International Foundation in Architecture
Prepare for direct entry to Year 1 of an undergraduate degree in Architecture at Newcastle University.

Course features
- Develop the academic knowledge and study skills for your chosen degree through a specialist pathway.
- Guaranteed university placement at a UK university for all successful students. Find out more about our money back guarantee.
- Adapt to studying in the UK with modules designed to equip you with the skills you need for university and build your confidence in an academic setting.
- Extensive guidance and support with your university applications, so you choose the best degree for you.
Your course options
View detailed course content by selecting one of the options below:
How do I qualify?
English language requirements: |
IELTS 5.5 (with a minimum of 4.5 in any subskill) or equivalent. Some exclusions exist. |
Age requirements: | 16 years and above All students commencing courses for the September start date must be 16 years old by 1st September of that calendar year. For the June intake for the Extended course, students must be 16 before registering at the centre. For all other start dates, students must be 16 years old by 1st September of the preceding calendar year. Therefore students must have turned 17 before 1st September of the year they progress to university. |
Academic requirements: | Completion of 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades. You will be expected to provide a portfolio as part of the application. Your portfolio should demonstrate core skills and illustrate your genuine interest in architecture. |
Entry requirements additional information: | You will be expected to provide a portfolio as part of the application. Your portfolio should demonstrate core skills and illustrate your genuine interest in architecture. The portfolio will be carefully assessed according to outlined criteria. Portfolios that do not comply with these guidelines will not be considered suitable for entry and applicants will be required to resubmit. Portfolios will be assessed at key times throughout the academic year. For full details of portfolio guidelines and assessment dates visit: www.intostudy.com/ncl/architecture-portfolio-fdn |
Are you top of your class? At INTO Newcastle University, we are committed to awarding gifted international students with academic scholarships, helping them achieve their goals of studying at a world-class university in the UK.
With a range of generous scholarships on offer for the highest-achieving students, you could be eligible to receive up to £5,000 towards your tuition fees.
Dates and prices
Start date | End date | Course length | Fees |
25 September 2023 | 21 June 2024 |
3 Terms
View Term dates |
GBP £20,590 |
8 January 2024 | 6 September 2024 |
3 Terms
View Term dates |
GBP £20,590 |
Class information
Maximum class size (for English language teaching): | 18 |
Course Delivery Method | On-Campus |
Class duration: |
Typically held Monday to Friday between 08.00 - 19.00 excluding bank holidays. However, there may be instances where classes need to be held outside these times due to unforeseen circumstances. |
Where will it take me?
Take your first step towards qualifying as an architect, and build your skills thanks to a strong design culture.
Through design projects involving manual and computer-aided drawing and model making, you’ll use your creativity to develop your own design style. You’ll have 24/7 access to studios, and opportunities for fieldtrips and community projects in the UK, Europe and Africa.
The degree is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and gives you exemption from the RIBA Part I examination.
What will I study?
All students complete modules tailored to your chosen degree subjects.
How will I be assessed?
Entry to degrees at Newcastle University is highly competitive, so you must maintain high standards throughout your pathway programme.
Your grades during the International Foundation don't count towards your final degree, but your performance will determine if you meet the progression requirements needed.
Throughout your programme you'll be given feedback from teachers to keep you on track. You'll also be assessed through exams and coursework including:
- a design portfolio
- design project
- sketch books
- written essays
- practical exercises
- group and individual research projects
- bibliographical searches
- oral and video presentations
- problem-solving
How do I qualify?
English language requirements: |
IELTS 5.0 (with a minimum of 4.5 in all subskills) or equivalent. Some exclusions exist. |
Age requirements: | 16 years and above All students commencing courses for the September start date must be 16 years old by 1st September of that calendar year. For the June intake for the Extended course, students must be 16 before registering at the centre. For all other start dates, students must be 16 years old by 1st September of the preceding calendar year. Therefore students must have turned 17 before 1st September of the year they progress to university. |
Academic requirements: | Completion of 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades. You will be expected to provide a portfolio as part of the application. Your portfolio should demonstrate core skills and illustrate your genuine interest in architecture. |
Entry requirements additional information: | You will be expected to provide a portfolio as part of the application. Your portfolio should demonstrate core skills and illustrate your genuine interest in architecture. The portfolio will be carefully assessed according to outlined criteria. Portfolios that do not comply with these guidelines will not be considered suitable for entry and applicants will be required to resubmit. Portfolios will be assessed at key times throughout the academic year. For full details of portfolio guidelines and assessment dates visit: www.intostudy.com/ncl/architecture-portfolio-fdn |
Are you top of your class? At INTO Newcastle University, we are committed to awarding gifted international students with academic scholarships, helping them achieve their goals of studying at a world-class university in the UK.
