Architectural Design & Technology BA(Hons)

In your first year, you will develop the essential skills to communicate architectural ideas through drawing, model making, and digital tools such as computer aided design (CAD) and building information modelling (BIM). You will gain a solid understanding of construction, materials, and structural principles, alongside environmental considerations like climate and human comfort. A live project will give you the chance to apply your learning in a real-world context, fostering teamwork, practical skills, and awareness of different professional roles. 

Design Communication 1 

Explore spatial design through hand drawing, model making, and creative visual communication. You will experiment with the representation of architectural ideas and bringing a real small-scale design project to life. 

Digital Skills 1 

Learning to use essential digital tools including CAD and Adobe software, you will produce drawings, models, and presentations that clearly communicate your design intentions. 

Environment 1 

Investigate how environmental factors, sustainability, and human comfort influence design. Appling these principles, you will create housing and building projects that are responsive to real-world conditions. 

Design Technology 1 

Examining how buildings are constructed by studying structures, materials, and regulatory frameworks, you will learn to make informed design decisions that balance creativity, functionality and technical considerations. 

Digital Skills 2 

You will continue to develop your digital skills as you move towards more advanced BIM and CAD workflows. 

Practice 1 

Engage in a collaborative live project, translating design ideas into tangible outcomes. This hands-on experience develops practical skills and insight into professional processes within architecture and construction. 

In your second year, you will build on foundational skills to develop advanced digital and technical expertise, including building information modelling, LiDAR-based survey methods, and environmental analysis tools. You will explore point cloud capture and digital workflows to inform design development, particularly in adaptive reuse contexts. Through integrated projects, you will apply building systems, sustainability strategies, and professional practice knowledge within real-world scenarios. 

Design Communication 2 

Enhance your digital capabilities through BIM, VR/AR, and survey techniques. Applying these tools, you will develop design solutions for real-world sites and commercial projects, integrating complex spatial and technical considerations. 

Environment 2 

Explore sustainable building envelopes and construction systems, connecting theory with practice through live projects and site visits. You will learn to design strategies that respond effectively to environmental challenges. 

Design Technology 2 

Investigate building systems, structures, and detailing, applying technical and environmental analysis to evaluate building performance. 

Practice 2 

Engaging with professional topics including ethics, law and project management, you will conduct research that critically examines real-world industry issues, supporting informed decision-making in architectural practice. 

You can choose to take an optional professional placement after your second year on a three-year programme. 

You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the Employability team. 

Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. 

How you’ll study during your professional placement

You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. 

You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. 

Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. 

In your final year, you will undertake a complex, integrated design project, applying your knowledge of construction systems, sustainability, and interdisciplinary coordination. You will produce a professional portfolio and technical report, while completing an independent research project to consolidate expertise in project management, contracts, and BIM workflows. These activities will prepare you for professional practice and support your career progression in architecture and beyond. 

Design Communications 3 

Lead design projects, coordinate BIM processes, and prepare construction documentation. This module foregrounds project management, enabling you to produce work suitable for collaboration in real-world architectural settings. 

Environment 3 

Investigate advanced sustainable construction strategies and environmental design solutions and conduct research to develop informed approaches to complex environmental challenges in building design. 

Practice 3 

Develop your professional knowledge in business, ethics, health and safety, and legal frameworks. Prepare for the architectural workplace by applying these principles to project management and practical design contexts. 

Design Technology 3 

Undertaking a final major design project, focusing on complex building typologies and interdisciplinary design coordination, you will produce a comprehensive technical report and professional portfolio demonstrating advanced skills for industry and independent critical inquiry. 

The course is delivered through a blend of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and studio-based digital project work.  

You will spend the majority of your time studying on our Penryn campus, in industry-centred facilities, or out on site during Practice modules visiting live building projects. During the programme there will also be exciting practical build projects in collaboration with BA(Hons) Architecture students that will take place on our Falmouth campus. Find out more about travelling between campuses. 

Learning is structured around project-based learning, where students develop design and technical proposals in response to real-world and practice-informed briefs. A live project in the first year introduces industry engagement early in the course. 

Teaching combines creative and technical approaches, supporting you to develop skills in research, drawing, digital modelling, environmental analysis, and critical evaluation. 

The course emphasises digital workflows and methods, reflecting current and emerging practices within architectural design and construction technology. 

Regular feedback, discussion, and review are embedded throughout, enabling you to refine your ideas, build confidence and develop a strong portfolio of digital work. 

Find out more about travelling between campuses

100% of your assessment will be coursework. 

Assessment methods: 

• Assessed through project work and digital submissions
• Includes drawings, BIM models, and portfolio work
• Written assessments are technical and research report
• Final year includes a major independent project 

For starting your studies in 2027

UK applications: 13 January 2027 (for equal consideration)

International fee payers

International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.

We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential.

We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course.

We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities. Find out more about our Entry Requirements here.

Course routes & entry requirements

BA(Hons) three year degree

• Minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points
• GCSE Mathematics Grade 4 (C)

Check how many points your qualifications are worth

At Falmouth, we'll consider the equivalency of your specific qualifications against our entry requirements and support you through your application journey.

View our International Entry Requirements

Language requirements

For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent. 

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.  

If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you may need to take a recognised language test. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.