BEng Architectural Engineering

Why choose BEng Architectural Engineering at Reading?

We're one of the UK's top-ranking universities for teaching and research in the built environment:

• 1st for Architecture, Building and Planning in the Daily Mail University Guide, 2025
• 3rd for Building in the Complete University Guide, 2025
• 5th for Building in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025
• joint 6th highest ranking UK university for Architecture and Built Environment in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
• 1st in the UK for environmental and ethical performance (People and Planet University League 2023/24)
• winner of the Times Higher Education (THE) award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership in 2023.
• The University of Reading has been named Sustainable University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

With a focus on sustainable energy and environmental engineering, an architectural engineering degree from Reading provides you with in-demand knowledge and skills for a career in a fast-growing sector.

Sustainability is an important theme in our programmes, from the use of materials to environmental management and assessment. You’ll study integrated approaches to the design, management and operation of efficient buildings in an urban context.

Our BEng Architectural Engineering course offers a grounding in the fundamental principles of architectural engineering, including:

• design and management of building environmental systems
• structural and architectural design
• construction site engineering
• engineering mathematics and statistics
• numerical modelling and programming.

You will also have the opportunity to switch to our four-year MEng Architectural Engineering course if you wish to complete an integrated master’s degree.

Read about Daniel’s experience switching from the BEng course to the MEng course

We are engaging with the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and Energy Institute (EI) to work towards accreditation of our programmes.

Facilities

Your studies will be supported by access to dedicated facilities, which include:

• digital technology and software, including building information modelling (BIM), building energy and urban microclimate simulations, and 3D laser scanning
• access to our immersive virtual reality systems, which enable you to interact with 3D digitised environments
• a dedicated resource room containing course books, key professional journals and a wide range of industry specific publications.

School of the Built Environment

The School of the Built Environment is highly regarded for its research and education. 100% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Architecture, Built Environment and Planning), and 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Architecture, Built Environment and Planning). We are also ranked 3rd in the UK for Building in the Complete University Guide, 2024.

Our research expertise spans: building and urban environmental quality; urban green infrastructure; indoor environmental quality; energy system behaviours as related to energy demands at the scale of buildings, power network operation, future energy technology portfolios, demand side management, and the relationship of urban climate-energy-environmental systems.

We lead the Flexibility Theme of the new £15 million national Energy Demand Centre, as part of a £53 million UK government investment in six research hubs and centres aiming to help the UK meet its net zero target by 2050.

You'll learn with a multidisciplinary team of experts who teach the very best of current practice, drawing on their research excellence and extensive experience working with industry. 98% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, 97.75% of responders from the School of Construction Management and Engineering).

Our close relationships with industry and professional institutions will give you the opportunity to build a network of contacts during your studies, enabling you to develop strong foundations for a sustainable career.

Site visits

To enhance your studies, we offer you the opportunity to experience real working environments throughout your degree course.

Field trips to construction sites, practitioner offices, manufacturing facilities and large-scale urban developments allow you to see construction operations first-hand.

You can gain a greater understanding of corporate and professional offices, have the chance to see new and cutting-edge practices implemented in relevant settings, and gain insights into innovative methods.

In the past we have visited the BRE Innovation Park, the National Self Build & Renovation Centre and the Weald & Downland Living Museum, as well as several manufacturing facilities which focus on prefabricated building projects.

Construction Live Project

You will have the opportunity to engage with real project work and industry during your studies, through the Construction Live Project.

This project, run over two weeks including a one week residential at the Constructionarium in Norfolk, involves students planning and building scaled down versions of buildings, bridges and other constructions from around the world, adhering to industry and budgetary regulations.

Placements and Study Abroad with BEng Architectural Engineering

Our BEng Architectural Engineering course offers the opportunity to undertake a paid industrial placement year, or a summer placement, before your final year. Our dedicated placement officer will provide tailored advice and support in finding the ideal placement for you. Placements can be located anywhere in the UK and sometimes overseas.

You may also choose to study abroad for a year, giving you the chance to boost your employability while gaining fantastic life experience.

The experience and knowledge gained during an industrial placement, or in studying abroad, will help you make the most of your final year of study. You’ll also gain valuable background knowledge for your future career.

“I’d recommend a placement, whether that’s a summer placement or a year placement, because this will expose you to the industry and help you to understand whether this is the right career path for you.” – Ayub Mohamed, recent graduate from the School of Construction Management and Engineering.

Scholarships

As part of the cohort joining the BEng Architectural Engineering course in 2025, you will have the opportunity to secure an annual £1,000 scholarship for each of the three years of the undergraduate degree (subject to conditions).