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Architecture

BArchSc (NFQ Level 8)
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Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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UCD Architecture is at the forefront of the architectural and urban design debate, both in Ireland and internationally. It plays a central role in society, leading innovation and development on every scale. The Architecture course at UCD offers a means to engage creatively and constructively with society. If you have a capacity and passion for creativity, for making things through technological invention or artistic experimentation, and you’re excited by the idea of designing buildings, urban environments and landscapes, then this course is for you.

The design process is central to Architecture, developing spatial, analytical, and creative skills to produce innovative solutions to everyday and future challenges.

About This Course

UCD Architecture is at the forefront of architectural and urban design, both in Ireland and internationally. The Architecture course at UCD offers a means to engage creatively and constructively with society. The design process is central to Architecture, developing spatial, analytical, and creative skills to produce innovative solutions to everyday and future challenges.

Our degree attracts a diverse crosssection of talents and approaches – from the technically minded to the artistically gifted; from the socially conscious to the natural communicators and leaders. All have the capacity to become successful and productive graduates in architecture. If you are excited by the idea of designing buildings, urban environments and landscapes, then this course is for you.

There are two main elements to the Architecture course – project work (architectural design, drawing and model making) and the lecture programmes (historical and theoretical material). Project work is taught in the architecture design studios through a combination of lectures, individual tuition, field trips, group tutorials, large reviews and exhibitions.

Lecture-based modules can be grouped under the three broad headings of Technical, Cultural and Professional studies. Sample modules may include: Drawing and Making, History and Theory of the Built Environment, Architectural Technologies, The Engineering and Architecture of Structures, Architecture & Environment, Imagining Architecture, Intro to Computational Design, Enhancing Digital Drawing Skills, Building Renovation and Energy Retrofit, Research & Innovation in the Designed Environment, Design Technologies, Professional Studies, Regenerative Practice, Framework for Practice.

Project work is continually assessed but modules may include end-of-trimester written examinations. In your final year, you will also submit a report of your design research project.

Progression Requirement For UCD BSc (Architectural Science) graduates a minimum degree award GPA of 2.8 is required for automatic progression to the MArch. Students who do not achieve a GPA of 2.8 will be offered an interview to assess their suitability to progress.

A period of study at a university abroad on exchange is encouraged and UCD Architecture has a very extensive list of partners in Europe and worldwide for students to choose from. This would usually take place in 4th year for students who have continued onto the Master of Architecture Degree Programme. Recent opportunities to study abroad have included options in countries such as Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, China.

There are also field trips, site visits and workshops organised as appropriate during the various stages of the programme including a class study trip to a European city of architectural interest.

Most architectural graduates go into architectural practice and this degree will equip graduates to work in architecture anywhere across the world, whether in major global centres or in particular regional contexts. However, this degree also provides our graduates with broad knowledge and a range of transferable skills applicable in many contexts.

Graduates have pursued careers in related professions and creative practices like landscape architecture, planning, heritage management, cultural practice, curatorial work, policy making, consultancy, product design, or research.

