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
• For more information about the subject, please visit CIAT | Homepage (architecturaltechnology.com)

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.

Additional course costs

• There are no travel costs for day site visits.
• Optional residential study visits in the UK and abroad will have costs involved.
• Locations of such visits may be subject to change.

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

• During level 4, students gain basic knowledge and theory of the architectural technology discipline.
• They gain an introduction to architectural technology in practice, with an emphasis on developing initial skills in the production of architectural drawings, via traditional manual draughting techniques and via computer aided design.
• Students will study key themes in construction technology, environmental science and materials, and architectural design and specification.
• Students will participate in a collaborative interdisciplinary project, and will become skilled in academic and digital literacy.
• During level 5, students develop understanding of the regulatory requirements for construction projects and produce architectural drawings for a building refurbishment project.
• They are introduced to the notion of the architectural technologist as an entrepreneur in property development and will learn about procurement and contracts.
• Students' progress and enhance their practical IT skills through project work, and involvement in a collaborative interdisciplinary project with a focus on building information modelling (BIM).
• Students are also introduced to research methods skills as preparation for their final year research project.
• During level 6, students focus on key concepts around strategic design and technical detailing appropriate for the architectural technology discipline.
• This is achieved by a major comprehensive design project for a complex building, for example a school.
• The project culminates in an end of year presentation, critical review and end-of-year show with students presenting their work to industry experts.
• During the final year students undertake research as part of a student-led investigation into a specific aspect, and students will learn about professional practice, and the role of the professional body.

Further guidance on modules

• Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations.
• Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice.
• Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
• Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Year 1

• Architectural Design Studio 1 (20 credits)
  • This module provides students with a practical introduction to architectural technology including the preparation and presentation of scaled architectural drawings based on a residential design.
• Architectural Design Studio 2 (20 credits)
  • This module aims to develop an understanding of the residential design process informed by regulations, technical requirements and inclusive design principles.
  • To use digital software to produce 2D and 3D architectural drawings.
• Construction Technology 1 (20 credits)
  • This module introduces you to the building process and construction technology associated with domestic dwellings.
  • It will enable you to develop an understanding of the performance of buildings and the influence of alternative methods and materials for sustainable construction.
• Digital Design and Technology (20 credits)
  • This module aims to enable students to develop academic and digital literacy skills to perform effectively on the architectural technology degree programme.
  • To develop knowledge, understanding and skills in the application of digital technologies that are impacting architectural technology and the built environment.
• Passive Design and Specification (20 credits)
  • This module introduce fundamental concepts concerning passive building design with particular reference to dwellings.
  • To introduce students to specification of materials for building projects.
• Science and Materials (20 credits)
  • This module aims to enable students to apply appropriate scientific and analytical methods to investigate the performance and behaviour of common building materials.
  • We aim to provide students with an appreciation of the common scientific principles associated with environmental conditions inside buildings.

Year 2

• Building Refurbishment and Design (20 credits)
  • In this module you will learn to demonstrate awareness of a range of factors affecting a residential building project and to produce detailed design documentation in accordance with building regulations.
  • You will learn to further develop fundamental skills in the preparation and production of architectural drawings for a residential building refurbishment project.
• Procurement and Contracts (20 credits)
  • This module provides an comprehensive understanding of contract management, administration and the influence of procuring suppliers and specialists to optimise contract performance.
• Property Development (20 credits)
  • In this module you will develop an understanding of the property development process for residential and commercial developments.
  • You will learn how to appreciate and evaluate the impact of planning regulation and controls on property development.
• Sustainable Architectural Technology (20 credits)
  • This module will provide you with knowledge, awareness and application of building regulations, environmental standards and codes of practice appropriate to the discipline of architectural technology.
  • You will develop an understanding of sustainable design, materials and emerging technology in contrasting environments.
• Sustainable Buildings Project (20 credits)
  • This module aims to enable students to work on a group project that enables the integration and development of a range of professional skills in the context of sustainable building design, maintenance and management.
• Construction Technology 2 (20 credits)
  • This module explains and analyses the construction techniques of framed multi-storey buildings.
  • Students are enabled to evaluate the relative merits of the various construction forms in any given situation
  • You will be introduced to current and future building services technologies for commercial and industrial buildings.

Year 3

• Advanced Architectural Design (20 credits)
  • This module will enable the integration and development of architectural technology skills in the context of a sustainable and inclusive non-residential building design.
• Advanced Detailed Design (20 credits)
  • This module aims to apply and integrate core architectural technology skills to translate concept design scheme into a detailed building design.
• Architectural Technology Dissertation (40 credits)
  • This module aims to enable students to complete a substantial piece of individual work and build on their expertise in a selected area of study related to the discipline of Architectural Technology
  • To develop students' research, time management, presentation and written communication skills.
• Architectural Technology Professional Practice (20 credits)
  • This module aims to develop an awareness of the context and factors that inform and influence the practice of architectural technology nationally and internationally.
  • You will develop an awareness of current topics, practices and professional ethics which inform the discipline of architectural technology.
• Design Management and BIM (20 credits)
  • This module aims to enable students to understand, appraise and analyse the complexities of designing and refurbishing buildings by exploring a project’s objectives and aspirations from the client’s perspective.
  • To gain a strategic appreciation of how to manage files and documents within the construction and Common Data Environment Setting (BIM360).

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

• Teaching Support Assessment

Excellent facilities and learning resources

• We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU.
• This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies.
• Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
• You can expect on average 15 hours of direct contact time per week at Levels 4 and 5 which may be in the form of lectures, tutorials, online activities and workshops in either the design studio or IT room.
• In addition you should spend around 35 hours per week in private study which may be at home or in the library.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

• If you decide to take up a third year work placement, there is plenty of support available from the Built Environment Industry Unit, both in finding and securing the placement, and during the year when one of your tutors will visit you in your workplace to check on your progress.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

• All students perform differently depending on the type of assessment they are asked to do, and so a variety of assessment methods are used.
• These include exams (open and closed book), coursework (projects, technical reports, reviews, etc), and presentations (individual and group).
• Your tutors will give prompt and constructive feedback via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face or in writing.
• This will help you to identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.

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

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

• A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory.
• Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
• Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.

Tuition fees and funding

• Home: £9,535
• International: £18,250

Entry requirements

• Grades/points required from qualifications: BCC (104)
• GCSEs and equivalents: Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy.
• A levels: BCC
• 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
• OCR Cambridge Technical: Extended Diploma: DMM
• Irish awards: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

International requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date.

How to apply

• UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses.
• Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here
• We are looking for students who are keen to learn new skills and develop those they already possess.
• We want students with the ability to: be creative with ideas and concepts, moderate their creativity with logic, be enthusiastic and thirsty for knowledge, communicate effectively and confidently and understand and adapt to a wide range of issues connected with the subject.
• It is also important that students are able to manage time and tasks effectively as an individual and as part of a team, use appropriate sources to find and organise information and select and critically evaluate information in order to analyse problems.
• If you would like to develop these skills further, have a strong interest in this subject area and want to work effectively within it, then this is the course for you.
• International applications will be considered in line with UK qualifications.