BSc (Hons) Architectural Engineering

• Our course is fully accredited by the leading professional body recognised for design managers and architectural engineers: the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
  
• Join a unique course which focuses on the performance of buildings and the fundamental interactions between building design, building construction, building management, the environment, and humans.
• Be part of a vibrant multidisciplinary learning environment, working together with students from other disciplines in the construction sector, such as building surveying, construction management, architecture and quantity surveying.
• The combination of lectures, design workshops, field trips, site visits, tutorials with industry partners and an optional year-long paid industry placement, will prepare you for a range of routes in the built environment sector including design engineering, project management and architectural consultancy.
• Lead the way in the industry – our course focuses on high performance and energy efficient buildings, which will place you at the forefront of the sector and able to embrace the trend towards stricter environmental and energy based legislation.
• Gain valuable workplace experience with a paid year-long placement in a leading engineering consultancy or architectural practice in the UK or abroad. Our industry links will help you find a placement, boosting your studies with practical experience and developing the contacts that can lead to future employment.
• Real-world impact as you engage in industry-led group projects with real project briefs and clients. Guided by our panel of industrial advisers, you’ll develop the professional skills and networking to stand out in this sector.
• Explore the industry with site visits and field trips (including a European field trip), where you will observe building design, construction and operational practices within and outside the UK.
  
• Learn from leaders in their fields - our staff come from both industry and research backgrounds. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals and have access to an exciting and diverse programme of visiting speakers.

• Year 1

• In the first year you'll develop an understanding of the principles of low-rise domestic buildings, including building technologies, services, construction methods, and materials. As an architectural engineer, you'll also gain knowledge in building design, as well as the importance of building information modelling (BIM) to complete building projects successfully. You'll also work on an industry-led group project to design an energy efficient housing development.

  Core modules

  • ATE401 Introduction to Architectural Technology and the Environment

    This module introduces students to the study of architectural technology and the role of architectural design in architectural technology, the latter as informed by a vocabulary responsive to people, place and tectonics, with an emphasis on tectonics. This introduction is underpinned by an exploration of basic graphic and three-dimensional representation skills as a means of inquiry and presentation, pursued through short projects of increasing size and complexity.

  • BLDG401 Fundamentals of Construction

    This module introduces students to the construction industry and the relationship between construction and the local, regional and global environment and presents the characteristics and requirements of the different professional disciplines involved in construction industry. It also provides students with fundamental knowledge, underlying concepts and principles in the areas of domestic building technology and the construction process.

  • BLDG402 Principles of Economics and Management

    This module presents the fundamental economic and financial techniques used to critically analyse the cost of a project and its financial feasibility. The module also introduces the students to the communication and team management theories and techniques necessary to successfully complete construction projects.

  • BLDG403 Building Science and Services

    This module introduces students to building science and physics, necessary to appreciate how buildings perform. Laboratory-based sessions allow students to experience the measurement and assessment of building performance by practical experimentation with thermal comfort, daylighting, noise levels, and electricity consumption. Students also gain an understanding of the nature and provision of services in domestic buildings.

  • BLDG404 ICT for Architecture and Construction Projects

    This module provides students with the information, communication, graphical representation and digital modelling skills needed for the design, construction and management of building projects by means of a combination of lectures and 2D CAD and BIM practicals, which will incorporate support on a one-to-one basis.

  • BLDG405 Built Environment Project 1

    This module encourages students to implement the knowledge in construction technologies as well as the team working, time management and graphical representation skills developed in the course. It involves designing a domestic building according to a realistic brief set by a client in a collaborative and multidisciplinary exercise, where each student assumes different roles, including building surveyor, construction manager, building services engineer, and architectural engineer.

  • FAPY100 Stage 1 Placement Preparation

    If you’re undertaking a company placement in your third year, this module helps you find a suitable placement, and prepares you for the placement itself.

• Year 2

• In Year 2 you'll study in depth the principles of non-domestic buildings, including building technologies, services, construction methods, and materials. As an architectural engineer, you'll gain knowledge in topics such as design principles of low energy buildings (including form and services), building energy and environmental performance, and building simulation. You'll work on an industry-led group project to design and build, or retrofit, a complex high-rise building and also enjoy a European field trip.
  

  Core modules

  • BLDG501 Technology of Large and Innovative Buildings

    This module will expand the knowledge in building technology and processes gained in Year 1. Focusing on the design and construction of framed buildings, the module provides the student with a full understanding of current and innovative building technologies, materials and systems used in high performance framed buildings.

  • BLDG502 Property development and refurbishment

    This module will introduce you to the reuse and adaptation of existing buildings, as well as provide a detailed understanding of the technical, environmental and regulatory aspects associated with building refurbishment and the retrofitting process. The module will also provide you with an understanding of planning and development procedures for existing building projects.

