Architectural Engineering BEng

When you join Leeds for Architectural Engineering BEng, you won’t just sit in lectures — you’ll spend much of your time in studios, labs, on site and collaborating on real design challenges. The course is built so you gain hands-on skills from the start: modelling, surveying, analysis, design, team work, and applying theory in practice. The staff are actively involved in research, and that feeds directly into what you learn, keeping you up to date with the latest techniques and technologies.

Here are the specific experiential learning components, facilities, and tools you’ll have in this program:

• Design Studio & Model-Making Facilities: You’ll use flexible design studio space as your base for studying, designing, sketching, modelling. Model-making labs enable you to build physical models to test ideas.
• Specialist Laboratories: There are labs for structures, materials, public health engineering, building services, and geotechnics so you can do experiments, tests (e.g. material strength, behaviour under loads, environmental performance).
• Industry-Standard Software Tools: You’ll work with software like Revit (BIM – Building Information Modelling), IES (dynamic thermal modelling), Robot (structural analysis), Adobe Creative Suite (for visual and graphic communication).
• Integrated Design Projects & Studio Projects: In each year there are group or team-based design studios or projects (e.g. “Integrated Design Project”) where you bring together structural, services, sustainability, environmental etc. issues to design real building solutions.
• Field Work & Site Visits: In first year you’ll have a week-long field course, doing site surveys, using surveying equipment and applying what you learn about construction technology and management. Also, tutors and industrial input mean visits to design offices or construction sites are part of learning.
• Industrial Placement Option: Although the standard BEng is 3 years, you have the option to take a paid industrial placement year (making it a “(Industrial)” variant), giving you real work experience and helping to build your professional network.
• Laboratory-based & Small-Group Tutorials: Many modules have laboratory classes or practical sessions; plus smaller tutorials (especially in later years) where you get advice and feedback from teaching staff and practising engineers/architects.
• Extensive Library & Research Resources: Beyond labs and studios, you’ll have access to well-stocked libraries and computing facilities to support your design, modelling, reading, simulation work. Also connection with research centres in Leeds that work on building physics, sustainability, etc. 

Graduate Outcomes & Career Roles

Graduates typically pursue careers as Building Services Engineers, Structural Engineers, Design Engineers, Architectural Consultants, or specialists in energy, lighting, acoustics, and sustainability. Leeds graduates are highly employable, with typical starting salaries in the £28,000–£45,000 range.

University Support & Industry Connections

• Careers & Employability: Dedicated Careers Centre and Faculty Employability Team provide guidance on CVs, applications, and interviews.

• Practical Experience: Studio projects, site visits, industrial tutors, and optional placement year with companies like Arcadis and Price & Myers.

• Technical Skills & Facilities: Access to professional software (Revit, IES, Robot) and labs in structures, materials, geotechnics, and building services.

Accreditation & Professional Value

• Accredited by Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) and CIBSE, meeting academic requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially for Chartered Engineer (CEng).

• Recognized internationally through EUR-ACE labelling.

Graduate Employers

Recent graduates work with Arup, AECOM, Mott MacDonald, Buro Happold, AKT II, and Laing O’Rourke, showing strong industry links and employability.

Further Academic Progression:
After the BEng, students may:

• Progress to MEng in Architectural Engineering for full Chartered Engineer status.

• Pursue master’s in Sustainable Building Design, Façade Engineering, Building Physics, or Smart Buildings.

• Undertake PhD research in advanced areas like energy efficiency, intelligent building systems, or climate-resilient structures.