Architectural Design and Technology MSci

Study level: Undergraduate
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Provides a pathway to architectural education enhanced with an understanding of architectural technology and design, rooted in social and natural sciences as well as historical, theoretical and artistic explorations.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

Course code

K131

Start date

September 2025


Course overview

This qualification should enable you to broaden your architectural design education, complementing the knowledge of architectural technology with the potential to follow alternative paths in the professional architectural world, nationally and internationally.

  • This course is designed for you to develop deeper skills in the creative aspects of design in addition to technological knowledge. You should develop wider and more in-depth skills that are often sought after by employers.
  • The course has been developed with a selection of modules that introduce you to the various disciplines involved within the construction sector as well as the collaborative practices in architecture.
  • The course should equip you, upon successful completion, with the knowledge and skills that contribute to you meeting all Part 1 graduate criteria of the Architects Registration Board (ARB)1
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

This course aims to help you:

  • leverage opportunities in both architecture and architectural technology professional careers
  • gain a high level of technical knowledge without compromising on the creative aspects of design and contextual studies
  • be involved in multidisciplinary collaboration with various disciplines involved within the construction industry and educational institutions nationally and internationally, with the chance for you to spend part of your studies abroad2 (Collaborative links are subject to change)
  • leverage opportunities in both architecture and architectural technology professional careers to take part in events where you could meet members of the design and building professional community, as well as architectural society-organised events2
  • have a range of learning opportunities that are appropriate to different areas of study. These may include a combination of studio sessions, lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals and workshops, supported by online learning resources made available on our University Virtual Learning Environment.

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What you'll study

The course teaching and learning strategy has a vertically integrated structure embedding four major strands. The underlying concept is to ensure students develop through the years of study with technical, design and contextual skills and as well as practice and management, with an increased integration between all areas and specifically between design, technological and contextual skills.

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn. 
If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses:

  • Architectural Technology BSc (Hons)
  • Architectural Design and Technology MSci
  • Building Surveying BSc (Hons)
  • Construction Project Management BSc (Hons)
  • Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons)
  • Real Estate and Property Management BSc (Hons) 

Modules

In your second year, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your: 

  • Technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge
  • Study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner
  • Professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career
  • Global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen 

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final years of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

Modules

The final year is completely conducted within the studio4. It has a holistic approach incorporating various content from previous modules, further emphasising the relevance of the wider contexts of design modules.

The final year of the course is ideally suited for students that want to develop deeper skills in the creative aspects of design in addition to their technological knowledge. 

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. 


How you'll learn

You will have a range of learning opportunities that are appropriate to the different areas of study. This equates to a combination of studio sessions, lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals and workshops, supported by online learning resources.

Studio culture fosters a constant formative structure that enables peer learning and interaction with staff on a continuous basis. It emulates industry practices and promotes engagement and professional development in a supportive environment where you can learn from their peers, share ideas and enhance your analytical, creative and communication skills.


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours
Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study
Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning
As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • formal examinations
  • phase tests
  • essays
  • group work
  • presentations
  • reports
  • projects
  • coursework
  • exams
  • individual assignments.


The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed2


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
A Level ABB
BTEC DDM in Design or Construction subject.
IB Diploma 30 points
GCSE Requirement Minimum five graded 9-4 including English and Maths
Access to HE Considered on an individual basis

Unconditional offers can be made based on performance during interview stage of application for exceptional candidates.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

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Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you. 

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Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
  • any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

The faculty’s £50m Engineering and Computing Building and £25m Beatrice Shilling Building are designed to support hands-on learning4. Our Sir John Laing Building also houses a CAD Studio and Architectural Technology Studio as well as various structural, soils and hydraulics labs.

student working in Architectural technical studio

Architectural Studio

The multi-functional Architectural Technology Studio space acts both as a teaching and tutorial room. It houses 40 high spec computers which include Revit, Sketchup and AutoCAD. An informal area is available for group discussions, tutorials and making models.

 

 

students using the virtual wall in the simulation centre

Simulation Centre

You will have access to our Simulation Centre, which incorporates best practice building information modelling (BIM). Using a 3D model, the centre is designed so that you can view and walk through your project to add value, realise efficiencies and ensure every member of the construction team understands what is required of them and when.

Workshop at Coventry University

Workshop

For all your model making needs, there are fully equipped workshops with woodworking, 3D printing, laser cutting and CNC facilities in the Beatrice Shilling building.

 

 

 


Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be equipped with the skills sought after by many employers. In addition to being a fully qualified architectural technologist with a sound knowledge of building technologies, you should have also developed skills in the creative aspects of design and contextual studies.  

Upon successful completion of this course, you could find yourself working in architectural practice or decide to proceed to further qualifications on Part 2 and 3 of architecture. 

Where our graduates work

  • Harrison Design Company Birmingham
  • Kendrick Homes Stourbridge
  • HLP UK Ltd Cannock
  • Spatial Future Architects Stratford upon Avon
  • JNP Architects Belfast
  • St Modwen Homes Birmingham

Applying for jobs after finishing my MSci Architectural Design and Technology, I realised how much more a desirable candidate I was than if I just had a BSc. The architectural practice that offered me a job is going to support my progression to Part 2 of architecture and any other accreditation needs to become an architect. The support, knowledge and confidence I gained whilst studying my MSci made me feel more secure in my choice to develop my career within architecture.

Iona Hamilton, MSci Architectural Design and Technology, quoted 2022
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