Architecture with Foundation Year

About your course

This professional validated programme gives you the opportunity to work on a range of authentic architectural projects with input from practicing architects in a dynamic studio environment with access industry standard technical facilities.

The learning and teaching environment is progressively informed by research in pedagogy in the creative field. While teaching the curriculum, the programme also develops less tangible skills in students, such as communication, presentation and self-motivation; a key ambition is to create independent thinkers, adept at resolving problems with creativity and originality.

A broad educational experience is offered within which students can develop diverse rigorous and creative approaches to design issues that explore and test appropriate resolutions in relation to contemporary and anticipated contextual issues.

Design projects form the backbone of the core teaching strategy. These projects are seen as primers to a divergent creative and critical thought process: they are characterised by individual interpretation and interest of the subjects that encourage imaginative solutions through discursive studio forums.

As you progress through the degree, the design projects gradually become larger in scale, more complex and ambitious in their intentions and integrative in their nature. At degree level, predominantly, the city of Liverpool is used as a contextual laboratory to test concepts that have a local flavour with global implications. The aim is to develop graduate skills and knowledge such that they become analysing, visualising and testing potential solutions to increasingly complex spatial and social issues within an increasingly holistic global scenario.

We regularly host symposia and conferences, for example the recent symposiums included: The Display, Exhibition & Propagation of Architecture and Government and Housing in a Time of Crisis which both featured world-renowned guest speakers from architecture, urban planning and academia.

Each year, two of our undergraduate students are put forward for the RIBA Presidents' Medals award, and thecollection of student work is published in a widely available catalogue. The variety of work and creative freedom seen in these projects demonstrates the expertise of our alumni.

For news, events, including student-led events, course information and student work and staff research, visit the Architecture blog.

Foundation Year 

The Foundation Year pathway (level 3) introduces students to core academic skills needed to thrive in High Education, and provides an introduction to art and design principles and practices that are required for students to study on the BA (Hons) programmes at Liverpool School of Art and Design.

This unique Foundation Year is a preparatory year of study shared by Architecture, Fashion: Design & Communication, Fine Art, Graphic Design & Illustration, and Interior Architecture degree programmes. It is ideal if you have the interest and ability to study for a degree, but do not have the qualifications to enter directly onto the first year of a full honours degree. The Foundation Year allows greater access to the undergraduate programmes through a series of general taught modules that gradually build in exposure to discipline-specific practices, to enable students to be ready to take their place on the first year of their chosen full-time HE course
Students are taught together as a non-discipline specific group in four out of six modules with opportunities to split into discipline-specific groups in the 'Exploring Materials, Process and Practice' and 'Studio Practice Project' modules. This non-disciplinary structure is designed to promote cross-disciplinary thinking and learning experiences. Students are also part of a wider level 3 community within the Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies and study two academic skills modules ('Preparing for Success: Academic Skills', and 'Investigating Liverpool') with foundation students across the faculty.

There is a focus on the attainment of core academic skills, including writing, referencing, computer and research skills.

The Foundation Year aims to:

• Introduce students to contemporary art and design practices, including Art History and drawing
• Introduce core academic and general skills across four modules and introduce discipline specific subjects in two modules
• Foster the development of ideas through introductory 'exposures' and 'encounters' with materials, technologies and processes that replicate and simulate real-world interactions for making and collaborative practice
• Support students' induction and orientation to basic resources and workshops in the John Lennon Art and Design Building, and use key workshop areas and resources associated with their programmes in a safe and appropriate manner
• Acquire and develop the academic skills needed for successful transition into level 4 and completion of the degree
• Engage students to develop a self-directed and independent approach to learning

Students will have access to specialist workshops and technical support in the John Lennon Art and Design Building to develop their practical skills but no dedicated studio space is provided. You will spent a significant amount of time working online in our virtual learning environment, CANVAS.

Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the [insert programme name here] honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

Professional accreditation/links

This course is connected to the BA (Hons) Architecture degree, which is fully accredited by the RIBA (Royal Institute of Architects) and the ARB (Architects Registration Board). Liverpool School of Art and Design, where Architecture is taught, has many links with artistic and cultural institutions both nationally and locally, including RIBA North and FACT (the Foundation of Arts and Creative Technologies), and collaborates regularly on both live projects and exhibitions.

