The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) at Purwanchal Campus is a five-year undergraduate program under the Institute of Engineering (IOE), Tribhuvan University.
The program combines architectural design studios with building materials and construction, architectural history, graphics, freehand sketching, structures, building science, computer-aided drafting, surveying, planning, building services, professional practice, research, and thesis work. Design Studio runs through multiple stages of the curriculum and remains a central part of architectural study from the first year into the final year.
The program is conducted through the Department of Architecture at Purwanchal Campus, Dharan-8, Sunsari. Its curriculum, entrance process, examinations, and degree requirements operate within the academic framework of IOE and Tribhuvan University.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Course: | Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) |
| Level: | Bachelor |
| Duration: | 5 academic years |
| Institution: | Purwanchal Campus, Dharan |
| Department: | Department of Architecture |
| Institute: | Institute of Engineering (IOE) |
| University: | Tribhuvan University |
| Seats: | 48 |
| Admission: | IOE entrance, aptitude component, and campus admission process |
| Curriculum: | Institute of Engineering |
| Examinations: | IOE Examination Control Division |
| Degree Award: | Tribhuvan University |
Bachelor of Architecture is an undergraduate program centered on the design of buildings and built environments while connecting design work with construction, structures, materials, environmental considerations, history, technology, planning, and professional practice.
At Purwanchal Campus, architecture is taught through a studio-based curriculum. Design Studio begins in the first academic part and continues through progressively advanced stages. Students work alongside studio courses in architectural graphics, sketching, building materials, construction, structures, design theory, building science, computer-aided design, surveying, settlement planning, building services, economics, professional practice, research, and thesis work.
The program is different in structure from the four-year BE programs offered at the campus. B.Arch. extends across five academic years, allowing additional time for successive design studios, technical architectural subjects, professional study, research, and final thesis work.
The course may suit students who are interested in design but are also prepared to work with technical subjects.
Architecture study is not limited to drawing. The curriculum includes mathematics, applied mechanics, structures, building materials, building construction, building science, surveying, estimation, specifications, building services, and economics alongside design studios and architectural history.
Students should also expect a large amount of visual and project-based academic work. Architectural graphics, freehand sketching, computer-aided drawing, working drawings, studio assignments, directed studies, research, and thesis work require regular production and development of design material.
The course may fit students whose interests include:
The B.Arch. curriculum progresses from basic architectural representation and design principles into increasingly complex design, technical coordination, professional study, research, and thesis work.
The first year establishes the design and representation foundation. The second year develops construction, building science, design theory, structural understanding, and computer-aided work. The third year connects architecture more closely with contemporary design, working drawings, social context, settlement planning, building services, and estimation.
Later years move further into advanced studios, electives, building economics, professional practice, directed studies, architectural research, and thesis work.
| Academic Stage | Main Study Areas |
|---|---|
| Year I | Mathematics for Architecture, Design Studio I–II, Introduction to Architecture, Building Materials, Architectural Graphics, Free Hand Sketching, Building Construction, History of Nepalese Architecture, Applied Mechanics |
| Year II | Design Studio III–IV, Eastern and Western Architectural History, Building Materials, Design Theory, Building Science, Building Construction, Structures, Computer Aided Design and Drafting, Surveying |
| Year III | Design Studio V–VI, Contemporary Architecture, Building Construction, Working Drawing, Sociology and Culture, Communication English, Human Settlement Planning, Estimation and Specification, Building Services, Elective |
| Year IV | Advanced architectural studio work, technical and professional subjects, electives, building services and Building Economics |
| Year V | Seminar and Directed Studies, Design Studio VIII, Professional Practice, Architectural Research and final thesis work |
The first year begins directly with architectural design.
Year I: Part I includes Mathematics for Architecture I, Design Studio I, Introduction to Architecture, Building Material I, Architectural Graphics I, and Free Hand Sketching I.
This combination establishes several abilities at the same time. Mathematics supports later technical subjects. Introduction to Architecture gives students an academic entry point into the discipline. Building Material I connects design thinking with physical construction materials.
Architectural Graphics I and Free Hand Sketching I develop methods for communicating form, space, proportion, and design ideas visually.
Design Studio I carries eight credits, giving studio work a major role from the beginning of the program.
In Year I: Part II, students continue with Mathematics for Architecture II, Architectural Graphics II, Design Studio II, Building Construction I, History of Nepalese Architecture, Free Hand Sketching II, and Applied Mechanics.
The second part adds construction, architectural history, and mechanics while continuing the studio, graphics, and sketching sequence.
The second year moves beyond introductory architectural representation into technical building study and architectural theory.
Design Studio III continues the design sequence. It is accompanied by History of Eastern Architecture, Building Materials II, Design Theory I, Building Science I, Building Construction II, and Structure I.
This combination connects architectural form with the physical behavior and construction of buildings. Building Science introduces technical study related to building performance, while Structure I adds structural understanding to architectural coursework.
Year II: Part II includes Design Studio IV, Building Science II, History of Western Architecture, Design Theory II, Computer Aided Design and Drafting, Structure II, and Surveying.
Computer Aided Design and Drafting brings digital drawing into the curriculum after students have already worked through manual graphics and sketching.
Surveying adds measurement and site-related technical study, while the second levels of building science, design theory, and structures continue the subjects introduced earlier.
By the third year, the curriculum begins to combine architectural design with a wider set of technical, social, planning, and documentation subjects.
Year III: Part I includes Design Studio V, Contemporary Architecture, Building Construction III, Working Drawing, Sociology and Culture, and Communication English.
Working Drawing is particularly important within the progression of the program because architectural ideas have to be translated into technical drawings that communicate construction information.
