BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology with Sandwich placement

Beyond the placement year itself, you'll study somewhere with a genuinely distinctive setting and a track record employers recognise.

You'll be based in the £45m School of Architecture and Built Environment building — a striking, Grade II listed former brewery converted into modern studio and laboratory space, giving you an environment most architecture schools can't match. The campus also sits alongside the National Brownfield Institute, a dedicated centre developing modern methods of construction in partnership with local authorities and private companies, putting you close to genuine industry collaboration from day one.

Teaching blends studio and drawing office practice with the latest CAD, BIM, VR and AR technology, shaped by staff with real industry experience and reviewed regularly against what employers are actually hiring for — which is part of why the course holds accreditation from both CIAT and CABE, and why graduates consistently report positive feedback from employers on their technical grounding.

By the time you graduate, you'll be able to:

• Design with confidence — produce creative, technically sound design solutions that satisfy a client brief while meeting current regulations and building standards
• Work across the full design-to-construction pipeline — from concept sketches and 3D BIM models through to detailed construction drawings and specifications
• Apply construction science — choose materials and construction methods that deliver effective, economic and sustainable outcomes
• Operate professionally from day one in a new role — having already spent a full year working inside a real practice or organisation, understanding workplace expectations most graduates only learn after they're hired
• Manage a project — understand the time, cost, contractual and ethical responsibilities involved in running a construction project or a practice
• Communicate and defend your decisions — present design and technical information clearly to clients, colleagues and assessors alike, backed by direct professional experience

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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