Mental health in UK architecture education: An analysis of contemporary student wellbeing

This study is a review of mental health and well-being amongst students of architecture at RIBA validated UK schools. It encompasses a comprehensive literature review of student well-being and support broadly within a higher education context, as well as specifically within the subject of architecture. This is augmented by data from a brief survey of UK schools, as well as telephone interviews with selected institutions as a means of establishing current perceptions of the issue in schools, as well as providing some insight into a range of actions that are being undertaken to better support students. The study was funded by an RIBA Research Grant, and has been undertaken in light of significant media exposure to the issue coupled with anecdotal reports coming from school of architecture across the UK.
The objectives of the study were:
• To survey the current literature regarding student mental health in UK higher education, and in architecture education specifically;
• To identify policy and good practice in higher education with respect to issues of student mental health and well-being in the sector; and
• To determine in outline the extent that UK schools are experiencing and engaging with challenges associated with student mental health and well-being.
It is hoped that his project will underpin a more substantial research project which will develop guidance for architecture educators about how to support the mental health and wellbeing of students through curricular development and design, as well as by and other means.
Citation:
McClean, D., Holgate, P., and Bloice, L., Murray, I., 2019. Mental health in UK architecture education: An analysis of contemporary student wellbeing. An Initial Study. Robert Gordon University, UK