Architectural Technology & Practice with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change.

Boost your career prospects by studying in a CIAT Centre of Excellence. Through live projects, you’ll gain the latest industry thinking in design, technology, architecture, sustainability and construction. With an exceptional track record for graduate employability, this course has a longstanding reputation for nurturing high-calibre and forward-thinking architectural technologists.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE:

ACCREDITATION: This course is accredited by the Chartered Institue of Architectural Technologists (CIAT). We are one of only a few CIAT Centres of Excellence in the UK and abroad.

RAISE YOUR PROFILE IN INDUSTRY: Our longstanding links with companies – both locally and overseas – will inspire and enthuse you. Our associations span major names such as Akarstudios, Virgin Atlantic, Interserve, Benoy Architects, Jacobs, Bouygues UK, Pick Everard, Maber, Lathams, WCAC Group and Millar Management. There are regular guest lectures by leading experts from industry too.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: Practical architectural design and technology projects will form the basis of your study. This is supported by field trips, placements and industrial guest lectures as well as studies relating to management, procurement, contracts and professional practice. Computer Aided Design, Building Information Modelling, sketching and model making will play an important role in presenting your ideas.

WORK EXPERIENCE: Between stages two and three of the course, we offer you the chance to go on an optional year-long placement in industry. We strongly encourage you to take this rewarding opportunity and we will support you to find a suitable placement.

EXPERT TEACHING: Join one of the UKs oldest standing courses accredited by the Chartered Institue of Architectural Technologists (CIAT): we gained our original accreditation back in 1997 and have built an impressive reputation ever since. Our teaching team will ensure you are taught to a high professional standard and that you have all of the relevant skills required when you graduate.

WHAT YOULL COVER:
Your first year provides an overview of a wide range of areas including design analysis, Architectural CAD, and Environmental Design and Services. In your second year you will cover topics such as Sustainable Cities, Procurement, Contracts and Legal Studies, and Technology and Structures. Modules in your third year will give you the opportunity to learn about Professional Practice and Project Management, Advance Technical Design and Detailing, as well as carrying out an Integrated Project.

HOW YOU WILL LEARN:
Practical architectural design and technology projects will form the basis of your study. This is supported by field trips, placements and industrial guest lectures as well as studies relating to management, procurement, contracts and professional practice.
Computer Aided Design, Building Information Modelling, sketching and model making will play an important role in presenting your ideas.

YOUR CAREER.
Our graduates work in architectural practices or take on many different types of roles in consultancy and with central and local government, property developers, building contractors, housing associations, banks, retail enterprises and manufacturing companies.

STUDY OPTIONS:
This course is also available without a Foundation Year option.

We're a Top 10 UK University* in the heart of England, with great transport links to London and the rest of the UK.

Ranked 2nd in the UK for employability and course quality*, the University of Derby offers expert, industry-relevant teaching, state-of-the-art study spaces, award-winning accommodation, and a welcoming, inclusive community.

(*Uni Compare 2026)