Architectural Engineering BEng

Course overview

Architectural engineering brings to life the high-performance buildings of the future, addressing our growing need for more sustainable, climate change resilient, energy efficient and smart places to live, work and spend time.

The next generation of architectural engineers will bring together a range of skills, disciplines and technologies and apply them in new and exciting ways. From harnessing the power of renewables and managing energy use more efficiently, to designing for re-use and using technology to enhance lighting, acoustics and comfort within a building.

Studying architectural engineering at Leeds will put you at the forefront of new and emerging technologies and approaches to both building structures and the systems within them. You’ll learn how to get results from a multi-disciplinary approach, collaborate with professionals and play an important role in building a sustainable future for everyone.

This accredited degree develops engineers who actively contribute to sustainable and economic growth whilst setting and maintaining the highest ethical standards, embracing diversity and inclusion and delivering the infrastructure we all rely on in everyday life.

This is a practical course, so you’ll have access to a range of excellent facilities. As an architectural engineering student, you can make the most of our flexible design studio space which will be a base for you to learn and study, with specialist model-making facilities to support your design projects. You’ll also have access to extensive library facilities, industry-standard software and impressive laboratories with specialist facilities for structures, materials, public health engineering, building services and geotechnics – everything you need to begin your career as an architectural engineer.

Why study at Leeds:

• This course is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) and the Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers.
• Design projects are a key part of our Architectural Engineering degrees, giving you valuable hands-on experience and putting into practice the theoretical principles and the creative and technical skills you've learned.
• Access excellent specialist facilities including design studio space and industry-standard software such as Revit (Building Information Modelling), IES (dynamic thermal modelling), Robot (structural analysis) and Adobe Creative Suite (graphic communication).
• Our globally-renowned research here at Leeds helps to address societal and technical challenges with infrastructure around the world and feeds directly into your course, shaping what you learn with the latest thinking.
• Develop your experience and boost your career prospects with our industrial placement opportunities.
• All degree courses within the School of Civil Engineering share a common first year, which gives you the flexibility to switch between these courses at the end of your first year.
• At the end of your second year, there’s the possibility of transferring to the four-year integrated Masters (MEng, BEng).
• Our Civil Engineering Society (CivSoc) gives you the chance to meet like-minded people who share your passion for civil engineering with industrial networking events and site visits to build your experience and connections in the field, alongside exciting social events such as the annual CivSoc Ball. The School’s Architecture Society (ArcSoc) runs a number of activities such as talks by visiting architects, sketching and software workshops, as well as social events.

Accreditation

Joint Board of Moderators

Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students.

This course is professionally accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) on behalf of the Engineering Council. The JBM represents the five main professional bodies in the UK registering Civil Engineers, including the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the Permanent Way Institution (PWI), Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE), The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT)

This BEng degree is accredited as fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Our courses are EUR-ACE labelled, which means they also meet the framework standards and guidelines of EUR-ACE and that the accreditation is recognised by the member states of the European Higher Education Area.

Course details

The course integrates creative and technical knowledge and practice in architecture, structural and building services engineering – all underpinned by globally-renowned research and industrial practice. You’ll be exploring creative design issues in practical, real world project settings.

Every degree course within the School of Civil Engineering shares a common first year. You’ll complete six compulsory modules across the range of programmes offered, giving you a firm basis on which to specialise in later years, and the flexibility to switch between courses.

Every year of your course gives you hands-on experience in project work. This allows you to explore your subject further as well as developing valuable skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork.

Ethics plays an integral role in the engineering practices of today, which is why you’ll study engineering ethics as part of your course. You’ll be taught by academics from the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre, as well as your lecturers, covering a wide range of topics such as professionalism and codes of conduct, corporate social responsibility, engineering and responsibility, ethics in innovation and research ethics.

The ethics training will advance your critical thinking, communication and creative problem-solving skills which are crucial to employers, but it will also help you identify and respond effectively to ethical dilemmas that you may encounter in your professional life in the engineering industry.

Each academic year, you'll take a total of 120 credits.

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.

Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.

For more information and a list of typical modules available on this course, please read Architectural Engineering BEng in the course catalogue.

Year 1

You’ll be introduced to the fundamental principles of materials, structures, water engineering, soil mechanics and construction. You’ll also attend a residential surveying field course in year 1 – this is a compulsory part of the architectural engineering programmes; there are no additional fees to pay for this.

Modules

Architecture and Sustainability – 20 credits

This module will introduce you to the history, theories and cultural context of the built environment and architecture, and its impact on people, society and environment. There’s a focus on the sustainability and environmental impact of projects and infrastructure, especially in the context of climate change.

Surveying, Construction Technology and Management – 20 credits

This module will introduce you to construction processes and will highlight applicable codes of practice and industry standards. It introduces some aspects of management, particularly those associated with a construction project. There’s focus on surveying techniques including use of commonly used industry equipment and technologies along with how these can be used to produce survey plans and set out structures.

Structural Analysis and Design 1 – 20 credits

In this module you’ll learn about the fundamental principles of structural analysis and design, which are used to determine and describe the behaviour of a variety of structural and architectural forms. On completion, you’ll have the basic skills in structural and stress analysis and design to study more advanced courses in years 2 and 3.

Materials, Water and Soils – 20 credits

Throughout this module, you’ll get to grips with understanding the fundamentals of the behaviour of water, soil, steel and other key materials, and understand the relevance of this in relation to design of structural elements. Additional topics covered include application of fundamental mechanics principles to fluids, design and analysis of simple hydraulic structures and the geological processes that result in the formation of engineering soils.

Engineering Mathematics and Modelling 1 – 20 credits

Over the course of this module, you’ll develop an understanding of the principles of general basic mathematical techniques relating to civil engineering. This will give you sufficient mathematical competence to manage the compulsory content of your degree.

Integrated Design Project 1 (including Design Studio 1) – 20 credits

On this module you’ll learn how to prepare and present building design projects in response to a brief. You’ll also learn about the constructional and structural systems, the environmental strategies, and the regulatory requirements that apply to a comprehensive design project.

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 and theory. As with the first year, the design studio is the core through which you develop your learning in architectural engineering design projects (referred to as “Design Studio” modules).

Modules

Water Engineering and Geotechnics – 20 credits

This module builds on the knowledge you’ll gain in year 1, in reference to geotechnics and water engineering. You’ll address ultimate load problems, discuss the concepts of fluid friction in pipes and understand the demand and requirements for water.

Engineering Mathematics and Modelling 2 – 20 credits

Throughout the course of this module, you’ll build on mathematical techniques learnt in year 1 to further your understanding of how mathematical models can be applied to real-life civil engineering problems. You’ll develop confidence in your mathematical abilities so that when mathematics arise in the solution of an engineering problem, you’re able to understand, rather than merely accept – the results.

Design Studio 2 – 20 credits

You’ll gain knowledge of the processes and practice of building design, including understanding, interpreting and critically evaluating a brief; researching, collating and evaluating background information including site and precedent studies; developing, refining and presenting design ideas for a specific proposal. The relationships between technology, fine art and building design are highlighted and explored through the design process.

Structural Design and Materials 1 – 40 credits

This module covers the behaviour of structures and how their design is influenced by the characteristics of structural materials. You’ll gain understanding of cement, concrete, and steel, with a focus on their relevance to buildings and civil engineering structures, the elastic analysis of statically indeterminate structures, and the design of structures in steel and reinforced concrete. You’ll learn to determine force actions in structures and how to measure and compute the solutions to complex structural stress problems. In terms of design, you'll develop an understanding of limit states and an integral view of the design process informed not just by performance specifications but also by sustainability and durability. You’ll learn to design reinforced concrete elements (slabs, beams and columns) from first principles and structural steel elements for flexure, shear and axial loads.

Architectural History and Theory 2 – 10 credits

Throughout this module, you’ll gain insight into the relevance of cultural influence on building design and architectural design. An understanding of the influence that fine art and technology have on the development of architectural form and practice will give you a better awareness of cultural issues in design applications.

Building Physics 1: Fundamental Principles – 10 credits

This module will introduce the fundamental principles of building physics and their relationship to building design.

Year 3

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  third year design studio work (typically a multi-storey office building design). You’ll also undertake an individual research project which will enhance your research and independent study skills.

Compulsory modules

Water Engineering and Geotechnics 2 – 20 credits

This module builds on the principals for water engineering and geotechnics gained in levels 1 & 2. It will develop the concepts of integrated river management and examine the use of numerical methods in open channel flow. In respect to geotechnics, it will build on the understanding of soil to cover the range of foundations available for structures, including shallow foundations such as strip, pad and raft foundations, deep foundations such as caissons, shafts and piles; and composite foundations such as piled rafts. It will cover the approach to design, analysis and construction.

