BSc (Honours) Architecture and Environmental Design
Three years full-time
UCAS code • K100
Location • City Campus
Subject area • Architecture
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View examples of work by architecture and environmental design students.
Watch videos of our students talking about their experiences on the course and what they have gained from it.
Renowned architect Renzo Piano talks to critic, author and curator, Lucy Bullivant about his approach to urban design.
Find out about Creative Spark, our annual graduate showcase of final year students' work, and Brightest Spark, an exhibition featuring projects completed by our elite students.
Our architecture courses produce award winning students and graduates
Visit the Department of Architecture website to view profiles of staff who teach in this subject area.
2014 entry requirements
GCSE mathematics and English language at grade C or above. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following
• 280–320 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications. The level of offer will determined following assessment at interview. We do not accept AS levels, general studies A level or Key Skills.
• Access – at least 45 credits at level 3 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course
• Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design) – distinction
If English is not your first language you need an IELTS average score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill
You will also be invited to attend an interview with a portfolio of art or design work. This portfolio may be compiled from drawing, sketching and painting outside formal academic subjects. See below for guidance on your portfolio.
We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.
Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.
Portfolio guidance
Your portfolio should give us a clear view of your creative potential through your original work. It should
• show your interest in architecture
• demonstrate your imagination, originality and enthusiasm
• show you to be someone with good skills of graphic communication and evidence of design flair and creativity
We’re not looking for highly finished professional work, such as CAD, but evidence of a range of graphic communication media. This could include montages, water-colour, oil-painting, pencil work or work that demonstrates you have good technical drafting skills. Photographs of 3D work demonstrating skills in wood, metal, plastic, card, fabric are also appropriate.
You should demonstrate the development of your ideas, process and result. It’s a good idea to include strategic captions and a small text paragraph explaining what is being presented. Present your work in a logical order – think out the sequence in which your work will be seen. This could be by the date of completion of your work, or by a particular theme. Think about the background to your work and why you made the creative decisions you did.
Don’t include torn or poorly cared for work make sure there are no spelling mistakes
Your portfolio must contain no more than 10 pages and must not exceed 3MB in size. You must rely on your creativity and graphic judgment. You can present more than one piece on each portfolio page.
2013 entry requirements
GCSE mathematics and English language at grade C or above. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following
• 280-320 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications. The level of offer will determined following assessment at interview. We do not accept AS levels, general studies A level or Key Skills.
You apply for this course through UCAS.
2013/14 academic year
For 2013 entry, membership of professional bodies and mandatory UK field trips are included in the course fee
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees, scholarships and bursaries see www.shu.ac.uk/international/fees
• project work • continuous assessment • written assignments • examinations
This course is validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and prescribed by the Architects Registration Board for exemption from RIBA Part 1 examinations.
A visualisation of the Sheffield Writers Centre by Andy Richards.
Sheffield Writers Centre
A visualisation of the Manor Lodge Visitor Centre by Ben Kee.
Manor Lodge Visitor Centre.
A visualisation of the Joseph Wright Gallery by Dean O'Brien.
Joseph Wright Gallery.
Anya Sutton (1:35)
Anya Sutton talks about the benefits of the course and what she enjoyed about it.
Robert Sharples (1:06)
Robert Sharples talks about what he did when he was on the course and studying in Sheffield.
Renzo Piano (3:04)
Here, renowned architect Renzo Piano talks to critic, author and curator, Lucy Bullivant about his approach to urban design.
The 'In Conversation with Renzo Piano' event was organised jointly by Sheffield Hallam University and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) to celebrate the legacy of creative designer Godfrey Sykes.
Sykes developed his skills as a student at the Sheffield School of Design in the 1850s.
Spark - be creative
Subjects included are • animation • architecture • computers • creative writing • digital media production • engineering • fashion design • film and visual effects • film and media production • fine art • furniture and product design • games design • graphic design • interior design • jewellery and metalwork • performing arts • photography • product design.
Creative Spark
Creative Spark is an annual showcase of student work and celebrates the innovation, creativity and imagination of our most talented graduates. Creative Spark is hosted across four university venues • Owen • Cantor • Sheaf • Arundel Gate Court and S1 in the city centre.
For further information visit the Creative Spark website.
Brightest Spark
Brightest Spark is an exhibition housed in the SIA Gallery and Cantor building. This exhibition features the elite students in each Sheffield of Institute of Arts course as chosen by industry professionals.
For further information visit the Brightest Spark website.
Project Spark
Sheffield Hallam students have the opportunity to play a key role in the promotion of the Creative Spark and Brightest Spark exhibitions by submitting entries for Project Spark. The 2012 competitions included • concept design • branding and wayfinding • creative writing • image • brightest spark logo and branding.
For further information visit the Project Spark website.
Architecture and Environmental Design graduate Chris Paterson won first prize for his entry into the Forgotten Spaces 2011: Sheffield architectural ideas competition run by Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Yorkshire.
The competition encouraged architects, designers and artists to come up with innovative ideas that find new uses for the region's forgotten spaces.
Guiding Lights by Chris Paterson
Chris Paterson's 'Guiding Lights' design brings to life Frog Walk in Sheffield, with animated avatars and an LED screen. Using smartphone technology it magically lights up a dark footpath in the city.
The idea impressed the judges for its 'brilliant' solution to making people feel safer at night.
Jacob's design plans
Architecture and Environmental Design graduate Jacob Szikora, won the EDUCATE Prize, for his idea for a coconut growing facility in Sheffield.
The EDUCATE Prize is an international award celebrating outstanding student work that investigates sustainability in architecture and urban design.
Jacob won the prize for his idea for a facility on London Road in Sheffield that could produce process, package and sell coconuts.
Jacob's scheme explores whether it would be possible to grow these imported products in an urban context away from their natural environment, thus reducing the environmental impact of transporting them around the world.
Visit the Department of Architecture website to view profiles of staff who teach in this subject area.
