About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: K130
- Applications: Full-time: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Department: Planning and Architecture
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time, four years sandwich, five years part-time by day release.
Part-time applicants please see 'How to apply' for an application form.
- Delivery: Full-time, part-time day release, sandwich.
- Study Abroad: Yes
- Programme leader: Scott Hills BA(Hons) MA(RCA), ARB Architect
Introduction
BSc(Hons) Architectural Technology and Design, meets the growing need to bridge the gap between the concepts of architectural design and the technologies required to produce a practical 'buildable' solution. Following a structured programme of study including aspects of construction technology, structural design, building science and digital visualization, it is in the design studio that this learning is tested holistically. The ambition in Architectural Technology and Design (or ATD) is to be able to design with a strong material and detailing knowledge. To be able to converse, understand, have an awareness of and work with other construction professionals and forge a strong specialist identity, where the design and selection of appropriate materials, components and technologies is at the fore.
The course is accredited by CIAT (Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists) who state that their practitioners will be able to analyse, synthesise and evaluate design factors in order 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.
www.ciat.org.uk
plan+make degree show June 2011
Have a look at our students' work which was on display at the plan+make degree show 2011. Students from across the Department of Planning and Architecture exhibited along with students from across the Faculty. The event, held in June each year, enables our students to showcase their final year projects to both family and friends as well as employers from the region.
Structure
Content
Year 1
Design concepts and fundamental principles
The first year introduces design concepts through studio work and computer modelling, whilst technologies are developed from basic scientific principles. The Department's theme for an inter-professional approach starts from the first day and continues throughout the course.
Areas that you will study include:
- Design, through studio-based projects
- Design in context
- Construction technologies
- Law and construction contracts
- Environments and construction materials
Year 2
Design integration, practice and application
Building on the principles of Year One in both design and technology, the application of all aspects of design are practised and applied to a range of building problems.
Areas studied include:
- Elemental and integrated design
- Building defects and property surveys
- Technology, design and environment
- Structural design technology
- Building services engineering
- Inter-professional project, with students other professional courses
Final year
Analysis, synthesis and scholarly judgement
Final year students are expected to apply the whole range of their knowledge to large scale building projects, producing both detailed appraisal and 'new build' design solutions. This will involve conceptual design, consideration of production techniques and constraints, developing solutions using computer models, producing working drawings and documentation, and client advice on long-term sustainability issues.
Areas studied include:
- Integrated building design
- Project and contract management
- Professional practice
- Inter-professional project, with students from related disciplines
- Services and structures
You can also choose from a number of elective modules, such as a European language, history of architecture, energy in the built environment.
Part-time course
The part-time course is studied by day release - one day each week in term time. The day release course is designed to take five years but may be extended if necessary. The course structure is broadly the same as the full-time course described above.
Some students start with a year full-time, then complete the course with a further three years part-time, so they can work to support themselves, and gain valuable work experience. Many employers will pay fees and give time off for part-time students.
If you have a relevant Higher National Certificate or Diploma, you may be exempted from some modules.
Modules are regularly reviewed to ensure that they remain up to date and relevant, so some of them may change before the course starts or whilst you are on it, but the overall aims and broad content of the course will remain the same.
Teaching and learning
Teaching involves a variety of methods including lectures; studios, laboratory work; tutorials and computer based techniques.
The teaching staff provide a friendly, enabling environment for learning. They are also actively engaged in research or professional practice, ensuring that you learn directly from the latest academic and business developments.
Student representatives sit on a wide range of committees from University to course level, where they influence discussions and decisions which affect your learning experience.
Study time
The course may be studied either full-time (with or without a sandwich placement year) or part-time by day release, and you may switch between modes if your circumstances change. The day release course is designed to take five years but may be extended if necessary. Some students start with a year full-time, then complete the course with a further three years part-time, so that they can work to support themselves, and gain valuable work experience. Many employers will pay the fees and give time-off for part-time students.
Assessment
The course is part of the University's undergraduate modular scheme where you accumulate credits towards your final degree award. Modules are assessed through a wide range of assessment methods with a balance between coursework/studio portfolios and examinations.