Structural Design and Materials 2 – 20 credits

This module builds on the knowledge acquired in the first two years to develop a more profound understanding of steel and concrete structures complemented by an introduction to more complex structural analysis methods (stiffness matrix method, plastic analysis, finite element analysis). You'll learn to design multi-storey buildings, considering advanced aspects such as progressive collapse, sway stability, bracing, and connections. In relation to concrete, this module covers the technological principles and the analysis of prestressed concrete elements, and you'll learn to design prestressed structural elements. You'll also gain an understanding of masonry and timber construction including the specification of alternative forms of masonry and different species of timber and forms of timber construction.

Design Studio 3.2 – 30 credits

During this module, you’ll gain an appreciation and understanding of theoretical design concepts, further development of understanding relating cultural and technological context to the building environment, and a wider understanding of building types and precedent. You’ll also gain knowledge relating to statutory regulations, including the processes of planning policy and building control, as well as a critical appraisal of structural, building physics and construction approaches. These appraisals of technologies are developed into specific proposals.

Individual Research Project 1 – 20 credits

This module requires you to choose one aspect of civil engineering and develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of it. This will include the underlying principles and an awareness of current and future developments within a chosen field of research. You’ll hone independent learning and research skills, critical analysis, self-direction and decision making.

Architectural History and Theory 3 – 10 credits

This module will give you an understanding of the forms, origins, and processes of urban development. Knowledge of social, environmental, and economic factors as affecting urbanism will help give you a critical approach to design issues as affected by current policy as well as alternative models.

Building Physics 2: Services Design – 10 credits

This module will contribute to your ability to create architectural designs that satisfy both aesthetic and technical requirements. You’ll gain knowledge of physical problems and technologies, and the function of buildings to provide them with internal conditions of comfort and protection against the climate. The module explores principles associated with designing optimum environments and the ability to integrate these in a design project.

Optional modules (selection below indicative of typical options)

• Transport Planning and Modelling 2 – 10 credits
• Environmental Health Engineering in Developing Countries – 10 credits
• Highway Engineering 2 – 10 credits
• Computational Methods for Civil Engineering – 10 credits
• Engineering Geology – 10 credits
• Wastewater Engineering – 10 credits

One-year optional work placement

During your course, you’ll be given the opportunity to advance your skill set and experience further. You can apply to undertake a one-year industrial work placement which will extend your degree by 12 months.

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'll benefit from learning from your peers, the academic teaching team and design tutors from practice.

During your course, you’ll be involved in a range of interactive, team-based study, informed by sector-leading approaches. At every level of your programme, you’ll undertake an Integrated Design Project where you’ll bring together what you have learned across the programme to gain experience in finding design solutions to real-world problems. You’ll develop expertise in designing solutions that consider economic, environmental and a range of other societal and technical factors. These are often group and team projects where you'll work together successfully address the challenge.

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'll 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'll 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'll receive support from fellow students through our Peer-Assisted Study Support (PASS) scheme. PASS 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 PASS mentors during your first week for a social activity.

Taster lectures

Watch our taster lectures to get a flavour of what it’s like to study at Leeds:

• Civil Engineering in the 21st Century
• Architectural history – Victorian architecture

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'll be assessed through a range of approaches, including assessments that closely match the type of work and tasks you might undertake in a professional work environment. This will include assessment both through project work and written examinations (both open and closed book), and through coursework in the form of posters, presentations and reports. Design studio projects include a range of formative assessment and feedback, including design tutorials and reviews, involving interaction with students as well as the teaching team.

Assessments will support you in developing key transferable skills. Many of your submissions will be submitted through our extensive virtual learning environment.

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-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking.

GCSE: English Language at grade 4 or above, or an appropriate English language qualification. We will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), International Project Qualification (IPQ) and Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (ASCC): We recognise the value of these qualifications and the effort and enthusiasm that applicants put into them, and where an applicant offers an A in the EPQ/IPQ/ASCC 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.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s 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.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £30,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
In November 2024 the UK Government announced that the tuition fee cap may rise to £9,535 from £9,250.

The tuition fee cap for some foundation years may also reduce to £5,760 from £9,250.

This would start from the academic year 2025/26. However, this is subject to final confirmation from the Government. Once available, we’ll publish the fees for the 2025/26 academic year and individual offer letters shall be updated via email and post.

