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Prospectus

 

BEng (Hons) Architecture

Course prospectus hero image

Key information

Degree

BEng (Hons) Architecture

Types of study

Full time

Duration

Three or four years depending on entry qualifications

Start date

September 2025

Faculty

Architecture and Built Environment / Faculty of Science and Engineering

Study model

4+0

Note: For the 2+2 study model courses, the student will spend the last two years at our UK campus. For the 4+0 study model courses, the student will spend the entire degree programme in Ningbo, China with 'study abroad' opportunities from year three.

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Discover more about the Department of Architecture and Built Environment

Introductory video

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Entry requirements

Depending on your academic and English language qualifications, you may be eligible for a traditional three-year degree programme, or a four-year programme with a preliminary year. The preliminary year enables you to gain the subject-specific knowledge and skills required to embark on degree-level studies.

Please find the entry requirement relevant to your country of origin here. If your country is not listed, please email international@nottingham.edu.cn.

If you are a mainland Chinese student, your Gaokao score should be in the first division as a minimum requirement, and your English test score should be no less than 115/150. For more details, please check the Chinese prospectus.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, you are required to provide evidence of your proficiency in English. The minimum requirements for our preliminary year entry are listed below:

  • IELTS 5.5 with no less than 5.0 in any element
  • PTE Academic 59 (minimum 53)
  • TOEFL iBT 80 (minimum 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking)

The minimum requirements for our qualifying year entry are listed below:

  • IELTS 6.5 with the writing band no less than 6.0
  • PTE Academic 71 (minimum 65)
  • TOEFL iBT 90 (minimum 19 in Writing)

Minimum age requirements

You should be at least 18 years of age on admission to the University. The date of “admission” is defined as the first day of September in the relevant academic year. This requirement may be waived on an individual basis. If your parents or guardians provide their written agreement, in advance, to additional safeguards and requirements. Visit here for more information.

Course overview

The course provides an open and holistic education in architecture, aiming to form the next generation of architects and design thinkers to create better and inspiring built environments. The programme is designed to encourage creativity and innovation while responding to the professional requirements of architectural education.

You will develop an in-depth understanding of the contemporary architectural debate, allowing you to develop independent and critical thinking. It also provides a variety of hands-on projects, exercises, workshops, and facilities for students to work within.

Special feature

  • Creative problem-solving ability in the design of the built environment, founded on awareness, knowledge and understanding of the contemporary local and global architectural discourse;
  • An understanding, knowledge and ability to design and practice architecture within the local context of China, as well as at an international level;
  • Appreciation of the aesthetic values of means of individual expression, and capacity of communication, through the imaginative use of appropriate media;
  • Understanding of the principles of sustainable environmental design, and knowledge of the materials, methods, and techniques relevant to the design and construction of buildings and urban spaces;
  • Capacity to articulate critical thinking and propose original reflections on themes of relevance to the theories and practices of architectural design;
  • Understanding of the national and international framework of professional design practice and knowledge of the contextual regulations of the construction industry;
  • Independent approach to learning, promoting appropriate research methods of design investigation and fostering lifelong education.
FoSE-Arch-Enran-Zhang

To learn how to work in a team has proven to be an important skill in the professional life, especially in a collaborative profession such as architecture. In this perspective, the architecture course here at UNNC built a strong and comprehensive foundation for my further studies and my career.

——Enran Zhang, BEng (Hons) Architecture, Class of 2014

Enran Zhang continued with further development of her professional career by Master studies of Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part II) at the Manchester School of Architecture in UK. Now she is working as an architectural designer with Chapman Taylor International in the Shanghai office. She has also completed her professional qualification in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Course structure

The degree is offered as a three or four-year programme depending on your entry qualification.

  • For domestic students, the course structure follows the Chinese higher education system and is based on a four-year programme.
  • For international students, with relevant qualifications, the course structure follows the UK higher education system and is based on a three-year programme.

Accreditations

This course is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA Part 1).

Careers and further study

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham Ningbo, China will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Career Development Office can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

Employers

Broadway Malyan, ECADI, SUn Architects, XFRAME, F.O.G. Architecture, ConCom Studio, Chapman Taylor, Schmidt Hammer Lassen, Perkins and Will, Vector, 100architects, David Chipperfield, Daniel Statham, PTW

Further study

The curriculum is designed on international standards founded on the well-established UK pedagogic tradition of architectural education. On completion of the Part 1 programme at UNNC, students are offered a broad range of opportunities in professional practice or further education both in China and internationally.

Graduates from this programme can enrol in postgraduate architecture courses, such as Masters and PhDs, at The University of Nottingham, UK, at other UK Universities, as well as in universities in China, Asia, Europe, and the US. The University will provide support to graduates for admission into postgraduate degree programmes.

Graduates from this programme will be able to join architectural practices as Part 1-equivalent graduates in most parts of the world. This will allow graduates to gain professional experience and further develop skills that are required to join programmes of further education, or develop a career in architectural practice. The University provides support for our graduates for placements and internship, both during the study and after graduation.

Out of 36 graduates from the BEng Hons Architecture in 2023, 26 chose to continue their studies, and 6 went directly to work.

Among students going into further study, 61.5% were admitted into top 50 universities worldwide. In addition, 1 graduate entered the Architectural Association School of Architecture.

University

 Number
University College London 4
University of Pennsylvania 2
Cornell University 1
University of Melbourne   1
The University of Sydney 2
The University of Hong Kong 1
The University of Manchester 3
London School of Economics and Political Science  2
Grand Total 16

*The highest ranking of the school within four authoritative research institutions is used for statistics: QS’s 2024 World University Ranking, ARWU’s 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities, US News’s 2023 Best Global Universities Rankings, and Times Higher Education’s 2023 World University Ranking.

Fees

Chinese Mainland students

100,000 RMB / year (2024 Entry)

China's Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan students

100,000 RMB / year (2024 Entry)

International students

120,000 RMB / year

Scholarships, sponsorships and bursaries

To encourage academic excellence, we offer a comprehensive and expanding range of full and partial scholarships.

Historically, nearly 30% of our undergraduate students were awarded scholarships for their entry. Once enrolled, current students are eligible for additional merit and/or performance-based scholarships and awards, which covers approximately 32.5% of our whole student body.

Please check here for scholarship types and policies for applicants from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas countries. If you are a mainland Chinese student, please visit the Chinese language prospectus.

More information

Click here to see more about Module Catalogue and Programme Specifications.

Contact us

Student Recruitment and Admission Office

University of Nottingham Ningbo China
199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo, 315100, China

E. admissions@nottingham.edu.cn
T. +86 (0574) 8818 0182
W.


Faculty Office of Science and Engineering

Room 427, Sir Peter Mansfield Building
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo, 315100, China

E. fose_global@nottingham.edu.cn
W.


Ready to apply? Browse our how to apply page to find our more on how to prepare and submit your application.

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