Why you should study this course
- Ranked 10th in the UK for 'Architecture’ by the Guardian University Guide 2021
- Teaching from current fully qualified and experienced staff who have a high level of design and technical experience in the construction industry and some of whom are still involved in research projects
- Collaborative links with universities currently in 20 countries around the world, including Spain, USA, Denmark, Italy and France, giving you the chance for you to spend part of your studies abroad (Collaborative links are subject to change)
- Studios and laboratories equipped with the latest versions of CAD software including 2D, 3D and visualisation software, building information management software and building performance analysis programs
- The opportunity to take part in events where you could meet members of the local design and building community, and attend professional development meetings held by the professional institutions on campus (subject to availability)
- Full accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) for the 2022/2023 intake, aiming to set you on the path to becoming a chartered builder, chartered construction manager or chartered architectural technologist
- Primarily common first year makes it possible to transfer to construction management, building surveying, quantity surveying or commercial management in the second year if you wish, after successful completion of Year 1.
What you'll study
Year one
In the first year, primarily common to other building disciplines, you will be introduced to the fundamental topics of building design and the construction process, which are essential to practitioners in all construction professions, such as what constitutes good building design and what causes damage to buildings.
Modules
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Project Design Skills – 10 credits
The module will enable students to develop an understanding of the physical behavior of the domestic building as a system, services design, durability, comfort and indoor air quality is essential to produce high-performance low-rise buildings, providing knowledge that focuses on the analysis of the physical phenomena and modern methods of energy control and how this impacts energy efficiency.
Compulsory
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Domestic Construction Technology – 10 credits
This module seeks to inspire students to develop full understanding of the principles of construction in relation to low-rise domestic building besides an appreciation of the various aspects of the design and construction technology required for constructing a sustainable and comfortable low-rise domestic building.
Compulsory
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Construction Materials – 10 credits
This module aims to introduce basic concepts and develop an understanding of engineering properties of construction materials including, modern construction materials and structural construction materials (concrete, timber, steel, glass and masonry etc). The lectures provide an explanation of the composition, manufacture, properties, durability, performance and behaviour of these materials and the hazards and risks they may pose both during construction and subsequent operation of a structure.
Compulsory
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Construction Industry Practice 1 – 10 credits
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the role of the construction professional within the multi-disciplinary construction industry.
Compulsory
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Land and Building Surveying – 10 credits
The aim of the module is to give the student a knowledge of how vertical and horizontal control is established on site through levelling and traversing and how this is applied to construction site activities. It will also give the student the necessary fieldwork skills to do this using appropriate surveying instrumentation.
Compulsory
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Building Project 1 – 10 credits
This module will focus on integrating your understanding and appreciation of construction management, quantity surveying, building services engineering, building surveying, architecture technology or real estate management with the process of design, together with developing your skills of communicating your designs through drawing and model making which are vital to ensuring that your ideas are understood and can be implemented.
Compulsory
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Group Project – 10 credits
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the role of the construction professional within the multi-disciplinary construction industry, and develop personal and team-working skills and attributes that are needed for a successful career within their chosen discipline and profession.
Compulsory
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Add+vantage – 10 credits
You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.
Compulsory
Year two
In the second year, you will be introduced to more complex issues surrounding the profession such as adaptation of buildings and urban planning which aims to further explore your design and construction knowledge from the previous year.
Modules
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Law for Construction Professionals – 10 credits
This module will provide an introduction to general principles and concepts of law related to the construction industry. The module's aim is to develop an ability to understand and apply these legal principles to particular legal problems that may arise in the course of construction activities.
Compulsory
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Commercial Construction Technology – 10 credits
The aim of this module is to develop an advanced knowledge of construction technology and procedures of commercial developments for students who have prior knowledge of low-rise domestic scale construction. The emphasis will relate to multi-storey and commercial framed structures and include a study of pre-construction activities, substructure and superstructure as well as the external envelope and internal access.
Compulsory
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Construction Industry Practice 2 – 10 credits
The module covers essential industry relevant skills and development preparing students for the workplace promoting individual practical skills development.
Compulsory
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Commercial Building Science and Services – 10 credits
This module focuses on the Building services and systems for commercial and high rise buildings. This includes the electrical, mechanical and public health systems. It also includes some fundamental aspects of building science such as building physics, building materials, thermal comfort, thermal efficiency and indoor environmental quality.
