BSc (Honours) Architectural Technology
Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-time
UCAS code • K130
Location • City Campus
Subject area • Architecture
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See examples of work by students on this course.
Watch videos of Rishi and Jacob talking about their experiences on the course and what they have gained from it.
View profiles of students on this course
Renowned architect Renzo Piano talks to critic, author and curator, Lucy Bullivant about his approach to urban design.
Our architecture courses produce award winning students and graduates
Find out about Creative Spark, our annual graduate showcase of final year students' work, and Brightest Spark, an exhibition featuring projects completed by our elite students.
Visit the Department of Architecture website to view profiles of staff who teach in this subject area.
At a glance
Prepare for a career in architecture on a course nationally recognised for producing graduates with excellent technical design skills, CAD ability and a commitment to low-energy architecture. You are taught by practicing architectural technologists whose teaching on this course led to it gaining the first ever centre of excellence award from the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technology (CIAT).
Key points
• Study on a course with a reputation for design excellence amongst employers.
• Benefit from teaching recognised as excellent by the CIAT.
• Learn the latest industry CAD software, including environmental simulation tools.
• Work as a trainee architectural technologist in the UK or internationally.
What is architectural technology?
Architectural technology focuses on the technical, structural and environmental aspects of building design. The professional role requires skills in architectural design, expertise in building construction and up-to-date industry knowledge in order to turn concepts into reality.
This course
Prepare for your career on a course which has gained a reputation for design excellence among employers and architecture professional bodies. Our students regularly win national awards for their technical design excellence, and graduates develop successful careers in the sector.
As a student, you study the latest techniques being used in architecture on a course that has been designed in consultation with employers and industry experts.
You benefit from very high standards of teaching. We have been awarded 'centre of excellence in architectural technology' status by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) for the high standard of teaching and research of lecturers on this course.
You are taught by a team that includes qualified technologists, architects and environmental experts with experience in industry, making them ideally placed to advise you on the development of your work and your career as an architectural technologist.
Your learning is focused on tutored and self-directed project work in the design studios, which offer 24 hour access. You combine your creative time in the studio with lectures, seminars, and national and international fieldwork. The course is very hands-on with practical construction classes and model making in our workshops.
You use a range of CAD software including state-of-the-art Building Information Modelling (BIM), virtual reality, and energy and environmental simulation tools. CAD technology is used throughout the course.
You can apply what you’ve learnt in a third year placement as a trainee architectural technologist in a national or international practice. You benefit from our well established and long-standing relationships with practices, such as WS Atkins and The Bond Bryan Partnership. Students are regularly offered permanent work or sponsorship by their placement providers.
Recent field trips to study the history of cultural and technical design, include visits to European cities such as Barcelona, Paris, Lyon, Berlin and Venice. There is also an option for an international study exchange in your second year.
Key areas of study
There is a strong emphasis on environmental design, a critical concern for architectural technologists to address. Low energy design and sustainable construction techniques are covered in many academic and design modules.
Key areas include • architectural design projects • sustainable construction • modern methods of construction with a focus on environmental and technical design • CAD and digital media • professional practice.
Experienced teaching team
Staff members include
• the vice-president of education for CIAT who has written many international publications on the future of architectural technology
• a national level environmental adviser to the government
• an industry leader in CAD software applications who has worked as a consultant to regional architecture practices
• an experienced external examiner and active member of CIAT
Students from Sheffield Hallam have had unrivalled success in the National Student Awards organised by CIAT. They have won the overall award for excellence in design in 2012, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
Find out more about BSc (Honours) Architectural Technology
Related courses
You apply for this course through UCAS.
2013/14 academic year
For 2013 entry, membership of professional bodies and mandatory UK field trips are included in the course fee.
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees, scholarships and bursaries see www.shu.ac.uk/international/fees
• continuous assessment • written assignments • examinations • project work
Find out about work placements and how we can support your placement experience.
Optional year-long work placements are normally gained by competitive interview and are not a guaranteed part of a course.
The degree is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and the Association of Building Engineers (ABE). CIAT recognises Sheffield Hallam University as an accredited centre of excellence for learning and teaching architectural technology.
Key Information Set 
Gemma's final year design project for Robin Hood Airport Interchange.
Overall winner of the CIAT Student Award for Technical Excellence in 2008.
Gemma's construction study for the Robin Hood Airport Interchange.
Overall winner of the CIAT Student Award for Technical Excellence in 2008.
Kieran's final year design project for a Digital Campus in Sheffield.
Commended in the CIAT Student Award for Technical Excellence in 2009.
