Course Finder

BSc Architecture

BSc Architecture

Undergraduate (Level 8 NFQ , Credits 180 )

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, harnessing the mind’s analytical and creative powers to produce innovative solutions to everyday and future challenges and studios are largely taught by practising architects and many alumni are leading figures, whose work is recognised nationally and internationally. UCD Architecture is also the only college in Ireland with professional accreditation/international certification from RIAI, RIBA & NAAB.


For more information regarding this course, please click School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy

How do I apply?


For EU students, please apply via MyUCD. The following entry route(s) are available:
Description ENTRY Duration Application Opening Date APPURL

Applications are not open for this Course

Your First Year Experience

On entering first year, you will be introduced to the idea of learning by doing. From the outset, there is a very direct relationship between acquiring knowledge and skills and applying them. Short exercises are set in the studio to help you acquire skills of observation, analysis and understanding through the media of freehand drawing and model making. As your skills in drawing, model making, surveying, scale and measurement develop, design projects of increasing complexity are introduced in which these skills can be applied. You will be involved in creative endeavour – proposing, testing and developing design ideas.

In fostering this creativity, there is a strong emphasis on group work and learning from your fellow students in a friendly and co-operative environment. Small class sizes, open-space studios, individual and small group tutorials all contribute to an exhilarating educational first year experience.

The lecture programme can be grouped under three broad headings:

Technical

  • Architectural Technologies
  • Structures
  • Environmental Science

Cultural

  • Architectural History & Theory
  • Ecology
  • Conservation
  • Perspectives on Architecture

Managerial

  • Professional Studies

A combination of continuous assessment and end-of-semester written examinations is used. In your final year, you’ll also submit a report of your design research project.

Most architectural graduates go into architectural practice or on to further academic study in architecture or related subjects. Your skills are transferable, which enables you to work anywhere in the world. Some architects also work in other areas such as:

  • Planning
  • Heritage site management
  • Landscape
  • Cultural and artistic practice
  • Curatorial work

UCD Architecture offers a wide range of taught master's, research master's and doctorate programmes, including:

  • Urban Design (research)
  • Conservation & Heritage (research)
  • Regional & Urban Planning (taught)
  • Urban Design & Planning (taught)
  • Planning, Development & Urban Design (taught)
  • Irish and European Landscape & Urbanisation (research)
  • History and Theory of Architecture (PhD)

Check out the UCD Career Networks career guide for the College of Engineering & Architecture for details on the career supports available to UCD students.

UCD Architecture has a very extensive list of 30+ partners in Europe and worldwide, opportunities to date have included:

  • University of Sydney, Australia
  • Kungl Tekniska Hogskolan Stockholm, Sweden
  • University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
  • National University of Singapore
  • Technische Universität München, Germany
  • University of California, Berkeley, USA

See our UCD Global exchanges page for more information