Architectural Technology BSc (Hons)

Develop the skills to become a specialist in the science of architecture, building design and building economics on this industry accredited course.

Overview
Structure and assessment
Facilities and features
Opportunities and careers
more about your DMU
Contact us

Overview

Watch:  A stunning showcase of our Vijay Patel building, home to DMU's art and design courses.

This programme focuses on detailed decisions about the design and construction of buildings and their immediate surroundings. Architectural Technology is concerned with new and existing buildings and examines how detail relates to the design concept. This field is also central to the communication of design decisions to members of the construction team and vital to ensuring that work is carried out in the correct manner.

Our course will help you evolve the knowledge and skills required in understanding, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation relative to design, technology, management and practice.  It will also help advance your architectural management proficiency by bringing together all aspects of the design process, from concept through to completion.

In addition, this degree examines design strategies to promote and encourage sustainability. You will explore methods of sustainability to inform architectural design, and develop an awareness of ecological footprints, materials and embodied energy along with processes of achieving sustainable design.

Key features

Benefit from our 125-year history, which makes Leicester School of Architecture one of the most established schools of its kind in the UK.
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), meaning that you can apply for associate membership of CIAT, with the opportunity to progress towards chartered membership (MCIAT).
Accreditation from the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) enables you to apply for graduate membership of CABE, with the opportunity to progress towards chartered membership (MCABE).
Boost your career prospects with an optional industry placement year. Our students have benefited from working in roles such as Assistant Architecture Technologist at Isherwood McCann, a leading architectural company with expertise in large-scale logistics warehouse developments.
Gain valuable international experience as part of your studies with our DMU Global programme. Previous trips have taken students overseas to work on live projects in Berlin in collaboration with Aedas, a leading international  architecture and design practice.
The award-winning  Vijay Patel Building  provides both the space and the facilities to foster creative thinking. You will also benefit from a range of industry-standard tools and simulation software, including Thermal Dynamic Simulation and Building Information Modelling.
We provide  core workshop materials  at no cost, and give cash awards – £150, £200 and £300 in years one, two and three respectively – to support personal materials/printing costs*.

Scholarships:

DMU Sports Scholarship
Apply for the DMU Sports Scholarship, worth up to £6,000.

DMU Global High Flyers Award
Our dedicated DMU Global High Flyers Award offers ambitious students a discount of up to £1,000 towards a DMU Global opportunity (terms and conditions apply).

More courses like this:

Architecture BA (Hons)

UK/EU
International

Key facts for UK/EU students

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: K130

Duration: Three years full-time mode, four years sandwich mode, and six years part-time mode

Fees and funding: For 2020/21 tuition full-time fees will be £9,250 per year.

Find out more about course tuition fees and available funding.

Students of this course qualify for financial support as part of The DMU Difference. We will provide awards of £150, £200 and £300, for students in years one, two and three respectively, towards materials and specialist printing*.

*Awards are available to students undertaking full-time study and pro-rata for part-time students. Students on placement and therefore not incurring such costs are not eligible for financial assistance.

Important information on The DMU Difference.

Additional costs: Here at DMU we provide excellent learning resources, including the Kimberlin Library and specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs for this programme.

Contact us: For more information, call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Key facts for international students

Duration: Three years full-time

Fees and funding international: For 2020/21 tuition fees will be £13,750 per year.

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

Important information on The DMU Difference.

Contact us: For more information, call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

Typical entry requirements

Art and Design Foundation or
112 points from at least 2 A'levels or
BTEC Extended Diploma DMM or
International Baccalaureate: 26+ Points

GCSEs - Five GCSEs grades A* - C (9-4) including English Language or Literature and Maths or Science at grade C/4 or above.

Access - Pass Access with 30 Level 3 credits at Merit (or equivalent) and GCSE English (Language or Literature) and Maths or Science at grade C/4 or above.

We also accept the BTEC First Diploma plus two GCSEs including English and Maths or Science at grade C/4 or above (if required as part of our standard requirement).