  • BLDG505 Building Services Engineering

    This module provides students with further knowledge, underlying concepts and principles in the areas of building science and building services for large and innovative buildings. Students will employ a range of techniques for the quantification of buildings performance and services, including computer simulation.

  • BLDG506 Contract Procedures

    Construction projects normally involve a large number of individual companies due to the fragmented supply chain in the sector. This module allows students to appreciate the complexity associated with procurement and project contract administration. It provide students with a deeper understanding of cost estimating, project feasibility studies and dispute resolution in the construction industry. Students will also gain practical experience of using computer programs used for cost estimating.

  • BLDG507 Low Energy Building Design

    This module provides students with an understanding of the relationship between the building form and the design of the building services in producing low energy buildings. Students will learn about the importance of low energy building design in contributing to a sustainable built environment as well as the responsibility of the architect and building services engineer in the delivery of low energy buildings.

  • BLDG508 Built Environment Project 2

    This module encourages students to implement the knowledge in construction technologies as well as the team working, time management and graphical representation skills developed in the course. It involves designing a framed and complex building, or a specific building element contained in it, according to a realistic brief set by a client in a collaborative and multidisciplinary exercise, where each student assumes different construction roles.

  • FAPY200 Stage 2 Placement Preparation

    Building on the Level 1 module (FAPY100), this module continues to support you with the search for your placement and preparation for the placement itself.

• Optional placement year

• In your third year you'll have the opportunity to undertake an optional year of professional paid training in an approved placement with a suitable company in the UK or abroad. During your industry placement you'll be working under the guidance and supervision of one of the members of the project management or design team, which will allow you to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two years of study and to prepare for the final year of your degree and employment after graduation. 
  

  Core modules

  • FAPY602 Industry Placement

    A 48-week period of professional training spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company. This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two stages of study and to prepare for the final stage and employment after graduation.

• Final year

• As an architectural engineer, you'll gain the specialist understanding of building control and commissioning. You'll develop in-depth knowledge in project management, team management, development management, risk management and procurement. You'll also work on an industry-led design and build project of a site development and produce a final year research dissertation in an architectural engineering subject of your choice.
  

  Core modules

  • BLDG601 Research Methods in the Built Environment

    This module provides students with a solid basis to undertake in depth research in a subject of their choice. It requires students to develop a research proposal that is based on a solid general knowledge of their discipline in construction. For students progressing to BLDG602, this module provides students with an understanding of the research methods necessary to undertake a dissertation in a built environment related topic.

  • BLDG602 Dissertation Project

    The dissertation project provides students with a vehicle to undertake in depth research in a subject of their choice. Students undertaking this module will have developed a research proposal that is based on a solid general knowledge of the discipline of construction in BLDG601. This module builds on this introduction to research methods and carries out the actual research.

  • BLDG603 Sustainable and Safe Construction

    With the aim of achieving a more sustainable and safe construction industry in mind, this module provides students with in-depth understanding and critical awareness in sustainability and safety related issues related to the built environment. The module focuses on developing the skills to critically appraise and reduce the impact of buildings and construction on environmental, economic, social and health and safety aspects whilst meeting the needs of a sustainable built environment.

  • BLDG604 Building and Property Law

    This module focuses on the complex legal environment faced by construction professionals. It provides the students with an understanding of key legal principles in negligence, nuisance, trespass and other torts as well as key concepts in property and construction law. It also examines obligations and liabilities in a construction and property context.

  • BLDG608 Building Control and Commissioning

    This module provides students with an understanding of building control and commissioning. Students will learn how to design building control systems, including the selection of final control elements and local loop and supervisory control strategies. Furthermore, the processes of commissioning building energy systems will be covered.

  • BLDG609 Built Environment Project 3

    This is primarily a student led project module encouraging the integration of knowledge and skills developed on the programme. The module involves applied research and undertaking a realistic professional commission in a collaborative and multidisciplinary exercise, where each student is required to complete those tasks relevant to the specific discipline.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Hons Architectural Engineering programme specification 5392

UCAS tariff

112

A levels
A minimum of two A Levels, General Studies accepted.

International Baccalaureate
28 points.

18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
DMM.

BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

GCSE

Mathematics and English language grade C.

All relevant international qualifications will be considered - please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Other

Other combinations and non-A level qualifications also considered.

Second year entry possible with a good HNC/HND or equivalent.

Equivalent qualifications and industry experience can be considered.

Eligibility for an unconditional offer after informal interview:
Applicants who have been made a conditional offer and choose to attend an informal interview on the Applicant Day will be eligible for an Unconditional Offer. This is our way of acknowledging your potential as evidenced by your performance when you visit us and your commitment to us as an applicant. It will also allow you to focus on your upcoming examinations, and begin planning for your University career that much earlier. If you have any questions regarding the Unconditional offer please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk or 01752 585858.

If you are concerned about meeting this offer, you're encouraged to email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

English language requirements

For a full list of all acceptable qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.