Architectural Engineering with Foundation Year

Why study Architectural Engineering with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University?

• Course developed in partnership with practising architectural engineers

• Degree covers both the domestic sector and commercial buildings, new and refurbished

• Opportunity to undertake a years industrial work placement

• Dedicated Industry Unit to identify both placement opportunities and potential employers, both in the UK and overseas

• Annual employers day event helps students find placements and make useful industry contacts

• LJMU ranked 8th university in the UK for building degrees (The Times UK University Rankings 2025)

• LJMU ranked 16th in the UK for construction, surveying and planning courses (The Guardian University Guide 2025)

About your course
The BEng (Hons) Architectural Engineering with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University is the ideal course if you are interested in this subject but lack the necessary qualifications to study it at degree level.

The design of innovative, low carbon buildings can help to reduce the threat of global warming, and the further degradation of the natural environment. The Architectural Engineering profession aims to address the necessity for energy efficient buildings while still providing comfortable and aesthetically pleasing internal environments.

Modern living depends upon the engineering services that are an integral part of buildings, and these systems consume a significant percentage of the energy used in the UK. Architectural engineers operate as part of a professional team alongside architects, structural engineers, quantity surveyors and other construction professionals to ensure that buildings continue to function efficiently while de-carbonising the energy supply. They need to be technically competent and practical in outlook, but also good communicators as they give advice to a wide range of people.

This programme has been developed in partnership with practising professionals and will help you gain the skills required to design and integrate complex building engineering systems within an aesthetically pleasing building envelope, such that internal environmental conditions can be closely controlled and energy use is minimised.

In Level 4, you will be introduced to the basic underpinning engineering, scientific and mathematical principles, plus architectural and design philosophies. The technology focus at this point applies mainly to the domestic sector. In Level 5, your knowledge will be extended to encompass commercial buildings, both new and refurbished, and is applied to the design of systems for complex buildings. You will also have the opportunity to complete an optional placement year with a suitable employer. Level 6 of the BEng course includes the modelling and design of buildings, and the simulation of building services systems within complex buildings.

In addition you will be exposed to real, vocationally relevant project work with a focus on the promotion of sustainability. You will have the opportunity to carry out research in an area that you find particularly interesting. Projects are integrated at all levels of the degree, with materials and supervision provided by employers so you can replicate real-life scenarios in your work.

Additional course costs
There are no travel costs for day site visits. Optional residential study visits in the UK and abroad will have costs involved.

About the Foundation Year
The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Architectural Engineering honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).