Fees and funding

There are many ways to fund study for home and international students

Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:

• Library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
• Access to programme-appropriate software
• Library and student IT support
• Free on-campus wifi via eduroam

Additional costs

Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:

• accommodation and living expenditure
• books (should you wish to have your own copies)
• printing, photocopying and stationery
• PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
• mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
• field trips (travel and activity costs)
• placements (travel expenses and living costs)

• student visas (international students only)
• study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
• academic conferences (travel costs)
• professional-body membership
• graduation (gown hire etc)

Funding

There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.

Employability

Successful completion of your BA Architecture degree means you will be exempt from RIBA/ARB Part 1 exams.

​To become a registered architect you usually need to work for an additional year in architectural practice then complete a two-year Master of Architecture (MArch) diploma. Once you have passed the RIBA Part 3 exams, you can practice in any EU or commonwealth country and many other countries outside the EU.

If after graduating you choose not to go down the route of becoming a registered architect, a range of other careers are open to you. Past graduates have pursued successful careers as project managers, property developers, building contractors, furniture designers, lighting designers, architectural visualisation artists and journalists.

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

We are committed to ensuring all our students experience a transformation in their employability skills and mindset and their career trajectory. A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course.

Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose. It will enable you to become more proactive, adaptable and resilient in your awareness and approach to career possibilities.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's state-of-the-art suite of online tools, resources and jobs board. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, ensuring students can build experience whilst they study.

One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones to accelerate your job search and applications, CV and interview technique. Themed careers and employability workshops, a programme of employer events and recruitment fairs run throughout the year and students have the opportunity to hear from a range of alumni who openly share their own onward experience.

Student Futures work with businesses to create opportunities for fully funded internships which help students increase their network within the Liverpool City Region and beyond. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.

A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Enterprise Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.

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Teaching and work-related learning

Excellent facilities and learning resources

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies.  Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.​

During Level 4, you will be introduced to fundamental tools  and ideas that form the basis for the study of architecture. In parallel, the interpretation of themes and conceptual thinking will be established within the year's overall focus of Form, Space and Light.

During Level 5, you will explore two core aspects of architectural thinking: Contextualism and Experimentation and complete a study trip to a city in Europe. You will also complete modules which will inform and aid your work in the  design studio. The final year, Level 6, focuses on environment, sustainability and ecology where architecture is seen as emerging from and responding to a holistic context of contemporary cultural and environmental programmatic  issues. You will secure the skills and knowledge required to practice architecture via a creative but rigorous approach to design project work.

Support and guidance

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

​Independent design project work makes up 60% of this course, and so it is vital that you get the support you need to be able to fully develop your design skills. For this reason, you will be allocated a design tutor who will provide one-to-one teaching and support throughout each project. The feedback system and the production of a personal development plan with a personal tutor are also designed to help you achieve your full potential, in both your studies and your future career plans.

Assessment

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

​All students perform differently depending on how they are  assessed, which is why we use a combination of assessment  methods. Typically, you will be assessed on your design and  research presentations (group/individual), written work  (essays, reports etc), exams (seen/unseen), practical work  (workshop abroad), and your portfolio. At the end of your studies there will be a one-to-one interview with an external examiner.

​The type of feedback you will receive varies according to the  module. For instance, design modules are reviewed twice  with formal feedback given by a panel at the second review, and portfolio reviews are conducted at the end of each  semester when you will work with your personal tutor to put together a personal development plan. This will address your strengths and weaknesses and help you develop your academic work as well as your career plans.

Work-related learning

Connecting with the profession

​Alongside your development of professional architectural skills, you will gain transferable skills that will enhance your employability once you graduate. You will hear from a range of guest speakers, as part of the School of Art and Design's Masters Series lectures. You will also have opportunities to participate in symposia run by the Architecture department as well as opportunities to enter competitions relating to professional development. In a recent competition held in association with Finsa, final year Architecture students were asked to design a school or shelter for war torn countries so that children could learn in safety. Read about the competition from the perspective of the winner.

Cross-disciplinary learning in art and design subjects takes place in the Liverpool School of Art and Design's John Lennon Art and Design Building, based in the Mount Pleasant Campus. Here students studying a variety of disciplines, including Architecture, Art in Science, Exhibition Studies, Fashion, Fine Art, Graphic Design, History of Art and Museum Studies and Interior Architecture, will have the opportunity to develop their work in state-of-the-art workspaces and facilities within a stimulating and critically demanding environment.