BEng(Hons) Architecture and Environmental Engineering (with Foundation Year)
This course is open for applications
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.
Springpod Subject Spotlights video - try your course before you apply
UWE Bristol has partnered with Springpod, an online platform that provides immersive career and education opportunities. On this platform, you can sign up and log in to watch a Subject Spotlight video for our undergraduate Architecture courses. The video is entitled Redefining sustainability in architecture and the built environment. In this highly topical Subject Spotlight, Louise Ciotti explores environmental justice and redefining sustainability in architecture.
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. 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'll 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'll study:
- Design Studio 1
- Engineering Principles (Building Engineering)
- Environmental Physics and Materials
- Mathematics for Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Year two
You'll study:
- Building Services Applications
- Design Representation
- Histories and Theories of Architecture
- Research and Design Strategies
- Studio 2.
Year three
You'll 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'll 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'll 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, 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.
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.
Features
Professional accreditation
This degree is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and 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.
The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is the statutory regulator for architects in the UK and sets the education and registration requirements for anyone wishing to practice and use the title architect in the UK. They do this by accrediting qualifications required for registration as an architect.
Following a statutory consultation in 2023, ARB has published changed educational requirements necessary for registration as an architect which will come into force from December 2027. Currently, and up until December 2027, UK graduates wishing to register as an architect will need to have an ARB accredited Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 qualification, alongside relevant work experience. From 31 December 2027 ARB will only accredit Masters level qualifications (Level 7 in England, Level 11 in Scotland) and the professional diploma which follows. This means that from 2028 an undergraduate Level 6 qualification in architecture will not be required for registration as an architect in the UK.
This course is currently prescribed by ARB at Part 1 level for purposes of registration as an Architect in the UK. Students entering this course in September 2025 will graduate after December 2027 and will therefore graduate after the proposed end date for ARB prescription at Part 1 and their degree will not be a prescribed ARB award. This will not impact any students ability to complete qualification as a UK registered architect, as ARB will continue to accredit academic awards at masters level only.
This degree is currently, and will continue to be, subject to validation by the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) at Part 1. The RIBA will continue to validate architecture qualifications at Parts 1, 2 and 3 these are terms developed by the RIBA and its three-part validation pathway forms the typical route to RIBA Chartered Membership.
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.
Stonewater design project trip
A group of our Year two students had an exciting opportunity to showcase their dwelling projects to Stonewater Housing Association. The project brief asked students to design collective housing for Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic groups in Bristol. Students were asked to take a progressive approach in their design demonstrating an understanding of how different cultures live. Eight finalist students presented to staff at Stonewater and the winning student, Leandro, was offered 2-weeks paid work experience as a prize. Due to the success of this partnership, were working with Stonewater and hope to collaborate with them on an ongoing basis.
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*
Full time course
Indicative Additional Costs
Supplementary fee information
*The UK Government recently proposed that tuition fees for Home students will increase by 3.1% to £9,535 from 1st August 2025. This increase is subject to Parliamentary approval and the vote is expected to take place later this year.
Any tuition fee which is impacted by this change will be updated following approval.
Please see GOV.UK for further 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.
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.
- Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
- Cambridge Technical: 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
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.ukInternational/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644