Architecture - Offered jointly by UCC & MTU
Architecture explores new ways of living, investigates new technologies and materials, and strives to ensure that new buildings, towns and landscapes are environmentally sustainable. It combines art, science and technology in the design and construction of buildings and their surroundings within a sociocultural context.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Maths O6/H7
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
UCC awards the following points to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules:
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
While Link Modules are counted for point scoring purposes they may not be counted as one of the six subjects to satisfy minimum entry requirements.
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
Graduate Study Options
When you successfully complete the BSc (Hons) in Architecture you will be eligible to apply to the Master of Architecture (MArch) programme (a notified award recognised under the EU Directive on Professional Qualifications). This, together with practical experience and an RIAI Certificate in Architectural Professional Practice will provide the overall education required for professional membership of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI).
Career Opportunities
Architecture itself provides exciting and widely varied career opportunities. As a graduate you may specialise in certain types of buildings, or concentrate on a particular area such as architectural design, urban design, technology, architectural conservation, and computer-based modelling. You may work individually or as part of a team, in private practice, or in the architectural section of a commercial organisation, a government department or local authority. Our graduates have gone on to work as architectural assistant designers, draughtsmen and women, forum architect assistants, domestic heating planners and project managers.
Our students are highly regarded in architecture based practices and have found work with employers including 4M Group, Bjarke Ingels Group, Butler Cammoranesi Architecture, Cork City Council, De Blacam Meagher, dRMM, Eva Jiricna, (Norman) Foster and Partners, Henry J Lyons Architects, Hilson Moran Partnership Ltd, Jacobs Engineering Group, Loïc Dehaye, McCullogh Mulvin, O’Donnell Tuomey, OPW, O’Mahony Pike Architects, PM Group, Scott Tallon Walker, (Terry) Farrell, Wilson Architecture, Zaha Hadid Architects, and many more.
The study of architecture provides opportunities to develop a wide range of transferable skills. Graduates of this course will have had rich experience of working in teams, working to deadlines, developing abilities in verbal and graphic communication and, most importantly, skills in creativity, design and innovation — the essential ingredients of success in the contemporary economy.
Further information
Approximate Available Places 4
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 45
Entry 2025
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2025 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2025 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2025 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2025 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2025. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2025, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2025 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Course Outline
Architecture explores new ways of living, investigates new technologies and materials, and strives to ensure that new buildings, towns and landscapes are environmentally sustainable. It combines art, science and technology in the design and construction of buildings and their surroundings within a sociocultural context. Architects are engaged in all aspects and creating the built environment from feasibility studies, outline and detailed design, through planning, to construction and management. They are involved in projects of a diverse nature, including the design of domestic, retail, leisure, health, commercial, industrial and educational buildings, towns and urban landscapes.
This challenging and engaging Architecture programme includes technology and cultural/contextual modules, and has a strong focus on learning through activities in the design studio. The Architecture degree is delivered by the Cork Centre for Architectural Education in Cork City, a collaboration between UCC and the Munster Technological University. This new, purpose-designed premises houses state-of-the-art technology with purpose-built workshop spaces where you will develop your skills in creativity, design and innovation.
The Architecture programme has been designed in response to the guidelines of the UNESCO/UIA Charter for Architectural Education, the European Qualifications Directive (2005/36/ EC) relating to the Architectural Profession, and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Education Policy.
Combined with the Master of Architecture, it is accredited by the RIAI. Together with two years' work experience in an architect's office and a Postgraduate Certificate in Architectural Professional Practice and Experience, this will allow you to register as a professional architect. Registration provides for legal protection of the title of "Architect", as required by the Irish Building Control Act 2007.
The first year of study provides you with a foundation in design and the built environment, appropriate to both the discipline of architecture and associated design courses. In addition to learning drawing skills, you will become proficient in photography, modelmaking and digital representation of architecture. The following years of study will become progressively more architecturally focused whilst still allowing and encouraging experimentation and research into associated disciplines. You will participate in formal lectures and seminars, and design studio tutorials and reviews. You will also get the chance to participate in class field trips, visiting project sites, as well as study trips to Irish and other European cities.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Study Abroad
The CCAE has Erasmus links with colleges abroad including Austria, Estonia, and Italy Italy, and plans for exchanges with schools in France and Slovenia.
Year 1 Modules
AT1001 & AT1005 Design Studio 1 & 2 (15 credits each)
AT1003 & AT1006 Construction, Materials and Structures 1 & 2 (5 credits each)
AT1009 & AT1010 Applied Technology Studio 1 & 2 (5 credits each)
AT1004 & AT1008 History and Theory of Architecture (5 credits each)
Mr John McLaughlin
architecture@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 420 5676
https://www.ucc.ie/en/architecture/
Dr Jason O’Shaughnessy
j.oshaughnessy@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 420 5684