Sociology and Culture adds a social dimension to architectural study. Buildings and settlements are used by people and communities, so architectural work is not treated only as a technical or visual exercise.
Year III: Part II continues with Design Studio VI and Building Construction IV. It also includes Human Settlement Planning, Elective I, Estimation and Specification, Building Services I, and Building Services II.
Human Settlement Planning extends the scale of study beyond individual buildings. Estimation and Specification introduces quantity, cost, and specification-related work, while building services bring technical systems into the architectural curriculum.
Design Studio is one of the most consistent elements of the B.Arch. curriculum.
Students begin with Design Studio I in the first year and move through successive studio levels as their technical knowledge expands. The sequence reaches Design Studio VIII in Year V.
Studio work differs from conventional lecture subjects because students have to develop architectural responses through drawings, design studies, presentations, and related project material.
Knowledge from other subjects feeds back into studio work. Building materials influence construction choices. Structures affect form and feasibility. Building science relates to environmental and performance considerations. History and theory provide architectural context. Surveying and working drawings support technical development.
By the later years, studio work sits alongside building services, economics, professional practice, research, and other advanced study.
Drawing develops through several different forms across the curriculum.
The first year contains Architectural Graphics I and II together with Free Hand Sketching I and II. These subjects establish manual visual communication.
Computer Aided Design and Drafting appears in the second year, adding digital drafting to the student's working methods.
Working Drawing in the third year moves further toward technical architectural documentation.
These subjects support design studio work but serve different purposes. Freehand sketching can be used for observation and rapid design development, while architectural graphics deal with formal visual representation. Computer-aided drafting introduces digital production, and working drawings relate more directly to technical communication.
Architecture students also study how buildings are constructed and supported technically.
Building Material I and Building Materials II introduce material-related knowledge. Building Construction I through IV develops construction study across several academic parts.
Structure I and Structure II bring structural principles into the architectural curriculum. Applied Mechanics appears earlier in the program and provides a supporting technical foundation.
Building Science I and II connect architecture with technical building performance.
The later curriculum also includes Building Services I, Building Services II, and Building Services III. These subjects place service systems within the wider process of building planning and design.
This technical sequence means that design development is studied alongside construction and building systems rather than as a separate artistic exercise.
History and theory run alongside design and technical work.
The curriculum includes History of Nepalese Architecture, History of Eastern Architecture, History of Western Architecture, Design Theory I, Design Theory II, and Contemporary Architecture.
This progression exposes students to architecture across different historical and cultural contexts.
Sociology and Culture adds another perspective by linking the built environment with people and society. Human Settlement Planning later extends this understanding to the organization and development of settlements.
These subjects give students a context for reading architecture beyond individual building form.
The later academic stages bring together design, technical coordination, professional study, and independent academic work.
The fourth year continues advanced architectural study and includes electives, building services, and Building Economics within the curriculum.
Year V: Part I includes Seminar and Directed Studies, Design Studio VIII, and Professional Practice. At this stage, the course moves closer to independent investigation and professional concerns while retaining studio-based work.
Architectural research and thesis work form part of the final stage of the B.Arch. curriculum.
The thesis gives students a major concluding academic assignment in which research and architectural design are brought together under the requirements prescribed by IOE.
Eligibility: Admission follows the academic eligibility rules prescribed by Tribhuvan University and the Institute of Engineering for Bachelor of Architecture.
Applicants seeking admission to B.Arch. enter through the applicable IOE entrance framework.
Architecture has an additional aptitude component within the admission process. This separates part of the B.Arch. selection procedure from the standard engineering admission route because the program has a strong design and visual component.
Admission is conducted through the IOE framework followed by the campus-level admission process at Purwanchal Campus.
The academic sequence is:
Purwanchal Campus has a stated allocation of 48 seats for Bachelor of Architecture.
B.Arch. operates within the IOE examination system.
Purwanchal Campus conducts teaching, design studios, technical classes, projects, research activity, and other local academic work through the Department of Architecture.
Central examination administration is handled through the IOE Examination Control Division.
Students must successfully complete the academic requirements attached to the curriculum, including studio work, theory subjects, practical and project components, research, and thesis requirements.
Tribhuvan University awards the academic degree after successful completion of the program.
The B.Arch. curriculum can support the development of abilities related to:
The level at which students develop these abilities depends on their studio work, technical understanding, project performance, research, and individual academic development.
Graduates may explore work related to architectural design, building documentation, planning, construction coordination, design offices, building projects, research, and other architecture-related activities.
The curriculum also provides an academic base for postgraduate study in architecture, planning, building-related disciplines, and other areas where the admission requirements match the graduate's academic background.
Career outcomes depend on professional requirements, individual skills, portfolio quality, experience, further study, and the nature of available architectural work.
Academic graduation and any professional registration requirements remain separate processes.
Bachelor of Architecture is a five-year undergraduate program under the Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University.
The stated seat allocation for Bachelor of Architecture at Purwanchal Campus is 48.
Yes. Admission operates through the applicable IOE entrance framework and the campus admission process.
Architecture applicants have an additional aptitude component within the admission process.
The first year includes Mathematics for Architecture, Design Studio, Introduction to Architecture, Building Materials, Architectural Graphics, Free Hand Sketching, Building Construction, History of Nepalese Architecture, and Applied Mechanics.
Yes. Computer Aided Design and Drafting is included in the curriculum after the initial architectural graphics and freehand sketching subjects.
Yes. The curriculum includes a sequence of Building Construction subjects as well as Applied Mechanics, Structure I, and Structure II.
Yes. The later part of the curriculum includes architectural research and final thesis work.
Engineering and architecture examination administration operates through the IOE Examination Control Division.
Tribhuvan University awards the academic degree after successful completion of the prescribed program requirements.