With a range of generous scholarships on offer for the highest-achieving students, you could be eligible to receive up to £5,000 towards your tuition fees.
Dates and prices
Start date | End date | Course length | Fees |
25 September 2023 | 6 September 2024 |
4 Terms
View Term dates |
GBP £25,385 |
27 June 2024 | 20 June 2025 |
4 Terms
View Term dates |
* |
*All students who confirm their offer on or before 31 January 2024 will pay the 2023/2024 price as per their existing offer letter. After 31 January 2024, where tuition fees have increased, all current offers will be reissued and students will receive a new offer with the new 2024/2025 pricing. Please note that the fees listed are for Year 1 of study only.
Class information
Maximum class size (for English language teaching): | 18 |
Course Delivery Method | On-Campus |
Class duration: |
Typically held Monday to Friday between 08.00 - 19.00 excluding bank holidays. However, there may be instances where classes need to be held outside these times due to unforeseen circumstances. |
Where will it take me?
Take your first step towards qualifying as an architect, and build your skills thanks to a strong design culture.
Through design projects involving manual and computer-aided drawing and model making, you’ll use your creativity to develop your own design style. You’ll have 24/7 access to studios, and opportunities for fieldtrips and community projects in the UK, Europe and Africa.
The degree is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and gives you exemption from the RIBA Part I examination.
What will I study?
All students complete modules tailored to your chosen degree subjects.
How will I be assessed?
Entry to degrees at Newcastle University is highly competitive, so you must maintain high standards throughout your pathway programme.
Your grades during the International Foundation don't count towards your final degree, but your performance will determine if you meet the progression requirements needed.
Throughout your programme you'll be given feedback from teachers to keep you on track. You'll also be assessed through exams and coursework including:
- a design portfolio
- design project
- sketch books
- written essays
- practical exercises
- group and individual research projects
- bibliographical searches
- oral and video presentations
- problem-solving
How do I qualify?
English language requirements: |
IELTS 5.5 (with a minimum of 4.5 in any subskill) or equivalent. Some exclusions exist. |
Age requirements: | 16 years and above All students commencing courses for the September start date must be 16 years old by 1st September of that calendar year. For the June intake for the Extended course, students must be 16 before registering at the centre. For all other start dates, students must be 16 years old by 1st September of the preceding calendar year. Therefore students must have turned 17 before 1st September of the year they progress to university. |
Academic requirements: | Completion of 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades. You will be expected to provide a portfolio as part of the application. Your portfolio should demonstrate core skills and illustrate your genuine interest in architecture. |
Entry requirements additional information: | You will be expected to provide a portfolio as part of the application. Your portfolio should demonstrate core skills and illustrate your genuine interest in architecture. The portfolio will be carefully assessed according to outlined criteria. Portfolios that do not comply with these guidelines will not be considered suitable for entry and applicants will be required to resubmit. Portfolios will be assessed at key times throughout the academic year. For full details of portfolio guidelines and assessment dates visit: www.intostudy.com/ncl/architecture-portfolio-fdn |
Are you top of your class? At INTO Newcastle University, we are committed to awarding gifted international students with academic scholarships, helping them achieve their goals of studying at a world-class university in the UK.
With a range of generous scholarships on offer for the highest-achieving students, you could be eligible to receive up to £5,000 towards your tuition fees.
Dates and prices
Start date | End date | Course length | Fees |
25 September 2023 | 21 June 2024 |
3 Terms
View Term dates |
GBP £20,590 |
8 January 2024 | 6 September 2024 |
3 Terms
View Term dates |
GBP £20,590 |
Class information
Maximum class size (for English language teaching): | 18 |
Course Delivery Method | On-Campus |
Class duration: |
Typically held Monday to Friday between 08.00 - 19.00 excluding bank holidays. However, there may be instances where classes need to be held outside these times due to unforeseen circumstances. |
Where will it take me?
