Architectural Technology BSc/BSc (Hons)



Enrol in an Architectural Technology course that's creative with plenty of practical experience to develop your design and technical skills
Overview
An architectural technologist is a specialist in the technological aspects of building design and construction, bridging the gap between design theory and construction practice.

One of only two of its kind in Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University’s accredited architectural technology course will teach you the skills required for a successful career in the industry, including the fundamentals in building design requirements from development through to completion.

You will learn key skills in areas of design and development so that you are proficient in advising on and working with innovative architecture technology. This course will help you gain a creative attitude and be skilled in detailing to design, using both graphic and computer-aided drafting techniques. With an architectural technology degree, you can work alongside architects and engineers to transform large-scale concepts into reality.

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and host the CIAT Centre of Excellence, and is also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Person pointing at projected building plans

Mode of Study:

Full-time (available as part-time)

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

K236

Study Abroad:

Yes

How to apply

Find out how to apply for our undergraduate courses and what to expect after you have submitted your application. You'll find advice and support on completing your application, including your personal statement.

Course details

In year one you will learn building design and technology, which is construction of small-scale buildings like individual housing units.

Year two expands on this and you'll learn about large-span buildings and multi-storey structures.

In year three you'll learn about modern methods of construction and what the future of construction may look like such as robotics, building information modelling and modern methods of construction.

The knowledge gained in first to third year are all brought together in fourth year for your final year design project.

When you study design you will work on designing spaces for living by focussing the following active verbs: Live; design a living space for a client paying attention to their specific needs. Learn; design a learning environment such as a Kindergarten. Work; design an office where you have to pay attention to detail like access, parking, meeting rooms. Play; this is usually recreational like galleries and museums.

On the technology side, you start off with an introduction to Computer Aided Drafting along with property and construction business law. You also cover building engineering, 3D drawing and look at contractual issues, building control, fire engineering and construction management.

  • calendar How you’ll be taught Lectures and tutorials.
  • note and pen Assessments Mixture of practical assessments, development reports, academic essays and exams.
  • study abroad Study abroad International exchange opportunities can be arranged through our excellent international links, for example with Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Copenhagen School of Design and Technology (KEA).

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Building Design and Technology 1 
  • Building Modelling 1
  • Surveying 
  • Architectural Detailing 
  • Property and Construction Business Law
  • Architectural Technology 1

Year 2

  • Building Engineering 2 
  • Building Design and Technology 2 (AT)
  • Building Modelling 2
  • Construction Management 1
  • Contract Admin and Practice
  • Architectural Technology 2

Year 3

  • Construction Management 2 
  • Research and Innovation
  • Architectural Technology 3
  • Building Design and Technology 3
  • Building Services Engineering
  • Building Control & Fire Engineering

Year 4

  • Project Evaluation
  • Sustainable Development
  • Architectural Technology 4
  • Architectural Practice and Management

ACCREDITED BY

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Study with us

Discover more about who we are, how to apply, what you can study, and where Edinburgh Napier could take you.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Advanced entry

Advanced entry into Year 2, Year 3 or Year 4 is possible for students with suitable qualifications.

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

Standard Entry Requirement

BBCC

National 5 Grade C in Maths (Lifeskills Maths and Application Maths are accepted) and English.

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement

CCCC

National 5 grade C in Maths (Lifeskills Maths and Application Maths are accepted) and English.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

CCD

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

Irish Leaving Certificate

H3, H3, H3, H3 at HL

OL Maths and English at O4

BTEC Extended Diploma Level 3

MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

 

BTEC National Diploma Level 3

DD (Distinction, Distinction) in a related subject.

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Award of Diploma with 26 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 5, 5, 5.

Grade 4 in SL Maths and English.

 

T-Level

Pass Including GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

Minimum Year 2

SQA Advanced Higher

BBC

National 5 Grade C in Maths (Lifeskills Maths and Application Maths are accepted) and English.

A Level

BBB

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

BTEC Extended Diploma Level 3

DDM (Distinction, Distinction, Merit) in a related subject.

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

HNC

Pass HNC in a relevant subject with Grade B in the graded unit.

Minimum Year 3

Irish Ordinary Degree

Pass in a relevant subject with 50% or above at first sitting in all final year subjects.

HND

Pass HND in a relevant subject with Grade B at SCQF Level 8 in all graded units.

Minimum Year 4

Irish Ordinary Degree

Pass in a relevant subject with 60% overall, with minimum 50% at first sitting in all final year subjects.

English language requirements

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

International students

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

Admissions policies

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Learn more about Architectural Technology

Architectural technology is a profession that works alongside architecture, to transform innovative design projects into sustainable and functional buildings and structures, making them more robust and durable.

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2022/23 2023/24
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
Overseas and EU £16,425 £17,580
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.

Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next.
For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees

Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers
A model of a house

Not to be confused with an architect, architectural technologists work on more than just the concept planning and design development stages. To study architectural technology means specialising in the design stages while reinforcing that with an active understanding of building science, engineering and technology.

A career in this field allows you to work alongside professionals and clients in different fields to look after all aspects of a building project from start to finish.

A degree in Architectural Technology opens up many different career routes to choose from. You could find yourself working:

• In a design practice
• In specialist design
• As an Architectural Technician
• In Building Information Management (BIM)
• As a Design Manager
• As a Software Engineer
• As an Acoustic Engineer
• On residential developments
• On commercial or industrial projects

A laptop with blue prints on it and people in the background