Quick facts
| Qualification type | Level 3 Extended Diploma |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Study times |
You will be expected to be in college for a minimum of 3 days per week, from 9:15 to 4:00. Your timetable will be confirmed at induction. |
| Entry requirements |
4 x GCSEs at Grade 4 or above. At least one of these should be Maths or English. Entry is via an interview where your commitment, enthusiasm and motivation should shine through. |
| Campus |
Leonardo House, West Suffolk College Sixth Form, Bury St Edmunds |
| Work placements | Work related experience |
Is it for me?
Our Architecture (Conceptual) course is unique and brilliant. This is for ambitious young visionaries who wish to design structures, environments, interiors and crazy worlds. Nothing dull here... it is about possibilities and imagination. This can be for real-world developments or entertainment in films, games and multi-media. There are no limits!
You will learn a broad range of hands-on and digital skills - often combining the two to create truly wonderous possibilities. Throughout the course and as your skills develop, you will become more specialised and independent.
This area of work is thriving. The UK is a world leader in design, film/TV production, architecture, innovation and multi-media/games. This course is the first step into this rewarding and lucrative span of careers.
What you'll learn
Creative and Technical skills:
- 2D architectural illustration and design skills
- 3D/model making skills - media and processes
- Digital creativity - various software - including Adobe CC (Photoshop, Illustrator) and 3D software
- Idea generation
- Exploration and experimentation of media and processes
- Independent development of studio work into own unique outcomes Sustainable architecture
- Contextual studies - historical, modern and wider world knowledge and inspiration
Professional Skills:
- Working on 'live' assignments
- Meeting deadlines
- Working with focus and independence
- Communication
- Presentation of outcomes
- Online professional social media profile
Work experience placements
Work related experience is encouraged as part of this course, this practical experience is invaluable for your creative journey and future career prospects. By actively engaging in hands-on work, you will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you acquire in the classroom to real-life situations.
Assessment
This course is assessed by deadline-driven coursework with no exams. All coursework is assessed at Pass, Merit, Distinction levels against the qualification unit criteria. We are proud to be a University of the Arts London (UAL) accredited college, the largest creative awarding body in Europe.
Further study
- Art and Design Foundation
- University courses focusing on Architecture, Technical Architecture and Interior Architecture. Students have previously progressed to UAL Central Saint Martins, Norwich University of the Arts, Bournemouth University, and many, many more
- Online level 4 courses for courses such as Spatial Design.
Example careers
- Architect
- Estate Agent
- Surveyor
- Interior Designer
- Spatial Designer
- Fine Artist
Days & times
Starting September 2025