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Architectural Design and Technology

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site
Awarded by:
Solent University

Course summary

Ranked first for student satisfaction, and third for graduate prospects in the Complete University Guide 2021 UK league tables (subject 'Architecture').

Are you a creative thinker with a passion for technology and architecture? Professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, this course explores three branches of the fascinating architectural technology industry: design, technology and professional practice. This is complemented by modules in sustainable environmental design and Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Our award-winning graduates gained First and Second (Highly Commended) at the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)’s 2017 Student Awards for Technical Excellence in Architectural Technology, and Commended in 2018.

Taught by a dedicated and well-qualified team, the architectural design and technology course is professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, meaning that the curriculum meets the specific needs of the architectural technology industry. The curriculum equips students with a strong grounding in architectural design, construction technology, technical design and professional practice. Students also have the opportunity to qualify as a BREAAM Accredited Graduate.

Solent architectural design and technology students have the opportunity to showcase their final-year projects to employers and the public at our end-of-year Summer Show, and in the past students have secured graduate employment as a result.

Students also have the opportunity to work in our architectural technology studio. Fully-equipped with the latest version of industry standard software, this modern studio space was developed to give a sense of the feel and atmosphere of a working professional studio, bringing students together from various built environment courses to collaborate as they would in the real-world workplace.

Solent students will study in the heart of an exciting city undergoing significant development, from the royal pier project, the new cultural quarter and Watermark West Quay to Solent University’s own Spark building.

Strong industry links allow study projects to be linked to real-world briefs, giving students the opportunity to work with clients and employers. This full time course is also offered on a part-time day release basis for students progressing from a relevant HNC.

What does this course lead to?
This course prepares graduates for a range of careers within a number of organisations, such as architectural and architectural technology practices, local authorities and building contractors.

The majority of our graduates find employment as architectural technologists within architectural practices, such as ADAM Architecture, HPW, Stride Treglown, HGP Architects and even as far afield as Spain and Australia. Some graduates work for local government, such as Hampshire County Council and Dorset County Council.

Who is this course for?
This architectural design and technology course is ideal first step for those who want to attain chartered status with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists or the Chartered Association of Building Engineers after graduation.

Modules

YEAR 1 - CORE MODULES
Architectural Design Development
Construction Technology
Architectural Communication
Architectural Design Realisation
Building Law Management
Science of Materials

YEAR 2 - CORE MODULES
Architectural Design
Technical Design
Sustainable Refurbishment
Advanced Construction Technology
Building Information Modelling
Procurement and Project Management

YEAR 3 - CORE MODULES
Sustainable Architectural Design
Sustainable Technical Design
Contracts Administration and Specifications
Professional Practice

YEAR 3 - OPTIONS (Please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each year)
Final Major Project
Research Dissertation

Assessment method

Students will be assessed with a mixture of design-based portfolios, e-portfolios, essays, research projects, reports and presentations.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Building Engineers, Chartered Association of

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
ADT1
Institution code:
S30
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Direct entry to years 2 (Level 5) or 3 (Level 6)

We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses.

International applicants

For information about applying to Solent as an International applicant, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/help-for-international-students

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points

A level

104-120 from a minimum of 2 A Levels

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

DMM (112 UCAS Tariff Points)

Access to HE Diploma

Pass in Access course with 60 credits overall including 45 Level 3 credits passed with a minimum of Merit, or 102-118 UCAS Tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit or Pass Grades

Scottish Higher

104-120 UCAS Tariff Points from a minimum of 4 Scottish Highers

AS

Accepted when studied alongside other Level 3 qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*D

D*D (104 UCAS Tariff Points)

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

This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)

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

This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)

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

This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DMM

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - D*D*

Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF)

This qualification is accepted when taken alongside other qualifications.

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)

This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)

Pearson BTEC Certificate (QCF)

This qualification is accepted when taken alongside other qualifications.

Scottish Advanced Higher

104-120 UCAS Tariff Points from a minimum of 2 Scottish Advanced Highers

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 - 31 points

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)

Extended Project

This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)

HNC (BTEC) - P - D

HND (BTEC) - P - M

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM

DMM (112 UCAS Tariff Points)

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - D*D

D*D (104 UCAS Tariff Points)

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma

This qualification is accepted when taken alongside other qualifications.

OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma

This qualification is considered as part of the overall tariff (104-120 UCAS Tariff Points)

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate

This qualification is accepted when taken alongside other qualifications.

OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate

This qualification is accepted when taken alongside other qualifications.

T Level - M

Merit (120 UCAS Tariff Points)

• Direct entry to years 2 (Level 5) or 3 (Level 6)

We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses.

• Level 5 (year 2) entry

To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

• Level 6 (year 3) entry

To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio
Only required if applicant does not meet relevancy.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6with 5.5 in each individual component.
TOEFL (iBT)80with a minimum of 20 in each individual compoenent.
Solent University can also accept the following English Language Test: Duolingo English Language Test 115 overall with a minimum of 95 in each component. All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office. We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at this PDF document which outlines both Solent University and Home Office requirements for a number of language tests.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We understand that each student is unique. At Solent we encourage individuality and have adopted a balanced approach to Admissions, by considering exam results alongside portfolios / interviews or auditions.

Our contextual offer scheme allows offers below our standard academic entry criteria to those who have faced challenges which has impacted their performance and predicted higher grades, by taking into account additional selection criteria such as a strong portfolio, interview or audition.

Learn more on the Southampton, Solent University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

90 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

90 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9790Year 1
Northern Ireland£9790Year 1
Scotland£9790Year 1
Wales£9790Year 1
Channel Islands£9790Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9790Year 1
International£19081Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Sponsorship information

Solent University offers a number of bursaries, grants and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/finance/grants-bursaries-scholarships/bursaries

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