• Undergraduate

Architectural Design Technology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

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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?

Are you interested in how buildings are designed? As an architectural technologist and designer, you will have the expertise to advise planners, property developers and constructors on their building projects.

This undergraduate course focuses on practical, in-demand skills so that you can make sure that buildings function as they are intended to. You will develop the valuable ability to plan and design buildings that suit the needs of a client, the surrounding community and, importantly, the environment.

On this course, you will examine important topical issues, including environmental concerns and the technologies that are being used to address them.

Through visits to materials manufacturers and construction sites, as well as opportunities to work on team projects, you will learn how to apply your technical knowledge to real-world design problems.

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

Foundation year

The foundation year course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to continue onto your Honours degree. You will study a range of subjects that will underpin your future study and also gain valuable experience of university life, with full access to campus facilities. Successful completion of the year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course. Please note that a £2000 Path to Success bursary is available to all UK foundation year students, which is non-repayable. 

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.
Without Foundation Year
Duration: 3 years

Start date:

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

Why study Architectural Design Technology with Foundation Year with us?

Why study Architectural Design Technology with Foundation Year 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
Next
Tile: Mac and PC Labs
Course accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists
There are seven labs and studios in the School
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. You will 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 contextualise the principles you study within real-world situations. 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.

In the latter stages of the course, you will study the economy's effect on the construction industry. You will also develop an understanding of sustainable technologies. Finally, you will work on a design project that integrates what you have learned.

Foundation year

There are many reasons for joining a foundation year course; you may not have the exact subjects or grades at A level to meet the entry requirements, you may have been living abroad or want to change direction with your career. Whatever your starting point, the foundation year offers a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge that you will need to get the most from your studies and thrive at University. Successful completion of the foundation year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course.

Compulsory modules

  • Study Skills for Success

    This module will enable you to read critically, present an argument, and distinguish between the quality and suitability of materials. It will prepare you to use and evaluate a range of evidence sources throughout your degree.

  • Building Appreciation

  • Design Studies

  • Personalised Learning

    The Personalised Learning module is intended to equip you with the study skills needed to successfully progress onto level 4, the first year of undergraduate study. Tutor group sessions are an integral part of the module, where you will consolidate your learning and frame it in the context of your subject area. The module will focus on various aspects of study skills, such as those skills related to reading and writing, learning approaches, problem-solving techniques, critical thinking, researching, referencing, plagiarism, legal research and time management.

  • Mathematical Studies

  • Applied Project - Built Environment

Compulsory modules

  • Professional Practice

    In this module, you will learn the basic construction and academic skills you will need to complete the course. These can range from basic skills in numeracy, literacy and IT to drawing skills and the surveying techniques used in construction.

  • 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.

  • Building Structure and Materials

    The module provides an overview of the principal building materials used in construction and introduces key structural concepts such as bending moments and shear forces in simple structures.

    The focus is on the selection of the most appropriate materials through the study of the engineering performance characteristics, human comfort and sustainability considerations of those materials.

    The module also looks at repair and maintenance strategies, recycling and reuse of materials.

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

    This 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.

  • Building Surveying, Conservation and Adaptation

    On this module you'll gain an understanding of how to examine a property with a view to converting or adapting it. The module will also give you the chance to enhance your skills in developing plans and specifications for converting or adapting existing 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.

  • Integrated Design and Construction Project

    On this module you will work in a team, analysing several course areas, such as developing presentation and communication skills.

  • 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.

Compulsory modules

  • Advanced Architectural Presentation

  • Sustainable Technologies for Building

    You will investigate the effects of sustainable practices on construction projects and their application on real projects. In particular, your studies will focus on sustainable building technologies.

  • Final Year ADT Project

    In this module, you have to practice the overall knowledge and skills of architectural technology developed over the duration of the course through a design project and technical research. In the design project, you will provide comprehensive design solutions for a complex building with multiple presentation methods and compliant with building regulations, design procedures and principles. The overall design project should follow the latest version of the RIBA Plan of Work which starts from the feasibility study to technical design (Stage 0 - 4). Based on the design project, you will also carry out a technical research on a specific technology (design technology/method, special building structure or material, etc.) adopted in their design. You will have to cover the module will cover two semesters.

  • Architectural Technology 2

    In this module, you will gain the relevant skills to develop problem solving and design communication that will help them produce complex designs that are realistic, buildable that provide the required performance. You will also practice creating architectural details linked to relevant specifications, regulations and standards for multistorey public buildings.

  • Contract Administration

    In this module, you will study and analyse the contract administrative factors that apply to project delivery and facilities management. It has many similarities with the commercial management module; where that module approaches the issues from a ‘top down’ view, the contract administration module takes a detailed look at contract provisions in a ‘bottom up’ approach.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

72 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.

Looking for BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

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.

Looking for BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
5.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the four 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.

Looking for BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

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.

Looking for BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
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.

Funding your studies

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.

Foundation year bursary

If you are a UK student joining a foundation year course with UWL, you will receive a £2000 Path to Success bursary to support your studies. This is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. You will receive £500 per year subject to your attendance, engagement and progression through your studies. 

To find out more, explore our Undergraduate scholarships and bursaries page.

Funding your studies
{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

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.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Financial support for international students
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Charlie Fu has short dark hair, glasses and is wearing a patterned green suit jacket, with a white shirt.

Professor Charlie Changfeng Fu

As the course leader for the Architectural Design and Technology courses at UWL, Professor Fu teaches a number of undergraduate modules in Architectural Design & Technology and Built Environment across different levels. These include level 6 studio-based projects and the final dissertation.

He has also supervised PhD students in the areas of BIM implementation, computational architecture, sustainable built environments, urban planning and development.

Prior to joining the University of West London in 2009, he worked as a researcher in the built environment area at Salford University and Cambridge University. He was a practical architect and a master planner in China.

Currently, he is also a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (MCIAT) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), a qualified membership assessor for CIAT and a member of the EPSRC Peers Review College.

As the course leader for the Architectural Design and Technology courses at UWL, Professor Fu teaches a number of undergraduate modules in Architectural Design & Technology and Built Environment across different levels. These include level 6 studio-based projects and the final dissertation.

He has also supervised PhD students in the areas of BIM implementation, computational architecture, sustainable built environments, urban planning and development.

Prior to joining the University of West London in 2009, he worked as a researcher in the built environment area at Salford University and Cambridge University. He was a practical architect and a master planner in China.

Currently, he is also a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (MCIAT) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), a qualified membership assessor for CIAT and a member of the EPSRC Peers Review College.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A female architect working on a design in a studio

Once you complete the course, you will be able to work in design roles 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.

You may also want to 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.