UCD Engineering and Architecture College Office

Tel: +353 1 716 1916
e. katie.oneill@ucd.ie

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
ARCT10010 Architectural Design I Autumn  15
Stage 1 Core Modules
ARCT10070 Survey I: History and Theory of the Built Environment I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
ARCT10160 Drawing & Making Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
ARCT10170 Introduction to Regenerative Practice Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
ARCT10020 Architectural Design II Spring  15
Stage 1 Core Modules
ARCT10040 Architectural Technologies I – Introduction to Building Envelope Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
ARCT10090 Perspectives: History and Theory of the Built Environment II Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CVEN10060 The Engineering and Architecture of Structures 1 Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
ARCT20040 History & Theory of the Designed Environment III - Survey Course 2 Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
ARCT20050 Architectural Design III Autumn  15
Stage 2 Core Modules
ARCT20100 Architectural Technologies II – Building Frames and Skins Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
ARCT20130 Imagining Architecture Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
ARCT20010 Architectural Design IV Spring  15
Stage 2 Core Modules
ARCT20580 Architecture & Environment I Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
CVEN20040 The Engineering & Architecture of Structures 2 Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Core/Options). Students may register to 5 Elective Credits or select an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
ARCT20170 Intro to Computational Design Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Core/Options). Students may register to 5 Elective Credits or select an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
ARCT20570 Enhancing Digital Drawing Skills Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
ARCT30010 Architectural Design V Autumn  15
Stage 3 Core Modules
ARCT30030 History & Theory of the Designed Environment IV - Architecture, Urban and Landscape Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
ARCT30090 Building Renovation and Energy Retrofit / Architectural Technologies III Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
ARCT30130 Framework for Practice Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
ARCT30040 Architectural Design VI Spring  15
Stage 3 Core Modules
ARCT30100 Architectural Technologies IV – Integrated Building Process Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
CVEN30100 The Engineering and Architecture of Structures 3 Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Core/Options). Students may register to 5 Elective Credits or select an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
ARCT20170 Intro to Computational Design Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Core/Options). Students may register to 5 Elective Credits or select an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
ARCT20570 Enhancing Digital Drawing Skills Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
ARCT40010 Design Technologies I Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
ARCT40020 Research & Innovation in the Designed Environment Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
ARCT41120 Architectural Design VII - Comprehensive Design Studio Autumn  15
Stage 4 Core Modules
ARCT40050 Architectural Design VIII Spring  15
Stage 4 Core Modules
ARCT40080 Research and Innovation in the Designed Environment II Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A)1 of:
TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS: Important - All students must select 1x TECHNOLOGY OPTION Module. HOWEVER, Students going out on Exchange programmes in the Autumn Trimester MUST take ARCT40870 Agency: Design / Build as their Technology Option in the Spring Trimester.
ARCT40870 Agency: Design / Build Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A)1 of:
TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS: Important - All students must select 1x TECHNOLOGY OPTION Module. HOWEVER, Students going out on Exchange programmes in the Autumn Trimester MUST take ARCT40870 Agency: Design / Build as their Technology Option in the Spring Trimester.
ARCT40970 Irish Timber & Sustainability Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS/ELECTIVES:Students may select up to two Elective Modules from anywhere in UCD, one in EACH Trimester. Alternatively, students may prefer to select up to two Additional Option Modules, one in EACH Trimester from this list.
ARCT40030 Realising Built Projects Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS/ELECTIVES:Students may select up to two Elective Modules from anywhere in UCD, one in EACH Trimester. Alternatively, students may prefer to select up to two Additional Option Modules, one in EACH Trimester from this list.
ARCT40170 Conservation History, Theory and Policy Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS/ELECTIVES:Students may select up to two Elective Modules from anywhere in UCD, one in EACH Trimester. Alternatively, students may prefer to select up to two Additional Option Modules, one in EACH Trimester from this list.
ARCT40660 Street Life: Urban Design, an Introduction Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS/ELECTIVES:Students may select up to two Elective Modules from anywhere in UCD, one in EACH Trimester. Alternatively, students may prefer to select up to two Additional Option Modules, one in EACH Trimester from this list.
ARCT41210 Architecture in a Climate Emergency Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS/ELECTIVES:Students may select up to two Elective Modules from anywhere in UCD, one in EACH Trimester. Alternatively, students may prefer to select up to two Additional Option Modules, one in EACH Trimester from this list.
PLAN40030 Planning, Society and Diversity Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS/ELECTIVES:Students may select up to two Elective Modules from anywhere in UCD, one in EACH Trimester. Alternatively, students may prefer to select up to two Additional Option Modules, one in EACH Trimester from this list.
ARCT41240 Urban Resilience and Ethics Spring  5

SDG6 SDG7 SDG 11 SDG 13 SDG 15

By joining the UCD College of Engineering and Architecture, you will be part of a vibrant community of students and faculty who are committed to creating a more sustainable and equitable future. The mission of the College of Engineering and Architecture is to affect a just transition to a more sustainable and equitable future through our education of professionals in engineering, architecture, planning and policy, and our research in technology, design, and policy. The College, in our engineers and architects, brings together the technical expertise to deliver and create infrastructure and technologies that can create a more sustainable future and, uniquely, the College, in our planners and environmental policy researchers, also brings together the research and professions required to create the policies and the regulatory environment that supports technological and infrastructure development, and that can also scrutinise and investigate the behavioural changes affected by our technologies.

The programmes at UCD are designed to equip students with the best education in their chosen field, while at the same time embedding the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDG’s) in their education where most relevant

Architecture and Landscape Architecture

UCD Architects and Landscape Architects have the opportunity to contribute positively to many of today’s challenges including climate change, inequality, poverty and urbanisation. UCD architects and landscape architects use innovative design practices to consider sustainable design solutions, energy-efficient buildings, community engagement, life on land to enhance the quality of the lives for whom they are designing for while minimising environmental impacts.

  • Clean water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
  • Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
  • Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
  • Climate Action (SDG 13)
  • Life on Land (SDG 15)

Studying architecture at UCD has been an eye-opening journey, immersing me deeply in this field. The open studio environment fostered peer and mentor learning, enriching my experience. Alongside core modules, the abundance of abroad field trips, professional guest speakers, and site visits provided invaluable insights. These experiences have equipped me with a robust skillset and profound understanding, preparing me for the professional realm. With confidence, I step into the future, grateful for the knowledge and experiences gained throughout my time at UCD.

Cormac O’Riordan, Student

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Architecture:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceInt ATS4
Architecture
Bachelor Architectural Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
Closed
showAudience-audienceInt ATS4
Architecture
Bachelor Architectural Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU DN100
Architecture
Bachelor Architectural Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Application through CAO Apply via CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page