Architecture Degrees Online

Course Content

You will be provided with the professional, practical and business skills an Architectural Technologist needs to analyse, synthesise and evaluate design requirements to produce design solutions which will satisfy performance, production and procurement criteria.

This will be achieved through the design, selection and specification of material, components and assembly and the management, coordination, communication, presentation and monitoring of solutions which perform to the agreed brief and standards in terms of time, cost and quality.

The Technologist will then be equipped to manage the implementation of these on site through to the completion of construction work matching all client, regulatory and use requirements.

The course follows three main themes:

Technology – this provides an in depth appreciation of the different technologies used in the UK. This will include the key elements of buildings and their performance requirements.

Design and Development – this will focus on integrating technology with legal, regulatory, health and safety, client and use requirements producing buildings suitable for intended use and takes account of sustainability and other contemporary issues. This will also equip you to manage other parties in the development process, including the business elements of a development.

Design Skills – providing training and practice of key practical skills. You will learn to physically survey, measure and gather data about the proposed building site and the surrounding environment. You will be aware of the structure and format of drawings normally found in the built environment. You will be taught how to manually and electronically produce drawings using three dimensional computer aided design (CAD) and animated design solutions. You will also learn how to place design solutions in context with their surroundings using geographical information system (GIS) software.

Full-time students will attend classes for three days per week, while part-time students will attend for one full day per week and part of the same evening. You will also be expected to complete private study and preparation in your own time.

Assessment
Assessment of modules is made during and at the end of each level either through examination, coursework or a combination of both.

Entry requirements
A minimum of 260 UCAS tariff points or an equivalent qualification.
Maths and English GCSE Grade C or above required.

About the course
Architectural technology is a challenging career at the interface between the theory of building design and the practicality of undertaking building construction. The architectural technologist helps to ensure that technological solutions for building designs will work effectively, and can be constructed economically.

The course aims to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills linking theory and practice in the design and construction of buildings. You will learn how buildings work, and be encouraged to take both a practical and imaginative approach to creating efficient solutions to building design problems. Architectural technologists need to be informed about a wide range of issues such as construction, aesthetics, human behaviour and legal constraints. The expectation is to equip you, as a graduate, with all these skills along with other qualities of professionalism and cultural awareness. The third year is spent in industry or professional practice gaining relevant work experience.

The architectural technology course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and qualifies graduates for membership of CIAT as an Associate Member (ACIAT). In due course, it is then possible to progress to full membership as a Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT) following completion of a Professional and Occupational Performance (POP) record and a professional practice interview. The course is also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Association of Building Services Engineers (ABE).

Special features
Industrial placements, study links and exchanges have been developed with EU countries, Australia and the USA.

Assessment
In each year there is a mix of coursework assessment, continuous assessment and examinations.

Your future career
Graduates entering the construction industry in the UK and overseas today are in great demand, and there are many opportunities to work with architects and design practices, local authorities, developers and construction companies. There are extensive career opportunities with specialist companies in the commercial, retail, tourism, and sports and leisure industries.

As well as design and contract management, your potential involvement could include: estimating; planning; buying; marketing; cost control and measurement; surveying; building control; maintenance; and building conservation. There is also the possibility for further study and research at higher degree level.

Professional recognition
The School received an ‘excellent’ rating from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for the quality of teaching and learning for this course.

The course is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), as a ‘Centre of Excellence in the teaching of Architectural Technology’, one of only 18 universities in the UK to achieve this status.

The course is also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Association of Building Services Engineers (ABE).

You will learn how buildings work, and be encouraged to take both a practical and imaginative approach to creating efficient solutions to building design problems. Architectural technologists need to be informed about a wide range of issues such as construction, aesthetics, human behaviour and legal constraints. The expectation is to equip you, as a graduate, with all these skills along with other qualities of professionalism and cultural awareness. The third year is spent in industry or professional practice gaining relevant work experience.

The architectural technology course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and qualifies graduates for membership of CIAT as an Associate Member (ACIAT). In due course, it is then possible to progress to full membership as a Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT) following completion of a Professional and Occupational Performance (POP) record and a professional practice interview.

