Architectural Engineering BEng (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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Our degree in Architectural Engineering is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed by society to design buildings and structures that provide sustainable, low energy built environments for the future.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
5 years part-time

UCAS codes

H221

Start date

September 2024

Available through Clearing

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Course overview

Professionals working in architectural engineering are highly influential in creatively shaping the built environment.

Students will gain practical interdisciplinary design and management skills and start shaping their personal development as an architectural engineer in practice. You will learn disciplines such as:

  • Architectural Technology
  • Building Surveying
  • Construction Project Management
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Building Services Engineering and
  • Civil Engineering.
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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

  • Combining architectural design with a thorough understanding of technological and engineering developments, we aim to make graduates of this course highly sought after in industry internationally and nationally.
  • Teaching from current fully qualified and experienced staff who have a high level of design and technical experience in the construction industry and some of whom are still involved in research projects (staff may be subject to change).
  • Collaborative links with universities currently in 20 countries around the world, including Spain, USA, Denmark, Italy and France, giving you the chance for you to spend part of your studies abroad2.
  • Studios and laboratories equipped with the latest versions of CAD software including 2D, 3D and visualisation software, building information management software and building performance analysis programs4.
  • The opportunity to take part in events where you could meet members of the local design and building community and attend professional development meetings held by the professional institutions on campus (subject to availability).

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What you'll study

In the first year, common to other building and engineering disciplines, you will be introduced to the fundamental topics of building design, engineering and the construction process. These learnings are essential to practitioners in all construction professions, such as what constitutes good building design and what causes damage to buildings.

Modules

In the second year, you will be introduced to more complex issues surrounding the profession such as adaptation of buildings, urban planning and structural design which aims to further explore your design and engineering knowledge from the previous year.

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 year 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 partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depending on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student. Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year. 

Modules

In your final year, you should deepen your knowledge of the role of professional practitioners in the Architectural Engineering industry as a practitioner or as an employee in a design office. You will cover professionalism and codes of behaviour, as well as skills relating to low carbon, engineering and comprehensive architectural design.

The course culminates in a research-informed design project and an integrated design and construction planning project in collaboration with other students from our construction courses.

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

The highly practical nature of the course should enable you to work with staff and students on real-world problems from industry, commerce and research groups.

This means that while we cover the technical content of your degree, these projects aim to develop the professional skills required including: problem analysis and design; project, task and time management; risk assessment; team work and leadership; technical report and bench assessment; troubleshooting and more.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.


Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 14-15 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 11 contact hours per week in the final year as you become a more independent learner.

In addition, you will be expected to undertake approximately 30-35 hours of self-directed study per week depending on the demands of individual modules. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

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

Assessment methods may include:

  • Design portfolio
  • Modelling
  • Coursework
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Phase tests
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Laboratories
  • Posters

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

Construction is a global industry with the demand for building professionals overseas set to rise dramatically. The United Nations has identified nine countries, which will account for half the world’s population growth between now and 2050: India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, the US, Indonesia and Uganda.

The content of the course continuously refers to the international context in which architectural engineering takes place, which aims to give an international perspective to your studies and future career. For example, we draw on case studies such as the ancient and modern architecture of Rome or Gaudi in Barcelona.

You will have the opportunity to go on at least one part-funded field trip overseas2 to look at architecture and engineering design outside the UK. Previous destinations have included Rome in Italy and Barcelona in Spain.


Entry requirements

Clearing places available on this course

See if you have enough points (UCAS tariff 2024)

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Additional requirements may apply

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Request fee information
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will 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.

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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

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

  • Optional international field trips: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Other additional costs

  • Mandatory international field trips: Typically between £200 and £400 per trip

*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

Our £50m Engineering and Computing Building and new £25m Beatrice Shilling Building are designed to support hands-on learning. The Sir John Laing Building also houses a CAD Studio and Architectural Technology Studio4.

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.

Student working with materials in lab

Materials Laboratory

Includes industrial standard timber and steel workshops, a concrete mixing area with 3 pan mixers, programmable environmental chambers, a range of ovens and curing tanks and various materials testing apparatus.

 

 

 


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course, you will have knowledge of:

  • Building technology and construction processes.
  • Management processes and systems associated with construction.
  • Building science with respect to materials, structure, services and internal environment.
  • The legal and regulatory framework within which buildings are constructed.
  • Economics of construction; design processes used in construction.
  • Current innovations relating to the construction of buildings; procurement and contract administration procedures; how quality is achieved in construction processes and products.
  • Health and safety in building design and construction.
  • Structural Engineering
  • Material science

You will be able to:

  • Analyse data and information sources in construction.
  • Apply techniques used for the analysis and surveying of existing buildings.
  • Apply CAD, manual drawing techniques and other tools to construction design.
  • Apply technical data to specification and production information.
  • Apply structural engineering solutions to architectural problems
  • Create and present design proposals.
  • Identify the aims and objectives of research.
  • Analyse, interpolate and present information.
  • Analyse and solve construction problems of a technical and managerial nature.
  • Reflect on the interdisciplinary and team working nature of the construction industry in order to undertake and manage construction design and the construction process.

Our Talent Team will help you in searching for work experience while you study and employment on graduation. Professional placements could significantly enhance your employability and many of our previous students have found their first graduate job through the organisation they worked for on placement2.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with:

You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.


How to apply

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