{page 134}

PgDip
Architecture
Providing exemption from ARB/RIBA Part 2 examinations

Location
Southwark

Duration
2 years (full time)
3 years (part time)

Mode of study
Full-time
Part-time

Start date
September

Number of places
40

Simple timetable
Full-time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Part-time: Monday or Friday

How to apply
Direct to LSBU

LSBU code
Full time: 122

Part time: 123
Course contacts
Mary Jane Rooney

Head of Department
rooneymj@lsbu.ac.uk – 020 7815 7101
Lilly Kudic

Admissions Tutor
kudicl@lsbu.ac.uk – 020 7815 7279

Entry requirements

All applicants must hold a degree in architecture providing exemption from RIBA Part 1. Overseas students must demonstrate that their work has received exemption from RIBA Part 1 by contacting the Architects Registration Board. Applicants for the part-time course should be working in practice. All students are required to attend an interview with a portfolio of work or, if applying from overseas, to send a portfolio of work to the admissions tutor; this folio may be in a digital format.

Course units

Year 1

– Design

– Theory

– Digital Project

– Environmental Technology

– Dissertation

– Practice Management

Year 2

– Design

– Dissertation

– Design Economics

– Theory

– Technology

Part-time students study the same number of units over 3 years.


Course description

The programme provides students who have completed an undergraduate degree in architecture with the opportunity to define their own interests, speculating on a personal response to the design and making of architecture.

Architecture is primarily a cultural activity, with significant connections to theoretical, technological, and historical narratives. The discipline of architecture is exceptionally responsive to change, and actively engages with both the internal world of ideas and external realities around us; modernity in the broadest sense is a critical part of the world view of successful architects. Our aim therefore is to educate reflective and resourceful architecture graduates for the 21st century.

The PgDip in architecture is a strongly design-based course underpinned by a firm base in theory and technology. The department is committed to a studio system as being the best medium for the exchange of ideas. Students on the course choose from three design studios identified by subject and theme. Each studio has developed its specialised approach to architecture based on specific responses to contemporary issues in the city, and the developing landscapes around cities. Issues explored include the relationship between architecture and urban design, architecture and popular culture, and architecture, geometry, and structure.

There is an emphasis on the observation and generation of alternative models for the city. This is developed through field trips to destinations such as Beijing, Berlin, Delhi, Dubai, Havana, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Jaipur, Las Vegas, Marrakech, Moscow, St Petersburg, and Tokyo.

Career opportunities

The course is well connected to key practices in London. Many LSBU graduates also work abroad in the Gulf States, China and the Far East, and Russia and the ex-USSR republics. Students may also use their qualification as an introduction to careers in criticalwriting, journalism, project management, teaching, media and broadcasting, research and website or software design.


This course is intended for graduates of architecture courses where students have exemption from RIBA Part 1. Applicants to this course will have a first degree in architecture (normally a 2:2 Hons or better), however, the University recognises that many individuals develop additional skills during their year out and will interview such applicants with a portfolio of both academic and practice work.

Professional recognition

The course is unconditionally validated by the RIBA with exemption from the RIBA Part 2 examination; the course is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board.