BS / BSc / BArch / BA / ???

in my last thread, i questioned about the difference between architectural engineering and architecture itself, and TSR members helped us understand that architecture-alone qualifies the person better to be an "architect".

however, as an undergraduate-to-be, and as an architect-to-be...
what is the difference between those digrees:
BA / BSc / BS / BA / and BArch ?
or
MA / MSc / MS / MA / and MArch ?

does one of them disqualifies you from something else?
which one do you suppose is the best for architects-to-be ?
any information on different architecture digrees?

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

Secret_F

don't think it make much difference ..
B means bachelor .. things add at the end means different things ..
so for example Ba means bachelor of art .. Bsc means bachelor of science
never seen BArch .. but it might mean bachelor - in architecture ..
M means master .. so it follows on like MA is master of art etc ..

Reply 2

jrhartley

yeah, don't get too hung up about it, its largely a product of legacy. there are some on here and in other places which will argue that a BSc is a more science based course than a BA, but its questionable. the course title was generally decided years ago, the nature of the course, the professors, the focus changes. cardiff for example, is a BSc, because it was a technical college back in the day, before becoming a university course. that's not to say we are going around with white coats on and microscopes.... - its probably more concerned about art than science, tbh. there are loads of examples of such inconsistencies at courses all over the UK - so i wouldn't waste too much time about those letters. far more important is the course content.

Reply 3

kdhillon922

i thought MArch was a scottish BA...thats why edinburgh has k100 for MArch Architecture =/

i'm confused ;S

Reply 4

samsonlcy

yes. thats is strange. I dunno, may you get a master of arts in 4 years. wow. thats good

Reply 5

Secret_F

if you study in Cambridge ... for 4 years ... you automatically qualify for Master of art in the forth year

Reply 6

MoZeS

what if i do a BA course? or a BS course?
* will such digrees have any affect on my career by any chance?
will i still be Qualified as an "Architect"; lead projects, design buildings, etc?

Reply 7

Good bloke

MoZeS

what if i do a BA course? or a BS course?
* will such digrees have any affect on my career by any chance?
will i still be Qualified as an "Architect"; lead projects, design buildings, etc?

Presumably you don't expect to be leading projects immediately upon qualification.

You should not get hung up on the degree names. Ask each university you are interested in what its degeree means in terms of affiliation to bodies such as RIBA. It is likely that the information you require is on the university websites. If not, ask.

Reply 8

Secret_F

they all qualify for RIBA part one .. then yes .. because that has no effect on RIBA system what so ever ... as long as you can take the RIBA part 3 examination and gain a pass then you can lead teams and design buildings where ever you want ...

Reply 9

samsonlcy

Secret_F

wherever you want? surely RIBA is only for the UK. to pratice in some states in US will mean that you need to take seperate tests right?

Reply 10

Secret_F

but it's international recongnized

Reply 11

MoZeS

^ this is a great information, thank you Secret_F for the info about RIBA...

so you mean that RIBA 1 is for those doing their Bachelors digree, RIBA 2 is for those
doing their Masters digree, and RIBA 3 is for postgraduates/proffesional, am i Right?

Reply 12

samsonlcy

btw, at Cardiff, 5 years and you will get exemption from RIBA part 1 and 2. you will also get a MArch at the end of that. I think its the only one in Britian

Reply 13

Good bloke

samsonlcy

btw, at Cardiff, 5 years and you will get exemption from RIBA part 1 and 2. you will also get a MArch at the end of that. I think its the only one in Britian

Not so. Both Nottingham and Dundee, to my knowledge, offer the same sort of thing. There may be others.

Reply 14

Secret_F

nottingham does 6 years ... ... how can i afford there with international fee ? :s-smilie:

Reply 15

Good bloke

I thought all foreigners were rich.

Reply 16

Secret_F

....nice thought ..... there is 1.2 billion of people in china ..... are they all rich ? then why would the US be the "best nation" ?

Reply 17

samsonlcy

slight off topic. it depends on how you look at it. UK has the strongest economy anyway. I think its because all they do is consume...

also, not all foreigners are rich. someone seeking asylum is a foreigner but is that person rich? no.