Take your first step towards qualifying as an architect, and build your skills thanks to a strong design culture.
Through design projects involving manual and computer-aided drawing and model making, you’ll use your creativity to develop your own design style. You’ll have 24/7 access to studios, and opportunities for fieldtrips and community projects in the UK, Europe and Africa.
The degree is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and gives you exemption from the RIBA Part I examination.
What will I study?
All students complete modules tailored to your chosen degree subjects.
How will I be assessed?
Entry to degrees at Newcastle University is highly competitive, so you must maintain high standards throughout your pathway programme.
Your grades during the International Foundation don't count towards your final degree, but your performance will determine if you meet the progression requirements needed.
Throughout your programme you'll be given feedback from teachers to keep you on track. You'll also be assessed through exams and coursework including:
- a design portfolio
- design project
- sketch books
- written essays
- practical exercises
- group and individual research projects
- bibliographical searches
- oral and video presentations
- problem-solving
How do I qualify?
English language requirements: |
IELTS 5.0 (with a minimum of 4.5 in all subskills) or equivalent. Some exclusions exist. |
Age requirements: | 16 years and above All students commencing courses for the September start date must be 16 years old by 1st September of that calendar year. For the June intake for the Extended course, students must be 16 before registering at the centre. For all other start dates, students must be 16 years old by 1st September of the preceding calendar year. Therefore students must have turned 17 before 1st September of the year they progress to university. |
Academic requirements: | Completion of 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades. You will be expected to provide a portfolio as part of the application. Your portfolio should demonstrate core skills and illustrate your genuine interest in architecture. |
Entry requirements additional information: | You will be expected to provide a portfolio as part of the application. Your portfolio should demonstrate core skills and illustrate your genuine interest in architecture. The portfolio will be carefully assessed according to outlined criteria. Portfolios that do not comply with these guidelines will not be considered suitable for entry and applicants will be required to resubmit. Portfolios will be assessed at key times throughout the academic year. For full details of portfolio guidelines and assessment dates visit: www.intostudy.com/ncl/architecture-portfolio-fdn |
Are you top of your class? At INTO Newcastle University, we are committed to awarding gifted international students with academic scholarships, helping them achieve their goals of studying at a world-class university in the UK.
With a range of generous scholarships on offer for the highest-achieving students, you could be eligible to receive up to £5,000 towards your tuition fees.
Dates and prices
Start date | End date | Course length | Fees |
25 September 2023 | 6 September 2024 |
4 Terms
View Term dates |
GBP £25,385 |
27 June 2024 | 20 June 2025 |
4 Terms
View Term dates |
* |
*All students who confirm their offer on or before 31 January 2024 will pay the 2023/2024 price as per their existing offer letter. After 31 January 2024, where tuition fees have increased, all current offers will be reissued and students will receive a new offer with the new 2024/2025 pricing. Please note that the fees listed are for Year 1 of study only.
Class information
Maximum class size (for English language teaching): | 18 |
Course Delivery Method | On-Campus |
Class duration: |
Typically held Monday to Friday between 08.00 - 19.00 excluding bank holidays. However, there may be instances where classes need to be held outside these times due to unforeseen circumstances. |
Where will it take me?
Take your first step towards qualifying as an architect, and build your skills thanks to a strong design culture.
Through design projects involving manual and computer-aided drawing and model making, you’ll use your creativity to develop your own design style. You’ll have 24/7 access to studios, and opportunities for fieldtrips and community projects in the UK, Europe and Africa.
The degree is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and gives you exemption from the RIBA Part I examination.
What will I study?
All students complete modules tailored to your chosen degree subjects.
How will I be assessed?
Entry to degrees at Newcastle University is highly competitive, so you must maintain high standards throughout your pathway programme.
Your grades during the International Foundation don't count towards your final degree, but your performance will determine if you meet the progression requirements needed.
Throughout your programme you'll be given feedback from teachers to keep you on track. You'll also be assessed through exams and coursework including:
- a design portfolio
- design project
- sketch books
- written essays
- practical exercises
- group and individual research projects
- bibliographical searches
- oral and video presentations
- problem-solving