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Architecture

View the employability skills

A graduate in architecture typically will have the ability to:

  • work in an interdisciplinary environment and collaborate with others
  • respond to a broad range of interests including social and ethical concerns
  • communicate effectively using visual, graphic, written and verbal means
  • work autonomously in a self-directed manner, thereby developing the practices of reflection and of lifelong learning
  • work in teams
  • manage time and work to deadlines
  • use digital and electronic communication techniques
  • analyse problems and use innovation, logical and lateral thinking in their solution
  • be flexible and adaptable in approaching an issue, problem or opportunity.

The discipline of architecture draws on knowledge and skills from the sciences, humanities, and fine and applied arts. It addresses the accommodation of all human activity in all places under all conditions, understanding our place within differing physical, historical, cultural, social, political and virtual environments. Architecture proposes, forms, and transforms our built environment and does so through engaging with the spaces, buildings, cities and landscapes in which we live. Design is the core activity of architectural study. The contested nature of design provokes debate, encourages diversity and advances the subject.

Students come from numerous backgrounds, bringing the very diversity of disciplines and modes of inquiry that an architecture course instils. Architectural education is part of the construction industry and has an important influence on how this industry changes and develops. The knowledge, understanding and skills developed during the study of architecture are broad, holistic and of value in themselves. Most undergraduates aim ultimately for professional accreditation or a related career.

Other employability related skills that can be developed include the ability to:

  • conceptualise, investigate and develop the design of three-dimensional objects and spaces
  • create architectural designs that integrate social, aesthetic and technical requirements
  • conceive architectural designs on a specific site in the context of urban planning
  • research, formulate and respond to programmes or briefs appropriate to specific contexts and circumstances
  • form considered judgements about the spatial, aesthetic, technical and social qualities of a design within the scope and scale of a wider environment
  • reflect upon and then relate ideas to a design and to the work of others
  • produce designs that demonstrate the integrative relationship of structure, building materials and constructional elements and the relationship between climate, service systems and energy supply
  • exercise informed and reflective judgement in the development of sustainable design
  • use a range of visual, written and verbal techniques to communicate architectural designs and ideas
  • select and use design using design-based software and multimedia applications
  • listen and engage in informed dialogue.

To check the growing range of resources produced by the Subject Centre to support employability and the use of this profile (including the Skills and Attributes map) go to www.cebe.heacademy.ac.uk.

This profile, produced in 2004, is based on the QAA benchmark to be found at www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/honours/default.asp


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