Architectural Engineering MSc/Diploma

Architectural Engineering is how formal engineering and technology practices are applied to building design and construction in today’s fast-paced, ecologically responsible and cost-driven construction industry. It is an exciting, broad-based and challenging profession and the role is evolving today at an unprecedented rate.

Architectural engineers play a critical role in the interdisciplinary design teams of today’s built environment sector and as a consequence rank among the highest paid built environment professionals.

Our Architectural Engineering programme considers low carbon building design and the integration of renewable energy systems into buildings. It deals with services engineering issues, building the skills required to cope with the challenges in services design and implementation which will be experienced in the working environment, and provides students with the best foundation for launching or accelerating a career as an architectural engineer.

There is an increasing need for architects, engineers, facilities managers, quantity surveyors and other construction professionals who understand the need to mitigate against future carbon emissions, and to adapt to future climate threats and predictions.

Professionals who understand design lifecycles and who can make appropriate material and design decisions which meet the needs of building users now, but also preserve resources for future generations, are sought in every industry sector. The ability to save money, improve sustainability and lower organisational impact is critical.

This programme can be studied full-time, part-time or via Independent Distance Learning (IDL), ideal for those in employment or with other commitments, providing flexible study options that fit around work or family. As an IDL student you will not be required to attend any lectures, tutorials or other events at any of Heriot-Watt University’s campuses.

Our Architectural Engineering programme is delivered by the Royal Academy of Engineering Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design. This is one of four such Centres established at UK universities that jointly form a national network to demonstrate and exchange best practice in teaching and research for the sustainable built environment. The Centre also ensures graduates of Architectural Engineering will be used to working within an inter-disciplinary environment involving architecture, engineering and construction.

*An IDL programme - whether at PgDip or MSc level - can be completed in a minimum of 2 years. On average, our PgDip programmes studied via IDL are completed in 2-3 years, while MSc programmes are completed in 2.5-7 years. Most students intend to complete their studies via IDL within 2-3 years.

This programme meets the professional development needs as specified by the Engineering Council (ECUK) and relevant engineering institutions in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).

It allows graduates at either Diploma or MSc level to achieve a qualification equivalent to an MEng which will therefore gain professional recognition by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute (EI). The programme does this by providing:

• learning which contributes to the educational requirement for CEng;
• design tasks undertaken to an acceptable standard;
• development of transferable skills appropriate to professional practice.

The Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design has excellent industry links. Staff within the Institute are actively engaged in a variety of research projects relating to building design, specification, management and operation.