MEng (Hons) Architectural Engineering Integrated Master's degree at Cardiff University
MEng (Hons) Architectural Engineering at Cardiff University. Studying at a Russell Group institution founded in 1883, you'll be based within a research-intensive environment where the teaching draws on current thinking in the field rather than a fixed, unchanging syllabus.
About this course
MEng (Hons) Architectural Engineering is an Integrated Master's degree (MEng (Hons)) at Cardiff University. It runs 5 years, studied full-time.
For Civil engineering graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 87% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Architecture, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 50; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 93% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 3 modules
- Engineering Maths and ComputationCore30 credits
- Fundamentals of Civil EngineeringCore50 credits
- Applied Design and PracticeCore40 credits
Year two 6 modules
- Engineering AnalysisCore20 credits
- Building ModellingCore10 credits
- History of Western ArchitectureCore10 credits
- Hydraulics and Soil MechanicsCore20 credits
- Structural Analysis & Design TheoryCore30 credits
- Sustainable Civil Engineering Design & PracticeCore30 credits
Year three 1 modules
- Industrial TrainingCore120 credits
Year four 6 modules
- Architectural design and practiceCore20 credits
- ProjectCore30 credits
- Digital and Computational Architectural, Civil and Environmental EngineeringCore20 credits
- Geotechnical EngineeringCore10 credits
- Advanced Structural Analysis and Material Science for Civil EngineeringCore20 credits
- Sustainable structural design and practiceCore20 credits
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course is organised so that foundational material gives way, over time, to more specialised and independent work. Early years concentrate on core theory, the physics, materials science and design principles that underpin architectural engineering, alongside research & methods, which introduces you to how evidence and analysis inform engineering decisions. As you progress, applied practice becomes more prominent, giving you the chance to work through realistic design and engineering problems rather than purely abstract ones. Later stages open up specialist options, such as areas of building services, structural design or environmental performance, allowing you to shape the course towards your own interests within architectural engineering. The programme culminates in an independent project, where you take a piece of work from initial brief through to a substantial, self-directed outcome, a chance to demonstrate the full range of skills built up over the five years. Running alongside all of this is a thread of professional skills, covering the communication, teamwork and workplace competencies that engineering employers expect graduates to bring with them.
Who it's for
This course suits people who are curious about how buildings actually work, not just how they look, but the structural, mechanical and environmental systems that make them function safely and efficiently. If you enjoy the problem-solving side of maths and physics but also want to see that thinking applied to something tangible and built, this is likely to feel like a natural fit. It asks for genuine staying power: five years is a longer commitment than a standard degree, and the independent project towards the end will test your ability to manage a substantial piece of work with real autonomy. You should be comfortable moving between theoretical material and hands-on, applied tasks, and be willing to specialise as the course progresses rather than keep every option open indefinitely. Many students on this kind of course have an interest in sustainability, construction or infrastructure, and enjoy the idea of contributing to how the built environment is designed and delivered. If you like precision, want a qualification that carries you through to Master's level without a break, and are drawn to a subject where engineering rigour meets architectural thinking, this is worth serious consideration.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Architecture courses, 89% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 75% of those working are in roles classed as highly skilled, figures that reflect the broader labour market for the subject rather than outcomes specific to this course. National earnings data (Graduate Outcomes/LEO) show starting salaries in the region of £23,500 to £28,000 fifteen months after graduation, with figures of £20,825 to £29,400 after three years and £24,650 to £34,800 after five years. These are national ranges across the field, not projections or guarantees tied to this particular degree, and individual outcomes vary considerably depending on role, sector and location. It's also worth noting that 89% of students nationally continue their studies past the first year, which gives some indication of how manageable the transition into this kind of course tends to be once students have started. An integrated Master's such as this is often relevant for those aiming towards chartered engineering status, given the additional depth beyond Bachelor's level, though specific professional requirements should be checked directly with the relevant accrediting bodies.
University & format
Cardiff University is a public, Russell Group institution founded in 1883, with a total student population of 30,930, and it operates as a recognised UK degree-awarding body, meaning this MEng is nationally recognised. The course runs full-time over five years at Cardiff University campus, taught in English, under UCAS code H294. Recent entrants have most commonly arrived with A-levels or equivalent, 79% of accepted students came in this way, and the typical UCAS tariff among accepted students has been in the 128–143 points range; this reflects what students who were accepted actually held, not a fixed entry requirement. Bursaries and scholarships may also be available, and it's worth checking the university's funding pages directly for current details before you apply.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 80%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 79% |
| Other | 16% |
| a previous degree | 2% |
| another higher-education qualification | 2% |
| an Access course | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code H294). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page. Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Cardiff University →If you normally live in Wales
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Architecture graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £30,000 | £29,000 – £33,000 | 50 |
| 3 years after | £31,000 | £28,500 – £36,000 | 120 |
| 5 years after | £38,500 | £33,000 – £44,500 | 125 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 50; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in architecture · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Architecture nationally
National figures for Architecture graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 50; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Architecture courses at the same study level.
Compared with 228 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 80% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 110; response rate: 71%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is MEng (Hons) Architectural Engineering worth it?
It depends. MEng (Hons) Architectural Engineering adds about +£96,050 over the first ten years vs. going straight to a job, but on these earnings the payoff is slower than average.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 5 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 16.1. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 5 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Architecture graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Architecture graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Architecture practices
- Property developers
- Local-authority planning
- Construction firms
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Architecture graduates.
Architecture Design Lead EMEANeko HealthArchitecture Director - Data CentresAECOMArchitecture Managing Consultant: Consumer & Manufacturing GrowthAstro Studios, Inc.Architecture Lead on Equipment ManagementAirbusArchitecture - Senior Solutions Architect - IT1Parkdean Resorts UK LimitedArchitecture Managing Consultant, Consumer & ManufacturingPA ConsultingIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
Where graduates go
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.9 out of 10: NSS 78.6% · in work or study 95% · continued 93%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Cardiff University
Architecture, building and planning across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Cardiff University - Main Campus
4,125 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Architecture right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Cardiff University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Cardiff University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Cardiff University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Cardiff University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Cardiff University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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