BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology with Sandwich placement

Providing you with the technical knowledge and design flair to work in today’s ever-changing industry is our aim. Not only is this course accredited by CIAT but it is developed in close consultation with industry practitioners to meet professional standards and ensure it is up-to-date and meets the needs of the construction and property development sector.

Our Lecturers are a blend of respected academics and experienced professionals. We utilise a combination of teaching methods which match professional practice, including studio and drawing office sessions using the latest Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to develop your design work.

There's never been a more exciting time to join the School of Architecure and Built Environment. And you now have the opportunity to study in our new super-campus!

Springfield Campus

With Wolverhampton’s rich heritage and unique geographical position within the Black Country region, seen by many as the birthplace of the industrial revolution. You’ll have a unique opportunity to study in our £45 million SoABE Building, a 12-acre, Grade II listed former brewery. We’re one of the few universities in the UK to house multiple fully-functional industrial laboratories, as well as purpose-built facilities with access to latest visualisation technologies, design studios and equipment.

Not to mention our National Brownfield Institute (NBI) will also be located on our £120million Springfield Campus. The new £17.5 million building will be a world-class institute that focuses on developing modern methods of building through innovation and partnerships within the construction industry - meaning our collaborations with Local Authorities and Private Companies centers our students as part of this change.

And all of these state-of-the-art facilities are home to our Architecture and Built Environment students. See where you could be studying!

Take a look at our amazing campus.

On successful completion of the course, you will master the following key skills:  

1. Technical Design & Visualisation 

• Advanced Digital Modelling: You won't just draw; you will visualise. Gain high-level proficiency in industry-standard CAD and design software to present complex schemes professionally.
• Sustainable Specification: Learn to select materials and construction methods that aren't just effective, but economic and environmentally sustainable.
• Creative Problem Solving: The ability to balance aesthetics with function. You will learn to deliver creative design solutions that look great while strictly adhering to technical performance standards. 

2. Professional Practice & Management 

• Regulatory Fluency: Navigate the red tape with confidence. You will master the essential frameworks of the industry, including Design Procedures, Procurement, Contracts, and Building Regulations. 
• Project Management: Understand the "business" of architecture. You'll develop skills in time management, cost analysis, and the ethical/legal responsibilities essential for running a project. 
• Commercial Awareness: Learn to design for the market, understanding how to meet client needs and market demands realistically. 

3. Personal & Competitive Edge 

• Resilience & Adaptability: Through live Design Competitions and regular critiques, you will build the confidence needed to thrive in a competitive industry. 
• Critical Communication: Whether it's a verbal pitch or a written report, you will sharpen your ability to analyse problems and communicate your solutions clearly to clients and colleagues. 

 

What employers say about the skills of our graduates:  

"I am pleased to confirm that Nathan, a recent graduate in Architectural Technology from the University of Wolverhampton, has demonstrated strong professional ability during his time with us. Whilst acknowledging that he is still learning, he has shown a good understanding of architectural design principles, building regulations and technical detailing".  

Tony Sannio MCIAT, Associate Director of Glancy Nicholls Architects 

 

“The rigour and depth of knowledge gained through her studies are now clearly reflected in the quality and precision of her professional output. Esha consistently approaches project challenges with a high level of technical competency and meticulous attention to detail. Her dedication ensures that we are not only meeting project deadlines but exceeding them with technically sound and well-considered solutions". 

Gagan Mohindru , Founder & Managing Director ADM Studio Ltd | Architecture - Design - Management 

Additional Course Costs

Voluntary trips
Trip to House of Commons and other estate buildings Student pays (train tickets circa £75)

Further information on these additional costs will be provided prior to the start of your studies

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.

If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

GCSE English and Maths at grade C+/4 or an accepted equivalent.

PLUS EITHER

• 96 UCAS Points
• CCC from A Levels or equivalent
• BTEC QCF Extended Diploma grade MMM, BTEC QCF Diploma grade DD
• T Levels with an overall grade of Pass and a minimum grade of C in Core.
• If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.
• International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here

Other Requirements

Students must have studied a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, it is expected that some applicants will be mature students with work experience, who wish to further their career development. These applicants will be processed through standard procedures, which may involve an interview as part of the process. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

Joel Woodward 
2025 CIAT Report of the Year Award Winner 
Architectural Technologist - Weedon Architects 
"I chose Architectural Technology because I've always been fascinated by how the artistic and technical sides of buildings work together to create meaningful spaces for human interaction. Architectural Technology strikes the perfect balance between creative design and the practical realities of how buildings are assembled, perform, and impact their surroundings.  
One of the things I enjoyed most throughout the course was the access to industry standard technology and specialist equipment. The studio environment was another major highlight as it encouraged collaboration, open discussion, and the sharing of ideas, which helped me grow both creatively and professionally. Learning in a space that reflected real industry practice made the experience engaging and helped build strong teamwork skills essential for the built environment. The course has equipped me with a strong mix of technical, creative, and collaborative skills that are essential in industry.” 

Esha Khan 
Architectural Technologist - ADM Studio 
“My interest in architecture started in my early teens. I was always drawn to extraordinary buildings, not just because of how good they looked, but because I had a passion for learning how the buildings were actually built. I wanted to understand the process behind it and to be able to say, ‘this is how it was designed and constructed.’ That’s what led me to pursue a course in Architectural Technology. The course didn’t just teach me how to be creative with a concept; it also helped me understand how a building is technically put together in real-life scenarios. I learned about choosing suitable materials, evaluating environmental performance, producing construction details that show how different elements connect, and making sure everything meets the legal requirements”.  

Daniel Hawkins  
Graduate Engineer - Wintech  
"Taking Architectural Design Technology really built on my love for 3D modelling and gave me the professional foundation I was looking for, especially with its CIAT accreditation. The course pushed me beyond just the software and taught me how to bring ideas to life through physical models and VR projects. It helped me understand the purpose behind my design choices and gave me the confidence to explain and defend them in a professional setting. All whilst providing the exposure and freedom to explore different software and ideas." 

Ryan Kumar 
Lead Architectural Designer - ATCO Studio, London 
“The reason I chose Architectural Design Technology is due to the fascination I had growing up how buildings are constructed. The things I enjoyed learning were real life applications for tools we can use/introduce to who we work with in the future. The cutting edge and new softwares we learned really made me feel like I am learning something upcoming and applicable to real world to make a positive change. For me, Architectural Technology is a key part of the built environment, fusing design with practicality”.  

Nathan Millward 
Architectural Technologist - Glancy Nicholls Architects 
“The course appealed to me because it covered all sides of architecture, from historical to modern day technologies. It was great to experience both, visiting historic buildings to learn about traditional building techniques, and then looking into more modern sustainable building practices.  
The software and drawing techniques have been my favourite part to learn. They’re how we communicate our design proposals, so it was great to learn how to present them in different formats. 
AI is inevitably going to be part of the future, and it was great to see the course embrace this rather than shy away from it. Learning tools like Midjourney was beneficial and it shows the course is keeping up with industry practices”. 

Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)

Accredited by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).

Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)

"Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), and demonstrates that the programme has been assessed in terms of content, structure and resources and has met the required educational standards. Graduates from an Accredited programme will receive full academic exemptions from the professional qualification when progressing to Chartered Architectural Technologist status."

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.

Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.

Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.

Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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