Architecture and Environmental Design BSc Honours

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Course Overview

Attendance

UK Fees £9,250 *
International Fees £15,400 *
Duration 3 or 4 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

Our Architecture and Environmental Design BSc encompasses the ‘artistic’ and the ‘scientific’ to create a new generation of architects who are not only architecturally competent and environmentally aware, but also able to explore the spatial poetics with an evidence-informed approach, selectively evaluate design options, and quantify the building performance and environmental benefits and impact of their designs.

You will develop your creative space- and form-making, environmental design, technical and analytical skills, as well as your critical thinking and awareness of the wider architectural context.

Half of your time on the course will be spent on studio-based design activities and half on bioclimatic, historical, cultural, socio-economic and professional studies. All modules have a strong interdisciplinary approach that highlights the added value that environmental architects bring to the building industry and to society.

This course will give you professional skills that can be used both in architectural practice and environmental design consultancy. Professional architects with a specialisation in environmental design, sustainability and low-carbon design are particularly sought after at the moment, both in the UK and internationally.

Top reasons to study with us

  • Solve today’s biggest challenges – Our environmental impact will have repercussions for the future of the planet and the built environment. This pioneering course prepares you to tackle those challenges head on, with solid architectural and environmental design skills.
  • Enjoy outstanding facilities – Our facilities are world class and include a fabrication laboratory, open-plan studios and an extensive library.
  • Taught by an experienced team – You'll be taught by a dedicated group of experienced architectural practitioners, world-renowned scholars, and engineers.
  • Stimulating learning environment  You'll benefit from a rich, varied culture that broadens architectural horizons, develops professional creativity and fosters entrepreneurial spirit .
  • Access wider career paths – Graduates of this course can practise as architectural and environmental designers after gaining the RIBA Part 1 qualification.
  • Satisfied students – 100% of students thought the course was “intellectually stimulating". (Source: Discover Uni, accessed in November 2020)
  • Central London location – London and all its architectural riches will be your extended classroom, right on your doorstep.

Course climate action statement

This course rethinks the role and methods of design practice within the reality of the climate emergency. Physical ecologies of building, numeracy, and computation, as well as the wider principles of social and economic sustainability, are at the core of its pedagogy.

Course structure

The first year of this course focuses on the principles of environmental and architectural design, and the second year allows students to apply those skills in a wider context. In the final year, students will complete a year-long thesis project.

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Sensing the Environment

In your first year, you will learn about architectural design and environmental principles, and learn the evidence-informed approach and the quantification skills which will enable you to evaluate design proposals. You will acquire fundamental skills (technical, design and representation skills) through your personal experience of architectural space.

Typical subject areas covered will include:

  • Introduction to Design Skills
  • Introduction to Design Practice
  • Design Project
  • A History of Architecture
  • Environmental Design and Principles of Building Physics

Transformation and Application

In your second year, you will consolidate and apply the architectural and environmental principles and skills acquired in Year 1 to a wider context, moving from the personal space to the remit of the building and its surroundings.

Typical subject areas covered will include:

  • Design in Cities
  • Material Studies and Environmental Design
  • Designing in Extreme Climatic Conditions
  • Zero-Plus Energy Buildings
  • Architectural History & Urbanism
  • Climate, Energy and Architecture

This course gives you the opportunity to take a year in industry (work placement) after completing the second year of your study. This will help you gain work experience and increase your chances of employability after you graduate.

Students who complete their placement year successfully will have the additional wording appended to their degree title, for example, "BSc (Hons) Architecture and Environmental Design with Professional Experience".

Stepping out and Making

In your year-long thesis project, you will focus on the design of an architectural proposition and the making and testing of prototype/component. This will prepare you to step out into practice with confidence in architectural and environmental design and the use of various advanced building performance prediction and testing tools.

Typical subject areas will include:

  • Architecture, Climate Change and the Planetary Emergency
  • Final Thesis Project
  • Prototype Fabrication and Testing
  • Professional Practice
  • Environmental and Energy Performance

Professional accreditation

The course is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), providing exemption from RIBA Part 1. The validation came with a number of commendations. These include: the creativity and resilience of staff; the implementation of cross-disciplinary working and the complementary nature of the course ethos and identity within the school; the attitude and proactive approach of the students evident in their work.

