• Undergraduate

Architectural Design Technology (work-based day-release) FdSc

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Overview

Overview

Why study at the University of West London?
  • Ranked 30th university in the UK - The Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2024**
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Why study this course?

Do you already have experience in the building and design industry? This fast-track work-based course lets you study while you are employed in the relevant industry. The course has been designed as a one-day work release course to fit in with your professional commitments, with support from your employer. 

It covers the academic theory and principles of architectural design, including building technologies and legislation, and will help you develop skills that you can use as a professional in other areas of the built environment.

Architecture is a fast-moving industry and it can be challenging to balance the needs of a client, community and the environment. On this course, you will learn how to investigate building problems and present fully integrated design solutions with recommendations for appropriate building materials and techniques.

This course is approved by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

Day-release

This fast-track foundation degree combines work-based and university-based learning. Its structure lets you complete the course in two years on day release (one day per week), while you are employed in the industry or gaining work experience.

Please note that this day-release course is classed as full-time study. This means that you are able to apply for a full-time student loan - find out further information at Student Finance. It may also affect your eligibility for state benefits.

A male student working at a architecture desk

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Architectural Design Technology (work-based day-release) with us?

Why study Architectural Design Technology (work-based day-release) with us?

A collage of students

What our students say…

I joined the course after already working in the industry for 12 years, and I have found the course to be extremely fulfilling and it has greatly progressed my knowledge of architecture and construction. The course modules have been well balanced, and increased in sophistication as the course progressed.

Carl Collins
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Lifelong careers support from the UWL Careers Service.
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

This technical design course prepares you to judge building design proposals, investigate building problems and offer effective design solutions.

You will develop an understanding of building materials and technologies, and work with Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) software – key tools for a design career within the construction industry.

On this Architectural Technology degree, our teaching approach incorporates a wide range of methodologies. This includes visits to construction sites and materials manufacturers, which will help you to put the principles you study into a real-world context. You will work within a team on a group construction project to put those principles into practice. You will also learn through:

  • guided research and reading
  • laboratory experiments
  • examination of projects, simulated or real
  • analysis of work-based scenarios
  • independent learning through individual learning plans
  • tutored classroom sessions
  • visiting speakers and guest lecturers.

By the time you complete the course, you will know how to:

  • use appropriate building techniques to complete construction projects
  • investigate building problems and present appropriate design solutions
  • demonstrate confident communication and interpersonal skills
  • work efficiently as part of project teams
  • use IT to support projects.

These skills will help you to move ahead with your career in the construction or property industry.

As you study for your Architectural Technology degree you will examine how different elements and jobs within the built environment work together.

You will learn how architectural technologists use their knowledge to make sure domestic, commercial and industrial building designs work as intended in real life. And will also look at how to apply your knowledge to make sure design and development proposals balance the needs of the client, community and environment.

Knowledge of sustainable building technology and building information modelling (BIM) skills are highly valued in the construction industry, and we will cover these in detail.

But it is also important for you to be prepared for the more generic aspects of professional life. So aside from mastering CAD modeling, 3D Max and other expert tools, you will develop your interpersonal skills and learn how to work effectively as part of a project team.

During your course we will arrange visits to construction sites and to the manufacturers of construction materials. This will allow you to visualise the theory and develop a full understanding of the principles you have studied.

You will have an integrated construction project and a design project to complete – two valuable opportunities to test your ability in a real-world scenario.

A seminar is held every week during term time, where professionals, academics and people from accreditation organisations will be invited to speak. This will help you to widen your knowledge and gain a greater understanding of industry practice. As a school with a strong research element, we also run research seminars, which are open to undergraduate students. In addition, there may be opportunities for you to participate in competitions held by professional bodies.

Compulsory modules

  • Professional Practice (work-based)

  • Construction Technology 1

    This module will introduce you to concepts of building technology, from site investigation to foundations to the structure of low-rise buildings. You will also study finishes and primary service provision, including gas and electricity services.

  • Building Regulatory Control

    This module is designed to give you an understanding and appreciation of building regulations and town and country planning legislation that affect the building industry. You will be able to investigate the effects of the legislation upon construction projects. You'll also gain essential knowledge and skills regarding health and safety.

  • Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM)

    On this module, you will train to use computer aided design (CAD). You will start by learning to use basic AutoCAD functions to produce 2D building design drawings, including floor plans, elevations and sections. Then you will progress to applying AutoCAD Revit to produce more complicated and complete design drawings, including 3D views and assembly and part details.

