Heriot-Watt University
Study Undergraduate

MEng Architectural Engineering

The course

UCAS code
K132
Duration
5 years
Location
Edinburgh
Delivery type
Full-time

Architectural Engineering is about sustainable building design. From reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to smart, connected, resilient homes, architectural engineers design, innovative, energy efficient indoor environments of the future.

Find out how to apply More about this subject area

Contact

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Contact our enquiries team.

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Overview

Our MEng (Hons) Architectural Engineering covers a broad range of engineering-related disciplines including: mechanics, construction, energy, thermal performance, water and wastewater, acoustics, and human behaviour. The degree is designed to give you the knowledge and skills needed by industry to design buildings of the future that not only provide sustainable and low-energy built environments that have a positive influence on the health and wellbeing of the people who use them, but buildings that are also resilient and adaptable to future climate change. The later years of the degree focus on practical inter-disciplinary design and management skills, with an emphasis on your personal development as an Architectural Engineer within the professional environment. 

The MEng (Hons) degree provides the opportunity for greater specialism in your preferred subject areas, plus enhanced practical experience of design management and problem solving with a 12-week industrial placement.

Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design

Heriot-Watt is recognised as a Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The centre develops and promotes multi-disciplinary education and research for a sustainable built environment and is recognised internationally for its excellence in architectural and building systems engineering.

Highlights

In year 1 you have the opportunity to visit a range of construction sites and experience guest lectures from professional engineers.

In year 2 you have the opportunity to participate in a field course, Constructionarium, which provides hands-on construction working alongside professional engineers and tradesmen to construct scaled down versions of bridges, buildings, dams and civil engineering projects from all around the world.

There are field trip opportunities in year 3 to a European city to view incredible architecture.

In year 4, students undertake a week long collaborative design project working with students from across the built environment disciplines or can apply to study at a partner institution in Europe or North America.

Year 5 offers a 12-week industry placement working with local employers.

Students on this programme also have the opportunity to apply for an Inter-Campus transfer to Dubai.

Global College pathway for this degree

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, have a look at Heriot-Watt Global College, where you can follow an accelerated pathway which will get you onto the second year of this degree.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute (EI).

Margrethe Gjerull

I would recommend Heriot-Watt to anyone wanting to pursue a degree in higher education. The campus is great, the members of staff are very nice and the services available to students all contribute to a wonderful university experience.

Margrethe Gjerull, Architectural Engineering student

Go Global

With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way.

You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.

Course content

The below course structure is subject to developmental change. 

Most courses are worth 15 credits. Some courses are 30 credits. 30-credit courses are stated as such. 

Year 1

Semester 1

  • Mechanics A
  • Construction Technology 1
  • Shaping Tomorrow Together A
  • Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 1

Semester 2

  • Building Services Technology
  • Mechanics B
  • Shaping Tomorrow Together B
  • Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 2

Year 2

Semester 1

  • Design Project
  • Construction Technology 2
  • Acoustics and Architectural Design
  • Optional course

Optional courses include:

  • Hydraulics and Hydrology A 
  • Surveying and GIS 

Semester 2

  • eConstruction
  • Environment and Behaviour
  • Statistics for Science
  • Optional course

Optional courses include:

  • Global Communication in English 
  • Cost Modelling and Measurement 
  • Global Challenges 1 

Year 3

Semester 1

  • Laboratory Project
  • Thermal Performance Studies
  • Electrical and Lighting Services for Buildings
  • Design Software Applications

Semester 2

  • Design Issues
  • Energy and Buildings
  • Critical Building Analysis
  • Environmental Technology and Management

Year 4

A major feature of Year 4 starts with a collaborative design project across all built environment disciplines. You'll produce a building design to address a specific client brief, giving information on building form, design, services, sustainability, cost and planning. You will also complete an individual research dissertation on a topic of your choice.

Semester 1

  • Design Project (S1) - 30 credits
  • Dissertation (S1)
  • Procurement and Contracts

Semester 2

  • Design Project (S2)
  • Dissertation (S2)
  • Sustainable and Intelligent Buildings
  • Innovation in Construction Practice

Year 5

Semester 1

  • Industrial Project (30 credits)
  • Optional course 
  • Optional course

If you completed a European / Non European Exchange in Year 4, Dissertation will be compulsory in Semester 1.

Optional courses include: 

  • Contracts and Procurement 
  • Foundations of Energy 
  • Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings 
  • Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation 
  • Value and Risk Management 
  • Sustainable Cities 

Semester 2

  • Architectural Acoustics
  • Design of Low Carbon Buildings
  • Thermofluids
  • Optional course

If you completed a European / Non European Exchange in Year 4, Dissertation will be compulsory in Semester 2.

Optional courses include:

  • Demand Management and Energy Storage 
  • Urban Drainage and Water Supply 
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment 
  • Social Sustainability 

Discover Uni course data

Discover Uni provides data on each university's degree courses across a range of measures including student satisfaction, graduate jobs and salaries.

Employability

Work and study

This is what our MEng Architectural Engineering students are doing 15 months after graduating:

  • 85% are working
  • 0% are studying
  • 10% are working and studying.

Salary

  • The average salary of students 15 months after graduating: £28500
  • The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course: £29000

Potential career paths

  • Engineering professionals

Entry requirements

Year 1

Standard entry requirements

  • Highers ABBB (including Mathematics)
  • A-Levels BCC - BBB (including Mathematics)
  • Int. Baccalaureate 28 points (including 5 in HL Mathematics)
  • BTEC MMM (in relevant engineering course)
  • HNC B in graded unit (including 1 unit of SCQF Level 7 Maths if you do not have Higher Maths)

Minimum entry requirements*

  • Highers BBBC (including Mathematics at B)
  • A-Levels BCC - BBB (including Mathematics)

* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:

  • live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or
  • are care experienced.

We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements

Year 2

  • Advanced Highers BC (including Mathematics plus Highers ABBB)
  • A-Levels BBB (including Mathematics)
  • Int. Baccalaureate 33 points (including 6 in HL Mathematics)
  • HNC A in graded unit (in relevant HNC, SCQF Level 7)
  • HND BB in graded units (in relevant HND and Mathematics at SCQF Level 7)
  • BTEC DMM in relevant engineering course
  • Global College Successful completion of our Engineering with Accelerator Programme

Year 3

  • HND AB in graded units (in relevant HND and Mathematics at SCQF Level 7).

Additional information

English language requirements

  • If English is not your first language, you have to demonstrate that your English language ability is strong enough to succeed on your course. Please refer to our English language requirements.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2024 entry
Status* Scotland England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland International**
Fee Paid by SAAS £9,250 £18,704

* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.

** 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above). Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

Additional costs

You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.

Scholarships and bursaries

Featured scholarships

Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales

In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:

  • Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View details about the Heriot-Watt University Bursary

View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.