UEFARIND - BA Architecture and Interior Design Extended Degree (with Foundation Year)

The foundation year of the course is focused on preparing for a degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture and Interior Design.
The Architecture and Interior Design Extended Degree focuses on developing skills relevant the undertaking of studies in the field to spatial design and leads specifically to degree pathways of the same specification. The foundation year of the course shares the modular framework with the Level 3 course offered by the Faculty (Art, Media, Design Extended Degree). The four core modules are treated as assessment frameworks with discipline-specific content. There is provision for part time study.

The course is design based and built around four equally weighted, year-long modules. The organisation of the modules sets up a pattern of learning that will be repeated in subsequent years in all the design based awards. Two of the modules are project based and develop complementary design based skills in parallel, the Project and Workbook modules. The third module, Techniques, engages a range of practical 2D and 3D skills in different media. The fourth module, Critical and Contextual Studies will familiarise the student with the critical skill of ‘reading’ a range of visual, spatial and material phenomena and with techniques of how to communicate ideas through a range of writing and presentation studies. Part-time students take Project and Techniques module in year one and Workbook and Critical and Contextual studies in year two.

The course is organised in three sequential stages. Stage 1 introduces and establishes a common ground of new experiences, values and practical skills. It lays the foundation for the course and serves as a base from which more independent work can be developed. Stage 2 is more open ended, interpretive with longer projects and more choice. It encourages the student to apply, reinforce and develop effective practices from Stage 1 and establish a personal perspective and sense of direction. Stage 3 helps the student undertake a sustained and focused study, increase their subject area knowledge, test their commitment and produce and organise a coherent body of work.

The predominant mode of delivery of the course throughout the three stages is the project. These vary considerably in aim, structure and duration. The student’s responsibility for implementation and development increases as the course proceeds. The project teaching and learning is supported through taught exercises, workshop demonstrations, handouts, briefs, lectures, tutorials, displays of work, ‘crits’ and presentations, portfolio preparations, essays, library research, seminars, visits and web based learning.

Throughout the course there is an emphasis on learning discipline specific and as well as transferable skills and a disciplined, experimental approach to visual enquiry. The course promotes flexibility, questioning and independence and is designed to be supportive of individual responses, initiatives and lines of inquiry.

Students have timetabled access to the Faculty provision of design studios, the full range of workshop facilities, lecture and seminar spaces, computer suites, libraries and related facilities. Students will also be encouraged to participate in Faculty organised open lectures, exhibitions, and range of events.

The course aims to provide a preparatory foundation year leading to a BA pathway in either Architecture or Interior Design. It enables students to identify and develop their skills and interests and prepare for an undergraduate degree path within the Faculty relating to these spatial disciplines. The course introduces a spectrum of practical, conceptual and experimental skills that are specific to spatial design disciplines, as well as their application within specific contexts. The content of the course is focused on the production of creative work that reflects independent and disciplined thinking, skill in execution and communication.

On successful completion of Level 3 students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

1. Produce self-motivated, enquiry-based body of creative work focused on spatial analysis and proposition, modes of making and representation.

Subject specific practical skills

2. Demonstrate technical skills in the use of a range of media, materials, processes and equipment;

Transferable skills

3. Communicate in visual, oral and written forms appropriate for undergraduate study;
4. Use independent and productive research in the development of their work;

Cognitive Intellectual Skills

5. Evaluate, develop and plan their next stage of learning and/or work in the field of Architecture and Interior Design.

Assessment Strategy

Each of the four modules carries specific assessment criteria that between them articulate the student’s range of achievement as well as his or her strengths in their chosen field of design. Students are assessed on project work, project related studies and the development of practical skills through submitting a comprehensive Portfolio of work. Critical and Contextual Studies are assessed through a Journal that includes a range of short exercises, written work and an essay and can be seen as part of the final Portfolio.

Summative assessment for all the modules occurs at the end of the course and details achievement in student performance in relation to the learning outcomes for each module. Formative feedback is provided for all the modules on a regular basis and is focused on encouragement and improvement. It appears in a number of different formats, from informal suggestions or responses to specific items of work in progress, to formally recorded feedback at class presentations or ‘crits’. Written feedback and diagnostic grades are provided at two decisive stages of the course delivery. This feedback specifically addresses areas for improvement towards the final submission at summative assessment.

At Level 3 the following faculty-wide regulations shall apply:

ACADEMIC PROGRESSION: As a condition of progressing from level 3 to 4, level 4 to 5 and level 5 to 6, students are required to have gained 120 credits per level, that is, by achieving pass marks (40%) in all four modules in the preceding level of study.

PART-TIME MODE OF STUDY
Part-time study is defined as 60 credits per year. Consequently, in part-time mode, the duration of study for a 360-credit degree will be 6 years (and an extended degree, 8 years). The pattern of study in AMD-ASD degrees shall be as follows:
Year 1 – AA3001 & AA3002
Year 2 – CP3010 & AA3003

Progression to Level 4 is subject to a completion and pass (40%) of all core modules:

AA3001 Project
AA3002 Techniques
AA3003 Workbook
CP3010 Critical and Contextual Studies: Foundation

A Preparatory Diploma (exit award) will be offered to students who chose to leave the course after the completion of Level 3, without taking up their place on Level 4, having passed 120 credits.
A Preparatory Certificate (exit award) may be awarded to a student completing all core modules and achieving 60 credits.

Successful completion of this course offers improved career opportunities in the creative and cultural industries or entry into one of our specialised degrees that are linked to specific careers in Architecture and Interiors.

The course is organised around and embeds a range of processes, facilities and opportunities designed to prepare students for and make effective decisions about the development of their career in the practical disciplines of Architecture and Interior Design. The course actively develops a wide range of transferrable skills and thoroughly integrates personal development, review and presentation in a variety of modes. The diagnostic nature of the course enables students to identify their strengths and interests whilst the project/portfolio output allows them to demonstrate their skills and abilities.

There are no formal links but students visit a variety of industry and design culture related venues during the course. These might include visits to key cultural institutions in London, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Tate galleries and other exhibition venues. In addition to familiarising students with the cultural landscape of London, field trips might also serve to expand the field of reference to other places. Depending on the subject pathway these fieldwork experiences will prepare students for the type of work they will be expected to undertake at degree level.

The one-year foundation level of the Architecture and Interior Design Extended Degree course can lead to the Architecture BA (Hons) pathway. Progression onto the first year of the Architecture degree course is subject to successful completion of all modules on the foundation year of the Extended Degree. Successful completion of the Architecture BA undergraduate degree (three years) will lead to accreditation from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA part 1), a professional accreditation awarded to students on their way to becoming a fully accredited architects.

On completion of Year 0 you'll have the opportunity to progress directly onto Year 1 of a range of BA degree courses in art, architecture and design. Following graduation, you could find employment as a junior designer with interior design companies working in the fields of retail, leisure, office/workplace or residential design, or pursue other design-related jobs including exhibition work, retail and project management.

Alternatively, you could follow in the footsteps of other past graduates who have been successful in starting up independent design practices, securing design pitches and winning competitions.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• at least one A level (or a minimum of 48 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)
• English Language and Mathematics GCSEs at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above (or equivalent)

We encourage applications from International/EU students with equivalent qualifications. We also accept mature students with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Suitable applicants living in the UK will be invited to a portfolio interview. Applicants living outside the UK will be required to submit a small portfolio of work via email. Please see our portfolio guidelines page for more information.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.