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13 November 2006

New era for architecture

Flexible degree for working professionals


MANCHESTER School of Architecture (MSA) has launched a pioneering course to help budding Le Corbusiers and Frank Lloyd Wrights become architects without having to give up their full-time jobs.

The new Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) allows students to study at their own pace and instigate projects that are relevant to their career aspirations and employer. Students are already enrolling on to the first cohort at the MSA, which is a collaborative venture between Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester.

Typically it takes seven years to become a fully qualified architect. This involves a three-year undergraduate degree, a year in practice, a two-year full-time BArch, another year in practice and final professional exams.

According to Colin Pugh, a principal lecturer at MMU, this route can be expensive: "Extensive full-time study increasingly represents a financial commitment that may be too great a burden for some students," he explained.

Affordable

"It also inhibits meaningful career development. We want to promote opportunities for architecture students to be able to undertake programmes that are both affordable and career enhancing."

Under the flexible BArch, students can continue working full-time in their architecture firm while gaining a qualification at the same time. "They can relate what they learn on the course to their daily jobs and gain the 24 months professional experience needed to sit their final exams," Mr Pugh said.

Employers could also reap rewards from the programme. "Practices have a graduate in continuous employment after completion of their first degree, rather than going through the current system where students return to university for a further two years after a preliminary period of practical training," Mr Pugh said.

BArch student John Bridge is being sponsored through the programme by Preston-based architectural firm Croft Goode, where he has worked for seven years. "I've always studied part-time and wanted to keep doing that for financial reasons," the 24 year old said.

Career advantage

"I also think it will give me an advantage over traditional architecture graduates. I understand the complex concepts better because I explore them in practice and have input from top professionals as I study."

Croft Goode is flexible regarding John's study requirements. "I have one day off per week to study and am allowed extra if I need it. I manage to fit in around 20 hours of study each week," he explained. "In return, I bring fresh ideas from the course back into the firm."

Mr Pugh said the structure would also open up the door to those who might not previously have been able to study full-time. "With the increase in university tuition fees and living costs, we believe this flexible approach will become increasingly popular," he added.


For more information, contact Colin Pugh, Manchester School of Architecture on 0161 247 6961 c.pugh@mmu.ac.uk
Emily Smyth at Communications Management
on 01727 733887 email
emily@communicationsmanagement.co.uk.