Architecture and Built Environment Foundation Year

Interested in developing your knowledge of the environment we build within a wider geographic and environmental context? This course gives you the technical skills, subject knowledge and experience necessary for you to progress onto a choice of undergraduate degrees.

This hands-on course ensures you gain relevant academic knowledge and practical skills from the outset using our high-quality, current technology and on-site laboratories.

At Northumbria you will experience first hand knowledge of the built environment and the wider environmental context. The programme will focus on all the appropriate elements for the initial stages of developing you as a Northumbria Graduate and ultimately as an undergraduate degree student. The learning outcomes for the Built Environment programme and the modules have been mapped against the professional development requirements and the competencies required by this industry.

Northumbria foundation year students have a mature, intellectual curiosity through an examination and understanding of professional practice, current theories, policy and real-life practice. As a result, you will be able to develop and apply your academic knowledge and experience of research skills to your chosen degree programme.

You will be taught by a diverse group of built environment related professionals. Their background, knowledge and experience in both practice and academia, and the emphasis and support of a research rich learning environment, will allow you to develop a research rich, practice based experience and encourage you to carry on your studies in an undergraduate programme.

Why choose Northumbria to study Architecture and Built Environment?

• A Research Powerhouse - Architecture, Built Environment and Planning is ranked 11th in the UK for research power out of 38 submissions (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 13 places compared to 2014 - the joint highest rise in the sector.
• Teaching Quality - Building Studies at Northumbria is ranked top 10 in the UK for Teaching Quality & Student Experience. (Times Good University Guide, 2025).

• Architecture at Northumbria is ranked top 15 in the UK for Teaching Quality & Student Experience. (Times Good University Guide, 2025).

There is a set of modules to follow if you want to go onto further study in Built Environment.

On successful completion of the foundation year, you can go on to study a range of courses including:

• Architecture BA (Hons) (Subject to additional entry requirements, see course page for more information.)
• Building Surveying BSc (Hons)
• Construction Management BSc (Hons)
• Interior Architecture BA (Hons) (Subject to additional entry requirements, see course page for more information.)
• Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons)
• Real Estate BSc (Hons)

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an 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 in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications