(Full time) 2021 start
Architectural Engineering MEng, BEng
Overview
Architectural engineering degrees some 50 years ago. The Architectural Engineering course is truly interdisciplinary, designed to produce engineers who can design buildings by integrating the principles and practice of architecture, building physics and structural engineering.
You’ll work on a series of studio-based building design projects, many of which will be undertaken in our new studio spaces. Not only will you put into practice what you have learned in lectures, laboratory classes and tutorials, but you will also build scale models and develop graphical presentation and computer modelling skills using industry standard software.
As with all the School’s degrees, Architectural Engineering is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators, which will help you to gain chartered engineer status after graduation.
Course highlights
You’ll be taught by internationally renowned academics working at the forefront of their fields, who are passionate about the subjects they teach.
The content of your course is shaped by our world-leading research.
Project work is a key part of all our civil engineering degrees, where you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience. It enables you to develop skills as a researcher, asking and answering important questions about the way our world works.
Throughout your studies you’ll benefit from a structured support system, with a personal tutor who will offer help and advice about your approach to studying and how to become adept at independent learning.
You can choose to take either the four-year Integrated Masters (MEng, BEng) or the three-year Bachelor’s (BEng) degree on this course.
Find out more about the MEng, BEng and BEng.
Specialist facilities
In addition to the design studio space, you’ll also have access to excellent laboratory facilities as well as extensive library facilities and computing equipment, including industry standard software such as Revit (Building Information Modelling), IES (dynamic thermal modelling) and Robot (structural analysis). The laboratory facilities, which are among the best in the UK, include specialist facilities for structures, materials, public health engineering, building services and geotechnics.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) of The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE), The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. The JBM works with and advises universities to ensure that their degree programmes help to develop professional engineers that will continue to provide a global contribution to sustainable and economic growth whilst maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students. An accredited civil engineering course must meet the quality standards set by the JBM. The University of Leeds is proud to be one of a small number of UK universities to have formed a working partnership with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). This partnership helps those students who aspire to become professionally qualified civil engineers (CEng, MICE) to have the best possible start to their civil engineering careers.
The MEng, BEng is accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer.
The BEng course is accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), and partially satisfying the educational base for Chartered Engineer status (CEng). A course of accredited “Further Learning” will be required to complete the educational base for CEng.
See Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) for more information and details of Further Learning courses for CEng.
Accreditation by the JBM also means that the Architectural Engineering programmes are also EUR-ACE labelled. This means that they also meet the framework standards and guidelines of EUR-ACE (EURopean ACcredited Engineer) and that the accreditation is recognized in Europe and beyond.
See EUR-ACE for more information.
Course content
The course integrates creative and technical knowledge in architecture, structural and building services engineering, all delivered within one School. This is reinforced by our strong involvement with research and practice, with creative design issues being explored in practical, real world project settings.
Year one
All degree courses within the School share a common first year of six compulsory modules. These expose you to the range of programmes offered within the School and provide a firm basis on which to specialise in later years – as well as giving you the flexibility to switch between these courses.
Architectural Engineering students attend a residential surveying field course in Year 1 – this is a compulsory part of the architectural engineering programme – there are no additional fees to pay for this field course.
Year two
In Year 2 you’ll consolidate your technical knowledge of structural design and analysis, materials, water engineering, geotechnics and building physics. You’ll also develop a more academic approach to architectural history & theory, which is delivered in collaboration with the School of Fine Art, History of Art & Cultural Studies. As with the first year, the design studio is the core through which you develop your learning in architectural engineering design projects.
Year three
You’ll enhance your engineering knowledge in structures, geotechnics, materials and building physics and demonstrate an integrated understanding of creative and technical building design in your 3rd year design studio work (typically a multi-storey office building design). You’ll also select two additional modules from a list of options to help you to broaden your studies.
Year four
If you take the MEng, BEng course, your final year will be focused on the design studio. Your design projects will involve concept and detailed design of a complex building with a strong community focus. In semester 1 you will consider two alternative (and quite different) sites and your design work will be linked to research-focused modules in architectural history & theory and building physics. When undertaking your design studio work you’ll also learn more about structures, geotechnics, and the context of the construction industry in management, practice and law.
In Semester 2, you’ll concentrate on a sophisticated building design project where significant parts of the brief, development and execution are largely set by you. Your project will demonstrate a fully integrated architectural design including structures and building services, to a high standard of visual communication skills. As part of this work you will use structural and dynamic thermal modelling software to help you to develop your final detailed design proposals.
Projects
Every year of your course gives you hands-on experience of project work. This gives you the opportunity to explore your subject further as well as developing valuable skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork.
Find out more about the project work you will get involved in.
Fieldwork
We hope to run our fieldwork activities as planned for the 21/22 academic year, but it might not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually reviewing the situation and will communicate any decisions to applicants and offer holders at the earliest possible opportunity.
Engineering ethics
You’ll study engineering ethics as part of your course, with lectures and/or seminars in each year of your study. Visit our engineering ethics webpage to find out more.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Studio based learning is at the heart of the architectural engineering student experience, with open-ended and creative architectural engineering design projects used to demonstrate and develop the knowledge you gain in other modules. The course is centred in a studio space designed to host lectures, tutorials and personal study. In the studio environment, you will benefit from learning from your peers, the academic teaching team and design tutors from practice.
