Course Overview
Please note that due to high demand this course is not accepting any more applications for September 2024.
Course summary
Our degree courses with Foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster.
Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge and skills towards degree-level study, or want to change your subject specialism, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our Foundation year to progress onto full honours degree with us.
Our Foundation year in Architecture and Design offers an introduction to the creative professions that shape the design of interiors, buildings and urban spaces. Through design projects you'll learn about the spatial, technical and cultural issues, and develop the grounding skills and creative practices necessary for further study. The first semester begins with an exploration of the design and inhabitation of urban space, followed by a materials and making project based in the Fabrication Laboratory, our outstanding Marylebone campus workshop facility. Running alongside these will be studio and field-based exercises to develop your drawing and creative skills. In the second semester, a project on the design of existing spaces will be followed by the development of a creative work driven by your own interests. Students from the Foundation will have the opportunity to exhibit in the School of Architecture and Cities summer exhibition. Your practical development will be accompanied by modules in both semesters on academic skills in writing and critical thinking.
On successful completion of the Foundation year, you'll be able to move on to study for the Architecture and Environmental Design BSc Honours degree over a further three years of study.
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.
- Westminster is ranked 4th for 'Student Satisfaction' in Architecture in the Complete University Guide 2025.
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 Foundation year offers an introduction to the creative professional field of architecture that shapes our built environment. Year 1 of this course focuses on the principles of environmental and architectural design, and Year 2 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.
The Foundation year offers four studio-based modules which include Recording Place, Making Practices, Reading Spaces and the Major Project. The latter is a design challenge that asks students to draw on skills and interests ignited by their earlier studio-based work and topics explored in the Foundation Pathway Modules. The work from this project will form the centrepiece of the final exhibition showcasing the students' skills and creative visions.
Subjects of study include:
- Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
- Introduction to Academic Practice
- Major Project
- Making Practices
- Reading Spaces
- Recording Place
Credit Level 3
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".
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a placement year.
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 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.
Graduates of this course will no longer be accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) at Part 1 level. ARB has revised its requirements and will no longer prescribe undergraduate qualifications after December 31, 2027. Students starting this course from September 2025 onwards will finish the course after this date, meaning their degree won't be ARB-prescribed. However, this will not affect their ability to qualify as a UK architect, as the ARB will continue accrediting master's level qualifications.
Architecture Tour and Facilities
Watch the video below to find out more about our facilities at the University's Marylebone Campus.
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
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.
Can't attend? See more open events
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.
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.
Course Leaders
The Foundation year is an intensive introduction to the essential creative skills for success in the field – an ideal pathway if you’ve not studied art or would like to explore your career options in a practical way.
Julian Williams
Principal Lecturer
Julian is an architect and academic with extensive experience working in architectural practice. He was BA Architecture Course Leader from 2011 to 2020. He is currently the Deputy Director of Teaching, Learning and Quality for the School.
His writing and research have focused on pedagogy in architectural education, which has informed course innovations and contributed to the set up of the AAE (Association of Architectural Educators), the UK network of design studio teachers. A second strand of research has examined issues of gender in the construction professions.
Julian is involved in a number of projects engaging students with primary schools and their communities around the subject of climate and its interaction with buildings and cities.
More about meSee full profile of Julian WilliamsStefania Boccaletti
Senior Lecturer
Stefania has studied, practiced and taught architecture in Italy, Canada and the UK, gaining international experience in the restoration of heritage buildings and design of educational institutions.
Throughout her career as a practitioner and academic, she has been studying the impact of digital tools on the design and fabrication process in architecture and environmental design, including how they affect the pedagogy of the design studio.
Her current research focuses on the role that data and sensing technologies have in integrating wider issues related to climate change to environmental design.
More about meSee full profile of Stefania Boccaletti
Climate change is one of today’s most pressing issues. Our course enables a new generation of architects to design functional and delightful buildings that combine comfort with sustainability to reverse the climate crises.
Course Team
- Dr Rosa SCHIANO-PHAN - Reader
- Alastair Blyth - Assistant Head of School
- Dr Paolo Cascone - Senior Lecturer
- Stefania Boccaletti - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Mehrdad Borna - Visiting Lecturer
- Dr Md Mohataz Hossain - Visiting Lecturer
- Dr John Zhang - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Yota Adilenidou - PTVL - DCDI
- Carine Berger Woiezechoski - Lecturer
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.
Student satisfaction
92% of students were satisfied with the course.
Source: Discover Uni, (accessed in November 2020)
Entry Requirements
- A levels – CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 96 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 96 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 – MMM
- BTEC Diploma – DD
- Access – 96 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
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
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 – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
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.
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 2024 – end-of-year exhibition video
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 Shah-Ree Tasaddiq – Architecture BA
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 Westminster Enterprise Network 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: £17,000 (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.
Fabrication Laboratory
Architecture studios
Architecture studios
Lecture rooms at Marylebone
Marylebone library
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
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
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
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
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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