validated by the royal institute of british architects (riba), this creative, project-driven course is designed to help you develop your own design approach and style. you’ll be exposed to diverse aspects of architectural design, linking sustainability and urban design with business practice. this course will equip you with skills and knowledge to tackle contemporary issues related to the built environment, exploring the design, human, professional and technical influences needed to pursue a successful career in architecture. reflecting modern architectural practice, our studio culture encourages you to work collaboratively, share experiences and experiment with ideas. you’ll learn the art of creative communication through drawing, model-making and 3d visualisation in our industry-standard design studios and materials workshops. **key features** - **accredited route** | successful completion of this course is the first step to becoming a qualified architect, satisfying the educational requirements needed for your riba part 1 qualification. - **dedicated creative spaces** | benefit from the latest facilities in our multipurpose studios where you'll work with equipment including bandsaws and sanders, 2d and 3d hot-wire cutting and vacuum forming machinery, milling machines, lathes, drills and more to develop your conceptual, sketch and presentation models. - **real briefs** | you'll take part in live design projects, with creative briefs from real clients. students have previously worked with riba east midlands, flo skatepark and local charity growin' spaces on design briefs and installations. - **exhibitions and degree shows** | exhibit your work at our annual final year degree show and architecture exchange event, attended by architecture professionals, industry experts and potential employers. - **mentoring opportunities** | take advantage of our final year mentoring programme. recently our students have worked alongside the riba and local practices such as leonard design architects, buckenham & co and franklin ellis architects. **key statistics** - **top 1 ranking** | ntu is 1st for the number of ug students studying architecture, building and planning (hesa, 2021/22). - **top 1 ranking** | architecture at ntu is ranked 1st in the uk for teaching quality (times and sunday times good university guide, 2025). - **top 2 ranking** | ntu is the 2nd most sustainable university in the world (ui greenmetric world university rankings 2023). **professional, statutory and regulatory bodies** the barch architecture at nottingham trent university is currently prescribed by the arb (architects registration board) at part 1 level for purposes of registration as an architect in the uk. the arb is currently revising its requirements for registration, and is removing from its requirements the award of an undergraduate qualification in architecture. the intention of the arb is that its prescription of part 1 qualifications will cease on 31st dec 2027. students entering the barch architecture course in sept 2024 who graduate before 31st dec 2027 will not be affected by this change. students who take an additional year to complete the course will graduate in june 2028 and will therefore graduate after the proposed end date for arb prescription at part 1 and their degree will therefore not be a prescribed arb award. this will not impact any student’s ability to complete qualification as a uk registered architect, as the arb will continue to accredit academic awards at master’s level only. the barch architecture course is currently, and will continue to be, subject to validation by the riba (royal institute of british architects) at part 1. the riba will continue to validate architecture qualifications at parts 1, 2 and 3 – these are terms developed by the riba and its three-part validation pathway forms the typical route to riba chartered membership.