Architectural Engineering with Year in Industry (MEng)

Program Overview

The program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to become work-ready engineers. Students benefit from extensive hands-on work in studios, laboratories, workshops, and computer suites, as well as a year-long paid industrial placement opportunity. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in civil and structural engineering, architectural and building services practices, and other related fields.

Program Outline

Architectural Engineering with Year in Industry (MEng)

Degree Overview:

This five-year full-time MEng program in Architectural Engineering emphasizes structural engineering, architectural design, and building services. The course is professionally accredited and provides students with the knowledge and hands-on skills required to become work-ready engineers.

Objectives:

• Equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience to excel in the field of architectural engineering.
• Foster a strong design element through hands-on work in studios, laboratories, workshops, and computer suites.
• Develop professional skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Offer a valuable paid placement year in the UK or abroad to gain professional experience and put acquired knowledge into practice.

Program Description:

• Structured with a strong focus on design, incorporating elements of structural engineering, architectural design, and building services.
• Involves extensive hands-on practical work in various settings, including design studios, laboratories, workshops, and computer suites.
• Emphasizes collaborative learning through group projects that mirror real-world engineering teams.
• Offers a year-long paid industrial placement opportunity in the UK or abroad to gain valuable professional experience.
• Provides a strong foundation for further postgraduate studies or a successful career in architectural engineering.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Consists primarily of lectures supported by practical laboratory sessions.
• Core modules include Engineering Maths and Computation, Fundamentals of Civil Engineering, and Applied Design and Practice.

Year 2:

• Lectures continue with further emphasis on practical laboratory sessions.
• Introduces an off-site residential field-course focusing on the natural and built environment.
• Core modules include Engineering Analysis, Building Modelling, History of Western Architecture, Hydraulics and Soil Mechanics, Structural Analysis & Design Theory, and Sustainable Civil Engineering Design & Practice.

Year 3:

• Dedicated to a year-long industrial placement.
• Offers opportunities for students to work in various companies and gain valuable professional experience.
• Minimum placement duration of 30 weeks is required.

Year 4:

• Includes a major individual project, accounting for 25% of the year's assessment.
• Provides a choice of optional modules in addition to core modules.
• Core modules include Construction and Construction Management, Integrated Building Design, Architectural Engineering Design Studio, Tensile Structures, Project, Structural Analysis, Geotechnical Engineering, and Structural Design Studies.

Year 5:

• Features a group project constituting 25% of the overall assessment.
• Offers a selection of optional modules alongside core modules.
• Core modules include Integrated Building Design, Building and Infrastructure Information Modelling, Professional Engineering Studies, Dynamics, and optional modules covering topics such as 3D Modelling and Parametric Design, Computational Form Finding, Algorithmic Design Thinking, Applied Numerical Methods in Engineering, Finite Element Theory and Practice, Design Feasibility, Soil Mechanics, Structural Engineering, Big Data and AI in Civil Engineering, Environmental Building Studies, Steel Structures, Advanced Structural Mechanics.

Note:

The final modules for the 2025/2026 academic year will be published by September 2025.

Assessment:

• Uses diverse assessment methods including tests, short reports, presentations, written examinations, a major individual project dissertation, and group project reports.
• Evaluates knowledge, understanding, professional skills, and key skills.
• Provides frequent feedback on student work through oral feedback in classes, marked coursework, and tests.

Teaching:

• Employs a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical laboratory work, and project-based learning.
• Offers extensive online learning materials and resources for each module.
• Provides individual project supervision and guidance.
• Connects students with potential employers through careers fairs and guest lectures.
• Offers support through personal tutors, careers consultants, and a range of university services.

Careers:

• Graduates typically find employment in the civil and structural engineering fields, working for major consultancy and contracting firms in various locations.
• Common roles include graduate civil engineer, structural engineer, and building design engineer.
• Graduates are also employed by architectural and building services practices.
• Some graduates pursue further studies at the MSc or PhD level.
• Others secure employment in various sectors, including finance, media, and marketing.

Other:

• Students in Year 1 are assigned personal tutors for academic, non-academic, and personal support.
• Individual project supervision is provided in Year 4.
• Frequent feedback is offered in various formats to help students monitor their progress and understanding.
• The program offers opportunities to participate in field trips and industry events.

Conclusion:

The Architectural Engineering with Year in Industry (MEng) program at Cardiff University provides a comprehensive and well-rounded education for students seeking a career in this field. The program's strong emphasis on design, hands-on experience, and professional development prepares graduates for success in the industry.

Fees for home status

We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland

We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year. Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.

Costs for sandwich years

During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, placement year or year abroad) a lower fee will apply. The University will provide resources such as computers and associated software, laboratory equipment (including any safety equipment) and a variety of additional learning resources.

Accommodation

We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget.

Living costs

We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.