage of architectural education (ARB / RIBA part 2). You can also start your career within an architectural or interior architecture practice, or join a multidisciplinary design consultancy. You could also move into areas such as urban design, real estate and retail design.