BSc/BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology

Undergraduate, Part-time

Architectural Technology BSc/BSc (Hons)



This Architectural Technology course is 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.

This course will teach you the skills required for a successful career in 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 appropriate technology. On completion of this course, you will gain a creative attitude and be skilled in detailing to design, using both graphic and computer-aided drafting techniques.

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 (CIB).

Interior photo of atrium in Edinburgh Napier University Sighthill campus building.

Mode of Study:

Part-time (available as full-time)

Duration:

6 years

Study Abroad:

Yes


About you
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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 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
  • Design Information Technology
  • Building Engineering and Construction Mathematics
  • Property and Construction Business Law
  • Architectural Technology
  • One option module

Year 2

  • Building Design and Technology
  • Architectural Technology
  • Building Engineering
  • Design Information Technology
  • Research and Innovation
  • One option module

Year 3

  • Building Design and Technology
  • Building Services Engineering
  • Contract Admin and Practice
  • Building Control and Fire Engineering
  • Architectural Technology
  • Construction Management

Year 4

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

Year 5

  • Building Design and Technology
  • Sustainable Development
  • Contract Admin and Practice
  • Building Services Engineering

Year 6

  • Architectural Technology
  • Project Evaluation

ACCREDITED BY

Disclaimer

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

Full information on this is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements indicate the 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

Typical Entry Requirement

BBCC

National 5 Grade C in Maths and English.

Adjusted Offer Entry Requirement

CCCC

National 5 grade C in Maths and English.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet specific widening participation criteria as outlined in our contextual admissions policy. For further information see our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

CCD

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Pre-2017 Grading System:

B3, B3, B3, B3 at HL

OL Maths and English at C2

New Grading System:

H3, H3, H3, H3 at HL

OL Maths and English at O4

BTEC Extended Diploma

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

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

BTEC Diploma

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.

Minimum Year 2

SQA Advanced Higher

BBC

National 5 Grade C in Maths and English.

A Level

BBB

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

BTEC Extended Diploma

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

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

HNC

Pass 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 non-EU international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MN Nursing (Adult, Child, Mental Health or Learning Disability)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery

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

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 2018/19 2019/20
Scotland/EU *£305 *£305
England Wales and Northern Ireland *£1,157 *£1,157
Overseas £2,392 £2,488


Fees for modules are calculated according to the number of credits (multiples of 20). The rate shown in the table is for 20 credits*.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fees
Information of Bursaries and Scholarships

Careers

Interior photo of atrium in Edinburgh Napier University Sighthill campus building.

Example opportunities include:

  • Private practice (architects and surveyors)
  • Construction companies to provide design and build services
  • Housing associations
  • Building component manufacturers
  • Commercial organisations
Architect pointing to part of projected building plans