By studying Architecture at ARU, you’ll gain the theoretical, technical and design skills to shape the built environment for a sustainable future – and to work as a professional architect. As a collaborative individual, you'll be keen to make connections that will help kick start your career. We'll guide you towards the right work experience and support you throughout your course. You'll take part in Live Brief projects throughout your degree, collaborating with city and borough councils, Timber Development UK, and local and London firms such as Studio Forty, Studio Mai, Stace LLP, Levitt Bernstein, Sheppard & Robson, Barr Gazetas, LSI Architects, Vonberg Architects, RH Partnership Architects, Suzanne Brewer Architects and Aukett Swanke. On the BA (Hons) route, you’ll have the option to take a placement year as part of your course to gain valuable work experience. We'll encourage you to go on site visits, where you'll gain hands-on experience. Our links with professional institutions such as the RIBA Mentoring Programme, as well as local firms, ensure you'll stay up to date with industry practice. As well as benefiting from your lecturers' knowledge, you'll also benefit from a network of visiting designers, artists, historians and theorist plus, national and international architects and scholars, focusing on contemporary, relevant themes such as climate change, passive house techniques, fire and safety measures, environmental strategies, and social and political challenges.