From the design of a family home to an entire city, architects help to shape the world we live in.

You’re fascinated by the built environment, and have ambitions to create spaces that are innovative, meaningful and purposeful.

By studying BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) Architecture at ARU, you’ll gain the theoretical, technical and design skills to do this – and to work as a professional architect.

Our architecture studios are exciting, creative places with industry-standard equipment. Here, our experts will deliver a learner-centred and research-led approach to architecture.

You’ll become skilled in developing design concepts, experimenting with different media, and representing your ideas through drawings, physical and digital models.

But you won’t be restricted to the studio. You’ll go on site visits so you can analyse the language and style of buildings, their construction, and see projects taking shape in real life. Together, we’ll explore building design, ‘buildability’ and sustainability.

There’s also an optional European field trip each year, to cities such as Lisbon, Venice, Rome and Vienna. It’s a great chance to explore how architecture contributes to shaping our urban life.

Your future career is important so you’ll learn about the construction business and project management. We have a network of visiting designers, artists, historians and theorists who deliver workshops, lectures and tutorials. You can also choose to take a placement as part of your BA (Hons) Architecture degree, and gain industry experience.

We make sure your course is relevant to the real world, by helping you to engage ethically, politically, and sustainably with the changing landscape of the built environment, better preparing you for the world of work.

At ARU, we believe it's important to recognise our students' hard work. That's why, at the end of each academic year, we showcase and celebrate your achievements with an End of Year Show.

When you complete your degree course, you will have fulfilled the first part of the three-part process to become a registered architect in the UK.

On our BA (Hons) route, you'll study Level 4, 5 and 6 modules over three years in Chelmsford. You have the option to take a foundation (Level 3) course at ARU College in Cambridge for a year before starting the main part of the course.

On our BSc (Hons) route, you'll take a Level 3 foundation year at ARU College in Cambridge, then transfer to Chelmsford where you'll take Level 4 modules in your second year. If you pass these modules, you'll be eligible to transfer to Year 2 (Level 5) of the BA course. If you are not eligible, you'll continue on the BSc, taking our Level 5 modules in your third year.

As a graduate recognised by the Architects Registration Board, you’ll be ready to work in a range of architectural roles.

Our course prepares you for a career in architectural practice, but you could also choose to work in areas such as town planning, surveying, engineering, property, and building conservation.

Whichever path interests you most, you can be sure that you’ll graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities that industry needs. We work with employers, who help us review what we teach and how we teach it – offering hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements.

By studying architecture at ARU, you’ll have gained creative and practical skills, such as computer-aided design, which will help you stand out from the crowd.

Graduation doesn't need to be the end of your time with us, of course. If you’d like to continue your studies, we offer a range of postgraduate degrees including our MSc Town Planning. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.