BSc Architecture Degree

The Bachelor of S­­cience in Architecture Degree at Effat University investigates the principles and applications of history, theory, drawing, and structures, and is intended for students who seek a professional career in architecture and the building industry. BSc. Degree in Architecture will prepare you for a career as a practicing architect in both the public and private sectors. You'll be able to carry out multiple architectural tasks, from inception through to programming, and from encountering users and environmental constraints, to the development of a coordinated set of construction documents.

The Curriculum

The curriculum for the BSc Architecture Degree program is designed to prepare graduates for professional practice in Saudi Arabia and throughout the region and the world, according to the requirements of the Saudi Ministry of Education (MoE). In addition, it follows the quality standards set by the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA) in Saudi Arabia, and the Students Performance Criteria (SPC), set by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB) in the United States of America, for a professional Bachelor Degree in Architecture. The set of elective courses in Architecture helps students to further develop their graduate studies in any of the related fields. 

The practice of Architecture today requires coordinated contributions from a variety of fields. Additional programs in Technology, Art, the Humanities, Engineering, the Physical and Social Sciences, and Management will help lay the foundation for the rest of the Architecture Degree at Effat University. Basic conceptual skills are emphasized early on, along with introducing the elements of Architecture, and Design studios at each level help students develop the skills and intellectual tools to solve problems. Students will be immersed in architectural design; eight design studios and a full-year Capstone Project are required, and it is the focal point of every semester. Studio exercises vary significantly during the five years. Students will learn to communicate ideas through models and graphics.

At the early years of your academic journey at Bachelor of Science in Architecture, you will take General Education Program (GEP), attributed to the Liberal Arts – American style education. The (GEP) covers arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and technological studies to help you gain insight into varied critical learning skills, investigate essential branches of knowledge, and develop appreciation of diversity and change across time, culture, and national boundaries. ​

About the Field

Architecture arises from the same origins as other universal manifestations of material culture. However, the artefacts designated as architecture possess a scale, permanence, and pervasive influence unique among human endeavors. These qualities give the discipline a cultural prominence that few other professions enjoy. The study of architecture is concerned with complex, interdisciplinary issues. Some matters are primarily individual and practical, such as the basic human need for shelter and the desire to contrive efficient, adequate forms for the patterns of daily life. Architecture also serves a higher purpose. For example, often it is an expression of the living values of a culture. It gives form, order, and proportion to human activities.​​

V​ision

To be a premier architecture education provider in the Middle East Region with global recognition in design, innovation, and technological advancement related to the architecture field with respect for culture, environment and societal vision.

Mi​ssion

Achieve excellence in architectural education aimed at preparing tomorrow's leaders of qualified architects with the highest levels of knowledge, skills, and values, who are able to enrich the architecture field locally and globally with scientific research, community service and profession development through practice, and to contribute to the nation's vision based on the principles of environmental, social and economic sustainability.

G​oals

1. Provide a professional learning environment that corresponds to the Architecture program mission and vision and track the progress of their achievement to guarantee the attainment of its strategic goals.
2. Provide a distinguished professional atmosphere that runs within the approved governance model to guarantee the efficient performance of the set organizational structure, and attain the local and international accreditation of the program
3. Provide state of the art facilities, equipment and learning resources to meet international standards of excellence and align to the global transformation in architectural education.
4. Create diverse, collaborative and inclusive learning and social environment to attract and retain highly qualified, innovative and creative students.
5. Recruit highly qualified and motivated faculty and researchers bridging the program with international academic programs, and create a vibrant, innovative and interactive research environment that aligns with the Saudi vision.
6. Update and enhance learning resources to match global standards of excellence in terms of new technologies and resources, in order to improve and develop the teaching and learning experience.
7. Contribute to the advancements of architecture knowledge and practices through research with socio-economic impact in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
8. Develop partnerships and collaborations with national/international institutions and organizations to enrich the pedagogical environment and expand the impact of the program in community engagement and professional consultancy.
   

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• Effat University, Department of Architecture has received the International Certification designation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board for the Bachelor of Science in Architecture. ICert was granted in 2019 for a term of six years
  

  The term “International Certification" identifies a program as comparable in educational outcomes in all significant aspects to a program accredited by the NAAB in the United States and indicates that it provides an educational experience meeting acceptable standards, even though such program may differ in format or method of delivery. The designation is valid for six years beginning 1 January of the year in which the final visit (Visit 3) took place. In order to maintain the designation, the program must be visited again in the sixth year of the designation.

  Schools with programs identified as International Certification are not formally “accredited" as that term is used with reference to programs in the United States and may not refer to their programs as “accredited" by the NAAB. However, students who graduate from International Certification programs are able to apply for individualized review of their credentials on an expedited basis for purposes of the Educational Evaluation Services for Architects program administered by the NAAB on behalf of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

  The following documents are available in the [library or other public area) and also may be downloaded from the Effat University, Department of Architecture

  • 2019 Conditions for NAAB International Certification
  • 2019 Procedures for NAAB International Certification
  • Visiting Team Report for NAAB ICert visit three
  • Decision letter from NAAB, stating that ICert has been granted​​
    
  • Program Self-Evaluation Report for visit three​