Laboratory classes and industry sponsored fieldwork also allow you to gain hands-on experience investigating and applying the knowledge and understanding you gain from your lectures and tutorials to real life work situations. A major feature of the architectural engineering programme is the extensive use of small-group tutorials, in which you will receive advice and guidance from building services, structural and architectural specialists with further input from practising engineers and architects.
Much of the course is delivered by a dedicated teaching team within the school, comprised of professionally qualified and experienced engineers and architects, supported by practice-based architects who are part of the studio tutoring team. You’ll also benefit from the range of scientific and technical expertise provided by the School of Civil Engineering. Our close links with industry also mean that you have direct contact with industry and potential employers from an early stage in your course. In your first year you will be allocated an industrial tutor who will provide you with opportunities to visit construction sites and design offices.
You’ll be assigned a personal tutor to guide you through your studies, and you will receive support from fellow students through our peer mentoring scheme. Peer mentors are students who are on your course, but are in Years two or three. They’ll help you when you arrive at University and throughout your first year. You’ll meet your peer mentors during your first week for a social activity.
Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.
You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.
Watch our taster lectures to get a flavour of what it’s like to study at Leeds:
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
You will be assessed both through written examinations, held at the end of each year, and through various types of coursework including design exercises, reports, scale models of your proposed building designs, presentation boards, oral presentations, drawings and design reviews.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAA including Mathematics.
Where an A-Level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.
Excludes A-Levels General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Extended Project Qualification - We recognise the value, effort and enthusiasm applicants make in the Extended Project, and where an applicant offers an A in the EPQ we may make an offer of AAB at A-Level (any required subjects such as Mathematics must still be at grade A).
All applicants must be studying Mathematics at level 3. For most students, this requirement is fulfilled by achieving the required grade in A-level Maths. Applicants for whom this requirement is to be fulfilled via qualifications other than A-levels (eg BTEC Maths and Additional/Further Maths modules) may be required to take a diagnostic Maths test in addition to their other level 3 maths studies. This is to ensure a suitable level of mathematical literacy.
GCSE: English Language at grade C (4) or above, or an appropriate English language qualification.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction (including an appropriate number of Mathematics modules) and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above.
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BTEC
D*DD (RQF) with Distinctions in all Mathematics units including Maths and Further Maths (and/or other appropriate maths units) plus an interview and diagnostic Maths test. Some units may be optional on your BTEC but are required by the Faculty. Please contact us for further information.
Please note - there may be different requirements for the older QCF BTEC's, please contact Admissions.
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, D3, D3 including Mathematics.
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International Baccalaureate
35 points overall, with 18 points at higher level to include 5 points in HL Mathematics.
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including Mathematics.
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AA at Advanced Higher level, including Mathematics, and AABBB at Higher level.
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Other Qualifications
Engineering or Construction Diploma: A (plus A-level Mathematics at grade A or above). We will consider your application if you have AS level Mathematics.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: ABB including Mathematics.
For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.
If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each section. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Applicant days
If you receive an offer to study with us, we’ll invite you to attend one of our applicant days. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our academic staff and students, explore the School and University and find out more about your course and what it’s like to be a student at Leeds.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025
Fees
UK: See fees section below
International: £24,500 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Scholarships
Career opportunities
Architectural engineering graduates are in great demand from multi-disciplinary consultancies specialising in building design and contractors engaged in building construction and project management. Typically, the majority of graduates each year secure professional or managerial positions as graduate structural, civil or building services engineers, design engineers, architectural engineers or with architectural consultants.
Recent employers include: ARUP, Buro Happold, Ramboll, Eckersley O’Callaghan, Elliot Wood Partnership, Price and Myers, Morgan Sindall, Mott Macdonald, Laing O’Rourke, Balfour Beatty, AKT, CH2M Hill, Atkins, AECOM, Curtins, Hoare Lea, Atelier 10, the Structure Workshop and Morph Structures.
Read our alumni profiles to find out more about where our students are working.
Careers support
You’ll have access to our dedicated Employability team, located centrally in our Employability Suite, who will provide you with specialist face-to-face support and advice to help you find relevant work experience, internships and year-in-industry placements, as well as graduate positions.
You’ll benefit from timetabled employability sessions, ongoing support during internships and placements, and presentations and workshops delivered by employers. The team also works closely with the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.
Find out more about careers support and employability
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
You can study at one of three specially selected universities in the USA: Drexel University, the University of Kansas or the University of Nebraska-Omaha. This year is integrated with your Leeds study programme and, as a result, you will not be required to undertake an additional (5th) year of study.
Find out more about Study Abroad in the School of Civil Engineering.
Work placements
With the help and support of our faculty Employability Team, you can choose to undertake an industrial placement year at one of the 100+ companies that we work with. If you decide to undertake a placement year this will extend your period of study by 12 months and, on successful completion, you will be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your added experience to future employers.
As a BEng student you have the option to undertake the placement between years 2 and 3. MEng, BEng students can choose to do this either between years 2 and 3 or years 3 and 4.
Find out more about work placements