Bachelor of Architecture explained

A Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) is a bachelor's degree designed to satisfy the academic requirement of practising architecture around the world.

Australia

Architectural education in Australia varies depending on the university offering the course. All Australian architecture schools and programs have recently moved to some variation on the 3 + 2 Bologna model, with a three-year undergraduate degree, followed by a two-year course-work based Master of Architecture professional degree. Some universities also require 6–12 months of practice work experience between the two degrees. Registration as an architect is via state-based boards and requires a minimum of two years practice experience under the supervision of a registered architect. In addition there are double degrees offered by many universities, such as those combining architecture with construction or landscape architecture. Some universities also offer masters programs in architecture via coursework or research. Many architecture faculties offer related programs in landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, property and construction. Entry to Australian architecture programs is highly competitive and the proportion of students at some architecture schools from outside Australia is very high, up to 40%.

Universities in Australia offering professionally accredited architecture programs:

• Curtin University of Technology
• Deakin University
• Monash University
• Queensland University of Technology
• RMIT University
• University of Adelaide
• University of Melbourne
• University of Canberra
• University of Newcastle
• University of New South Wales
• University of South Australia
• University of Sydney
• University of Technology, Sydney
• University of Queensland
• University of Tasmania
• University of Western Australia

Institutions in Australia offering other programs in architecture:

• Charles Darwin University, three-year Bachelor of Design, automatic entry into the Deakin University M.Arch. program.
• Griffith University three-year Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architectural Studies) begins February 2010. M.Arch. to begin in 2013.
• Oceania Polytechnic Institute of Technology, six-year Bachelor of Architecture, partially accredited by the Australian Institute of Architects^[1]

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arc) is a 5 years professional undergraduate degree. Some of the well known private and public universities with departments of architecture include:

• Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology
• Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi
• Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet
• Leading University, Sylhet
• Khulna University, Khulna
• Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna^[2]
• Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong
• Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University, Dinajpur
• Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka
• South East University, Dhaka
• BRAC University, Dhaka
• American International University Bangladesh, Dhaka
• North South University, Dhaka
• Stamford University, Dhaka
• Fareast International University, Dhaka
• Bangladesh University, Dhaka
• Primeasia University, Dhaka
• State University of Bangladesh, Dhaka
• Pabna University of Science & Technology, Pabna
• University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka
• Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Dhaka.
• Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka
• Sonargaon University, Dhaka^[3]

China

In China, Bachelor of Architecture undergraduate programs take five years to complete. Only universities that pass the architectural assessment from the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council of China can award Bachelor of Architecture degrees. Other universities can only award Bachelor of Engineering degrees with a major in architecture.

As of May 2016, universities with the authorization to confer Bachelor of Architecture degrees are listed below (sorted by the time of receiving the accreditation).

• Tsinghua University
• Tongji University
• Southeast University
• Tianjin University
• Chongqing University
• Harbin Institute of Technology
• Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology
• South China University of Technology
• Zhejiang University
• Hunan University
• HeFei University of Technology
• Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture
• Shenzhen University
• Huaqiao University
• Beijing University of Technology
• Southwest Jiaotong University
• Huazhong University of Science & Technology
• Shenyang Jianzhu University
• Zhengzhou University
• Dalian University of Technology
• Shandong Jianzhu University
• Kunming University of Science and Technology
• Nanjing Tech University
• Jilin Jianzhu University
• Wuhan University of Technology
• Xiamen University
• Guangzhou University
• Hebei University of Engineering
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• Qingdao University of Technology
• Anhui Jianzhu University
• Xi'an Jiaotong University
• Nanjing University
• Central South University
• Wuhan University
• North China University of Technology
• China University of Mining and Technology
• Suzhou University of Science and Technology
• Inner Mongolia University of Technology
• Hebei University of Technology
• Central Academy of Fine Arts
• Fuzhou University
• Beijing Jiaotong University
• Zhejiang University of Technology
• Yantai University
• Tianjin Chengjian University
• Northwestern Polytechnical University
• Guangdong University of Technology
• Sichuan University
• Inner Mongolia University of Science&Technology
• Chang'an University
• Xinjiang University
• Fujian University of Technology
• Henan University of Technology
• Changsha University of Science & Technology
• Lanzhou University of Technology
• Henan University
• Lanzhou University of Technology
• Hebei University of Architecture

France

In France, architectural education is offered in various independent schools of architecture, both private and public. The first step of architectural education is the Diploma of Studies in Architecture, a three-year non- professional degree. This degree does not allow registration as an architect, awardees must pursue a Master of Architecture in order to obtain vocational qualification.