The foundation year courses affected are:
·         Business Studies with Foundation Year BSc
·         Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA
·         Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education BA
·         Social Science (foundation year) BA

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 and 2025/26 are available on individual course pages.

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 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.

Additional cost information

Although the School provides some model-making materials free for you to use, and you won't be required to pay for printing costs, you’ll be required to buy some materials, such as additional model-making materials and equipment, drawing equipment and sketchbooks.

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.

Scholarships and 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.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

We may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Availability of courses in UCAS Extra will be detailed on UCAS at the appropriate stage in the cycle.

Admissions guidance

Read our admissions guidance about applying and writing your personal statement.

What happens after you’ve applied

You can keep up to date with the progress of your application through UCAS.

UCAS will notify you when we make a decision on your application. If you receive an offer, you can inform us of your decision to accept or decline your place through UCAS.

How long will it take to receive a decision

We typically receive a high number of applications to our courses. For applications submitted by the January UCAS deadline, UCAS asks universities to make decisions by mid-May at the latest.

Offer holder events

If you receive an offer from us, you’ll be invited to an offer holder event. This event is more in-depth than an open day. It gives you the chance to learn more about your course and get your questions answered by academic staff and students. Plus, you can explore our campus, facilities and accommodation.

International applicants

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students.

We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Read about visas, immigration and other information here.

If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Civil Engineering

Contact us

School of Civil Engineering Undergraduate Admissions

Email: ugcivil@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

There are a variety of exciting career opportunities awaiting you when you graduate – from specialist building design consultancies, to muti-disciplinary firms, to some of the largest construction organisations in the world.

Architectural engineering graduates are in great demand and University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research.

Typically, the majority of graduates each year secure professional or managerial positions and take their first steps in their career as structural, civil or building services engineers, design engineers, architectural engineers or architectural consultants.

Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our most recent graduates have obtained:

• Engineer, BDP
• Engineer, E.C.Harris
• Engineer, Heyne Tillett Steel
• Civil Engineer, URS
• Design Engineer, AECOM
• Structural Design Engineer, AKT II
• Design Engineer, AKT II
• Design Engineer, Arup
• Graduate Structural Engineer, Arup
• Lighting Designer, Arup
• Continuous Improvement Engineer, Balfour Beatty
• Civil Engineer, Buro Happold
• Associate - Facade Engineering, Buro Happold Consulting Engineers
• Graduate Engineer, Curtins
• Graduate Engineer, Elliott Wood
• Assistant Architect with Engineering Excellence, Laing O'Rourke
• Design Engineer, Morph Structures
• Graduate Mechanical Building Services Engineer, Mott MacDonald
• Senior Project Manager, Pride Projects
• Graduate Engineer, Renaissance Ltd
• Assistant Engineer, WS Atkins Consultants Ltd
• Director of Urban Design, WSP
• Graduate Engineer, WSP Global
• Graduate Structural Engineer, WYG Group
• Graduate building physicist, Yonder Consulting

Read profiles of our alumni to find out more about where some of our graduates are working.

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.

You'll be supported throughout your studies by our dedicated Employability team, who will provide you with specialist support and advice to help you find relevant work experience, internships and industrial placements, as well as graduate positions. You’ll benefit from timetabled employability sessions, support during internships and placements, and presentations and workshops delivered by employers.

You'll also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

Study abroad and work placements

Work placements

An industrial placement year is a great way to help you decide on a career path when you graduate. You’ll develop your skills and gain a real insight into working life in a particular company or sector. It will also improve your employability and help you to stand out in a competitive graduate job market.

Benefits of a work placement year:

• 100+ organisations to choose from, both in the UK and overseas
• Build industry contacts within your chosen field
• Our close industry links mean you’ll be in direct contact with potential employers
• Advance your experience and skills by putting the course teachings into practice
• Gain invaluable insight into working as a professional in this industry
• Improve your employability

If you decide to undertake a placement year this will extend your period of study by 12 months and, on successful completion, you'll be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your added experience to future employers.

With the help and support of our dedicated Employability team, you can find the right placement to suit you and your future career goals.

Here are some examples of placements our students have recently completed:

• Arcadis
• Evolve Consulting Engineers Limited
• Price & Myers
• Cummins
• Nationwide Structures Ltd
• Yonder

Find out more about Industrial placements.