Bachelor of Arts in Architecture

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Bachelor of Arts in Architecture

CURRICULUM AND COURSE STRUCTURE (FROM AY2026/27 COHORT ONWARDS)

College of Design and Engineering (CDE) adopt a new undergraduate curriculum structure for students enrolled in the new academic year starting in August 2026. Students will read a total of 160 units (or the equivalent of 40 courses) comprising:

1. Common Curriculum: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 courses)
2. Primary Major: 80 units (or the equivalent of 20 courses)
3. Unrestricted Electives: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 courses)

These aim to provide CDE students with a comprehensive and well-rounded education, preparing them for success in their chosen careers and beyond.

The Common Curriculum consists of 10 carefully curated pillars to give a solid foundation in interdisciplinary skills. We emphasise instilling lifelong skills in data and digital literacy, design thinking, and critical thinking via the following pillars:

1. Design Thinking
2. Maker Space
3. Artificial Intelligence
4. Project Management
5. Data Literacy
6. Digital Literacy
7. Critique and Expression
8. Cultures and Connections
9. Singapore Studies
10. Communities and Engagement

Year 1

SEMESTER 1 

AR1101A Design 1   8 Units
EG1311 Design and Make or EG1311BE** Design and Make 4 Units
DTK2234 Advanced Design Thinking 4 Units
GEA1000 Quantitative Reasoning with Data 4 Units
** Highly encouraged for DOA students to read EG1311BE as this course is specifically developed considering the integration of architectural/tectonic principles.  Alternatively, students can read EG1311.

 

  
SEMESTER 2 

AR1102 Design 2 8 Units 
AR2227 History & Theory of Architecture I  4 Units
AR1328A Architectural Materials and Construction   4 Units
AR2524* Spatial Computational Thinking or any variant of CS1010 Programming Methodology   4 Units
* Highly encouraged for DOA students to read AR2524 as this course is specifically developed considering the integration of architectural/tectonic principles.  Alternatively, students can read any variant of CS1010.  

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Semester 1

Student Exchange Programme OR
NUS Overseas College Programme OR
AR4421A Architecture Internship Programme 12 Units 
AR Graduate Elective Course #1 (If you do not have minor) 4 Units 
AR Graduate Elective Course #2 (If you do not have minor) 4 Units 
OR  
Read any Unrestricted Electives # 20 Units 

# – The limit on the number of Level-1000 courses to be counted towards fulfillment of graduation requirements is 60 units for 160-unit programmes

Semester 2 – Courses to be completed for Specialisation in Integrated Design Pathway 

AR4101 Design 7 8 Units
AR4220 Contemporary Theories 4 Units
AR4321 Advanced Architectural Integration 4 Units
AR4601 Urban Design Theory and Praxis 4 Units

 

Semester 2 – Courses to be completed for Non-Specialisation Pathway

Read any Unrestricted Electives # 20 Units 

# – The limit on the number of Level-1000 courses to be counted towards fulfillment of graduation requirements is 60 units for 160-unit programmes

CURRICULUM AND COURSE STRUCTURE (AY2025/26 COHORT)

College of Design and Engineering (CDE) adopt a new undergraduate curriculum structure for students enrolled in the new academic year starting in August 2025. Students will read a total of 160 units (or the equivalent of 40 courses) comprising:

1. Common Curriculum: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 courses)
2. Primary Major: 80 units (or the equivalent of 20 courses)
3. Unrestricted Electives: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 courses)

These aim to provide CDE students with a comprehensive and well-rounded education, preparing them for success in their chosen careers and beyond.

The Common Curriculum consists of 10 carefully curated pillars to give a solid foundation in interdisciplinary skills. We emphasise instilling lifelong skills in data and digital literacy, design thinking, and critical thinking via the following pillars:

1. Design Thinking
2. Maker Space
3. Artificial Intelligence
4. Project Management
5. Data Literacy
6. Digital Literacy
7. Critique and Expression
8. Cultures and Connections
9. Singapore Studies
10. Communities and Engagement

Year 1

SEMESTER 1 

AR1101A Design 1   8 Units
AR2524* Spatial Computational Thinking or any variant of CS1010 Programming Methodology  4 Units
DTK2234 Advanced Design Thinking 4 Units
GEA1000 Quantitative Reasoning with Data 4 Units
* Highly encouraged for DOA students to read AR2524 as this course is specifically developed considering the integration of architectural/tectonic principles.  Alternatively, students can read any variant of CS1010.

 

  
SEMESTER 2 

AR1102 Design 2 8 Units 
AR2227 History & Theory of Architecture I  4 Units
AR1328A Architectural Materials and Construction   4 Units
EG1311 Design and Make or EG1311BE** Design and Make  4 Units
** Highly encouraged for DOA students to read EG1311BE as this course is specifically developed considering the integration of architectural/tectonic principles.  Alternatively, students can read EG1311.  

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Semester 1

Student Exchange Programme OR
NUS Overseas College Programme OR
AR4421A Architecture Internship Programme 12 Units 
AR Graduate Elective Course #1 (If you do not have minor) 4 Units 
AR Graduate Elective Course #2 (If you do not have minor) 4 Units 
OR  
Read any Unrestricted Electives # 20 Units 

# – The limit on the number of Level-1000 courses to be counted towards fulfillment of graduation requirements is 60 units for 160-unit programmes

Semester 2 – Courses to be completed for Specialisation in Integrated Design Pathway 

AR4101 Design 7 8 Units
AR4220 Contemporary Theories 4 Units
AR4321 Advanced Architectural Integration 4 Units
AR4601 Urban Design Theory and Praxis 4 Units

 

Semester 2 – Courses to be completed for Non-Specialisation Pathway

Read any Unrestricted Electives # 20 Units 

# – The limit on the number of Level-1000 courses to be counted towards fulfillment of graduation requirements is 60 units for 160-unit programmes

CURRICULUM AND COURSE STRUCTURE (FOR AY2024/25 COHORT)

A candidate will be awarded the B.A. (Arch) upon completing a minimum of 160 units, including NUS required courses. Various tracks of specialisation are available as a precursor to the relevant Master programme to students who have achieved creditable grades in Design. Students pursue the following eight semester course of study:

Year 1

SEMESTER 1

AR1101A Design 1  8 Units 
EG1311 Design and Make 4 Units 
GEA1000 Quantitative Reasoning with Data 4 Units 
Any courses under NUS General Education Pillars: Critique and Expression, Cultures and Connections, Communities and Engagement 4 Units 
SEMESTER 2

AR1102 Design 2 8 Units 
AR2227 History & Theory of Architecture I  4 Units 
AR1328A Architectural Materials & Construction  4 Units 
AR2524 Spatial Computational Thinking 4 Units 

Year 2

SEMESTER 1

AR2101 Design 3  8 Units 
AR2228 History and Theory of Architecture II  4 Units 
AR2328A Architectural Tectonics  4 Units 
CDE2212 Artificial Intelligence for Design
4 Units 
SEMESTER 2

AR2102 Design 4 8 Units 
AR1329 Climate, Ecology & Architecture 4 Units 
IE2141 Systems Thinking & Dynamics 4 Units 
CDE2501 Sustainable Systems for Liveable Cities 4 Units 

Year 3

SEMESTER 1

AR3101 Design 5  8 Units
AR3223 Introduction to Urbanism  4 Units
AR3328 Architectural Structures and Forces 4 Units 
Any courses under NUS General Education Pillars: Critique and Expression, Cultures and Connections, Communities and Engagement
 4 Units 
SEMESTER 2

AR3102 Design 6 8 Units 
AR3722 Sustainable Environmental Systems 4 Units 
PF1101A Fundamentals of Project Management and Finance 4 Units 
Any courses under NUS General Education Pillars: Critique and Expression, Cultures and Connections, Communities and Engagement 4 Units 

Year 4

Semester 1

Student Exchange Programme OR
NUS Overseas College Programme OR
AR4421A Architecture Internship Programme 12 Units 
AR Graduate Elective Course #1 (If you do not have minor) 4 Units 
AR Graduate Elective Course #2 (If you do not have minor) 4 Units 
OR  
Read any Unrestricted Electives # 20 Units 

