BSC (HONOURS) Architectural Technology at Sheffield Hallam University

• Join a prestigious and award-winning department that is recognised by CIAT for its innovative teaching approaches
• Study on a course based on the principle of applied learning – with challenging building design projects at the heart of what we do.
• Work towards becoming a fully qualified Architectural Technologist
• Join a course committed to employability through providing up to date professional-level skills from day one.
• Become part of a friendly and inclusive school or architecture

On this course, you'll study building design and construction, all from a professional perspective. Upon graduating, you'll have an impressive and broad portfolio of work and be ready to take on a range of rewarding roles within the architecture and construction industry.

Throughout the course, you'll undertake architectural design projects that have a focus on design and technology

Projects are supported through lectures, workshops and seminars covering building technology, structures, environmental science, low-energy design, the contemporary construction sector and professional practice. You’ll fully apply your learning in these subjects to your design projects.

The use of computers and digital design are at the core of the course and you will be taught a wide range of professional software packages. Prior to taking a placement you will gain a fully certified Revit qualification. Your final year project will be delivered fully as a Building Information Model (BIM).

You learn through

• weekly studio-based tutorials
• lectures and seminars
• taught software classes
• practical construction workshops
• field trips
• visits to building sites
• visits to architectural practices
• work placements

Project -based learning

Design projects are set on real sites and locations, and engage with current social, economic and environmental issues. A client will set the project and provide feedback along the way.

On these projects, you will take a brief, create a design, develop a set of technical details and produce complex digital drawings and models ready for construction.

The course offers many other hands-on opportunities. Lab classes cover materials science, workshops cover structural and construction techniques and site and building surveying is a part of the design projects.

Collaborative Learning

We are proud to be one of three pioneering universities who have worked together for 8 years to deliver an internationally based collaborative project. Final year students from Sheffield, Ireland and Denmark meet once a year to work together on a design project using the most advanced team-working digital methods. The collaborative workshop is a core module on the course and simulates how the majority of important architectural projects are delivered in practice today.

Environmental emphasis

The course emphasises environmental design and introduces fundamental knowledge of environmental science and low-energy design across all three years. We teach software that allows the environmental quality and energy performance of buildings to be simulated and tested, and this is used to inform studio design projects.

Connection to Industry

We have outstanding links and with and input from AutoDesk, who are the leading industry provider of architectural software, including AutoCAD and Revit. ARUP have acted as structural consultants to our final year students for many years. In 2020 we are excited to be working with MOBIE (Ministry of Building Innovation and Education) on the final year project.

Work Placements

The majority of students will go on work placement after second year. This gives you a great experience ready to get a full-time job after graduation.

You will receive in-depth preparation for your placement, including portfolio reviews, CV advice and mock job interviews with professional architectural technologists.

The course is flexible — it is very common to complete the final year as a part-time student, staying on to work in the practice where you went on sandwich placement

Employability Support

The final year includes an extra work-experience opportunity, where every student is supported in finding a 120hrs short placement in the architectural or construction sector. This adds even further career preparation prior to graduation.

We have strong connections with regional and national practices, which allow for excellent employment opportunities. This is aided by industry employer events, careers days and our end of year exhibition preview.

Every student is allocated an Employability advisor from the very start of the course.

Transfer to Degree Apprenticeship

There is also a great opportunity transfer to our Degree Apprenticeship in Architectural Techology and Design Management at the end of the first year (120 credits at level 4). You would need to find an employer prior to applying to make the transfer.

Key modules on the apprenticeship course are taught together with the Architectural Technology course.

Transfer to part-time course

You can transfer to the part-time course at the end of any year – which gives great flexibility if you decide you want to work whilst studying. It is very popular to study the final year as a part-time student, staying on with your sandwich year employer.

Field trips

Field study trips, within the UK and Europe, broaden your understanding of architectural technology within contemporary contexts.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

• your own company as a chartered architectural technologist
• architecture practices in the private and public sector
• construction companies
• digital design and management
• construction project management or design management
• property developers
• construction trades
• teaching in colleges or universities