Overview
Our BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology is CIAT accredited. It's a multidisciplinary course that blends architecture, engineering, building technology and construction management.
- Get a strong grounding in design and technology projects through hands-on architectural design.
- Cutting-edge facilities include industry-standard software for computer-aided drawing (AutoCAD, Revit, BIM, Adobe Illustrator, Rhino) and building design and energy performance simulations (Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES), and Design Builder).
- Take advantage of laboratories and workshops with laser cutters, 3D printers, and robotic arms.
- This course is ranked second in London for "Academic Support" and "Student Voice" (NSS 2023)
Download our yearbook to view examples of our students' work and see the innovative architectural designs for houses and other projects that our students have created.
This course is in Clearing
Our LLM course is a top choice
UEL’s LLM programme has been recognised as a top choice in the latest PTES survey, achieving 1st place rankings for satisfaction, teaching and more.
What makes this course different
2nd in London
Our Architecture courses ranked 2nd in London for "Academic Support" and "Student Voice" (NSS 2023, published 10 August 2023)
Read the full NSS survey resultsFeatured in the Architects' Journal
'The SpaceX of architecture schools' - UEL Student Show 2023, exhibiting a cohort of future architects.
Read the news article about UELOur location
Our partnerships with world-leading practices let us create opportunities for you to be involved with real projects and developments, boosting your career.
Accreditation
Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
This course is professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), and graduates are eligible to apply and receive Associate member status.
The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) is a dynamic, forward-thinking and inclusive global membership qualifying body for Architectural Technology. CIAT represents those practising and studying within the discipline and profession. It is a membership organisation representing 10,000 members and affiliates within the discipline who wish to be professionally recognised. CIAT Accreditation ensures that the programme has been assessed in terms of content, structure, resources and has met the Institute’s requirements. The benefit of studying on a CIAT Accredited Programme is that it will support individuals wishing to become Chartered Architectural Technologists.
Course modules
Get a good foundation in architectural design, practice and theory.
Much of your learning will focus on project work, and you'll sometimes be expected to work as part of a multidisciplinary team (with architects, civil engineers, and construction managers) to emulate how projects are completed in industry. The course adopts a 'hands-on approach' to learning through which you will learn to design and evaluate the technological factors that produce the most efficient building designs. You'll learn a variety of physical model-making techniques and workshop skills, using a range of media (hand drawing, models, and computer software) to develop your ideas and create project proposals. You'll also learn how to manage a project from conception to completion, taking into account sustainability aspects as well as regulatory and technical aspects.
In year 2 you will study the legal and contractual rules of a project and think about design practices and processes. This year is very practical and will teach you real-world skills for your career in architectural design.
In your final year you will further develop the technical and advanced design skills you developed in previous years. You will prepared to enter independent architectural practice and start your future career.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Your future career
By completing this course successfully, you are eligible to apply and receive an Associate member status of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT). With appropriate work experience, you can then progress to become a chartered member of the CIAT (MCIAT) and set up your own practice.
With a degree in architectural design technology, you'll be perfectly placed to provide the crucial link between architects and other professionals and managers in the construction industry. Apply your expertise in building science and technology to architectural and construction projects. Your highly specialist skills mean you'll be involved in managing the architectural design process, using your technical knowledge to come up with innovative solutions to problems.
Industry links
You will benefit from the contribution of architects, architectural designers and professionals from world-renowned practices such as Foster and Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, Make Architects, SOM, RSHP, ARUP, and Atkins.
Graduate employers
Previous graduates have gone into roles at Barts Health NHS Trust, Glenn Howells Architects, BPTW and Bond Bryan Architects.
Our graduates are equipped to offer architectural design services, providing innovative and practical solutions for a variety of clients and projects.
Job roles
As an architectural design technologist, you will have a strong foundation in technical aspects of architectural building and design. This will give you an excellent base for exploring a variety of employment opportunities and for further study related to the architectural technology field. You could work for an architectural practice, a large construction company, a design consultancy or a local authority. You could also be an assistant theatre practitioner or sustainable design consultant.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.
