The Department of Architecture and Planning
Welcome to the Department of Architecture and Planning website.
Part of the Faculty of Development and Society, we provide a home for students who want to understand, design and shape our world.
We bring together the disciplines of architecture, planning, housing, geography and environment in a wide range of courses for full-time and part-time students, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Our excellent facilities, strong research work and a highly committed and enthusiastic team of staff make up a department that aims to enhance and sustain the quality of human and natural environments.
- What subjects do we cover?
- Study with us
- Research
- Industry links
- International links
- Facilities
What subjects do we cover?
Architecture
Our architecture courses are renowned for teaching quality and student satisfaction. Together we share an academic commitment to environmental, social and technical innovation and excellence.
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Geography and environment
Our inspirational staff and professionally accredited courses focus on the knowledge and skills needed by industries and government to conserve natural systems and enhance human environments. We explore the most pressing human and environmental concerns and our excellent teaching is backed by a wide range of research.
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Planning, housing and regeneration
Our well-established housing education and research reflect the vital importance of good quality housing and neighbourhood management to individuals, communities and society.
Our planning and regeneration courses provide focus on theoretical debate, contemporary research agendas, specialist topics, live projects and vocational skills.
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Study with us
At the Department of Architecture and Planning, we aim to give you the knowledge and skills you need to make the most of professional and personal development opportunities throughout your career.
We treat all our students as individuals. We'll help you reach your academic goals in the way that best suits you.
We're committed to your employability. Work placements, real life work simulations and specialist events help prepare you with the skills employers are looking for. And our courses are developed with and accredited by professional bodies, to make sure you get the most up-to-date knowledge.
Research
Creating new knowledge is important to us. We make sure our teaching is underpinned by research, and that our staff are connected with their external professional communities.
Our research is highly rated. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 5% of our architecture and built environment research activity was judged to be 'internationally outstanding', with 40% of 'international excellence' and a further 35% of 'international standard'.
For town and country planning, 20% of our research was described as 'world-leading', with another 30% 'internationally excellent'.
Industry links
We have strong links with a wide range of professional bodies and employers.
We collaborate with local and national organisations on a professional basis – many academic staff have worked and continue to work in practice and to offer consultancy whilst others are represented on national and regional boards.
Alongside employers, we develop tailored short courses for continuing professional development so people and organisations can update their knowledge and skills in our rapidly developing sectors.
Our full-time courses offer industry experience and we provide contacts in local, national and international organisations so students can undertake paid and voluntary work.
We also have a number of teaching fellows with current industry experience who share their expertise as guest speakers on our courses.
International links
Our courses are popular around the world. We currently have students from China, Hong Kong, Iraq, Ghana, Nigeria and Europe on courses including MSc Environmental Management, MSc Geographical Information Systems, MSc Urban Planning, MSc Urban Regeneration and MSc Technical Architecture.
Several of our courses have professional body recognition. For example, our BSc Architectural and Environmental Design is recognised as a part 1 RIBA course. The MSc Urban Planning is a Royal Town Planning Institute accredited course.
We're actively looking to develop our international portfolio and to increase the number of international students on our courses - as well as developing links with international businesses. International partnerships are being developed and we are currently working with organisations in China, Hong Kong and India.
Facilities
Our architecture studios in the centre of Sheffield are open 24 hours a day. They're equipped for drawing, model making, computer aided design, plotting and printing, design tutorials and presentations.
Our nearby workshops have wood and metal working tools, laser cutters and environmental testing equipment. Adjacent spaces are used for structural design activity and hands-on construction classes.
The workshops are staffed by expert technicians.
