BA Architecture and Planning (with Foundation Year)
About this course
BA(Hons) in Architecture and Planning (with Foundation Year), a five-year undergraduate degree centred on architectural design and urban planning principles. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. The course includes a compulsory foundation year. The first year covers foundational architectural design and architectural history through modules such as Studio 1.1 - Form and Context, Studio 1.2 - People and Environment, Contexts of Architecture 1 - Cities and Society, and Making Sustainable Architecture. The second year examines housing design, planning policy, and architectural history through modules including Planning in the UK - Structures and Challenges, Studio 2.1 - Living, AP Studio 2.2, and Planning Theory. The third year explores global urbanization, workplace learning, and independent research via modules like AP Studio 3.1, AP Studio 3.2, Planning Global Cities, Agency, and Spatial Planning Dissertation. The fourth year focuses on carbon reduction, practice management, and integrated planning through Low Carbon Design, Employability, Ethics, and Enterprise, AP Studio 4, and Integrated Planning Practice.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent. Tariff points: 88 Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page. English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*). *The University accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English language section. Please visit our English language requirements page. A-level subjects: No specific subjects required. EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required. For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page. Access: No specific subjects required. Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required. We accept the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. Irish Highers: No specific subjects required. Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. Cambridge Technical: No specific subjects required. T Levels: No specific subjects required.
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What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 100%
- Assessment and feedback: 100%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 87%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 7 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 28%
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals: 21%
- Engineering professionals: 8%
- Design occupations: 8%
- Sales occupations: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 85%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 110 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 25%
- South East: 18%
- South West: 39%
- Wales: 7%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirements for Chartered Membership.
- Validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at Part 1 level for the purpose of eligibility for membership of the RIBA.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Context of Design
- Foundations of Applied Mathematics and Engineering
- Foundation Design Studio
- Foundation Design Communication
- Studio 1.1 - Form and Context
- Studio 1.2 - People and Environment
- Contexts of Architecture 1 - Cities and Society
- Professional Principles and Digital Practice
- Making Sustainable Architecture
- Planning in the UK - Structures and Challenges
- Studio 2.1 - Living
- AP Studio 2.2
- Collaboration and Coordination
- Contexts of Architecture 2 - Histories and Theories
- Planning Theory
- AP Studio 3.1
- AP Studio 3.2
- Planning Global Cities
- Agency
- Spatial Planning Dissertation
- Low Carbon Design
- Employability, Ethics, and Enterprise
- AP Studio 4
- Integrated Planning Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Architecture and Planning (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £30,500 after 3 years, £40,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,000 and £52,500. The £40,500 median after five years is £11,500 more than the UK median for Architecture.
What do graduates of BA Architecture and Planning (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Architecture and Planning (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol?
100% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Architecture and Planning (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol?
The average entrant had 93 UCAS points.
Is BA Architecture and Planning (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirements for Chartered Membership. Validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at Part 1 level for the purpose of eligibility for membership of the RIBA.
How many students continue on BA Architecture and Planning (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.