Architectural Engineering

Architectural engineering is the discipline that sits at the boundary between architecture and engineering, applying structural, environmental, and building services engineering to the creation of buildings that are not just aesthetically considered but structurally sound, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible. Where architecture focuses on form, space, and function, and structural engineering focuses on the load-bearing systems that keep buildings standing, architectural engineering brings the two together with the systems thinking needed to integrate lighting, ventilation, heating, acoustics, and sustainability into the built form. The result is a discipline that is increasingly central to the challenge of designing buildings that meet both human needs and environmental targets.

At the University of Reading, the three-year BEng Architectural Engineering equips you with the design and engineering skills to deliver sustainable solutions to problems in the built environment. A foundation year is available for those who need to build their scientific and technical foundations before entering the main degree, and the programme includes a sandwich year and a work placement, providing structured professional experience that is highly valued by employers in the built environment sector. Reading's strong connections with the construction and engineering industries support the programme's applied emphasis, and the degree's sustainability focus reflects the sector's increasingly urgent need for people who understand how to reduce the environmental impact of buildings.

Graduates in architectural engineering are well placed for careers in structural engineering, building services engineering, environmental engineering, construction management, and sustainable design consultancy. The combination of design thinking and engineering rigour is increasingly sought after by practices working on complex commercial, healthcare, educational, and residential developments. Many graduates work towards Chartered Engineer status, and the degree provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in structural engineering, environmental building design, or project management.

The typical entry tariff is 120 points.