Further study
If you want to progress into senior leadership roles you could stay at UEL and do a masters in one of our related degrees:
- MA Architecture and Urbanism
- PGCE Secondary Design And Technology
- MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA PART 2)
- MSc Robotic Construction
- MSc Construction Asset Management with Digital Technologies
You could train to be a teacher with our PGCE, or specialise further in a similar area of architecture or design.
As an Architectural Design Technology student, you need to think like an architect-designer and an engineer. Having to wear two hats is demanding and challenging. The effort is double, but the satisfaction is double as well."Alexandra Ion
Architecture Design Technology, BSc (Hons)
How you'll learn
Architectural design technology is a subject that can only be fully understood when you see how things work in practice, so you’ll go on many supervised site visits. Our superb connections with industry giants enable us to facilitate sponsored field trips and real-life design projects. These will allow you to experience architectural technology in action - not just in the classroom. We also host industry professionals who provide stimulating guest lectures and networking opportunities. At the end of the academic year, you'll exhibit your work at our summer showcase.
Students have benefited from trips to large construction projects such as the Tate Modern Phase 2 Extension and the Canary Wharf Crossrail station. You will also have the opportunity to join the prestigious Constructionarium field trip where you'll plan and partner with a major contractor - in recent years P.J.Careys - to build a building in a real-life environment. Each year there is an overseas study trip, where you get to learn about building technologies across the world.
You'll have opportunities to gain valuable work experience during the course to improve your practical skills, understanding and CV. If you take the work placement option, you'll benefit from a year's paid work with a relevant company in your third year.
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.
Support your independent learning with our excellent facilities. They include both online resources and specialist facilities. We have edit suites, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.
Academic support
Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas - including learning and disability support.
Dedicated personal tutor
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Workload
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
- Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
- Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
- Year 3: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
Your timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible.
Class sizes
The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year depending on your course.
How you'll be assessed
This is a practical course, so you'll spend plenty of time in our Docklands-based design studios, labs and workshops using specialist software and technology. Project work is assessed within a design portfolio and supporting studies in the form of a bound report. We provide students with feedback on their progress throughout the year during tutorials and reviews. Construction management components will be assessed by coursework and exams.
You'll be expected to carry out independent study to expand on what you learn in lectures, seminars and workshops. To support you, we'll provide digital materials, notes and handbooks and you'll also receive individual supervision and feedback from our dedicated academic members of staff.
Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.
Campus and facilities
Our campus and the surrounding area
Our waterfront campus in the historic Royal Docks provides a modern, well-equipped learning environment.
Join us and you'll be able to make the most of our facilities including contemporary lecture theatres and seminar rooms, art studios and exhibition spaces, audio and visual labs and a multimedia production centre.
Features include our 24/7 Docklands library, our £21m SportsDock centre, a campus shop and bookstore, the Children's Garden Nursery, cafés, eateries, a late bar, plus Student Union facilities, including a student lounge.
The University of East London is one of the few London universities to provide on-campus accommodation. Our Docklands Campus Student Village houses close to 1,200 students from around the world. We are well connected to central London and London City Airport is just across the water. We also run a free bus service that connects Docklands with Stratford campuses.
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
- Course leader
Arman Hashemi
Department of Architecture & Visual Arts, School Of Architecture, Computing And Engineering - Course leader
Michele Roelofsma
Department of Architecture & Visual Arts, School Of Architecture, Computing And Engineering - Course leader
Alfonso Senatore
Department of Architecture & Visual Arts, School Of Arts And Creative Industries
What our students and staff say
The energy of the diverse student cohort within this unique London campus makes it an inspiring place to teach design."
Pol Gallagher
Senior Lecturer - Interior Architecture
Here you get to feel that you get to be part of a family, and you don’t find that anywhere else. I would strongly recommend people to come here and visit and see the amazing work that we have been doing and to come and join us. The University of East London is the future. It’s a great place to study and it’s a nice place to be."
Rafael Ives Ribeiro Fischer
Architecture Student