Kieran's interior study for the Digital Campus in Sheffield.
Commended in the CIAT Student Award for Technical Excellence in 2009.
Jonathan's final year design project for Abbeydale School in Sheffield.
Overall winner of the CIAT Student Award for Technical Excellence in 2007.
Jonathan's technical study for Abbeydale School in Sheffield.
Overall winner of the CIAT Student Award for Technical Excellence in 2007.
Matthew's final year design project for a Flagship Superstore of the Future.
CIAT Award for Highest Graduating Honours Degree Student in 2005.
Laura's environmental study for Abbeydale School in Sheffield.
Graduated with First Class Honours in 2008.
James Pickett and Rishi Sadhu (1:48)
James Pickett and Rishi Sadhu talk about the specialist knowledge they have gained studying on the course.
Jacob Ware (0:55)
Jacob Ware talks about the benefits of taking a sandwich course and why he enjoyed studying here.
Gemma Hickling
BSc Architectural Technology, 2008 graduate
'I am currently working full-time as an architectural technologist at HLM Architects in Sheffield. I have been here for the last three years, which includes working during my final year of study, after I became a part-time student.
'I would say that this course is a fantastic option for people with a flair for design and those who want to explore the technical possibilities in architecture. It has a very successful balance of modules which capture everything from architectural history, technical appraisals, as well as computer modelling and environmental design principles.
'The work experience year and module variety mean that you are well prepared for the reality of architecture or construction.
'The main highlight of the course for me was winning the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) Student Award in 2008. This was very welcome after years of hard work and late nights! Other highlights were the field trips in the UK and abroad to places including Barcelona, London and Paris which then related back to the coursework and modules.
'Being a student in Sheffield was hard at first. A new town, new people and new place to study was a lot to take in. However I soon settled into Sheffield Hallam life and made a lot of very good friends.'
Profiles
Gemma Hickling
BSc Architectural Technology, 2008 graduate
Renzo Piano (3:04)
Here, renowned architect Renzo Piano talks to critic, author and curator, Lucy Bullivant about his approach to urban design.
The 'In Conversation with Renzo Piano' event was organised jointly by Sheffield Hallam University and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) to celebrate the legacy of creative designer Godfrey Sykes.
Sykes developed his skills as a student at the Sheffield School of Design in the 1850s.
Architecture and Environmental Design graduate Chris Paterson won first prize for his entry into the Forgotten Spaces 2011: Sheffield architectural ideas competition run by Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Yorkshire.
The competition encouraged architects, designers and artists to come up with innovative ideas that find new uses for the region's forgotten spaces.
Guiding Lights by Chris Paterson
Chris Paterson's 'Guiding Lights' design brings to life Frog Walk in Sheffield, with animated avatars and an LED screen. Using smartphone technology it magically lights up a dark footpath in the city.
The idea impressed the judges for its 'brilliant' solution to making people feel safer at night.
Jacob's design plans
Architecture and Environmental Design graduate Jacob Szikora, won the EDUCATE Prize, for his idea for a coconut growing facility in Sheffield.
The EDUCATE Prize is an international award celebrating outstanding student work that investigates sustainability in architecture and urban design.
Jacob won the prize for his idea for a facility on London Road in Sheffield that could produce process, package and sell coconuts.
Jacob's scheme explores whether it would be possible to grow these imported products in an urban context away from their natural environment, thus reducing the environmental impact of transporting them around the world.
Spark - be creative
Subjects included are • animation • architecture • computers • creative writing • digital media production • engineering • fashion design • film and visual effects • film and media production • fine art • furniture and product design • games design • graphic design • interior design • jewellery and metalwork • performing arts • photography • product design.
Creative Spark
Creative Spark is an annual showcase of student work and celebrates the innovation, creativity and imagination of our most talented graduates. Creative Spark is hosted across four university venues • Owen • Cantor • Sheaf • Arundel Gate Court and S1 in the city centre.
For further information visit the Creative Spark website.
Brightest Spark
Brightest Spark is an exhibition housed in the SIA Gallery and Cantor building. This exhibition features the elite students in each Sheffield of Institute of Arts course as chosen by industry professionals.
For further information visit the Brightest Spark website.
Project Spark
Sheffield Hallam students have the opportunity to play a key role in the promotion of the Creative Spark and Brightest Spark exhibitions by submitting entries for Project Spark. The 2012 competitions included • concept design • branding and wayfinding • creative writing • image • brightest spark logo and branding.
For further information visit the Project Spark website.
Visit the Department of Architecture website to view profiles of staff who teach in this subject area.
