Key information
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- BA (Hons)
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Dubai
- Start date
- September
The B.A(Hons) Architecture programme at the Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus was launched in 2015. Since then, the programme has rapidly grown to a community of more than 100 students, creating a unique niche within the vibrant design community of Dubai and the UAE. Strategically placed within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS), the programme draws expertise from multiple disciplines associated with the built environment.
The programme aims to educate students in addressing current challenges faced worldwide, including climate change, resource depletion, sustainability and energy efficiency. Students will work on authoring projects to create a positive impact through diverse design practices and innovative solutions that resonate with the industry during their undergraduate studies.
Graduates from the B.A Architecture(Hons) programme will be:
- Creative Critical Thinkers with a research-informed, process-driven design enabling adaptability and innovative architecture.
- Advocates of Contextually Driven Architecture, contributing towards building a regionally and culturally sustainable future.
- Adept with Contemporary Challenges and Advanced Technologies, keeping them current and design forward.
- Confident in the subject area and embrace a Collaborative and Multi-disciplinary Design Approach.
- Industry linked, including national and international practitioners and relevant professional bodies.
Why study Architecture at Heriot-Watt University's Dubai Campus?
- The BA (Hons) Architecture programme is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The programme is the first and only four-year RIBA – Part One undergraduate programme in the UAE. RIBA has commended our programme for programme leadership and engagement.
- RIBA Part One accreditation gives Heriot-Watt University, Dubai students the opportunity to join RIBA Part Two Masters programmes in the UK and internationally.
- Heriot-Watt University has a wealth of specialist expertise in the built environment and is internationally recognized as one of only four Centres of excellence in sustainable building design.
- The course covers both technical and theoretical aspects, providing an excellent foundation for future practice or study at the postgraduate level.
- The combination of lectures and studio delivery encourages excellent self-motivation and the development of transferable skills that are valuable across the built environment industry.
- Our programme is designed to help shape the built environment for the 21st century, not only in terms of architecture but also to support a sustainable, energy-efficient and green society.
- Excellent linkup with regional and international architecture practice.
- Excellent facilities at our new digital campus, with dedicated design studios for each cohort of the architecture programme.
Your student experience
We have research-active faculty leading the programme. Ongoing research themes include the phenomenological experience of space, redefining public spaces and social infrastructure, intelligent facades and net-zero buildings, and smart and sustainable cities. The research themes are integrated into the curriculum through core design studios and architecture dissertations. Some of the key programme research initiatives are:
- Architectural Dissertation: The dissertation module introduced in the fourth year of the undergraduate programme encourages students to develop and position their research interest in architecture through research and academic writing.
- ORA House: In 2018, a multi-disciplinary team of staff and students from Heriot-Watt University participated in the first-ever Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME) competition organized by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in partnership with the US Department of Energy. The house received commendations for innovation in 'Architecture' and 'Engineering and Construction' and did well in the 'Sustainability' contest. Upon the success of the ORA house, Heriot Watt's Team ESTEEM recently participated in the second SDME contest held in 2021. Read more about the contest and ORA House.
- Centre of Excellence in Smart Construction: Our architecture programme is part of the Heriot-Watt University's Centre of Excellence in Smart Construction (CESC). CESC is a global hub for innovation, industry-led research and solutions development. Students have a great opportunity to connect with current research and industry partners through CESC's frequent conferences and panel discussions. Read more about CESC and its initiatives.
Meet the Faculty
Go Global
There are currently no Go Global opportunities for this particular programme. However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for more information.
Course content
September Intake - Dubai
Students studying for the BA (Hons)course are introduced to foundational knowledge and skills that influence the production of architecture. Initial short design projects in the first year introduce students to drawing and making projects. A suite of lectures and workshops introduces critical thinking in key subject areas such as Construction Technology, Shaping Tomorrow Together and History of the Built Environment. These enrich students' knowledge of architecture and help them conceptualize space and realize design proposals using drawings and models. Students undertake the conceptional design development using the medium of fine arts in their first semester. In the second semester, small-scale architectonic explorations in residential architecture are explored. In addition to the core design studio, students are introduced to courses in Histories and Theory, Construction and Environment.
Mandatory September
- Construction Technology 1
- Shaping Tomorrow Together A
- Architectural Design Studio 1
Mandatory January
- Shaping Tomorrow Together B
- Architectural Design Studio 2
- History of the Built Environment
Fees and funding
AED 82,178 per year
- All tuition fees inclusive of VAT.
Additional information
To know about the fees for this programme, please send an email to dubaienquiries@hw.ac.uk
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Our entry criteria are listed below. However, please note that the final decision remains at the discretion of the course director after evaluating scores of individual relevant subjects.
Students who are eligible to be admitted directly into second year can choose to join the first year, where available.
- GCE A-Level - CCC (or AABB at AS-Level)
- CBSE/Other Indian Boards - 65%.
- American High School Diploma/SABIS - 70% + SAT I - 1000 (500 English and 500 Math)
- Tawjihiyya - 80% or Elite/Advance - 75% + EmSAT (English 1400 and Math 1200)
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points (3 HL and 3 SL).
- BTEC Level 3 Ext Diploma - MMM
- FBISE grade 12 or equivalent – 70%
- Russian/Kazakhstan (Attestat) - Grades of 5 in every subject + IELTS 6.0
- French Baccalaureate - 13/20 + IELTS 6.0
- Lebanese Baccalaureate - 80% or 13/20 + IELTS 6.0
- Foundation year Successful completion of Heriot-Watt University Degree Entry Programme (Engineering/Design) with a CCCC.
- Compulsory subjects to include English.
We also welcome Year 2 and Year 3 students from other universities with architectural educational qualifications, provided they meet our evaluation process.
To find out more about the specific entry requirements for your country, please refer to our International Entry Requirements.
To find out about the entry requirements for this programme, please send an email to dubaienquiries@hw.ac.uk
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Employability
Graduates from the Architecture BA(Hons) programme can expect to find jobs as architectural assistants in multinational architecture and engineering companies, government organisations and small to medium-sized private sector firms (architecture, urban design and interior design). The BA (Hons) Architecture degree offered by Heriot-Watt provides an excellent first step in an architectural education that can lead towards becoming a professionally qualified Architect with further studies, examinations and experience. *Students who wish to join the UK Register of architects (a pre-requisite of becoming a Chartered Architect in the UK with the RIBA) should consult the Architects Registration Board’s website for further information about its routes to registration.
Student life
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