Architecture

Why study Architecture at Dundee?

At various stages in the 5 year programme students are offered the opportunity to take part in study visits organised as an integrated part of the course work. Recent study visits have included a Level 2 trip to Holland, a Level 3 study visit to Krakow, Poland and a Level 4 study visit to Berlin, Germany

The School has three primary concerns:

• The creation of responsive and sustainable architecture one where beauty and meaning are expressed through a clear understanding of the means by which it is made and functions, serving the needs of individuals and expressing the cultural aspirations of society.
• The School's teaching of construction, structures, material grammar and environmental design are regarded as central to, and inseparable from, design teaching.
• The act of imagination which transforms the functional and material elements in architecture such that it may be discussed as communicable art.

These concerns are not prescriptive but they are an important part of our shared culture of "creative realism" in which the student is encouraged to find his or her own personal position.

Professional Accreditation

Our integrated MArch Architecture degree (K100) is fully recognised by ARB (Architects Registration Board) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

BA Architecture gives exemption from Part One of the RIBA examination, MArch from Part Two, subject to continued validation by ARB and RIBA.

Student society

We have an established student society ADAS (Association of Dundee Architectural Students) which is organised solely by the students and organises an extensive series of visiting lecturers from throughout the world.

Independent visits

By Level 5 students have reached a stage where they are encouraged to develop their own research question within a specialist unit. This can result in independent visits by students to a variety of locations around the world. In recent years students have travelled to a variety of locations in Europe, to New York, Egypt, Mexico, Greek Islands and also the Orkney Islands.

Teaching & Assessment

Each week one studio day is given over to tutorial groups working on their assigned design projects on a one-to-one or small group basis; in parallel a second tutorial day is programmed as an exploratory workshop which examines studio work from a different perspective. Workshops can be structured and assessed in a variety of ways but will always come under the umbrellas of either a subject area (technology, humanities or communication) or the architectural design module managed by the year staff.

Careers

Graduates and students of Dundee have traditionally had an excellent reputation within the profession for being valuable and respected members of top practices in the UK and throughout the world.

For those wishing to qualify as architects the minimum period of study is 5 years in a ARB/RIBA recognised institution and also a minimum of 24 months practical training in practice, most commonly in an architect's practice.

Dundee has in recent years offered students an option to use the summer vacation period to gain a minimum of 3 months practical training in practice to count towards the first 12 months training for the RIBA professional requirements. At this stage students can also take the opportunity to gain experience in practices not just in the UK but also abroad.

Postgraduate study

Some graduates choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level on our Masters degree or PhD programmes.

Entry Requirements

The following are the minimum requirements, please note qualifications have to be obtained at the first sitting of examinations.

Courses starting September 2013

Level 1 entry

RIBA Part 2

Applicants seeking entry to Level 4 (RIBA Part 2) with a good degree and exemption from RIBA Part 1 will be required to make a formal application through UCAS by 15th January of the year they wish to enter.

Other Qualifications

Fees and Funding

There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

The fee shown is annual, and maybe subject to an increase each year.

Living Costs

• Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
• Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
• As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

All applications must be made through UCAS

UCAS Codes

Institution Code: D65

UCAS Application Process

Admissions procedure

BA Architecture gives exemption from Part One of the RIBA examination, MArch from Part Two, subject to continued validation by ARB and RIBA.

The MArch Architecture Studies course follows the same structure as the MArch Architecture, but it is not accredited by RIBA and is more suited to international students who are seeking advanced entry. Please contact the International Office for more details.

Portfolio

All applicants under consideration will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews take place on a weekly basis from January to April. The School will generally not make offers to UK based students without interview.

Overseas students are not expected to attend an interview but should prepare a portfolio as a matter of course and submit this in electronic form by email when requested.

Notes on Selection

On an interview day, interviews follow an introductory talk by academic staff and a tour of the facilities with students - the process takes either a morning or an afternoon. This informal interview with a member of staff offers applicants the opportunity to expand upon their stated interest in architecture as evidenced via a portfolio of work. It also offers candidates the opportunity to ask questions about the course and School.

You can will find more information on the Architecture website.

Level 4 entry

Applicants seeking entry at Level 4 (RIBA Part 2) with a good degree and exemption from RIBA Part 1 will be required to make a formal application through UCAS but can contact Cameron Wilson at c.m.wilson@ dundee.ac.uk in the first instance. Applicants considering entry to Level 4 should make enquiries before January of the year they wish to enter.

International Applicants

Overseas students are not expected to attend an interview but should prepare a portfolio as a matter of course and submit this in electronic form when requested.

We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:

• Your Home Country - including information about qualifications from individual countries
• Fees and Funding
• English Language Requirements
• International Student Support

Any questions?

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact: