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The BEng Architecture programme offers a future-oriented architectural education grounded in an expanded understanding of design as a strategic, adaptive, and interdisciplinary discipline. The programme positions architecture not only as the creation of buildings and spaces, but also as a transformative design practice capable of addressing complex societal, environmental, cultural, and technological challenges. Through a strong emphasis on critical inquiry, experimentation, and creative agency, students are encouraged to develop innovative and responsible design responses that engage with uncertainty, change, and the evolving conditions of contemporary life.

The curriculum integrates architectural design with emerging technologies, intelligent systems, computational thinking, material experimentation, and human-centred approaches. Students engage with multiple forms of intelligence, including human, artificial, natural, and collective intelligences, and explore how these can inform responsive and adaptive design processes. The programme encourages students to critically engage with digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, not as passive tools, but as active collaborators within contemporary architectural practice.

The curriculum is structured around a balanced integration of design studios and lecture-based modules. Design studios form the core learning environment, progressively guiding students across different scales and complexities of design, from contextual and spatial interventions to integrated urban and architectural systems. Supporting modules provide conceptual, cultural, historical, technical, and professional knowledge, enabling students to synthesise theory and practice within coherent design propositions. The programme also integrates both Asian and Western architectural histories and perspectives, fostering a globally informed yet contextually sensitive approach to architecture and design.

To support diverse interests and future professional trajectories, the programme offers two internal pathways: Advanced Intelligent Design and Adaptive Design. Advanced Intelligent Design focuses on intelligence-driven, computational, and technology-informed approaches to design, while Adaptive Design emphasises transformation, responsiveness, sustainability, and the adaptive reuse of existing and evolving environments. These pathways allow students to shape individual learning trajectories while maintaining a shared architectural foundation and professional accreditation requirements.

The programme is the first Bachelor of Architecture degree at a Chinese university to receive validation from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Previous accreditation reports have commended the programme¡¯s ambitious vision, international learning environment, exceptional workshop facilities, interdisciplinary teaching culture, and its distinctive approach to human-centred and future-oriented architectural education. The programme prepares graduates for professional careers in architecture, spatial design, creative industries, and emerging interdisciplinary fields where design intelligence, innovation, adaptability, and strategic thinking are increasingly essential.

Why should I study Architecture ºìÐÓÊÓƵ?

• Graduate from a programme accredited by RIBA and receive Part 1 validation, with the possibility to register for a Part 2-validated Master through the ¡°Global Professional Architect Track¡±.
• ºìÐÓÊÓƵ within a future-oriented curriculum integrating artificial intelligence, computational design, adaptive design strategies, sustainability, material experimentation, and human-centred approaches to architecture and design.
• Newly launched two internal tracks ¡ª Advanced Intelligent Design and Adaptive Design ¡ª enabling personalised learning trajectories aligned with technology-driven, adaptive, and responsive design futures.
• Learn from award-winning international academics and highly engaged practitioners.
• ºìÐÓÊÓƵ in world-class facilities including dedicated design studios open 24/7, and fabrication and printing workshops equipped with the most advanced printers, laser cutters, digital manufacturing technologies, 3D printing, and AR/VR/MR workshops.
• Enjoy field trips, internships and study opportunities in China and abroad, including the chance to complete your education at the University of ºìÐÓÊÓƵ or to spend Year Three at Politecnico di Torino in Italy.
• Experience an architecturally outstanding location in Suzhou, famous for its classical UNESCO World Heritage gardens and architecture and 30 minutes by train from Shanghai.
• Earn two degrees: an XJTLU degree from the Chinese Ministry ºìÐÓÊÓƵ and a globally recognised degree from the University of ºìÐÓÊÓƵ, a member of the Russell Group of leading UK universities.
• Students who graduate with at least an upper second class degree from the XJTLU BEng or the UoL Architecture BA (Hons) programmes will be granted a seat in the M/Arch programme without the need of going through the standard application process.

RIBA Validation

The BEng Architecture programme has become the first programme of its kind at a Chinese university to receive validation by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), thus demonstrating XJTLU¡¯s commitment to providing world-class, internationally recognised education to students from China and abroad.

By the time you graduate from the BEng Architecture Programme, you will have:

• Fluency in analogue, digital, computational, and material-based design tools, including emerging intelligent technologies and contemporary methods of design representation and communication.
• An understanding of architectural, urban, environmental, technological, and cultural systems, including structure, construction, environmental responsiveness, professional practice, and adaptive design processes.
• The ability to generate creative, strategic, and critical design proposals through research, experimentation, iterative development, and reflective thinking, while communicating ideas effectively through visual, verbal, physical, and digital media.
• Knowledge of architectural history, theory, and contemporary design culture in both Chinese and international contexts, alongside an understanding of the social, cultural, and ethical responsibilities of architects and designers.
• The ability to engage with multiple forms of intelligence ¡ª human, artificial, natural, and collective ¡ª within collaborative and interdisciplinary design environments.
• Skills in adaptability, transformation, and responsive design approaches applicable to architecture, urbanism, heritage, computational design, creative industries, and emerging interdisciplinary fields.
• The professional, analytical, and collaborative skills required to operate confidently within international and rapidly evolving design and built environment contexts.

Yearbook 2024-2025

The yearbook of the Department of Architecture presents student works created during the academic year 2024-2025. The yearbook exemplifies the model for architectural education, for which the department was commended by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The yearbook is a showcase of the creative culture that has guided our students in taking their first steps as responsible and creative architectural designers in both Chinese and international contexts.

Graduates of the BEng Architecture programme are prepared for diverse careers across architecture, design, creative industries, and emerging interdisciplinary fields. The programme develops graduates who can operate confidently within intelligence-driven and rapidly evolving professional environments, combining creative thinking, strategic problem-solving, adaptability, and technological awareness.

Most of the graduates continue their studies in international postgraduate programmes. Our alumni have gone on to study at some of the universities ranked at the very top in the field, including the Bartlett at University College London, McGill University, the National University of Singapore, Politecnico di Milano, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Sydney.

Our graduates have also secured employment in acclaimed international and Chinese practices such as Arata Isozaki, Arup, David Chipperfield, Farrells, Neri&Hu, and Tong Ming Studio. With a dual degree, RIBA validation, and strong communication skills developed through English language support and Chinese courses for international students, opportunities for postgraduate studies and professional careers in China and internationally are endless.

Additionally, XJTLU offers its students a direct path to becoming a global professional architect by allowing them to register directly for the Master in Architectural Design during the first year of their studies*. The students can then bypass the application process upon graduation and become professional architects earlier in their careers.

*Final registration and progression depends on completing all the necessary courses requirements and fulfilment of progression criteria.