Architectural Engineering BEng (Hons) / MEng

Programme information

Architectural Engineering is an interdisciplinary profession that involves the specification, design, installation and management of all the engineering services associated with the built environment. It is responsible for the performance of buildings, including design for acceptable indoor environment, including temperature, humidity and air quality, effective and efficient lighting, water supply and disposal.

Architectural engineers form an essential part of design teams, delivering sustainable energy-efficient environmental design of buildings.

There is an increasing demand for engineers who can provide multi-disciplinary skills at the interface of engineering and architecture. The Architectural Engineering programme was introduced at Heriot-Watt University to meet this challenge.

The programme structure centres on three main themes:

  • Energy and sustainability
  • The architectural design of buildings and building services engineering systems
  • Human behaviour

Students will study 8 courses each year (four courses per semester for two semesters). Assessment is by a combination of essays, seminar presentations, individual and team projects, and examinations.

First year

First year provides a general introduction to engineering, the built environment, mathematics and design.

Second year

Second year expands on the basics of first year to include design project and problem solving courses, and provides specialist subjects such as building services technology, lighting and acoustics.

Third year

Third year provides greater depth on topics related to the servicing and operation of buildings in hot climates, and introduces professional issues such as safety and management topics and the use of proprietary design software.

Fourth year

Fourth year students complete a research dissertation and bring together skills and knowledge in a major design project to engage in subjects in more depth. Further depth in technical and professional topics is provided through sustainable building and project management courses.

Entry requirements

First year entry

  • GCE A-Levels CCC.
  • CBSE 60%.
  • American High School Diploma Pass plus SATs with an overall score of 1500.
  • International Baccalaureate 24 points.
  • Foundation year Successful completion of Heriot-Watt University Degree Entry Programme (Engineering).
  • Qualifications must include passes in core subjects of Mathematics and Physics.

Second year entry

  • GCE A-Levels ABB.
  • Higher National Certificate HNC pass including Mathematics at merit or A in graded unit.
  • Higher National Diploma HND all merit or AAB in graded units.
  • International Baccalaureate 27 points.
  • CBSE Overall 85%+ (in relevant subjects)
  • Qualifications must include passes in core subjects of Mathematics and Physics. We will consider equivalent subjects and results from other universities on a case-by-case basis. 

Third year entry (available from September 2013)

  • Higher National Diploma HND all merit or AAB in graded units.
  • We will consider equivalent subjects and results from other universities on a case-by-case basis.

Additional information

  • Applicants with other academic qualifications such as an Access course, or applicants who have work experience in architectural engineering can contact us to discuss their prospects for entry.

English language requirements

  • Where English was not the medium of instruction at secondary school, applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 550 (paper-based exam).