Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology

Why study this course with LJMU?

• LJMU ranked 16th in the UK for construction, surveying and planning courses (The Guardian UK University Guide 2025)
• LJMU ranked 8th university in the UK for building degrees (The Times UK University Rankings 2025)
• Fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
• Opportunity to undertake a year's industrial placement or study abroad
• Opportunity to participate in collaborative interdisciplinary projects
• 6 million investment in developing state-of-the-art teaching facilities
• Stepping stone to a varied career, or to further study
• International Foundation Year course available offering direct progression onto this degree programme

About your course

The BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology programme is all about creating and understanding design, and turning ideas into reality.

The BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology could be the start of your career as an Architectural Technologist. The course is structured to enable you to develop specialist knowledge in building design, project preparation, construction technology, performance of buildings, contracts and professional practice. You will be given the opportunity to develop expertise in the preparation of architectural drawings using both manual drawing techniques and Computer Aided Design packages, including Revit. You will be given realistic technical design projects that enable you to develop your skills with projects becoming increasingly challenging and varied as you progress through the course.

Architectural Technologists lead the technological design of a project; forming the link between concept, innovation and realisation. They specialise in design, underpinned by building science, engineering and technology applied to architecture within projects, playing a pivotal role in project and design management. They need specialist knowledge of building design, construction technology, sustainable technology, planning control, building regulations and professional practice. They apply their skills within research, academia, manufacturing and processing industries, housing, health and government agencies and work collaboratively with other professionals in the built environment sector. This course will provide an understanding of all these aspects and will enable you to apply this knowledge to relevant design projects at all levels.

The programme provides an introduction to Building Information Modelling (BIM) allowing architectural technology students to work on industry standard software in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Links with industry mean that you will have opportunities to meet architectural technologists and other professionals working in the construction industry through guest lectures and site visits. There are opportunities to undertake a placement year in the sector where you can apply what you have learnt at LJMU out in the workplace before returning to University to complete the course. There are also opportunities to study at an approved overseas partner college that will complement your programme at LJMU.

Course modules

Year 1

• Architectural Design Studio 1 (20 credits)
• Architectural Design Studio 2 (20 credits)
• Construction Technology 1 (20 credits)
• Digital Design and Technology (20 credits)
• Passive Design and Specification (20 credits)
• Science and Materials (20 credits)

Year 2

• Building Refurbishment and Design (20 credits)
• Procurement and Contracts (20 credits)
• Property Development (20 credits)
• Sustainable Architectural Technology (20 credits)
• Sustainable Buildings Project (20 credits)
• Construction Technology 2 (20 credits)

Year 3

• Advanced Architectural Design (20 credits)
• Advanced Detailed Design (20 credits)
• Architectural Technology Dissertation (40 credits)
• Architectural Technology Professional Practice (20 credits)
• Design Management and BIM (20 credits)

Professional accreditation

Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)

This course is accredited by CIAT, which is the global membership qualifying body for Architectural Technology. It's a membership organisation representing 10,000 members practising and studying in the discipline who wish to be professionally recognised.

Your Learning Experience

• Excellent facilities and learning resources
• Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
• Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework

Career paths

Do you want a varied professional career with many challenges and good employment prospects? If so then becoming a Chartered Architectural Technologist may be the career for you.

Chartered Architectural Technologists lead the technological design within architecture between concept, innovation and reality. You can set up your own practice, provide a full architectural design service and lead projects of all shapes and sizes from start to finish from new homes and hotels to shopping centres and sports stadia.

You will play a pivotal role in the construction process and be complementary to other Chartered disciplines in the built environment sector

The most likely route for new graduates is to secure employment with an architectural practice or construction company to gain experience in the design process and to use technical knowledge and skills acquired at University to provide innovative solutions. You may be involved in various aspects including:

• Preparing and presenting design proposals using CAD/Revit techniques and traditional methods
• Leading the detailed design process and co-ordinating detailed design information
• Managing and co-ordinating the design team and associated professional consultants
• Developing the project design, researching problems and producing, developing and advising upon innovative solutions
• Producing, analysing and advising upon specification, materials selection and detailed design solutions in relation to performance and production criteria
• Liaising with and producing documentation for statutory approval authorities

Tuition fees and funding

Home: £9,535 per year International: £18,250 per year

Entry requirements

• Grades/points required from qualifications: BCC-BBB (104-120)
• GCSEs and equivalents: Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/Numeracy
• A levels: BCC-BBB
• BTECs: Extended Diploma: DMM
• Access awards: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• IELTS: 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date.