Architecture shapes the world around us. It reflects our societies and communities, and influences the way we think and feel. Architecture dominates our skyline, transforms our cities, changes the way we live and work and becomes part of our narrative. Learn how to design buildings and make spaces for people in a creative and environmentally responsible way. The Architecture degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University is informed by the tradition and heritage of a school of art and design, and by the contemporary creative use of cutting-edge technology, exploring the relationship of human experiences with architecture. The course aims to establish a creative dialogue between different areas of architectural knowledge: design, representation, technology, contextual studies and professional practice. You will develop your understanding of these thematic areas and their integration through engagement in projects of increasing difficulty. This will allow you to formulate architectural proposals that are spatially and technically resolved, with a robust theoretical basis. You will also learn how to effectively communicate your proposals within a professional context, through a range of media. Finally, the course places special emphasis on the architect’s responsibility in tackling contemporary problems of environmental concern, at the global and local scales (such as the climate emergency). You will be actively encouraged to develop critical perspectives on how knowledge and creativity can be used together to arrive at design solutions that have the potential to render buildings, neighbourhoods or cities more sustainable in the short and long term. There will be opportunities to engage in real-world activities, including work with local communities and employers, as well as chances to experience other cultures – and their architecture – through overseas study trips. Show less

The curriculum is made up of three components that are referred to as Subject, Field and Constellation:

Subject grounds students as architects in training.
Field enables students to explore and collaborate with peers (and tutors) on the other programmes offered at Cardiff School of Art and Design.
Constellation provides theoretical underpinning that encourages students to position their practice within transdisciplinary contexts.

Both Field and Constellation modules allow architectural students to familiarise themselves with various art-and-design disciplines, and appreciate their relationship with architecture and their influence on the quality of architectural design.

Year 1

Subject - Introduction to Architectural Thinking and Design (40 credits)

You’ll be introduced to essential architectural concepts and skills and to an appreciation of what architectural design is and what it involves.

Subject - Integrated Design: Small Interventions (20 credits)
You’ll build upon the skills and knowledge acquired in the first module and further your design ability through engagement in a project that integrates architectural design, representation and technology, and contextual studies.

Field - Collaborate (20 credits)
Widen your horizons by joining students from other courses to collaborate on a project. You'll take inspiration from other disciplines to build on your experience and expand your creativity – and use your skills and artistic insight to apply them to your work.

Constellation - Concept (40 credits)
This module introduces you to the wider world of ideas, theory and contextual studies to help you develop your academic research skills and critical thinking. You'll focus on particular areas of interest in study groups and you'll become familiar with the exciting trans-disciplinary research and expertise at Cardiff School of Art & Design.

Year 2

Subject - Integrated Design: Urban Interventions (40 credits)
This module aims to advance your design skills by presenting you with an integrated project of greater complexity than those proposed in year 1 and by introducing you to the urban dimension in architecture.

Field - Explore (40 credits)
You'll expand your experiences with challenging projects designed to encourage you to explore and experiment outside your immediate discipline. This transformative opportunity leads to new thinking and innovation – and opens up all kinds of future possibilities. You'll take on exciting projects that challenge you in new ways. You can also choose to travel, take a work placement, start your own business or try something new.

Constellation - Integrated Design: Dwelling and Community (40 credits)
You’ll conduct an integrated architectural design project that presents you with new themes and challenges around housing and local communities.

Year 3

Subject - Integrated Design: Comprehensive Project (40 credits)
You’ll consolidate the knowledge and skills that you’ve gained at previous levels of study, and further your ability to conduct an integrated architectural design, by getting involved in a project of increased complexity.

Field - Exposure (40 credits)
Your final term is dedicated to the completion of your Comprehensive Project and an exhibition of your work. This is where you draw together everything you've learnt during the course and is the launch pad to your future career.

Constellation - Contribution (40 credits)
Your design practice is underpinned by your knowledge. Demonstrate your research and analysis skills in your final Constellation submission, where you'll explore ideas in both written and practical forms.

Show less

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it

Show less