Architectural Engineering

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Career prospects

Why the world needs more architectural engineers

The sector is growing

The architectural engineering and construction solutions (AECS) market is poised to grow by USD 2.87 billion between 2020-2024 (source: Technavio).

How we live will change

70% of the global population will live in cities by 2050​.

To reduce carbon emissions* we need a new generation of engineers with a holistic approach to design aesthetically considered buildings incorporating efficient use of space and resources whilst maintaining the health and wellbeing of occupants .

Architectural engineers are at the forefront of finding new ways to design sustainable buildings that reduce energy and water consumption, and that also utilise more environmentally friendly materials.

*The UK has made a commitment that by 2050 carbon emissions will be reduced to Net Zero.

Space is not infinite, and adapting is key

It is expected that in the UK alone 3.5M non-domestic buildings and 26M residential buildings will need to be reshaped and reconfigured to meet future needs and be energy efficient over the next few decades (Source: RIBA 2014).

About half of the construction is refurbishing and improving the existing buildings (source: UK Government Construction 2025 Strategy). There is also an increasing demand to design and construct new buildings.

This course will prepare you for a career in:

• Architectural Engineering  
• Facade Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Energy Modelling
• Lighting Designer
• Acoustic Engineering
• Project Manager
• Architecture practices in the private and public sector
• Property development 
• Your own company as a Chartered Architectural Engineer

Graduation from this programme will enable you to work with architects to maximise sustainable architectural energy performance and contribute to the design or redesign of complex structures. As a graduate, you would typically seek employment where all aspects of building services - heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) - are required. You are likely to be involved with other aspects of building design and construction where mechanical, electrical, lighting and acoustic systems are required and where structural drawings and calculations are needed. 

As an architectural engineer, you would typically apply your practical and theoretical knowledge to the engineering design or refurbishment of existing buildings to ensure high performance, sustainable and resilient buildings ensuring the health, safety, comfort and productivity of users.