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Architectural Engineering

MEng (Hons)

Typical offer for 2025
Duration
UCAS code

Suitable for applications.

Overview

Our new Architectural Engineering degree combines the art of design with the construction of buildings. The programme is designed to produce tomorrow’s engineers, able to work in multidisciplinary teams to design, construct, maintain and operate our buildings utilising the latest technological tools and techniques.

The programme embraces the Conceiving-Designing-Implementing-Operating (CDIO) educational framework for producing the next generation of “work-ready” engineers. This will provide a learning experience that stresses the engineering fundamentals set within the context of CDIO real-world systems and products.

Studying Architectural Engineering will empower you as a graduate engineer to liaise and communicate effectively and efficiently with architects to ensure both functional and aesthetic design. You will gain a solid technical ground in structural engineering, and appreciation and understanding of contemporary global architectural design. UN Sustainable Development Goals are embedded throughout the programme and practiced in the design projects to achieve a sustainable and resilient built environment.

The programme will give you the educational base to work at the intersection of structural engineering and architecture, and to successfully gain chartered engineering status after graduation.

While studying with us you will:

  • Learn in dedicated design studios that are fully equipped with the latest equipment and technology
  • Be taught by research-active staff and industry-experienced tutors – our tutors have extensive track records of project design and delivery
  • Develop programming skills and use artificial intelligence to inform the design of complex structures
  • Work on authentic projects which are varied in terms of complexity, context, scale, and material use
  • Learn about building services such as lighting, acoustics, energy efficiency, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and the retrofitting of existing buildings
  • Whilst studying with us you will be given the opportunity for national and international study trips

Programme options

We also offer a 5-year version of the MEng which includes a 'sandwich' placement year in industry. The placement year is an excellent way to develop your professional experience, build industry contacts, and gain insight into the day-to-day work of a professional engineer.

You may also be interested in our BEng Architectural Engineering degrees. We offer a 3-year version of the BEng and a 4-year version with sandwich year. 

Entry requirements

Typical offer - 112 UCAS tariff points.

 

A levels

BBC at A level to include Mathematics at minimum Grade C.

T levels

Merit or higher in the following subjects:

  • Science
  • Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
  • Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
  • Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

BTEC Extended Diploma

BTEC Extended Diploma DMM or higher in Engineering or Construction and to include Calculus to solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Mathematics at minimum Merit.

Applicants on Access Programmes

112 UCAS points from an Access to Higher Education Diploma Level 3 in Science and Engineering, to include at least a total of 12 credits in Mathematics at minimum Merit.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

112 UCAS tariff points to include HL Maths at grade 5.

Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in English Language and Literature A or English B.

Plus minimum of

Maths and English GCSEs at minimum Grade C/4 or equivalent.

English language requirements

Minimum English Language requirement IELTS 6 with a minimum of 5.5 in each section or equivalent required.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

What you will study

All module information is for 2023 entry and is subject to change.

Learning and assessment

Formal learning opportunities include interactive lectures, case studies, seminars, studio workshop activities, tutorials and practical demonstrations and presentations.

Most teaching activities take place face-to-face but teaching and learning methods can be adapted to include a combination of synchronous or asynchronous online lectures/tutorials and seminars (synchronous or asynchronous) and workshop events if needed.

Several opportunities are provided for you to engage with industrial experts through activities such as visiting guest lectures and organised site visits.

Summative assessment is mostly by a combination of formal individual/group coursework, architectural portfolio building, presentations, demonstrations, and written examinations depending on the module. These methods of assessment not only assess subject-specific knowledge and skills, but also a suite of transferable skills that provide you with a competitive edge when you graduate.

Official programme specification

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2025

  • UK: £9,535

  • International: £24,456

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Architectural Engineering at the University of Bradford

Interdisciplinary

You won’t just work with engineers; you’ll be at the forefront of innovative collaborations with AI programmers, material scientists, business leaders, structural designers, circular economists, and international development professionals.

Putting people first

At Bradford you’ll learn how to create inclusive spaces that meet the needs of families, gender diversity, disability and neurodiversity.

Conscious creation

Your creativity will be a force for good. From the start, you will be adopting the UN’s principles of sustainable development goals to create an architectural design portfolio with a global outlook on 21st-century challenges. 

Going beyond the textbook

You’ll study contemporary architectural heritage beyond the western world, as well as on your doorstep.

 

Career prospects

Why the world needs more architectural engineers

The sector is growing

The architectural engineering and construction solutions (AECS) market is poised to grow by USD 2.87 billion between 2020-2024 (source: Technavio).

How we live will change

70% of the global population will live in cities by 2050​.

To reduce carbon emissions* we need a new generation of engineers with a holistic approach to design aesthetically considered buildings incorporating efficient use of space and resources whilst maintaining the health and wellbeing of occupants .

Architectural engineers are at the forefront of finding new ways to design sustainable buildings that reduce energy and water consumption, and that also utilise more environmentally friendly materials.

*The UK has made a commitment that by 2050 carbon emissions will be reduced to Net Zero.

Space is not infinite, and adapting is key

It is expected that in the UK alone 3.5M non-domestic buildings and 26M residential buildings will need to be reshaped and reconfigured to meet future needs and be energy efficient over the next few decades (Source: RIBA 2014).

About half of the construction is refurbishing and improving the existing buildings (source: UK Government Construction 2025 Strategy). There is also an increasing demand to design and construct new buildings.

This course will prepare you for a career in:

  • Architectural Engineering  
  • Facade Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Energy Modelling
  • Lighting Designer
  • Acoustic Engineering
  • Project Manager
  • Architecture practices in the private and public sector
  • Property development 
  • Your own company as a Chartered Architectural Engineer

Graduation from this programme will enable you to work with architects to maximise sustainable architectural energy performance and contribute to the design or redesign of complex structures. As a graduate, you would typically seek employment where all aspects of building services - heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) - are required. You are likely to be involved with other aspects of building design and construction where mechanical, electrical, lighting and acoustic systems are required and where structural drawings and calculations are needed. 

As an architectural engineer, you would typically apply your practical and theoretical knowledge to the engineering design or refurbishment of existing buildings to ensure high performance, sustainable and resilient buildings ensuring the health, safety, comfort and productivity of users.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Study support

Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally.

We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment.

Our support services include:

  • Personal tutors
  • Peer Assisted Learning
  • Disability services
  • Counselling services
  • MyBradford student support centres
  • The Students’ Union
  • Chaplaincy and faith advisers
  • An on-campus nursery
  • Halls wardens

We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus.

Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills.

Research

You will have several opportunities to conduct research and to develop innovative designs through yearly design projects both as a member of a team and as an individual. These will assist you in developing, consolidating and managing your own continuous professional development needs and creativity.

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.