Architecture Tour and Facilities

Watch the video below to find out more about our facilities at the University's Marylebone Campus.

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Prospectus

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

Request a prospectus

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.

Stand out from the crowd

Professional architects with a specialisation in environmental design, sustainability and low-carbon design are currently in high demand in the job market.

Internships

Our strong links with the building industry mean you'll get the opportunity for hands-on experience through an internship.

3,000

Employers around the world

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Graduate employers

Professional architects with a specialisation in environmental design, sustainability or low-carbon design are highly sought after in the
UK and internationally. There's a particular demand from consulting engineering employers for architects/environmental design consultants who have a good understanding of environmental engineering, passive strategies and systems, and their integration in architectural design.

With the introduction of more stringent building regulations and energy certification, employers in the engineering and architectural professions are on the look-out for candidates with quantification skills and the ability to evaluate energy and environmental performance.

Recent graduates from our architecture courses have gone on to work for prestigious practices, including:

  • Foster + Partners
  • Grimshaw Architects
  • Wilkinson Eyre

Industry links

Our strong links with the building industry mean there'll be opportunities for you to take part in internships during the course — giving you direct, hands-on experience.

Job roles

Graduates have a wide range of career choices, with previous graduates securing positions inside high-profile architectural practices, in design consultancies, or in environmental engineering.

Architecture and Environmental Design BSc graduates can become fully qualified architects after the successful completion of RIBA Part 2 studies and Part 3 training.

The course will prepare you for roles such as:

  • fully qualified architect with environmental design expertise (RIBA)
  • environmental design consultant
  • a combined career as an architect (RIBA) and environmental design consultant

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

  • Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
  • Attending an international summer school or field trip
  • Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leader

Why study this course?

Fantastic location

London's architectural heritage is rich and eclectic – and easily explored from our central London base.

Dynamic design studios

Our lively, open-plan design studios spark creativity and innovation.

92%

Student satisfaction

92% of students were satisfied with the course.

Source: Discover Uni, (accessed in November 2020)

Entry Requirements

  • A levels – BBB (120 UCAS Tariff points)
  • T levels – 120 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 120 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM in Art and Design
  • BTEC Diploma – D*D* in Art and Design + other quals
  • Access – 120 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

  • GCSE English Language grade 4/C - IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C - IB grade 4, GCSE Science grade 4/C

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

In addition to the above, you should have:

  • Personal Statement – You should outline your interest in the subject, your reasons for wanting to pursue a career in architecture, and give an overview of your current creative studies, particularly if this is being done outside of your formal school curriculum.As well as commitment, we are looking for examples of practical activities you have done to support your application. These could include gallery, exhibition and building visits (these could be in your own neighbourhood, town or city) with your thoughts and reflections; contact with an architectural practice with your observations and insights; and your review of books on architecture.
  • Portfolio of creative work – After considering your application we may ask you to share an online portfolio of creative work (we cannot accept portfolios as attachments or file sharing downloads). You will be given advice on how to do this. The portfolio should fully reflect your range of skills, talents and interests through a variety of media and forms. We are particularly interested in drawing, collage and other mixed media, painting and three-dimensional work. The selection should include both observational studies and creative work, and evidence developmental processes as well as final outcomes. Although there is no limit to the number you can include, we suggest around 15-20 pieces.We also encourage you to include work such as sketchbook studies done outside of your set school curriculum. Whilst you may want to include photography, CAD and photoshop work, the focus should be on hand-drawing and traditional media. 