India

In India, the Bachelor of Architecture lasts for 5 years. Specialised institutes founded by the Government of India, for excellence in the field of architecture and planning are Schools of Planning and Architecture. They are Institutes of National Importance through an act in the Parliament, on the lines of IITs, NITs and IIMs.

Currently, there are many such SPAs, with the Ministry of Education mulling over setting up more such institutes.

• School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi
• School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal
• School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada
• School of Architecture & Planning, Lnct University, Bhopal
• School of Planning And Architecture, Mysore

Private institutes offering courses in architecture include the following:

• College of Architecture Trivandrum, Kerala
• Vastu Kala Academy, New Delhi
• Rachana Sansad's Academy of Architecture, Mumbai
• Hindustan School of Architecture, Chennai
• Noble Architecture College, Junagadh (Gujarat)
• Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Madhya Pradesh
• Christ University school of architecture, Bangalore
• East West School of Architecture, Bangalore
• School of Planning and Architecture, Centre for Design Excellence, Jaipur
• State University of Performing And Visual Arts, Rohtak
• National Institute of Technology Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
• National Institute of Technology Trichy, Tamil Nadu
• VIT’s PVP College of Architecture, Pune
• BMS College of Architecture, Bengaluru
• BMS School of Architecture, Bengaluru
• Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore
• Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai
• Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Maharashtra
• Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur
• Centre for Design Excellence, Jaipur
• Aayojan School of Architecture, Jaipur
• Malviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, Rajasthan
• National Institute of Technology Raipur, Chhattisgarh
• Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
• Aalim Muhammad salegh academy of architecture
• Apeejay School of Architecture and Planning
• Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi
• Gaya College of Engineering Gaya
• Integral University, Lucknow
• Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University, Ahmedabad
• Chandigarh College of Architecture, Chandigarh
• IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal
• IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand
• Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Howrah
• Jadavpur University, Kolkata
• Faculty of Architecture, Sarvajanik College of Engineering and Technology, Surat
• Manipal University
• NIT Calicut, Calicut
• University Visveswaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru
• R.V. College of Architecture, Bengaluru
• Surya School of Architecture, Punjab Technical University
• Faculty of Architecture, Sri Sri University
• GITAM School of Architecture, GITAM University
• Prime Nest College of Architecture and Planning, Trichy, Tamil Nadu
• BGS School of Architecture and Planning, Bangalore BGSSAP
• Prime College of Architecture and Planning, Nagapattinam
• Rvs Kvk School of architecture, Trichy
• Tamilnadu school of architecture, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
• School of Planning and Architecture, Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad
• School of Architecture - Coimbatore Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore
• School of Architecture, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore

Ireland

Architectural education is available as a five-year long Bachelor of Architecture degree, or as a combination of a three-year or four-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture followed by a Master of Architecture that lasts one to two years.

After completing a degree programme or programmes of study accredited by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, to become a registered architect a person must gain two years of practical experience working with a registered architect and must pass the Professional Practice Examination, in order to apply.^[4]

The following universities accredited by the RIAI offer a Bachelor of Architecture degree programme:

• Technological University Dublin, Bolton Street campus
• University of Limerick
• South East Technological University, Waterford campus
• Atlantic Technological University, Sligo campus (provisionally approved; full approval in 2023)

The following institutes accredited by the RIAI offer Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programmes:

• Cork Centre for Architectural Education (University College Cork/Munster Technological University)
• Technological University Dublin, Bolton Street Campus
• University College Dublin

Israel

Architectural education is offered in five universities, BArch lasts for five years in Israel (apart from the Technion which is split into B.Sc and M.Arch degrees and lasts for six years). Only universities that pass the architectural assessment from the Council for Higher Education in Israel, can award the BArch degree.

• Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem
• Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa
• Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv
• Ariel University, Ariel
• WIZO Haifa Academy of Design and Education, Haifa

Turkey

Architectural education is offered in various universities as a four-year program. The language of the program depends on the university.

• Bilkent University
• Istanbul Bilgi University
• Istanbul Medipol University
• Istanbul Technical University
• Middle East Technical University
• Kadir Has University
• Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University
• Bahçeşehir University
• Özyeğin University
• TOBB University of Economics and Technology
• Yeditepe University
• Yıldız Technical University

United Arab Emirates

The American University of Sharjah is the first university outside of North America to offer a BArch that is officially accredited by the US-based National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).^[5]

Other universities where UAE students enrol are:

• American University in Dubai offers NAAB accredited programme.
• Amity University, Dubai campus offers CoA accredited programme.
• Abu Dhabi University, offers RIBA accredited programme.
• Canadian University, Dubai offers B.arch programme by credit transfer with Canadian universities.
• Manipal University, Dubai offers CoA accredited programme.

United Kingdom

See main article: Architectural education in the United Kingdom. Architectural education differs slightly in the United Kingdom. A five-year course used to exist in a similar fashion to the United States, but the 1960s saw the introduction of the sandwich course and a split of the BArch into a 3-year BA (Hons.) degree (or in some cases BSc) followed by a year working in practice, after which a 2-year MA, PG-DipArch, M.Arch. or BArch is completed. A further year of work completes the student's education upon the passing of Part III final examinations (See below). Registration as an architect is then permissible by the Architects Registration Board. Many UK universities offer postgraduate programs by coursework and research in architecture and related fields such as landscape architecture, planning, and urban design.

The RIBA three-part examinations

In effect, for most students to become an architect in the United Kingdom they must pass or be exempted from parts I, II and III of the RIBA's examinations. Completion of the three-year BA or BSc gives an exemption from Part I. Completion of the two-year DipArch, M.Arch. or BArch gives exemption from Part II and the final two years of supervised practical training, with supplemental examinations and assignments, makes up the requirements for Part III.

An alternative route to qualification exists by sitting the exams directly - currently this administered by Oxford Brookes University on behalf of the RIBA.

Studying architecture in the UK

Universities offering architecture courses validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects in the UK (some offering only some parts of the three parts required):^[6]

• Architectural Association, London
• Arts University Bournemouth
• University of Bath
• Birmingham City University
• Coventry University
• University of Brighton
• University of Cambridge
• University of Cardiff
• University for the Creative Arts
• De Montfort University
• University of Dundee
• University of East London
• University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh College of Art)
• University of Glasgow
• Glasgow School of Art (Mackintosh School of Architecture)
• University of Greenwich
• University of Huddersfield
• University of Kent
• Kingston University
• Leeds Metropolitan University
• University of Lincoln
• University of Liverpool
• Liverpool John Moores University
• London Metropolitan University
• London School of Architecture
• London South Bank University
• Manchester School of Architecture at the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University
• University of Newcastle upon Tyne
• Northumbria University
• University of Nottingham
• Nottingham Trent University
• Oxford Brookes University
• University of Plymouth
• University of Portsmouth
• Queen's University of Belfast
• Robert Gordon University
• Royal College of Art
• University of Sheffield
• Sheffield Hallam University
• University of Strathclyde
• University of Ulster
• University of the Arts, London (Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design)
• University College London (The Bartlett)
• University of the West of England, Bristol
• University of Westminster

International schools validated by the RIBA

Several universities outside of the UK offer architecture courses like ADU validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects at part I and part II level.^[7] For students who want to study outside of the UK, the RIBA recognized courses offer the advantage of internationally recognized degrees, and other benefits, such as the possibility of RIBA membership.^{[8] [9]}

United States

The Bachelor of Architecture is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) as a professional degree, allowing the recipient to qualify for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). NAAB-accredited BArch programs must include at least 150 semester credit hours, or the quarter-hour equivalent, of which at least 45 semester hours, or the quarter-hour equivalent are in general studies, typically requiring five years to complete.

