Architectural Technology BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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This course aims to prepare you to play a pivotal role in the construction industry – one of the world’s largest and most influential industries – as an architectural or building technologist.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years full-time (study abroad or work placement)

UCAS codes

K130

Start date

September 2025


Course overview

Playing a pivotal role within the construction process as lead designers or complementing other chartered professionals in the built environment, this course aims to prepare you in seeking future employment in architectural practice, city and urban planning.

  • You will learn the practices behind interior design, builders and contractors, and oil and gas developments, together with many other areas and specialisms.
  • You will learn from current fully qualified and experienced staff who have a high level of design and technical experience in the construction industry, some of whom are still involved in research projects (staff are subject to change).
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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

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • Collaborative links with universities around the world, including Spain, USA, Denmark, Italy and France, offer you the chance to spend part of your studies abroad2 (collaborations are subject to change).
  • Studios and laboratories4 equipped with the latest versions of CAD software including 2D, 3D and visualisation software, building information management software and building performance analysis programmes.
  • 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 campus2 (subject to availability).
  • The common first year makes it possible to further explore your interests and transfer to one of the following courses; Architectural Design and Technology MSci, Building Surveying BSc (Hons), Construction Project Management BSc (Hons), Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons) or Real Estate and Property Management BSc (Hons), subject to meeting the progression requirements.

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What you'll study

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

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

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

Modules

Your final year aims to bring you to the level needed to enter the world of work, by consolidating your knowledge and skills from previous years.

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

Previous students have experienced a vast amount of their architectural education by visiting and experiencing architecture in its context, organising site visits to existing buildings and current construction sites at home and abroad2.


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 may include:

  • design portfolio
  • modelling
  • coursework
  • essays
  • 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 predicted to rise dramatically. In a 2019 report, the United Nations 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 architecture 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.

A mandatory part of your course is the international field trip which gives you the chance to look at architecture and building design outside the UK . Previous destinations have included Rome in Italy and Barcelona in Spain and there is no extra cost to you for this trip. The field trip takes place in your final year.

If you opt for a sandwich year2, you can spend time studying abroad; we currently have links with other universities in Malaysia, Oman, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland and The Netherlands, which provide opportunities for student exchanges, workshops and projects.

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 guaranteed.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 112
A Level BBC
BTEC DMM
IB Diploma 29 points
GCSE 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above

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


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

Your studies will be centred in high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, industry-standard equipment, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of courses.

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.

Aerial view of an open space with stairways and desks

Informal study areas

Our open access spaces provide students with informal computer access to all the specialist software required for their studies at any time. There are bookable spaces where students can meet with academics or work in small groups.

 

 

 

Two students sat at a table with wooden models pieces

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.

 

 

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of the course, you can expect to 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 and the design processes used in construction
  • current innovations relating to the construction of buildings, procurement and contract administration procedures and how quality is achieved in construction processes and products
  • health and safety in building design and construction.

Upon successful completion of the course, you should 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
  • 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 to undertake and manage construction design and the construction process
  • undertake full-measured, dilapidation and condition surveys
  • write different types of property survey reports.

Our Talent Team4 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.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have found employment with all levels of companies at national level, such as HOK and local companies such as IDP Partnership and Corstorphine and Wright, with other graduates finding positions all over the world.

Further study

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.

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