Course description
We designed this course to provide the part two qualification of your professional architecture education, while working in architectural practice. Your study is typically three years but our flexible delivery allows you to extend this to six years to suit your professional and personal circumstances.
If you have a job in architectural practice you may move directly onto the course after completing part one, with no need for a year’s professional experience. You can take your year’s experience alongside your study provided you work in practice for three or more days per week.
You can achieve your postgraduate diploma and part two in your third year. You may then choose to study for a masters by taking the research methods and dissertation modules.
You follow a personal curriculum and negotiate a learning plan with your tutor at the start of each year. We also encourage work-based learning to allow your studies to focus on your practice and professional development needs.
Where appropriate, we base your learning and assessment on the projects and initiatives you are working on in practice.
Your study is flexible with a choice of optional modules. In the autumn semester you concentrate on lectures, seminars, study and research. The spring semester is for design studio projects.
In your second year you take an overseas design project. This currently takes place in Hong Kong.
In your final year, you prepare a design thesis where you devise your own project to address topical themes and explore the issues faced by real towns and cities.
The course provides a weekly forum for group interaction where you share and challenge ideas and proposals. The group sessions are student-led with tutor support and directed reading on theories in ? culture ? ethics ? urban design ? conservation ? technology ? the environment ? professional practice. Group interaction continues beyond the classroom in web-based discussion forums.
The course provides a continuation and extension of the environmental focus of the existing part one architecture course at Sheffield Hallam. You are supported in seminars and in the studio by expert academics and practitioners in this field.
Associated careers
This course improves your present working practices and prospects for promotion in your organisation through a deeper understanding, knowledge and focused professional skills.
You gain expertise in sustainable design – a subject of increasing urgency globally.
Although the focus is on gaining professional qualifications in architecture, the postgraduate diploma also gives you access to related careers in ? design ? development ? construction ? environmental design ? consultancy.
Course content
Year one modules
• cultural theory • advanced environment strategies • project research and analysis 1 • design studio 4 – a visual language
Year two core modules
• place and context • project research and analysis 2 • design studio 5 – place and context
Year two options
One from • conservation and design • advanced technical design
Year three modules
• practice management • project research and analysis 3 • design studio 6 – comprehensive design project
Year three options
One from • advanced digital media • an available optional module from the faculty
Throughout the course you produce a personal development portfolio which is a critical reflection of your experience in years one and two. This forms a professional development portfolio in your final year.
To gain an MSc you also complete • research methods module • dissertation