There are also universities that offer a four-year degree such as a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies or a Bachelor of Science in Architecture (B.S.Arch) or a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (B.A.Arch). These are non-accredited, pre-professional degrees, and so these students must enroll in a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program to be professionally licensed. However, enrolling in a pre-professional program may get a student into a shorter M.Arch program. Any architecturally-related curriculum may eventually make licensure possible, depending upon the laws or regulations of the jurisdiction in which the license is required.

The course of study of the Bachelor of Architecture includes studio courses on design and aesthetic theory, as well as practical courses on structures, building mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing and construction. Student work is often in the form of drawings and renderings, either through computer-aided design or drafting by hand. Students also build physical models and create presentation boards for drawings and graphics.

In nearly all architecture schools in the United States, student life and work revolves around a studio class. Other classes in the architecture curriculum are designed to support the concepts emphasized in studio. One particularly rigorous aspect of studio classes is the "critique" or "review." Students "pin-up" their models and presentation drawings for instructors (and students) who offer constructive criticism.

Colleges and universities in the United States where either an NAAB accredited Bachelor of Architecture or Master of Architecture degree can be obtained are listed below. Many schools offer an M.Arch as the first professional degree, preceded by a nonprofessional B.A./B.S. in Architecture undergraduate degree.

• Academy of Art University (B. Arch., M. Arch.)^[10]
• Andrews University (M. Arch.)
• Alfred State College (B. Arch.)
• Arizona State University (M. Arch.)
• Auburn University (B. Arch.)
• Ball State University (M. Arch.)
• Boston Architectural College (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• California College of the Arts (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (B. Arch.)
• California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (program) (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Carnegie Mellon University (B. Arch.)
• Catholic University of America (M. Arch.)
• City College of the City University of New York (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Clemson University (M. Arch.)
• Columbia University (M. Arch.)
• Cooper Union (B. Arch., M.Arch)
• Cornell University (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Drexel University (B. Arch.)
• Drury University (M. Arch.)
• Dunwoody College of Technology (B. Arch.)
• Florida A&M University (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Florida Atlantic University (B. Arch.)
• Georgia Institute of Technology (M. Arch)
• Hampton University (M. Arch.)
• Harvard University (M. Arch.)
• Howard University (M. Arch.)
• Illinois Institute of Technology (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Iowa State University (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Judson University (M. Arch.)
• Kennesaw State University (B. Arch.)
• Kansas State University (M. Arch.)
• Kent State University (M. Arch.)
• Lawrence Technological University (M. Arch.)
• Louisiana State University (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Louisiana Tech University (M. Arch.)
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M. Arch.)
• Miami University (M. Arch.)
• Mississippi State University (B. Arch.)
• Montana State University (M. Arch.)
• Morgan State University (M. Arch.)
• New Jersey Institute of Technology (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• NewSchool of Architecture and Design (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• New York Institute of Technology (B. Arch., M.Arch)
• New York City College of Technology (B. Arch.)
• North Carolina State University (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• North Dakota State University (M. Arch.)
• Northeastern University (M. Arch.)
• Norwich University (M. Arch.)
• Ohio State University (M. Arch.)
• Oklahoma State University (B. Arch.)
• Parsons School of Design (M. Arch.)
• Pennsylvania State University (B. Arch.)
• Pennsylvania College of Technology (B. Arch.)
• Philadelphia University (B. Arch.)
• Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (B. Arch.)
• Portland State University (M. Arch.)
• Prairie View A&M University (M. Arch.)
• Pratt Institute (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Princeton University (M. Arch.)
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Rhode Island School of Design (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Rice University (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Roger Williams University (M. Arch.)
• Savannah College of Art and Design (M. Arch.)
• School of Architecture at Taliesin (M.Arch.)
• Southern California Institute of Architecture (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale (M. Arch.)
• Southern Polytechnic State University (B. Arch.)
• Southern University and A&M College (B. Arch.)
• Syracuse University (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (M. Arch.)
• Temple University (M. Arch.)
• Texas A&M University (M. Arch.)
• Texas Tech University (M. Arch.)
• Tulane University (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Tuskegee University (B. Arch.)
• University of Arizona (B. Arch.)
• University at Buffalo (M. Arch.)
• University of Arkansas (B. Arch.)
• University of California, Berkeley (program) (M. Arch.)
• University of California, Los Angeles (M. Arch.)
• University of Cincinnati (M. Arch.)
• University of Colorado (M. Arch.)
• University of Detroit Mercy (M. Arch.)
• University of Florida (M. Arch.)
• University of Hartford (M. Arch.)
• University of Hawaii at Manoa (D. Arch.)
• University of Houston, Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• University of Idaho (M. Arch.)
• University of Illinois at Chicago (M. Arch.)
• University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (M. Arch.)
• University of Kansas (M. Arch.)
• University of Kentucky (M. Arch.)
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette (M. Arch.)
• University of Maryland (M. Arch.)
• University of Massachusetts Amherst (M. Arch.)
• University of Memphis (M. Arch.)
• University of Miami (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• University of Michigan (M. Arch.)
• University of Minnesota (M. Arch.)
• University of Nebraska–Lincoln (M. Arch.)
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas (M. Arch.)
• University of New Mexico (M. Arch.)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• University of Notre Dame (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• University of Oklahoma (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• University of Oregon (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• University of Pennsylvania (M. Arch.)
• Universidad de Puerto Rico (M. Arch.)
• University of South Florida (M. Arch.)
• University of Southern California (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• University of Tennessee (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• University of Texas at Arlington (M. Arch.)
• University of Texas at Austin (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• University of Texas at San Antonio (M. Arch.)
• University of Utah (M. Arch.)
• University of Virginia (M. Arch.)
• University of Washington (M. Arch.)
• University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Washington State University (M. Arch.)
• Washington University in St. Louis (M. Arch.)
• Wentworth Institute of Technology (M. Arch.)
• Woodbury University (B. Arch., M. Arch.)
• Yale University (M. Arch.)^[11]

