Course Overview
Course summary
Our degree courses with Foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster.
Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge and skills towards degree-level study, or want to change your subject specialism, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our Foundation year to progress onto full honours degree with us.
Our Foundation year in Architecture and Design offers an introduction to the creative professions that shape the design of interiors, buildings and urban spaces. Through design projects you'll learn about the spatial, technical and cultural issues, and develop the grounding skills and creative practices necessary for further study. The first semester begins with an exploration of the design and inhabitation of urban space, followed by a materials and making project based in the Fabrication Laboratory, our outstanding Marylebone campus workshop facility. Running alongside these will be studio and field-based exercises to develop your drawing and creative skills. In the second semester, a project on the design of existing spaces will be followed by the development of a creative work driven by your own interests. Students from the Foundation will have the opportunity to exhibit in the School of Architecture and Cities summer exhibition. Your practical development will be accompanied by modules in both semesters on academic skills in writing and critical thinking.
On successful completion of the Foundation year, you'll be able to move on to study for the Architectural Technology BSc Honours degree over a further three years of study.
Our design-led Architectural Technology BSc will give you the skills you need to launch your career in design and development.
From architectural composition and technical analysis to the business and management skills you'll need for contract procurement, we'll teach you how to apply technical decision-making to real-life design challenges.
Learning in our dedicated Architectural Technology studio and working on real design briefs, you’ll develop a sound understanding of the processes of design and construction and the management tools, particularly CAD, for communicating design information.
You'll gain an understanding of the multidisciplinary and collaborative nature of the modern construction industry, and will have the chance to work alongside students from all construction courses in Year 1.
Studying the Architectural Technology BSc will give you the framework to practise privately, or — on successful MCIAT chartership — run a business in the architectural and construction industries.
All of our courses are delivered using an enquiry-based blended learning approach involving workshops, lectures, tutorials and independent study. We assess your learning through a variety of methods including project work, essays and exams.
Top reasons to study with us
- Industry-experienced tutors – Our tutors have extensive track records of project design and delivery
- Outstanding facilities – We have a unique Fabrication Lab and studio facilities in the heart of central London
- Work placements with leading architectural practices – You'll gain work experience through taking a two-week placement in architectural practice during the final year of the course
- Prepare for your career – You'll have access to and learn more about various industry-recognised design and presentation software
- Student success – Our Architectural Technology BSc students have won a wide range of awards including the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists' Student Award for Excellence
- Westminster is ranked 4th for 'Student Satisfaction' in Architecture in the Complete University Guide 2025
Course structure
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
The Foundation year offers four studio-based modules which include Recording Place, Making Practices, Reading Spaces and the Major Project. The latter is a design challenge that asks students to draw on skills and interests ignited by their earlier studio-based work and topics explored in the Foundation Pathway Modules. The work from this project will form the centrepiece of the final exhibition showcasing the students' skills and creative visions.
Subjects of study include:
- Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
- Introduction to Academic Practice
- Major Project
- Making Practices
- Reading Spaces
- Recording Place
Credit Level 3
Subjects of study include:
- Design Studio 1
- Technologies of Architecture 1
- Technology – Construction Technology and Services
- Technology – Building Science and Structures
- Design Practice
Credit Level 4
Subjects of study include:
- Design Studio 2
- Technologies of Architecture 2
- Construction Engineering Technology
- Technology – Structural Principles
- Project Procurement, Management and Law
Credit Level 5
This course gives you the opportunity to take a year in industry (work placement) after completing the second year of your study. This will help you gain work experience and increase your chances of employability after you graduate.
Students who complete their placement year successfully will have the additional wording appended to their degree title, for example, "BSc(Hons) Architectural Technology with Professional Experience".
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a placement year.
Subjects of study include:
- Design Studio 3
- Technology – Construction Technology and Innovation
- Technology – Building Pathology
- Professional (Design) Practice
- Sustainable Design and Technology Research Project
Credit Level 6
Professional accreditation
This course is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, the Chartered Institute of Building, and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers.
"CABE is proud to accredit the degree programmes within the built environment at the University of Westminster. This brings us closer to talented students who will build their global future as Chartered Building Engineers and as other professionals within the industry." – Chartered Association of Building Engineers
Course climate action statement
This course is design-led with a long-standing focus on sustainable technologies and construction methods. You will join us in promoting a global understanding of sustainable and regenerative architectural design. Regenerative architectural technologies, materials and practices are an emerging theme for the course and will form the basis of some of your projects.
Architecture Tour and Facilities
Watch the video below to find out more about our facilities at the University's Marylebone Campus.
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Live chat with us
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
Can't attend? See more open events
Careers
Graduate architectural technologists have a wide range of career opportunities. Employment can range from architectural practice, working for contractors, engineering practices and construction management practices. As a design-based science degree, students can also move to product design, furniture design, and other design disciplines.
Gain industry experience
You'll have the opportunity to do a two-week placement in architectural practice during the final year of the course.
Start your professional journey while you study
Our course is fully accredited by the CIAT, the CIOB, and the CABE, giving you an industry-recognised qualification.
Employers around the world
The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Industry links
We have strong links with industry, which in the past has included partnerships with TRADA and Erasmus+.
You'll be taught by lecturers and practitioners with years of experience gained across the world.