You may be invited for an online interview to discuss your application further. At the interview we will be interested to hear about why you want to study architecture, what you have done to find out more about architecture as a career, and your understanding of what designing buildings might involve.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

  • International Baccalaureate – 120 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

In addition to the above, you should have:

  • Personal Statement – You should outline your interest in the subject, your reasons for wanting to pursue a career in architecture, and give an overview of your current creative studies, particularly if this is being done outside of your formal school curriculum.As well as commitment, we are looking for examples of practical activities you have done to support your application. These could include gallery, exhibition and building visits (these could be in your own neighbourhood, town or city) with your thoughts and reflections; contact with an architectural practice with your observations and insights; and your review of books on architecture.
  • Portfolio of creative work – After considering your application we may ask you to share an online portfolio of creative work (we cannot accept portfolios as attachments or file sharing downloads). You will be given advice on how to do this. The portfolio should fully reflect your range of skills, talents and interests through a variety of media and forms. We are particularly interested in drawing, collage and other mixed media, painting and three-dimensional work. The selection should include both observational studies and creative work, and evidence developmental processes as well as final outcomes. Although there is no limit to the number you can include, we suggest around 15-20 pieces.We also encourage you to include work such as sketchbook studies done outside of your set school curriculum. Whilst you may want to include photography, CAD and photoshop work, the focus should be on hand-drawing and traditional media. 

You may be invited for an online interview to discuss your application further. At the interview we will be interested to hear about why you want to study architecture, what you have done to find out more about architecture as a career, and your understanding of what designing buildings might involve.

More information

What our students say

Suha Valiyaveettil

Architecture and Environmental Design BSc

The University of Westminster instantly clicked as a place of comfort, innovation, inclusivity and academic rigour. 

Hugh Santos

Architecture and Environmental Design BSc - 2022

You are a part of an extremely diverse community of peers with whom you can become a much better person.

Westminster OPEN Degree Show

Westminster's OPEN Degree Show celebrates the talent and diversity of our architecture and design students. In addition to a physical exhibition held at our Marylebone Campus, you can see the latest online collection on Westminster OPEN Degree Show.

Image: student work by Pablo Pimentel Thomen

Photo credit: Student Pablo Pimentel Thomen

Student work

Each year we showcase the achievements and emerging talent of students from our School of Architecture and Cities at our end-of-year exhibition, OPEN.

Watch the video below of the most recent exhibition or have a look through our OPEN catalogues on ISSUU.com 

OPEN 2023 – end-of-year exhibition video

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects. 

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

You may incur extra costs associated with your studies, which you'll need to plan for:

  • Starter kits: optional ‘starter kits’ for first year students are available from our on-campus shop Marylebone Books. This includes materials and equipment that you'll need to keep and use during the first year. The packs are priced at around £150-£160. 
  • Printing: for environmental reasons, we avoid printing as much as possible, but sometimes it is unavoidable. The cost for printing could be around £150-180 per academic year. 
  • Gallery and site visits: the cost will be £20 per semester/£40 per academic year. 
  • Field trip costs: an optional field trip is offered to second year students at an additional cost of £379 per field trip. However, in the past few years, the cost of travel and accommodation for the field trip was covered by funding, reducing the cost to around £100. 

See more information on what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £15,400 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

You may incur extra costs associated with your studies, which you'll need to plan for:

  • Starter kits: optional ‘starter kits’ for first year students are available from our on-campus shop Marylebone Books. This includes materials and equipment that you'll need to keep and use during the first year. The packs are priced at around £150-£160. 
  • Printing: for environmental reasons, we avoid printing as much as possible, but sometimes it is unavoidable. The cost for printing could be around £150-180 per academic year. 
  • Gallery and site visits: the cost will be £20 per semester/£40 per academic year. 
  • Field trip costs: an optional field trip is offered to second year students at an additional cost of £379 per field trip. However, in the past few years, the cost of travel and accommodation for the field trip was covered by funding, reducing the cost to around £100. 

See more information on what your tuition fees cover.

Facilities

Find out more about our architecture facilities.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
30%70%
2
25%75%
3
28%72%
Scheduled hoursIndependent study

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into two broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
  • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Year
1
100%
2
100%
3
100%
Coursework

Data from the academic year 2023/24

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course Location

Right in the heart of central London, our Marylebone Campus is home to the Westminster Business School and our Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses. Specialist workshops, dedicated digital and architecture studios, and our extensive Marylebone Library offer students everything they need for academic success.

Marylebone Campus is opposite Baker Street tube station and within easy walking distance of Regent's Park and Marylebone High Street.

For more details, visit our Marylebone Campus page.

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

Start live chat

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

More information

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