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, harnessing the mind’s analytical and creative powers to produce innovative solutions to everyday and future challenges.

Our degree attracts a diverse cross section 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.

Key Fact: Studios are largely taught by practising architects and many alumni are leading figures, whose work is recognised nationally and internationally.

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 3 broad headings of Technical, Cultural and Professional studies. Sample modules may include: Architecture & its Environment, History and Theory of the Built Environment, Architectural Technologies, The Engineering and Architecture of Structures, The Indoor 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, Into 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.

For detailed information on subject content click here.

You may be interested in the following blog posts: Interested in studying architecture in UCD? & An insight into the life of an Architect student

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 in 2nd year.

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. We want our students to be competent, responsible and confident architects and life – long learners.

However, this degree also provides graduates with a breadth of knowledge and a range of transferable skills and abilities applicable in many different contexts. Some graduates have gone on to pursue careers in associated professions and other forms of professional creative practice such as landscape architecture, planning, heritage site management, cultural and artistic practice, curatorial work, policy making, consultancy, product design or research.

• Mature Entry Route
• DARE Entry Route
  
• HEAR Entry Route
  
• Progression from Higher Certificate or Ordinary Degree
  

UCD Engineering & Architecture College Office
Engineering and Materials Science Centre,
Belfield,
Dublin 4

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