See also

• Master of Architecture
• List of international architecture schools
• Vocational university

Notes and References

1. Web site: Arhitecture - Oceania Polytechnic Institute of Education . www.opie.vic.edu.au . 22 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060822072355/http://www.opie.vic.edu.au/architecture.php . 22 August 2006 . dead.
2. Web site: ARCH, KUET. www.kuet.ac.bd. 2018-08-01. 2018-07-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20180731101352/http://www.kuet.ac.bd/department/ARCH/. live.
3. Web site: Department of Architecture, SU. su.edu.bd. 2018-08-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20180805004117/http://su.edu.bd/department/home/BARC. 2018-08-05. dead.
4. Web site: Accredited Programmes . RIAI . 14 July 2022 . 14 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220714225140/https://www.riai.ie/careers-in-architecture/education/accredited-programmes . live .
5. Web site: American University of Sharjah . 2010-09-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100827010056/http://www.aus.edu/media/news/show_article.php?Article=950 . 2010-08-27 . AUS architecture program becomes first outside North America to receive prestigious NAAB accreditation
6. Web site: UK Schools of Architecture with courses validated by the RIBA. RIBA. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150513061103/http://www.architecture.com/files/ribaprofessionalservices/education/validation/2010/ukschoolslist.pdf. 2015-05-13.
7. Web site: International schools validated by the RIBA. RIBA. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131107085438/http://www.architecture.com/Files/RIBAProfessionalServices/Education/Validation/2010/InternationalSchoolsList.pdf. 2013-11-07.
8. Web site: RIBA Principles & Procedures for the Validation of International Courses and Examinations in Architecture . RIBA .
9. Web site: How to get ahead in China. https://archive.today/20130920185907/http://www.ribajournal.com/pages/nov_out_there_193662.cfm. dead. 2013-09-20. RIBA.
10. Web site: Academy of Art University Accreditation Information . 11 December 2016 . naab.org . . 2 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211202131713/https://www.naab.org/school-view/?record_id=27315 . live .
11. Web site: NAAB Accredited Programs in Architecture . https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160312104956/http://www.naab.org/architecture_programs/home . dead . 12 March 2016 . National Architectural Accrediting Board . 5 August 2014 .