Architectural Technology BSc

Course Summary

Architectural technology is a qualified profession in the field of architecture. It is quicker to qualify as an architectural technologist than it is to qualify as an architect, and graduates of this course typically have higher starting salaries than architecture graduates. In the most recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey, 100% of our graduates were in work or further study within six months.

The course contains modules in every year to develop team-working skills and a broad understanding of the wider construction industry. Throughout your time here you will collaborate with students from other courses, and in your final year you can take an international field trip to work with students from other universities such as VIA in Denmark and Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland.

Key areas of study include

• architectural design projects
• sustainable construction
• conservation
• modern methods of construction with a focus on environmental and technical design
• CAD/BIM and digital media
• professional interdisciplinary practice
• management.In your final year, you can display your work in our annual degree show – one of the biggest student exhibitions in the north, which attracts the attention of leading national figures in the creative industries.

You also have the chance to network with industry professionals at our annual careers fair.Our students have unrivalled success in the CIAT awards for technical design excellence and for their research projects. We were awarded national first prize in 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2012, with many others in the past.Placements and work experienceIn your third year, you can choose to take a year-long work placement in an architecture practice. We will help you find the right placement for you, drawing on our longstanding relationships with practices including HLM, WCEC, WS Atkins and The Bond Bryan Partnership.

A year-long placement is the best possible preparation for your career. It will give you an edge in your final year and in getting a job afterwards. Indeed, many of our students are offered permanent work or sponsorship by the employers where they do their placement.Hands-on learning and softwareYou combine creative time in the design studio with lectures, seminars and national and international fieldwork. The course is very hands-on with practical construction classes and model-making in our bespoke workshops. Our design studios are open 24 hours a day, so whenever creativity strikes, you’re ready to make the most of it.You use a range of CAD software, including state-of-the-art building information modelling (BIM), virtual reality and energy and environmental simulation tools. CAD/3D modelling is used throughout the course.ExpertiseWe have been named a Centre of Excellence in Arc