As an Architectural Technologist, you can expect to be closely involved with providing architectural design services and solutions. You will form the link between concept and construction, developing the architectural project and architectural design and will negotiate and manage all aspects of architectural and construction contracts.

You will achieve this through design, selection and specification of material, components and assemblies and the management, co-ordination, communication, presentation and monitoring of solutions that perform to the agreed brief and standards in terms of time, cost and quality. You are an essential part of the Built Environment team.

What you will study
Building Construction A
Professional Practice 1 (AT)
Draughting Techniques & CAD
Surveying Principles
Property & Constr. Economics
Building Services Systems
Planning & Building Control
Environmental Analysis
Building Construction B
Professional Practice 2 (AT)
Contractual & Management Procedures
Design Technology & Procedures
Materials & Structures
Work Experience
Conversion & Adaptation of Buildings
Built Environment Law

This 5 year part-time programme belongs to a suite of four closely related undergraduate programmes, which also includes Building Design Management, Building Project Management and Construction Management. The professional identity of the Architectural Technology programme is maintained throughout its curriculum, but opportunities exist to transfer to other programmes within the suite.

In recent years, changes to building materials and processes have affected the whole of the building industry. The Architectural Technologist functions at the interface between design and construction to ensure optimum building performance and efficiency.

Architectural Technologists translate conceptual building designs into detailed technical solutions. The practice of Architectural Technology includes the ability to analyse, synthesise and evaluate building design factors in order to produce efficient and effective technical design solutions which satisfy performance, production and procurement criteria. Key competences for Architectural Technologists include building design procedures and practice, environmental design, technical specification and presentation.

The programme is structured around these key areas and aims to develop students from a range of professional and industrial backgrounds to develop careers in a management role.

As a professional Architectural Technologist, you will be able to apply technological solutions to the design and building process. You will have the ability to support both the designers and the contractor in the implementation of novel concepts driven by client demands for energy efficient, durable, low maintenance, and cost-effective buildings.

The learning and teaching programme will enable you to develop an understanding of the design process, contractual issues, and professional obligations. It will teach you the skills to translate design into construction, maximising efficiency and satisfaction and to demonstrate a high level of CAD and associated ICT skills.

The Department of Architecture’s professional architecture programme is a two-degree programme: a three-year Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies (BAS), and a two-year Master’s degree in Architecture (MArch).

Once you have the BAS degree, should you decide not to proceed further, and once you have complied with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession’s (SACAP) practical training requirements, you can register as a senior architectural technologist.

Once you have the MArch (Professional) degree and have complied with SACAP’s practical training requirements, you can register as a full professional architect.

BAS graduates may also register for MTech: Architectural Technology after completing one year of work in an architectural practice.

An architectural technologist is a specialist in the technological aspects of building design and construction, bridging the gap between design theory and construction practice. This industry-focused course provides you will the skills required for employment in this specialist and high demand industry sector. As a designer you’ll be responsible for the development and completion of projects. You’ll learn to advise on appropriate technology and bring a creative attitude and detail to design, using both graphic and computer aided drafting techniques.

This course is very creative with plenty of practical experience allowing you to develop your design skills. You’ll gain a good level of understanding of the construction industry. The course is also accredited by the Chartered Institute for Architectural Technologists and the Chartered Institute of Building.

An architectural technologist is a specialist in the technological aspects of building design and construction, bridging the gap between design theory and construction practice. This industry-focused course provides you will the skills required for employment in this specialist and high demand industry sector. As a designer you’ll be responsible for the development and completion of projects. You’ll learn to advise on appropriate technology and bring a creative attitude and detail to design, using both graphic and computer aided drafting techniques.

This course is very creative with plenty of practical experience allowing you to develop your design skills. You’ll gain a good level of understanding of the construction industry. The course is also accredited by the Chartered Institute for Architectural Technologists and the Chartered Institute of Building.

You’ll learn creative and technical skills relating to the design and technical aspects of building, such as computer aided design, design, specification and modelling. As well, you’ll develop knowledge and abilities in related area, such as management and conservation.