Alumni and other industry professionals regularly appear as guest speakers, with past speakers coming from:
- Foster + Partners
- Stefan Shaw Studio
- ROK Architecture
- Pozzoni Architecture
- HTA
The success of our architecture and interiors students has been recognised by a wide range of external awards, including an outstanding run of success in the RIBA President's Medals. Read more about our student successes.
Work experience
We encourage students to participate in paid internships during the summer period of their second year, and all students take part in a two-week placement in architectural practice during the final year of their course.
Between Years 2 and 3, you'll have the opportunity to undertake a year in industry (work placement) and gain work experience, enhancing your employability after graduation.
Job roles
Our course will prepare you for careers in the areas of architectural/construction management, design management, architectural photography and construction project management, and roles such as:
- Architectural assistant
- Architectural designer
- Architectural design manager
- Architectural technician
- Architectural technologist
Graduates should aim for chartered architectural technologist status. After graduation and work experience, a chartered architectural technologist can set up their own practice, provide a full architectural design service and lead projects of all shapes and sizes from start to finish, from new homes and hotels to shopping centres and football stadiums.
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- Foster + Partners
- Foggo
- BLA Architects
- PTAL (Peter Taylor Associates)
- Pozzoni Architecture
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leaders
The Foundation year is an intensive introduction to the essential creative skills for success in the field – an ideal pathway if you’ve not studied art or would like to explore your career options in a practical way.
Julian Williams
Principal Lecturer
Julian is an architect and academic with extensive experience working in architectural practice. He was BA Architecture Course Leader from 2011 to 2020. He is currently the Deputy Director of Teaching, Learning and Quality for the School.
His writing and research have focused on pedagogy in architectural education, which has informed course innovations and contributed to the set up of the AAE (Association of Architectural Educators), the UK network of design studio teachers. A second strand of research has examined issues of gender in the construction professions.
Julian is involved in a number of projects engaging students with primary schools and their communities around the subject of climate and its interaction with buildings and cities.
More about meSee full profile of Julian Williams
Why study this course?
Learn from our industry-experienced tutors
Our tutors have designed and overseen developments from conception to completion and bring their industry experience into the course.
Benefit from outstanding facilities
Our architecture studios provide unrivalled facilities in central London, including our Fabrication Lab which allows you to explore the exciting field of digital fabrication.
Study in London
Based at our Marylebone Campus, you'll be perfectly placed to access work experience and networking opportunities in the heart of central London.
Entry Requirements
- A levels – CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 96 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM
- BTEC Diploma – DD
- Access – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C - IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C - IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process.
- International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
Student work
Each year we showcase the achievements and emerging talent of students from our School of Architecture and Cities at our end-of-year exhibition, OPEN.
Watch the video below to see the most recent exhibition or have a look through our OPEN catalogues on ISSUU.com You can also check out our broader calendar of events on our open studio website – or find out what we're up to via Instagram at openstudio_wm or Twitter at @openstudio_wm
OPEN 2024 – end-of-year exhibition video
Learn new skills
Learn a new language
From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.
Gain extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Facilities
Find out more about facilities at the School of Architecture and Cities.
Architecture studios
Our architecture studios provide unrivalled facilities for study and collaborative learning.
Architecture studios
Our architecture studios provide unrivalled facilities for study and collaborative learning.
Architecture studios
Our architecture studios provide unrivalled facilities for study and collaborative learning.
Fabrication Laboratory
The Fabrication Laboratory allows students to explore the exciting field of digital fabrication.
Fabrication Laboratory
Equipment includes ABS and plaster 3D printing, CNC knife cutting, large-scale CNC routing, CNC metal milling and robot fabrication.
Fabrication Laboratory
Work created in the Fabrication Laboratory.
Marylebone Library
Marylebone Library has a range of books and other resources on Architecture and Interiors.
What our students say
Fergus Chalmers
Architectural Technology BSc Honours, graduated 2014
Great industry experience and knowledge from all of the university lecturers gave a real insight in to the construction industry. This gave me a really good grounding when starting out on my construction career.
Ali Muktar
Architectural Technology BSc Honours
It was so stimulating, it was just the perfect course. It gave me everything in terms of what I wanted to learn, the information I wanted to get from the lectures and tutorials. It was spot on for me.
Amjad Butt
Architectural Technology BSc - 2023
The Fabrication Laboratory has been an invaluable facility over the past three years, offering us the opportunity to transform our ideas seamlessly from 2D drawings to intricate 3D models, spanning a diverse range of mediums and materials.
Westminster OPEN Degree Show
Westminster's OPEN Degree Show celebrates the talent and diversity of our architecture and design students. In addition to a physical exhibition held at our Marylebone Campus, you can see the latest online collection on Westminster OPEN Degree Show.
Image: student work by Shah-Ree Tasaddiq – Architecture BA
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into two broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2023/24
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course location
In the heart of London, our Marylebone Campus is home to the Westminster Business School and our Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses. Specialist workshops, dedicated digital and architecture studios, and our extensive Marylebone Library offer students everything they need for academic success.
Marylebone Campus is opposite Baker Street tube station and within easy walking distance of Regent's Park and Marylebone High Street.
For more details, visit our Marylebone Campus page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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