BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology with Foundation Year

Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology with Foundation Year

Overview

The course is designed to provide you with a sound knowledge of the architectural design process, and opportunity to acquire the necessary skills required to become a professional architectural technologist.

Award

BSc (Hons)

Start date(s)

15 September 2025

UCAS Code

K190

Course specifications

View course spec

Course length

Part-time (8 years), Full-time (4 years)

Campus location

University: City Campus

School

School of Architecture and Built Environment

UCAS points calculator

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Why choose this course?

96% of students were satisfied with the academic support on this course

_(NSS, 2024) _

The popular BSc Architectural Design Technology course is designed to provide you with a sound knowledge of the architectural design process, and opportunity to acquire the necessary skills required to become a professional architectural technologist.

Throughout the programme, specialist skills in areas including the science of architecture, building design and construction are steadily introduced, providing you with the ability to understand and form the link between concept, design and physical construction. The course enables you to negotiate and manage the design process, whilst also understanding how to implement technical knowledge in developing practical and creative solutions, which meet existing working practices and legislation.

What's unique about this course?

• Accredited by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
• Taught in Springfield Super Campus
• Access to double height architectural studio space
• Access to state-of-the-art VR and AR technology

What happens on the course?

In Year 1, you will examine the process of design, the factors that affect it and the various communication methods available to the modern designer, including Computer Aided Design (CAD) and other supportive visualisation software. You will investigate the human factors of design to ensure fit for purpose designs and also develop your understanding of architectural practice and the development of architectural design.

In Year 2, you will specialise on the core skills of the architectural technologist by studying how to detail and construct new build and refurbishment projects including how to integrate services. You will also investigate the legal responsibilities of the architectural technologist.

In Year 3, you will complete a major design project and enter design competitions, in addition to studying the contracts involved in a design project and how to set up your own business.

Course Modules

• Year 1
  • Communication and study skills
  • Foundation Mathematics I
  • Foundation Mathematics II
  • Fundamentals of Computing
  • Orientation to Infrastructure and the Built Environment
  • Problem Solving in Science and Technology
• Year 2
  • Design Studio (Drawing, Graphics, Modelling)
  • Digital Design
  • Integrated Design Studio
  • Materials, Construction and Structure
  • Sustainable Architecture Principles
• Year 3
  • Advanced Materials Construction and Structure
  • BIM Integrated Design
  • City and Urbanism
  • Design Statutory Approvals
  • Design Studio: Retrofit and Adaptive reuse
  • Technical Design Studio
• Year 4
  • Architectural Practice & Management
  • Major Project and Exhibition
  • Special Studies Dissertation
  • Technology Led Conservation Studio

Potential Career Paths

• Architectural Technologists
• Technical Designer
• Project Manager
• BIM Coordinator
• Construction Manager
• Building Regulations Consultant

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Why Wolverhampton?

This course brings together an exciting range of skills and subjects including creative design, new technology, sustainability and construction methods which can lead you into a worthwhile professional career within the construction industry.

Taught by staff with industry experience we utilise a combination of teaching methods which match professional practice, including studio and drawing office sessions using the latest Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to develop your design work.

The course is developed with input from industry professionals to ensure that it is up to date and meets the needs of the construction and property development sector. Due to this industry relevance, the course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologies (CIAT).

Students in the School of Architecture and the Built Environment will be taught in our brand new £120m Springfield Super Campus which is Europe’s largest construction centre of excellence.

Find out more about Springfield Campus.

What skills will you gain?

On successful completion of the course, you will:

• Become fully conversant with the main aspects of the discipline, namely Design Procedures, Design Technology, Procurement and Contracts and Professional Practice.
• Achieve competent and creative design solutions that satisfy market needs in terms of aesthetics and design performance whilst adhering to current technical and regulatory requirements preparation.
• Experience the development of design schemes making use of a range of presentation media including the use of computer based design and visualisation tools.
• Have an understanding of the use of materials and construction methods, which lead to effective, economic and sustainable design solutions.
• Have developed increased self-awareness through regular design reviews, self-critiques and exposure to the competitive nature of Architectural Design through engagement with Design Competitions.
• Gain improved understanding of enterprise and organisational issues within the Architectural Design Technology specialism including project management, time / cost factors and ethical and legal responsibilities thus improving the potential for employment and business opportunities at the end of your studies.

Course Fees and Finance

Location | Mode | Fee | Year
---|---|---|---
Home | Full-time | £9250 per year |
Home | Full-time | £9535 per year |
Home | Part-time | £4625 per year# |
International | Full-time | £14950 per year |
International | Full-time | £15995 per year |

Entry Requirements

Prepare for Foundation Pathway:- We will consider applicants who have not achieved 48 UCAS points (equivalence) from prior level 3 qualifications, if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience. You will be required to attend and pass a compulsory Prepare For Foundation assessment day where you will take part in a variety of activities which will assess your suitability for the course. If you would like more advise and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact the Gateway team to discuss and support you in making an application to us.

What our students say

“The best thing about the course generally was that I started out not really knowing that much about how I could use my drawing skills for the building industry. We started off learning how to use traditional free-hand drawing and scaling, then learning how to use CAD from 2D to 3D and 4D.”

Sabrina Thomas, Turnball Tweedale Ltd. Studied BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology.

Who accredits this course?

Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)

Funding

Tuition Fees Loan(Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.

Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.

Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.

Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.