A technical drawing of a construction project.

BEng(Hons) Architecture and Environmental Engineering (with Foundation Year)

Entry year
2024/25
Course code
KH1F
Application
UCAS
Level
Undergraduate
School
School of Architecture and Environment
Tariff points
88
Campus
Frenchay
Duration
Five years
Delivery
Full-time
Programme leader
Sally Daniels

This course is open for applications

Page last updated 2 February 2024

Introduction

Become a designer of the future by learning the creative and analytical skills of both architects and engineers, and study towards professional status in both fields.

Accreditations and partnerships:

Why study architecture and environmental engineering?

As the world's resources become scarce, there is a growing need to create buildings that are environmentally responsible.

This calls for design professionals with the creative and analytical skills of both architects and engineers an unusual mix of skills that is highly sought after by employers.

It is these future designers who will achieve design excellence, pursuing imaginative strategies for using resources efficiently.

Why UWE Bristol?

BEng(Hons) Architecture and Environmental Engineering is a unique, award-winning course.

This is one of five courses that cover different specialisms in architecture. We produce sought-after graduates with specialist knowledge and the skill to create exciting buildings.

It can be difficult to know whether to pursue a degree in arts or sciences. This joint degree enables you to work towards professional status in both engineering and architecture, developing your cultural, artistic and technological interests in parallel.

It's in the overlap between function, aesthetics and physics that true inventiveness can flourish. Each way of thinking stimulates the others, giving you innovative solutions to problems.

Explore architecture, passive design, environmental physics, environmental systems in buildings and the effective use of energy and materials. Gain a rare mix of knowledge and skills that will prepare you for this expanding sector of design.

Learn from industry-experienced tutors and practising professionals who bring up-to-the-minute ideas from their active projects.  

Develop your professional portfolio with a stream of practical design projects from real clients in the Bristol area.

Go on site visits and residential field trips in the UK and overseas to make sure your design thinking is linked to the world beyond your studies.

Where can it take me?

With a dual degree, you'll be ready for a variety of careers in architecture, environmental engineering and sustainability consultancy.

Opportunities are available in small private practices up to large multinationals like Foster & Partners, Arup and Atkins.

Take a look at our online yearbook of student projects from our architecture and product design courses.

In order to register as an Architect in the UK, you'll need to have completed Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 qualifications as identified on the ARB list of accredited qualifications. Please contact us if you need advice about accredited qualifications and qualifying as an Architect in the UK.

The image above shows the fantastic work from one of our students (Tyler Curley-Smith, 2023 Architecture and Environmental Engineering graduate).

Structure

Content

Year zero (foundation year)

You will study:

  • Context of Design and Development
  • Foundation Design Communication
  • Foundation Design Studio
  • Foundation Engineering
  • Foundation Mathematics for the Built Environment.

You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into Year one.

Year one

You will study:

  • Design Studio 1
  • Engineering Principles (Building Engineering)
  • Environmental Physics and Materials
  • Mathematics for Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Year two

You will study:

  • Building Services Applications
  • Design Representation
  • Histories and Theories of Architecture
  • Research and Design Strategies
  • Studio 2.

Year three

You will study:

  • Applications of Mathematics in Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Design and Engineering Studio 3
  • Interactive Systems and Comfort Controls
  • Low Carbon Building Services
  • Theories of Architecture and Design.

Final year

You will study:

  • Collaborative Practice
  • Design and Engineering Studio 4
  • Energy Management and Performance Evaluation
  • Mechanical Services.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

"I got the chance to go on an engineering research trip to Hong Kong, which I really enjoyed. After graduating, I started working for a consultancy as an Architectural Assistant, and I'm now working for a larger firm, Pad Design, in Bristol." Ayo-Oluwa, 2021 Architecture and Environmental Engineering graduate.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching methods are varied depending on the module; studios, lectures, project work and tutorials all have a part.

The Department's inter-professional approach includes projects where you will work with students from other disciplines within the built environment. This encourages mutual respect and understanding of the professions which you are likely to be working with during your career.  This helps you to develop and practice the skills of presentation, negotiation, communication and delegation.

Teaching staff provide a friendly, enabling environment for learning. They are actively engaged in research or professional practice, ensuring you learn directly from the latest academic and business developments.

Student representatives sit on a wide range of committees at University and Department level, where they can influence discussions and decisions which affect your learning experience.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:

YearScheduled learning and teaching studyIndependent studyPlacement study
031%69%0%
138%62%0%
235%65%0%
33%64%0%
433%67%0%

*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year

Assessment

Assessment is achieved through a balance of coursework and examinations. Examinations are held in either January or May/June. Coursework will be a variety of essays, reports, surveys, design projects or teamwork.

You are encouraged to do 'formative work' to prepare for assessments: this does not count towards your marks, but the feedback which you receive will help you to improve your performance.

Support is available for students who have difficulties with numeracy, IT, literacy and study skills.

Learn more about assessments.

Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:

YearWritten exam assessmentCoursework assessmentPractical exam assessment
03%91%6%
131%69%0%
219%81%0%
313%78%9%
413%81%6%

*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year

Features

Professional accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB). It gives you exemptions from RIBA Part 1 exams.

It's also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) as a qualifying first degree on the way to Chartered Engineer status.

The course is also accredited by the Board of Architects Malaysia.

Placements

There's no compulsory work placement on this degree, but we strongly encourage you to get experience through work or internships during vacations.

Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you an attractive graduate.

Fieldwork

We arrange day trips so you can visit study locations and meet people that can inform your work. We also arrange residential field trips locally, nationally and internationally.

Study facilities

Learn in a modern, well-equipped architecture facilities, including award-winning design studios.

Attend model-making workshops and develop computer-aided design (CAD), data analysis and environmental modelling skills in collaborative workshops.

Create architectural models using laser cutters, computerised routers, artificial sky and wind tunnels, or in our wood, metal and concrete workshops.

Test lighting in environmental physics and acoustics laboratories with experienced technicians who support teaching and research.

Consider airflow and cooling, mechanical systems and water flow in our environmental services laboratory.

This mix of traditional and highly creative learning environments enables you to learn essential knowledge and real-world skills, standing you in good stead for your professional career.

Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Architecture facilities and see what's on offer here for you.

Take a look at the Engineering building

Step inside our School of Engineering building at UWE Bristol.

Life

Accommodation

An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Careers

Careers / Further study

With strong problem-solving skills, decision-making and analytical skills, you'll graduate ready to create a new generation of environmentally smart buildings.

These attributes are sought after by employers and can be applied in a range of careers.

This degree prepares you for careers in architecture, environmental engineering and sustainability consultancy. Work for small private practices right up to multinationals like Arup, Atkins and Foster & Partners.

You could also continue studying to become a fully qualified architect or engineer.

Get inspired

Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.

We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.

Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.

Useful links

Fees

Supplementary fee information

Additional costs are for items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.

Learn more about costs.

Entry

Typical offers

  • Tariff points: 88
  • Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
  • GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
  • A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.
  • EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.

    For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.

  • Access: No specific subjects required.
  • Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.
  • Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
  • T Levels: No specific subjects required.

Entry requirements

If you exceed the entry requirements you may be eligible for BEng(Hons) Architecture and Environmental Engineering.

International applicants

If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through our International College, which upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to Year one of the degree.

Read more about entry requirements.

How to apply

Read more about undergraduate applications.

For further information

Unistats

UWE Main Campus