Resources

• students and staff with high ambitions
• international experience in a fast-developing Chinese context
• leading UK and Chinese partner institutions
• a diverse mix of strong and international staff
• excellent campus and facilities
• Suzhou: a historical and contemporary city with a high quality of living

Strengths

• independent and critical thinking
• social concerns in rapidly developing contexts
• creative and innovative design thinking
• concern for the future, based on contemporary approaches to heritage
• integration of architectural design with academic research
• pedagogical agility
• a passion for technical speculation

Values

• promote architecture which provides functional integrity, structural stability and delight
• foster humanistic design and universalism
• develop innovative integrations of research and design
• understand design as a process of exploration, negotiation and resolution
• encourage interdisciplinary research and design across the built environment and beyond
• cultivate proficiency of analogue and digital media
• encourage open-ended speculation and risk-taking
• explore the possible from what seems impossible
• ensure academic rigour and integrity
• promote architectural integrity
• maintain professional standards

OVERVIEW

The BEng Architecture programme aims to provide you with a comprehensive foundation in architecture. Through architectural design tasks you will be guided in developing an understanding of the importance of human needs and desires, as well as developing creative and responsible solutions.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY ARCHITECTURE AT XJTLU?

• RIBA Part 1 Validation
• Excellent career prospects and opportunities for further studies
• Opportunities for exciting work experience and internships
• Award-winning international and highly engaged academic staff from more than 15 different countries
• Opportunity to spend Year 3 at Politecnico di Torino in Italy, and receive the same RIBA validated degree as other students in the 4-year programme
• Partially-funded field trips within China and overseas
• Participation in local and international workshops with world-famous architects
• Participation in exhibitions
• Participation in competitions and conferences
• Opportunities to be published in the XJTLU Architecture Yearbook
• World-class facilities including dedicated design studios, a materials library, and fabrication and printing workshops equipped with printers, laser cutters and 3D printers
• Highly engaged technicians able to help with fabrication technologies
• Two degrees: an XJTLU degree from the Chinese Ministry of Education and a globally recognised degree from the University of Liverpool, a member of the Russell Group of leading UK universities.

RIBA VALIDATION

The BEng Architecture programme has become the first programme of its kind at a Chinese university to receive validation by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), thus demonstrating XJTLU's commitment to providing world-class, internationally recognised education to students from China and abroad.

The Royal Institute commended the Department of Architecture and its staff for “creating a distinctive environment in which students learn from an international and Chinese context with an ambition to produce a new type of graduate, with an emphasis on human-centred architecture, for the emerging global context."

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

By the time you graduate from BEng Architecture, you will have:

• fluency in the productive use of analogue and digital design media
• knowledge of both Chinese and Western cultures in relation to architectural history and theory
• an understanding of processes that form and transform urban space, principles of structure and construction, environmental control, and professional practice
• an ability to generate competitive, creative and critical design proposals
• an ability to apply a range of communication methods and media to present design proposals clearly and effectively
• an understanding of alternative materials, processes and techniques related to architectural design and construction
• an ability to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions in order to make and present sound judgments both within architectural design discourse and beyond
• knowledge of the context of the architect and the construction industry, and the professional qualities needed for decision making in complex and unpredictable circumstances
• an ability to identify individual learning needs and understand the personal responsibility required for further professional education

MODULES

Year One

UK degrees are three years long whereas in China they are four, therefore we do accept students with certain qualifications directly into Year Two, which is the start of the main academic programme. Most students, however, enter into Year One, which provides you with a range of interesting modules, language classes and core skills for your degree.

• Introduction to Architecture and Visual Culture
• Architectural Representation and Communication
• Additional Modules required by the University

Year Two

Year Two provides the basis for the subsequent years of the programme. You will be introduced to the history and theory of architecture, building science, structure and construction as well as building technology.

Experimental studio modules introduce you to the presentation, modelling and design of architectural spaces and small buildings.

• Design studio: design thinking and articulation
• Design studio: small space design
• Design studio: small scale architectural design
• History of Western architecture
• Structure and materials
• Introduction to environmental science
• Construction and materials
• Humanities and architecture.

Year Three

In Year Three, you will pursue design projects that require the integration of a more complex range of contextual parameters. You will continue to learn about building technology and the history and theory of architecture and urban developments.

• Design studio: design and building typology
• Design studio: small urban buildings
• Environmental design and sustainability
• History of Asian architecture
• Structural design
• Urban studies.

Year Four

In the final year, you will demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of architectural design processes from initial concepts to the design of buildings, taking into account human needs and desires as well as structural, material and environmental considerations.

Modules on digital design and building technology, theory, aesthetics and professional practice are designed to support the studio tasks. In Year Four, you will have the opportunity to select studio projects from a series of parallel briefs.

• Small and Medium Scale Buildings
• Final Year Project
• Architectural technology
• Architectural theory
• Professional practice
• Philosophy of art and aesthetics.

