Architecture (Placement Year)

BA Hons

  • UCAS code K101
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements AAA
  • Duration Full time 4 years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 2

    2nd for student satisfaction

    The Complete University Guide (2025)

  • 7

    7th for Architecture

    The Complete University Guide (2025)

  • 3rd for Teaching National Student Survey (2024)

Why Lancaster

  • Study in a department that guarantees a dedicated studio space for every student, available 24/7
  • Take inspiration from our location – a rural, green campus on the edge of industrial cities and the Lake District
  • Learn from experts shaping conversation on technology, environment and architecture and delivering TEA Talks
  • Benefit from top facilities, from hand tools, 3D printers and laser scanners to CNC routers, large-scale printers and specialist software
  • Enhance your CV with live project work, networking events, practice experience, summer school and mentoring

Tackling the climate crisis and protecting the world around us underpins everything we do at Lancaster School of Architecture. Join us to explore the future of architecture through solving real-world issues and develop an unbeatable mix of practical skills.

Radical creativity with a conscience

If you want to gain the know-how to be agile and ethical in your architectural practice, study with us. Here you’ll learn to build with sustainability in mind and design innovative spaces that match the needs of the communities that will use them.

Sustainability is at the heart of all our modules. We empower students to search for innovative solutions that repurpose materials and extend the life cycle of buildings. We’re also one of the first courses in the country to implement the latest ARB and RIBA guidance on teaching ethics, professionalism, fire safety and sustainability.

Hands-on learning

Our campus is an inspirational setting for studying architecture. You’ll experience a great contrast in the Architecture of our working spaces – an Arts and Crafts manor house and the award-winning Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts. Our studio layout allows you to experience the culture of a professional practice and work collaboratively with other students.

Alongside lectures, seminars and practical workshops you will have one-to-one tutorials and plenty of opportunities for hands-on work in the studio. Our size allows us to get to know all our students well, and you’ll get to know us well too, which makes for a friendly and productive environment.

Summer school is a great chance to work alongside academics and architecture students from other years. This option is an opportunity to develop your teamwork skills, enhance your CV and explore innovative design approaches, technical solutions and materials. Weather permitting, much of this is outdoors.

Your Placement Year

Sometimes known as a year in industry, your placement year will take place between your second and final year of study and this will extend your degree to four years.

A placement year is an excellent way to...

  • try out a role that you may be interested in as a career path
  • start to build your professional network (some placement students are offered permanent roles to return to after they graduate)
  • develop skills, knowledge and experience to put you ahead of the field when you graduate

You'll spend your third year...

in a paid, graduate-level position, where you’ll work for between nine and twelve months in the type of role that you might be considering for after you graduate. A very wide range of companies and organisations offer placements across all sectors.

As a full-time employee, you’ll have a detailed job description with specific responsibilities and opportunities to access training and development, the same as other employees.

Our Careers and Placements Team…

will help you to secure a suitable placement with expert advice and resources, such as creating an effective CV, and tips for applications and interviews.

You will still be a Lancaster University student during your placement and we’ll keep in touch to check how you are getting on.

The university will...

use all reasonable effort to support you to find a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills.

If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year.

Careers

Many of our students will progress to postgraduate study to continue their journey to becoming fully qualified architects. Some will take what they have learnt and progress to one of these fulfilling professional roles:

  • Architectural technician/assistant
  • Landscape architect
  • Interior architect
  • Spatial designer
  • Urban designer
  • Property developer
  • Project and construction manager

Whatever option you choose, our Careers and Employability Service will be on hand to offer advice and guidance throughout your journey.

Professional accreditation

There are three main routes to registration for professional accreditation, but typically, if you are studying in the UK, you will:

  • take a three-year full time first degree in architecture (often referred to as ‘Part 1’)
  • followed by a year of appropriate professional experience
  • then a two-year full time second degree or diploma in architecture (often referred to as ‘Part 2’)
  • followed by a further year of professional experience
  • then the Professional Practice Examination – or Part 3

You will need to have all three qualifications in order to apply for registration together with a minimum of 24 months appropriate practical training experience. This information is taken from: http://students.arb.org.uk

Careers support

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability awareness, career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

A Level AAA

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

International Baccalaureate 36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction

Interviews Applicants may be invited for an interview before being made an offer and will be asked to bring a portfolio of their work to the interview. There is information about the portfolio on the course overview page. Alternative arrangements will be made for applicants who cannot attend an interview

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,250 £24,700

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

Undergraduate open days 2024

Our summer and autumn open days will give you Lancaster University in a day. Visit campus and put yourself in the picture.

Undergraduate Open Days
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  • Virtual tour

    Take five minutes and let us show you what Lancaster has to offer, from our beautiful green campus to our colleges, teaching and sports facilities.

  • Accommodation guide

    Most first-year undergraduate students choose to live on campus, where you’ll find accommodation to suit different preferences and budgets.

  • The city and beyond

    Our historic city is student-friendly and home to a diverse and welcoming community. Beyond the city you'll find a stunning coastline and the picturesque Lake District.