This degree offers a lively and thought-provoking introduction to important ideas about architecture and cities. We place particular emphasis on the idea of ‘alternative practice’, inspired by the work of radical architects and planners whose architectural approach aims to encourage people to actively participate in the design of their environment. You study topics such as: understanding sustainable development researching local economies understanding cities We use practical case studies, historical examples, theoretical ideas and a live community project to introduce these new ideas, to support your understanding of how architecture and cities can be developed.

Our Architecture and Urban Planning BA Honours degree will equip you to follow a number of career paths including: * consultancy * education * development * community activism * global urbanism * property development * sustainability * surveying Routes into the BA Architecture and BA Urban Planning/Master of Planning MPlan degrees are also possible. Architectural education at Newcastle places a strong emphasis on developing your ability to visualise concepts and to translate your ideas in different forms to a variety of audiences. These skills have proved very attractive to employers in the creative industries and many of our former students have gone on to careers in television, film, advertising and other design-based professions. As well as a good degree, employers are looking for transferable skills including numeracy, interpersonal skills, teamworking, initiative, decision making and computer literacy. We see these skills as an integral part of the architectural education we offer, placing graduates of both degrees in a strong position to obtain employment in numerous fields such as: * teaching * law * the creative industries * property development * construction management * planning * urban design * landscape architecture