CAREERS

Architecture graduates find excellent opportunities for professional employment and for further education both locally and internationally in architecture and its related disciplines, as well as in other creative industries. Most of our graduates continue their studies on international masters programmes, either directly or after a year out in practice. Around 20 percent of our graduates have received offers for further studies from universities ranked at the very top in the field, such as the University of Pennsylvania, the Bartlett Faculty at the University College London, the University of Sydney, the Politecnico di Milano, McGill University in Canada, and the National University of Singapore. Our graduates have also gone on to work for acclaimed international and Chinese practices such as David Chipperfield, Tong Ming Studio, Farrells, and Arup.

FEES

International students
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RMB 88,000 per academic year

Early bird discount
Early bird discount of RMB 8,000 (approx. GBP 860) available (accept the conditional or unconditional offer before 1st May)

Join a free Chinese language course
We now offer a free summer Chinese language course for all undergraduate and postgraduate students starting their degree before program start.

Year One entry

We welcome applications from high-quality candidates in all subjects with appropriate high school or equivalent qualifications. Students will normally be expected to have a high standing in their high school performance with a minimum B average in all subjects as well as relevant subjects.

Year Two entry

Students who have completed A-levels or International Baccalaureate (or equivalent) will be considered for entry into Year Two, different programmes have different subject-relevant requirements.

    A-level: BBB

    IB Diploma: 30 points

    AP Exams/ACT Tests/SAT II Subject Tests - High school diploma with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or above, plus:
        1. 3 AP exams: 4, 4, 4 or
        2. SAT I: 1280 or ACT: 27, and 2 AP exams: 4, 4 or
        3. 3 SAT II Subject Tests (taken prior to cancellation in 2021): 600, 600, 600

Notes:

1. BEng Architecture, BA Filmmaking, BA TV Production & BA Digital Media Arts: require a digital copy portfolio review and an interview with members of Departments of Architecture and Design & School of Film and TV Arts, which can be conducted in person or via the Internet.

2. BA International Business with a Language: normally international students study Chinese and Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan students study Spanish or Japanese as the language option.

    For year 2 entry international students, students who are Chinese zero beginners will take an extra 5 credits Chinese language course.
    For year 2 entry Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan students, students should be able to demonstrate an equivalent level of Spanish (DELE/SIELE A1) or Japanese (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N5).

3. BA Translation and Interpreting: for international and HK/Macau/Taiwan students whose native language is not Chinese, an HSK level 6 or the pass of the aptitude test arrange by the Department of Translation and Interpreting is required.

4. Programme in Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Design and Technology Science and so on require Mathematics and Physics.

5. Programme in Architecture, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Chemistry, Mathematics, Science and Digital Media Arts and so on require Mathematics.

You can also find more information on entry requirements on our Country/Region list.

English Language Requirements

For international applicants, if you are a non-native English speaker, or if you have not previously studied in English, you must have satisfactory English language skills to study at XJTLU. Various English qualifications are accepted:

Year One entry

    IELTS: 5.0 (min 4.5 in all sections)
    TOEFL: 62 (iBT)

Year Two entry

    IELTS 6.5 (min 5.5 in all sections)
    TOEFL: 90 (iBT) (min 21 in any skill)

English qualifications are not required for students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who take the Joint Examination or the GSAT.

Students who are entering into Year One with less than IELTS 6.0 or equivalent in their English proficiency will take 10 credits EAP, and students with IELTS 6.0 or above will take 5 credits EAP.

"*" means necessary documents that you must provide in your application.

*1. Application Form

Please upload your finished application form here.

*2. Passport photo

A recent passport-sized photo of the applicant

*3. Photocopy of valid passport

With name, passport number & expiration date, and photo included(Photocopy of valid passport identification page. Passport must be an ordinary passport and be valid for at least six months. Applicants currently residing in China must include a copy of the page containing a valid visa or residence permit.)

*4. Certificates of Senior High school

Certificate in languages other than Chinese or English should be translated into Chinese or English and be certified by notarization.

*5. Senior High school academic transcript

Transcript in languages other than Chinese or English should be translated into Chinese or English and be certified by notarization.

*6. Certificates of English language qualifications

Certificates of English language qualifications such as IELTS, TOEFL or other acceptable English qualifications (as required for non-native speakers of English)

7. SAT, ACT, GSAT or other entrance aptitude test scores (if available)

*8. Personal Statement

9. Portfolio (only for BEng Architecture, BA Filmmaking, BA TV Production and BA Digital Media Arts)

10. Supporting Documents: Certificate of Good Conduct

Provided by your current/previous school/company in Chinese/English to improve your success rate.

CUCAS Service

CUCAS provides best service in this industry to international students. Apply through CUCAS, you will enjoy:

• Free Online Consulting, response within one working day.

• Free access to Chinese university database, 20,000+ programs in 300+ top Chinese universities are available.

• Free and easy-to-use online application system, only need 20 minutes to complete application.

• Free accommodation booking.

• Free DHL delivery - fast arrival and guarantee to get admission package.

• Mostly get admission letter in 2 weeks.

• Free visa guide, per-departure guide and students handbook.

• Airport pick-up Service.

• Money Transfer Service.

• Chance to find alumni.

 

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