# – The limit on the number of Level-1000 courses to be counted towards fulfillment of graduation requirements is 60 units for 160-unit programmes

Semester 2 – Courses to be completed for Specialisation in Integrated Design Pathway 

AR4101 Design 7 8 Units
AR4220 Contemporary Theories 4 Units
AR4321 Advanced Architectural Integration 4 Units
AR4601 Urban Design Theory and Praxis 4 Units

 

Semester 2 – Courses to be completed for Non-Specialisation Pathway

Read any Unrestricted Electives # 20 Units 

# – The limit on the number of Level-1000 courses to be counted towards fulfillment of graduation requirements is 60 units for 160-unit programmes

CURRICULUM AND COURSE STRUCTURE (FOR AY2023/24 COHORT AND EARLIER)

Year 1

SEMESTER 1

AR1101 Design 1 4 Units
DTK1234A Design Thinking  4 Units
EG1311 Design and Make 4 Units
GEA1000 Quantitative Reasoning with Data 4 Units
SEMESTER 2

AR1102 Design 2 8 Units
AR2227 History & Theory of Architecture I 4 Units
AR2524 Spatial Computational Thinking (Counted as NUS General Education come in Digital Learning Pillar) 4 Units
CDE2000 Creating Narratives 4 Units

Year 2

SEMESTER 1

AR2101 Design 3  8 Units
AR2228 History & Theory of Architecture 2 4 Units
AR2328 Architectural Tectonics & Structure 4 Units
SEMESTER 2

AR2102 Design 4 8 Units
AR1329 Climate Ecology & Architecture (Counted as CDE common courses in Sustainable Future Pillar) 4 Units
IE2141 Systems Thinking and Dynamics 4 Units

Year 3

SEMESTER 1

AR3101 Design 5  8 Units
AR3223 Introduction to Urbanism 4 Units
CDE2501 Liveable Cities 4 Units
SEMESTER 2

AR3722 Sustainable Environmental System 4 Units
AR3102 Design 6 (Counted as CDE Common Courses in the Integrated Programme Pillar) 8 Units
PF1101 Project Management 4 Units

Year 4

General Track

SEMESTER 1

AR5601 Urban Design Theory and Praxis  8 Units
Read any UES (x4)  
 
SEMESTER 2  
Read any UES (x5)  

 

Design Track

SEMESTER 1

AR5801 Options Design Research Studio 1  8 Units
Or Architectural Internship 8 Units
AR5423 Architectural Practice 4 Units
Unrestricted Elective # 4 Units
SEMESTER 2

AR5802 Options Design Research Studio 2 8 Units
AR5601 Urban Design Theory and Praxis 4 Units
AR5221 Contemporary Theories 4 Units
AR5321 Advanced Architectural Integration 4 Units

# The limit on the number of level-1000 courses to be counted towards fulfilment of graduation requirements is 60 units for 160 unit programmes.

NUS Required Courses

Department Essential Course (DEC)  60 Units
Common Course (CC)  36 Units
General Education Course (GEC) 24 Units
Unrestricted Electives (UE)/Specialisation Course 40 Units
Total 160 Units
Department Essential Courses (DEC)  92 Units
General Education Course (GEC)  20 Units
Unrestricted Electives (UE) 32 Units
Graduate Level Architectural Electives (GLAE, Year 4 only) 16 Units
Total 160 Units

For more detailed information on this curriculum please download the Programme Booklet.

General Education Courses (GEC)  20 Units
Unrestricted Electives (UE)*  12 Units
Total 160 Units

*Additional UEs students have to complete on their own if they are taking the requisite courses listed under #, otherwise full 32 units of UEs will apply.

General Education Courses (GEC)  20 Units
Unrestricted Electives (UE)*  12 Units
Total 160 Units

*Additional UEs students have to complete on their own if they are taking the requisite courses listed under #, otherwise full 32 units of UEs will apply.

For more details, please refer to link attached

Current Students