Special Features
Professional accreditation
The course has accreditation in principle from CIAT (Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists) as meeting established standards in terms of resources, course content, teaching quality, and graduate progression within the profession. Graduates can apply for Associate membership of CIAT. Fully qualified Architectural Technologists (MCIAT) use their design and technological expertise to undertake building projects from conception through design drawings, control during construction, to final completion and handover to the client. CIAT website.
Placements
If you are doing the full-time course, you may choose to spend your third year in a placement gaining practical experience which will also qualify you a 'sandwich' degree. The integration of a placement into courses is highly regarded by employers, and you will normally be paid by your placement employer. A placement connects university with work, allowing you to consolidate your knowledge and skills by applying them in real life professional situations. This experience will also enrich and focus your final year studies. A year's income is also useful to many students. We offer support and guidance to help you find a placement, and you will be visited by a tutor who will also be available if you have any problems.
The course is supported by a group of employers who contribute towards resources used in teaching, offer sponsorship and placements to students, and who are keen to employ our graduates. Construction Partner Employers.
Study facilities
A range of specialist facilities is provided by the Department. A suite of computer rooms supports software for word processing, data analysis and presentation and spatial enquiry. They provide access to e-mail and internet, including the Department and University web sites which enable you to use a vast number of specialist electronic journals and publications, and resources provided by lecturers to support their modules. A Project Room provides space for students to work on individual and group assignments, together with a range of materials and equipment.
An audio-visual group provides support for photography, digital imaging, filming and sound recording.
The Department is based in a large modern building, with well equipped laboratories for concrete and environmental services, environmental physics, earth sciences, and surveying technology, each with specialist technicians supporting both teaching and research.
A new set of studios and teaching rooms (designed by a member of the Department) have recently been added:
"The Studios are more of a textbook than a building, an object lesson in functional and sustainable design. They are to function as a learning tool and provide an opportunity for research through their construction, the use of innovative materials and performance monitoring." Royal Institute of British Architects Journal, September 2002.
The studios in which you will work also won first prize from the British Institute of Architectural Technologists (BIAT) for its technical excellence in design and construction. The colour theory installation in the Studios won in 2004 the Royal Fine Art Commission 'Building of the Year' award for Architectural Education.
Careers/further study
The combination of design and technological skills with an awareness of professional issues will give graduates from this course maximum flexibility for future employment. There is a strong and growing demand from architectural practices (both in the public and private sectors), contractors and building component manufacturers for graduate technologists with design skills.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating- includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Key employer partnerships
Our degrees can lead to a wide variety of career choices. To ensure that our degrees make you as employable as possible we work closely with partner employers in our planning and architecture consortium.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Find out what being an architectural technologist involves.
Useful links
UWE - graduate occupations
Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- GCSE: Maths and English Language at grade C or above required.
- Specific subjects: None specified
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 2 credits in Maths and English Language
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about entry requirements
Fees
Details regarding fees and funding are available on the Money matters webpages.
How to apply
Please see the general information about applications.
Students who successfully complete the Built and Natural Environments Foundation course may be permitted to transfer onto the first year of this degree course.
If you have a Foundation Degree, Higher National Certificate or Diploma in a closely related subject, you may be credited with certain modules, which will shorten the course for you.
We welcome applications from students without the conventional entrance requirements but who do have substantial relevant work or other experience and whose motivation and skills would enable them to succeed on the course.
Students with disabilities
The following is a list of the types of activities that the course normally involves.
- Use a computer
- Read and produce drawings, plans and maps
- Visually inspect buildings and locations, including physical movement around and through buildings and locations
- Visually inspect construction sites, including physical movement around and through construction sites
- Participate in field courses or activities away from the University
- Measure distances and sizes of buildings, materials or sites
- Team working and negotiation
- Laboratory work involving observations and physical manipulation
- Take part in discussions and presentations
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. We are committed to supporting students with disabilities, and wherever possible we will make reasonable adjustments to course activities to enable students with disabilities to successfully complete the course. We encourage applicants to disclose any disabilities or support needs in their application forms, so that we can offer information, advice and support. There is a Disability Service at UWE to support you..
Open days
We run open days throughout the year, when you can meet lecturers and current students, see the facilities and resources that we offer, and visit the student accommodation. Please ask for details. For further information regarding the course, you are welcome to contact: Scott Hills (Course leader) Scott.Hills@uwe.ac.uk or the Admissions team admissions@uwe.ac.uk +44 (0)117 32 83333.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011