(Full time) 2021 start
Architecture MEng, BEng
Overview
This unique degree integrates creative and technical knowledge in architecture, structural and building services engineering.
Focusing on studio-based architectural design projects, you’ll gain a critical understanding of how science, the arts and society are brought together through creative building design projects. You’ll develop a scientific and creative approach to building design, supported by learning in architectural history and theory, urban design, structures, construction, materials and building physics.
You’ll build in-depth knowledge of architectural principles as well as applied science and technology, exploring creative design issues through drawings and models, developing presentation and computer modelling skills using industry-standard software.
This course is a four-year degree. If you choose to finish after three years, you will graduate with a BEng in Architectural Engineering.
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.
Specialist facilities
Architectural design project learning is based in a new flexible design studio where, supported by our team of academic and practicing architects and engineers, you will benefit from a collaborative and interactive environment.
In addition to the design studio space, you’ll 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.
Fieldwork
During this course you will have the opportunity to attend a residential surveying field course in year one and a residential architectural study period in a European city in year three.
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.
Accreditation
Architects Registration Board
The University of Leeds MEng, BEng Architecture is currently prescribed to Part 1 by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), subject to periodic review, for the purposes of entry onto the United Kingdom Register of Architects. The prescription of this qualification will be due for renewal by 10th May 2022 as part of the review cycle.
Royal Institute of British Architects
We have been awarded Candidate Course Status for Validation to Part 1 by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), which means the proposals for the course are judged to have the potential to meet RIBA criteria. We will continue to work with the RIBA to ensure we meet all required stipulations to achieve full accreditation.
Joint Board of Moderators
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 MEng, BEng is accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer. See Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) for more information.
The accreditation by JBM also means that the programme is EUR-ACE labelled. This means that it meets the framework standards and guidelines of EUR-ACE and 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.
Year two
In Year 2 you’ll consolidate your technical knowledge of structural design and analysis, materials and geotechnics, as well as 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 Year 1, the design studio is the core through which you develop your learning in architectural design projects.
Year three
You’ll focus more on the architectural design projects in Year 3 and work on urban design issues in your study of architectural history and theory, which is linked to your architecture design studio and a study visit to a European city. You’ll enhance your technical knowledge in structures and building physics, and demonstrate an integrated understanding of creative and technical building design in your design studio work.
Year four
In your final year you will focus on design studio work. Your architecture design projects will be linked to research-focused modules in architectural history & theory, building physics and the context of the construction industry in architectural management, practice and law. In Semester 2, you’ll concentrate on a sophisticated architectural 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 structure and building services, to a high standard of visual communication skills.
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 student experience, with open-ended and creative architectural design projects used to demonstrate and develop the knowledge you gain in other modules. The course is centred in a new 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.
You’ll benefit from our integrated style of learning and teaching. Laboratory classes and industry sponsored fieldwork allow you to gain hands-on experience investigating and applying material from your lectures and tutorials to real life work situations. Together they will equip you with in-depth knowledge and key practical skills that will put you in a good position to compete in creative construction industry careers, where integrative abilities are increasingly in demand.
The course is delivered by a dedicated teaching team within the school, comprised of professionally qualified and experienced architects and engineers, 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. We organise industrial visits and offer additional seminars and tutorials delivered by practising architects, engineers and other professionals.
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 through both written examinations, held at the end of each year, and through coursework in the form of reports, projects, presentations and portfolios.
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
Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative 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 alternative 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 Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK: See fees section below
International: £24,500 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 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 international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.
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
Graduates are in great demand from multi-disciplinary consultancies specialising in building design and contractors engaged in building construction and project management.
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
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