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Architectural Design Technology

Entry requirements


A level

C,D,D-B,B,C

Accepted alongside A-Levels as part of overall 80-112 UCAS Tariff requirement.

80-112 UCAS Tariff points

80-112 UCAS Tariff points

Accepted as part of overall 80-112 UCAS Tariff requirement.

80-112 UCAS Tariff points from International Baccalaureate Certificates

80-112 UCAS Tariff points

Accepted alongside Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level as part of overall 80-112 UCAS Tariff requirement.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

MMP-DMM

80-112 UCAS Tariff points

80-112 UCAS Tariff points

UCAS Tariff

80-112

Accepted as part of overall 80-112 UCAS Tariff point requirement.

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Architectural technology

Why choose this course?

Our Architectural Design Technology degree explores how design and technology work together, giving you practical working knowledge of both areas.

The course is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and you will be eligible for Associate Membership (ACIAT) on graduation. You can progress to full Chartered status with appropriate experience, and being a Chartered Architectural Technologist will give you all the same powers as an Architect but in considerably less time.

Students:

- can work on projects based on local sites, including real schemes with real clients, as well as involvement with European partners

- will develop knowledge of how designs evolve from the initial idea to the construction stage, and beyond. This will include the implications of your choices of structure and materials in order to lead the way with cutting-edge design solutions for all scenarios

- with a growing awareness of the impact the construction industry has as a contributor to climate change, you will understand how better design and technology choices can make you an Architectural Technologist who is offering solutions to these changes, including ensuring mitigation and resilience is key to how we deliver built environments

- will work within a learning environment where your design experience is personal and focused on you developing your skills, discovering new ones, and becoming a confident and convincing Architectural Technologist

*The course is part of a subject area rated joint 1st in the UK for graduate prospects in the Building subject league tables, Complete University Guide 2023.

Key course features:
- Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, offering you student membership for free, and access to the young/new members group, AspirATion

- *The course is part of a subject area rated joint first in the UK for graduate prospects in the Architecture subject league tables, Complete University Guide 2022

- You will work in a friendly and supportive learning environment with a helpful teaching team who are themselves members of the professional bodies for the architecture and construction industry that accredit our courses

- You will undertake a mixture of group and individual work and, where these are related to designs, you will have a dedicated studio space for architectural design technology students

- You will have opportunities to meet specialists from across the architecture and construction industry both at the university and through our extensive programme of site visits.

- You will be offered a placement experience at Level 5 of the course and will be able to take advantage of the employer network who use us to seek trainees and staff

- You will have access to the latest Computer Aided Design software and digital information resources; as well as guidance and support from the teaching team in how best to use these to add to or develop your existing skills

Modules

What you will study

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
The first year of our Architectural Design degree comprises six core modules that combine to provide an introduction to the processes and technologies that exist within the contemporary construction industry. Subjects are considered from first principles so that you can come to appreciate fundamental issues in the design, construction, management, use and decommissioning of construction projects.

The design focus of this year is domestic, with the task set allowing for exploration of how to house different individuals and families, reflecting everything learnt in complementary modules like Construction Technology 1.

MODULES

Design & Technology 1
Construction Management 1
Construction Technology 1
Sustainable Construction
Quantity Surveying Practice 1
Science and Materials

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
This year builds upon the first by introducing further modules that explore important considerations in the development of construction projects.

The design focus shifts to public buildings, on a larger scale, and where possible, with real clients. Other modules include Planning and Building Regulations, which explores the two principal ‘permissions’ necessary when development is proposed, and Digital Technologies in Surveying which considers the use of digital equipment in the measurement of land. Year 2 also includes a compulsory week-long work placement.

MODULES

Architectural Design & Technology 2 (Including Work-based Learning)
Planning and Building Regulations
Construction Technology 2
Digital Technologies in Surveying
Procurement and Contract Practice

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)
The final year of the programme brings together the lessons of the earlier Design projects in the study and development of a significant commercial building, supported by in-depth research on a related technology and design aspect.

The year requires the development of a group project in Inter-professional Studies and provides an opportunity to explore a particular research interest in the Individual Research Project. All sixteen modules combine to engage students in their chosen field of study and are intended to encourage confidence and enthusiasm in the development of their expertise.

MODULES

Architectural Design & Technology 3
Inter-professional Studies
Construction Technology 3
Commercial Management
Project Management Technologies and BIM

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Assessment methods

Teaching & Assessment

A range of assessment methods are used within the programme to simulate the sorts of written, practical, visual and oral communication skills that are expected of architectural design technologists; written reports, the practical use of technical equipment, visual presentations, laboratory analyses, in-class tests, coursework and oral presentations are all important ways in which students can demonstrate their understanding. The types of assessment selected for each module have been chosen to best suit the nature of the technical content in each subject, and collectively provide a range of opportunities for students to demonstrate their interest, enthusiasm and interpretation of content during their studies.

With all assessments, you will be fully supported by the teaching team; including assigning you a personal tutor you can speak to about any issues you have during your time on the course.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Modules are delivered using a variety of teaching and learning techniques, including traditional lectures, practical ‘hands-on’ activities, tutorials and group discussions. The main priority is to ensure that students feel comfortable within the academic learning environment and feel able to contribute to the discussion of subject matter within any class, tutorial or other learning activity that forms part of their studies – teaching and learning is fundamentally a two-way process within which student opinion is vitally important.

Work is undertaken both individually and in groups. You will be encouraged to think independently, critically and logically to effectively communicate appropriate design solutions. The course aims to inspire professionalism, design flair, technological competence and originality.

As there is a significant focus on design, the assessments relating to developing and producing buildings will be supported through specific lectures and evaluated through a variety of methods aimed at increasing confidence in presentation skills, both visual and verbal.

Wrexham Glyndŵr University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

England
£9,000
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,000
per year
Scotland
£9,000
per year
Wales
£9,000
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Wrexham (Main Campus)

Department:

School of the Creative Arts

Read full university profile

What students say


How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Architectural technology

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

97%
UK students
3%
International students
66%
Male students
34%
Female students
12%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
A
D

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Architecture

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

100%
high
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

40%
Draughtspersons and related architectural technicians
16%
Architects, town planners and surveyors
4%
Teaching and educational professionals

Architecture had a difficult time a few years back during the great recession, but those days are over and the degree is in demand as house building and infrastructure have increased in importance. Most working architects secure jobs in the architecture industry, more usually starting as assistants rather than full-blown architects or chartered technicians. Some, however, move into management, design or marketing roles, where they find their planning, design and project management skills are very welcome. Nearly half the architecture-related jobs last year were in London or the South-East, and this group are rather more likely than average to find their jobs through personal contacts, so polish your networking skills, or see if you can get work experience if you want to succeed as an architect.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Architecture

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£24k

£24k

£27k

£27k

£30k

£30k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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