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Architectural Design and Technology with Foundation Year

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Peel Park Campus
More about University of Salford

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Behind every grand design is great technical expertise. As our built environment becomes more complex, the BSc (Hons) Architectural Design and Technology with Foundation Year degree at Salford is your gateway to a rewarding career making building concepts a reality.

Architectural technologists specialise in the essential information for successful architecture. By applying design skills and sophisticated technology, they can bring an architect’s concept to its final construction. With the global built environment sector increasingly reliant on technology to create sustainable urban spaces, architectural design and technology graduates are in demand.

Learn to design a better built environment

If you are fascinated by the technical side of architecture, our Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) accredited course will guide you through the technical, constructional and environmental aspects of building creation. Led by international experts, you will study at our Peel Park campus, minutes from buzzing central Manchester. The Foundation Year pathway provides you with a solid grounding in key subjects in built environment practice, so you are ready to meet the prerequisites for studying a full degree course. Learning focuses on effective communication and study skills combined with built environment specific teaching.

On successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress to our full BSc Architectural Design and Technology degree, where you will follow a three-year, modular programme based on industry skills and competencies. You will study architectural theory alongside practical design projects, all delivered in a collaborative studio culture that reflects how contemporary architecture firms work.

Get closer to industry

Drawing on our strong industry connections, you will develop strong design awareness and a solid understanding of construction processes. You will learn how to manage BIM and design information, build digital design skills and enhance your design portfolio, drawing on guest lectures and live briefs to present and interact with industry. You can also include an industry placement between years two and three to gain additional professional experience to enhance your CV.

Features
• Accredited by Chartered Institute of Architectural Technicians (CIAT)
• Build core skills required by a built environment professional, including team working, critical analysis, problem solving and project management
• Acquire the skills and knowledge so you're ready to study for the full BSc (Hons) Architectural Design and Technology degree
• Learn how to apply modelling and analysis to explore interactions between a building and its internal and external environments
• Study the relationships between shape, material, performance, load, and construction
• Explore the role of nature, people and technology in design, and the environmental dimensions that influence the building design process
• Develop critical awareness and appreciation of architectural design, gaining the ability to propose design solutions for new and existing structures
• Understand fabrication, contemporary construction and 3-D conceptions, developing competence in digital construction and BIM

This course is not open to international students.

Modules

Foundation Year:

  • IT and Study Skills
  • Introduction to Built Environment Professional Practice
  • Introduction to Design Practice
  • Professional Practice Project

Year One:

  • Introduction to Architectural Design
  • Principles of Architectural Structure
  • Architectural Design for Construction 1
  • Architectural Representation and Modelling
  • Introduction to the Role of the Quantity Surveyor
  • Introduction into Law and Regulatory Framework

Year Two:

  • History of Architecture and Construction (ADT)
  • Design and Construction Management (ADT)
  • Architectural Design for Construction 2
  • Architectural Design and Regulation
  • Procurement and Administration
  • Development Appraisal and Viability

Year Three:

  • Environmental Architectural Technology
  • Integrated Architectural Design and Practice
  • Sustainable Conservation and Reuse of Buildings
  • Modern Methods of Construction
  • Building Performance Modelling
  • Discipline Research Project

Assessment method

You will be assessed using a range of suitable methods, including:

  • Design projects
  • Essays
  • Case study analysis
  • Precedent studies
  • Examinations

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Peel Park Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
K194
Institution code:
S03
Campus name:
Peel Park Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Foundation

University of Salford has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
K194
Institution code:
S03
Campus name:
Peel Park Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

International applicants

This course is not suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in a foundation year study pathway, the University of Salford website has details of the International Foundation Year.

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff 64 points

From a minimum of 2 A2's or equivalent.

A level

64 UCAS Tariff Points from a minimum of 2 A2's or equivalent.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) MPP

Access to HE Diploma

A minimum of 64 UCAS Tariff Points from a QAA Approved Level 3 Access to HE Diploma.

Scottish Higher

64 UCAS Tariff Points from a minimum of 2 Advanced Highers.

AS

64 UCAS Tariff Points from a minimum of 2 A2's or equivalent. Additional AS Levels can be used towards the overall tariff points provided they are not completed in the same subject as the A2.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) MM

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

64 UCAS Tariff Points. Not acceptable on it's own or with additional AS Levels. Must be doing an additional A2 or equivalent to top up to required points.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) MMM

64 UCAS Tariff Points. Not acceptable on it's own. Must be completing a minimum of 2 of these or other A Level equivalent qualification.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

64 UCAS Tariff Points. Not acceptable on it's own. Points must be gained from a minimum of 2 A2's or equivalent.

Scottish Advanced Higher

64 UCAS Tariff Points from a minimum of 2 Advanced Highers.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Applications will be assessed on an individual basis.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

64 UCAS Tariff Points. Not acceptable on it's own. Points must be gained from a minimum of 2 A2's or equivalent.

Extended Project

64 UCAS Tariff Points. Not acceptable on it's own. Points must be gained from a minimum of 2 A2's or equivalent.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

64 UCAS Tariff Points from a minimum of 2 Higher Level Subjects.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

64 UCAS Tariff Points. Not acceptable on it's own. Points must be gained from a minimum of 2 A2's or equivalent.

We require Grade D or 3 (or above) in Maths and English GCSE. Functional Skills Level 2 and Key Skills Level 2 accepted as alternatives.

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for latest fee information.

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