Compulsory
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Building Adaptation – 10 credits
The aim of this module is to understand the processes and restrictions for adapting an existing commercial building into residential units. You will be using industry standard 3D software and plan layouts to analyse an existing concrete framed building with the view to adapting its layout and changing its use from an office to a residential tower block.
Compulsory
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Urban Planning and Design – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to address some of the broader issues affecting building design and to develop the student’s ability to compare and assess development options available for a particular site, and within the context of the town and country planning process in the United Kingdom and its equivalents abroad.
Compulsory
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Building Project 2 – 30 credits
This module will focus on further integrating your understanding and appreciation of construction management, quantity surveying, building services engineering, building surveying, architecture technology or real estate management with the process of design, together with developing your skills of communicating your designs through drawing and model making which are vital to ensuring that your ideas are understood and can be implemented.
Compulsory
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Group Project 2 – 10 credits
The aim of this module is to develop the student’s skill base through the continued development of critical, transferable study skills that are of practical benefit in the workplace and that promote and enable continued professional development. The module is linked to the personal tutorial sessions that take place during the academic year as well as using other online based delivery methods.
Compulsory
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Add+vantage – 10 credits
You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.
Compulsory
Following successful completion of your second year, you will have an option to apply for a one-year professional work placement or study abroad in a partner institution. Past students have undertaken placements working within architecture practices all over the UK and abroad.
If you wish to undertake the optional study abroad/placement year, you will take either the Placement Year module or the Study Abroad Year module which both typically run for a full academic year between years 2 and 3 of your course. You are normally able to progress onto the relevant module if you have successfully completed the first two years of the course (i.e. having accumulated 240 credits) and have a confirmed opportunity two weeks prior to the start of the academic year. However, we encourage international students to confirm their placements earlier to ensure they are able to meet any applicable visa requirements.
Students opting for either the work placement or study abroad module will be registered on a non-credit bearing module. Whilst the modules do not bear credits, they do require completion of marked activities reflecting on your placement/study abroad or work placement experience. Following successful completion of the activities, the module selected will appear on your final academic transcript. Students will thus graduate with 360 credits in total, assuming successful completion of their final year.
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Final year
In your final year, you should deepen your knowledge of the role of professional practitioners in the construction industry, as an independent practitioner or as an employee in a design office. You will cover professionalism and codes of behaviour, as well as skills relating to setting up in private practice, commercial development and management of a professional practice in the built environment sector.
The course culminates in a research-informed design project and an integrated design and construction planning project in collaboration with other students from our construction courses.
Modules
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Group Project 3 – 20 credits
The aim of this module is that students will accrue a detailed understanding of some of the key stages involved in a construction projects through the operations of a simulated design and construction team. Students will learn how to manage, through Building Information Modelling, aspects of a project through a feasibility study working in groups drawn from Civil and Building courses across the School of Energy, Construction and Environment.
Compulsory
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Professional Practice and Management – 10 credits
The module covers professionalism and codes of behaviour, as well as skills relating to setting up in private practice, commercial development and management of a professional practice in the built environment sector. Legal aspects of professional practice and relevant knowledge of appropriate law will also be developed and applied in the context of architectural practice.
Compulsory
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Sustainability and Innovation in Construction – 20 credits
This module covers the influence of current legislative, contractual, cultural, scientific and technological changes in the construction industry and its impact on the process of construction design and management. Areas which may be considered include low carbon construction, corporate social and ethical responsibility, existing and proposed legislative changes, changes to contractual arrangements, productivity issues, internationalisation, use and dissemination of best practice, BIM and Passive Design.
Compulsory
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Technical Project – 10 credits
The aim of this module is to develop the student’s understanding and ability to research an in-depth technical topic, and to apply the outcomes of that research to the resolution of a sketch design problem. The module will focus on a specific technical area which is relevant to a design brief, which the student will research and report on their findings. The design should demonstrate the early stage application of the researched technology.
Compulsory
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Design Project A – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to develop the student’s understanding and ability to develop and present an architectural design and develop the associated brief. The design should demonstrate the early stage design process that result in a comprehensive sketch design.
Compulsory
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Design Project B – 30 credits
The aim of this module is to develop the student’s ability to produce detailed design based from the knowledge gained 6050EXQ and to apply the outcomes of that research to the resolution of a design problem. The module will focus on a specific technical area which is relevant to a design brief, which the student will research and report on their findings. The design should demonstrate the application of the researched technology as part of a complete building proposal.
Compulsory
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Add+vantage – 10 credits
You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.
Compulsory