International students

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band, or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Interview and Portfolio

Not applicable

Structure and assessment

First year

Architectural Representation 1
Building Technology 1
Architectural Detailing
Sustainable Building Principles
Building Design 1

Second year

Architectural Representation 2
Building Technology 2
Building Economics and Project Management
Professional Practice for Sustainable Development
Building Design 2

Third year

Building Information Technology and Modelling
Integrated Design Project
Contract and Law
Technological and Environmental Innovation
Dissertation

Click here for more detailed module information

Note: All modules are subject to change in order to keep content current.

Learning and Teaching

The multidisciplinary programme team presents a range of projects, lecture programmes, seminars, workshops, design studios, field visits, case studies, and directed reading that reflect current procedures and practices in Architectural Technology.

Module assessment strategies have a wide range of methods including portfolio presentations, essays, reports, oral and graphical presentations and continuous assessment regimes, particularly in the studio-based aspects of modules.

Our integrated team of architects and built environment professionals teach and research architecture, technology and sustainability. The academic team is committed to a rich range of teaching, learning and student support, and assessment methods to reflect the vocational nature of the course. The course draws on the wide range of research expertise in the Leicester School of Architecture, ranging from architectural design, urban design, technology and sustainability to the history and philosophy of architecture. You will also benefit from the input of industrial specialists and visiting guest lecturers.

Contact hours
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work and self-directed study. Assessment is through coursework (presentations, essays and reports). Your precise timetable will depend on the optional modules you choose to take, however, in your first year. Typically, in your first year, you will normally attend around 16 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures and tutorials) each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 23 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.

Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)

dmu-ciat-architectural-technology-570

The Architectural Technology BSc (Hons) offered by De Montfort University has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) as meeting established standards in terms of resources, programme content, structure, quality assurance and staff. This status qualifies the holder of the award to apply for Associate membership of CIAT and provides the opportunity to progress towards Chartered Membership (MCIAT).

Facilities and features

Art and design facilities

Our award-winning Vijay Patel building has been designed to provide the space and facilities where all of our art and design students can develop their ideas and flourish.

The creative industries require imaginative graduates who can develop new ideas and products. Students use our sophisticated and contemporary workshops, labs and studios to experiment and test in the same way they will in industry, while the open and transparent spaces in the building encourage collaboration between disciplines. In doing so, the building prepares students for industry and helps develop them as future leaders in their respective fields.

Take a look at our stunning showcase of the building at dmu.ac.uk/aad.

You will also benefit from resources and support in the Architecture and Design Resource Centre, our online learning space.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Campus Centre

The home of De Montfort Students' Union, (DSU) our Campus Centre offers a welcoming and lively hub for student life. Conveniently located at the heart of campus, it includes a convenience store, a Subway and a Starbucks. Here you can find the DSU-owned charitable accommodation service Sulets and DSU’s shop, SUpplies, selling art supplies, stationery and clothing, and printing and binding services. The building is also home to the DSU officer team.

Opportunities and careers

Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a paid placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Our careers programme DMU Works can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

We have excellent industry links, ensuring you work on relevant projects and clients briefs to grow your experience and build your external reputation before you graduate. This experience can enrich student capabilities as well as their final-year projects. Recent placements include Isherwood McCann Architects, David Wilson Homes, YMD Boon, Moss Architecture, Tim Adams Architects and rg+p.

DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons, helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK-based activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Students on this course have visited Berlin to work on live projects in collaboration with Aedas, a leading international architecture and design practice. Students have also travelled to destinations such as Ahmedabad, India, where they designed and built homes to help those living in disadvantaged communities.

Graduate careers

Many of our students will work towards chartered membership with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists or the Chartered Association of Building Engineers status upon graduation, by gaining a further two years of practical training. While for others, the course provides an ideal transition to postgraduate study such as the Architecture and Sustainability MSc at DMU.

Architectural technologists may work independently or provide technical assistance to professional architects and civil design engineers in conducting research, preparing drawings, architectural models, specifications and contracts and in supervising construction projects. Whichever sector they work in, architectural technologists’ knowledge and understanding of how to link concept to reality means they are ideally equipped to provide a wide range of services.