Architectural Engineering with Foundation Year

1st in the UK for continuing students in the subject area of General Engineering
Complete University Guide Subject League Table 2026

Get ready for degree-level study with our degree with a foundation year. In Year 0, you’ll be part of a supportive Engineering Foundation Year community, gaining essential skills in mathematics, programming, applied science, and engineering, as well as the confidence to complete a full honours degree as part of this four-year course. You’ll be able to begin this course without needing to meet the standard Level 3 entry requirements, as Year 0 is designed to prepare you for the challenges of engineering study and help you grasp the fundamental concepts needed to progress with confidence. Successful completion of the Foundation Year means you can progress directly into Year 1 of your degree.

From there, you’ll turn your passion for sustainable, cutting-edge design into a high-impact career through an Architectural Engineering degree at Canterbury Christ Church University. Blending style with structure, you’ll learn how to create designs that are eye-catching, functional, safe, and energy-efficient.

You'll learn in cutting-edge facilities shared with other engineering and STEM subjects with access to equipment that will give you hands-on, practical experience.

What you'll learn across your four-year course

• Master the balance between aesthetic design and technical structure to create safe, functional buildings.

• Implement the MIT-developed CDIO (Conceive, Develop, Implement, Operate) framework to solve complex, real-world engineering challenges.

• Learn in state-of-the-art facilities to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge construction technology.

• Collaborate with industry leaders to build a professional network and gain invaluable workplace insight.

• Develop a comprehensive personal portfolio that highlights your problem-solving skills and engineering expertise.

• Opt for a placement year between years 2 and 3 to gain first-hand industry experience. You can choose this option once you’ve joined us, and we’ll support you throughout, helping you develop valuable real-world experience and enhancing your employability.

What's more, studying BSc Architectural Engineering at CCCU puts you within a wider engineering community. You'll share your learning with students from other built environment and engineering disciplines, giving you a greater understanding of how architecture, engineering, and the built environment are related. This interdisciplinary experience is also crucial when starting your career.

Whether you’re designing innovative homes or tackling large-scale commercial projects, this architectural engineering degree will equip you with the skills and confidence you need for an exciting career in one of the UK’s fastest-growing industries.

This course also offers the opportunity to study abroad between year 2 and 3, giving selected students the chance to study at one of our prestigious partner institutions in North America. You’ll immerse yourself in a new culture, experience a different academic environment, broaden your horizons, and help you to stand out to employers in an increasingly global world.

Specialist facilities

Our multimillion-pound Verena Holmes building is home to our engineering workshop, mechatronics lab, makerspace and mechanical physics lab, all equipped with industry-standard technology such as wind turbines, plasma cutters, laser systems, industry-leading 3D printers, a water treatment plant, a bioreactor, a distillation column, and more.

For a list of core and likely optional modules, please visit our website.