  • Design Procedures and Procurement

    This module will give you an overview of the design process, approaches to procurement and the constraints on these approaches. You will also examine the role of the project manager and learn to communicate using various methods appropriate to the role.

  • Built Environment Company Review (work-based)

Compulsory modules

  • Construction Technology 2

    This module will allow you to develop your knowledge and understanding of building technology, focusing on the consequences of science on building design and sustainability. Your studies will also cover multi-floored construction and a greater depth of services.

  • Environmental Science & Building Services (work-based)

    This work-based module will provide you with knowledge about Environmental Science to help understand concepts and principles of heat and thermal insulation, air movement and ventilation, moisture and condensation, noise and sound insulation, natural and artificial light with various types of lighting design. You will also look at building services and how these are integrated in the design of buildings.

  • Construction Law

    During this module, you will have the opportunity to develop your awareness of how the law applies to all aspects of construction.

  • Architectural Technology 1

    In this module, you will learn relevant skills to develop designs that are realistic, buildable and provide the required performance. This will enable you to understand how detailed and working drawings are produced and link drawings to relevant specifications, regulations and standards.

  • Integrated Design and Construction Project (work-based)

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

80 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications
These can include:
  • A Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

6.0 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept. 

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents. 

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Efcharis has light brown hair and is wearing a black top.

Dr Efcharis Balodimou (Haroula)

Dr Efcharis Balodimou (Haroula) studied Architecture in Thessaloniki, Greece (RIBA Part 2 equivalent).

Following her studies and gaining professional qualifications in Greece, she moved to England where she completed her PhD in the School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University, in the topic of Weathering of concrete buildings. During this period, she also worked as an Architectural Design Assistant and researcher at OBU, participating in research projects and publications in collaboration with the construction industry – British Steel and the Steel Construction Institute.  She was also a member of the Technology group of Oxford Centre for Sustainable Development. 

Upon completion of her PhD, she gained extensive Architectural experience over 10 years and qualified as an Architect (RIBA Part 3). She worked in architectural offices specialising in High value residential refurbishment and conversion of listed buildings. Her involvement ranged from initial design stages to construction and hand over.

From 2012 to 2021, Haroula was also Governor in an Ealing Primary School. In addition to her duties in participating in the management of the school, she acted as an architectural consultant during the school’s refurbishment and new built extension (completed June 2016).

Haroula has a strong interest in incorporating sustainable practices in the built environment focusing on issues of re-use, restoration and adaptation of historical buildings and optimising the use of technology, materials and detailing.

View Haroula's LinkedIn profile

Dr Efcharis Balodimou (Haroula) studied Architecture in Thessaloniki, Greece (RIBA Part 2 equivalent).

Following her studies and gaining professional qualifications in Greece, she moved to England where she completed her PhD in the School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University, in the topic of Weathering of concrete buildings. During this period, she also worked as an Architectural Design Assistant and researcher at OBU, participating in research projects and publications in collaboration with the construction industry – British Steel and the Steel Construction Institute.  She was also a member of the Technology group of Oxford Centre for Sustainable Development. 

Upon completion of her PhD, she gained extensive Architectural experience over 10 years and qualified as an Architect (RIBA Part 3). She worked in architectural offices specialising in High value residential refurbishment and conversion of listed buildings. Her involvement ranged from initial design stages to construction and hand over.

From 2012 to 2021, Haroula was also Governor in an Ealing Primary School. In addition to her duties in participating in the management of the school, she acted as an architectural consultant during the school’s refurbishment and new built extension (completed June 2016).

Haroula has a strong interest in incorporating sustainable practices in the built environment focusing on issues of re-use, restoration and adaptation of historical buildings and optimising the use of technology, materials and detailing.

View Haroula's LinkedIn profile

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A female architect working on a design in a studio

I joined the course after already working in the industry for 12 years, and I have found the course to be extremely fulfilling and it has greatly progressed my knowledge of architecture and construction. The course modules have been well balanced, and increased in sophistication as the course progressed.

Carl Collins

Once you complete the course, you will be able to work as an architectural technologist within the construction, planning or property industries. You could go on to work for:

  • architectural technology practices
  • architecture firms
  • local authorities
  • government agencies
  • housing associations
  • construction organisations
  • manufacturers.

Once you complete the course, you have the option to study a further year to gain your BSc (Hons) in Architectural Design and Technology. You could then progress your studies to explore a related field or specialise on a postgraduate course.

How to apply

How to apply

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Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.