BSc (Hons) Architectural Engineering

• Join a unique multidisciplinary course and study both the architectural design and engineering of buildings.

• Gain industry experience with the option to take part in a year-long paid work placement

• Learn using industry-standard facilities, resources and equipment, including a designated design studio space, specialist laboratories and workshops, Mac and PC suites and a 360-degree immersive vision theatre.

• Live, real-world projects. Test your newly developed architectural and engineering knowledge and skills.

• Professional accreditation. The only fully accredited BSc Architectural Engineering course by The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) in the UK.

• Year 1

• Core modules

  • Principles of Economics and Management (BLDG402)

    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.

  • Built Environment Project 1 (BLDG405)

    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.

  • Fundamentals of Construction (BLDG406)

    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, including domestic building services.

  • Building Physics (BLDG407)

    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.

  • Architectural Design (BLDG408)

    This module introduces students to the role of architectural design in architectural technology, as a response 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.

  • Digital Built Environment (BLDG409)

    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 practical on 2D, 3D and modelling tools.

  • Stage 1 Placement Preparation (FAPY100)

    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

• Core modules

  Construction technology (BLDG512)

  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.

  Property development and refurbishment (BLDG510)

  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.

  Low energy building design (BLDG507)

  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.

  Common Challenge: Built Environment (BLDG515)

  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.

  Building services engineering (BLDG511)

  This module provides students with further knowledge, underlying concepts and principles in the areas of building science and building services technologies for large and non-domestic buildings.

  Contract procedures (BLDG506)

  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 provides 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.

  Core modules

  • Contract Procedures (BLDG506)

    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.

  • Low Energy Building Design (BLDG507)

    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.

  • Property Development and Refurbishment (BLDG510)

    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.

  • Building Services Engineering (BLDG511)

    This module provides students with further knowledge, underlying concepts and principles in the areas of building science and building services technologies for large and non-domestic buildings.

  • Stage 2 Placement Preparation (FAPY200)

    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.

  • Construction Technology (BLDG512)

    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.

  • Common Challenge: Built Environment (BLDG515)

    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.

• Optional placement year

• In your third year you will 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.

  Core modules

  • Industry Placement (FAPY602)

    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

• Core modules

  Common Dissertation (ADA600)

  The module engages students in situating practice through research, contextualisation and critical reflection, in relation to their final stage study and post University aspirations. Programmes can offer: a traditional dissertation; preparation for an extended dissertation; situating existing practice; or the construction of a new body of work as practice-based research.

  Sustainable and safe construction (BLDG603)

  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.

  Building and property law (BLDG604)

  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.

  Dissertation Project (BLDG612)

  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 Semester 1. This module builds on this introduction to research methods and carries out the actual research.

  Built environment project 3 (BLDG609)

  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.

  Building control and commissioning (BLDG608)

  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.

  Core modules

  • Sustainable and Safe Construction (BLDG603)

    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.

  • Building and Property Law (BLDG604)

    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.

  • Building Control and Commissioning (BLDG608)

    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.

  • Built Environment Project 3 (BLDG609)

    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.

  • Dissertation Project (BLDG612)

    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 Semester 1. This module builds on this introduction to research methods and carries out the actual research.

  • Research Methods in the Built Environment (BLDG611)

    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 BLDG612, this module provides students with an understanding of the research methods necessary to undertake a dissertation in a built environment related topic.

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

96 - 112

A levels
A minimum of two A levels; General Studies accepted.

International Baccalaureate
26–28 points.

18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
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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.

T levels
Merit in any subject.

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

Other
Other combinations and non-A level qualifications are also considered.

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

Equivalent qualifications and industry experience can be considered.

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

English language requirements

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications, please refer to our tariff glossary.