Physics academic scholarshipup to £20,000
high-achieving physics students
Check eligibility →
University of Southampton · Undergraduate
MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering and Architecture with Foundation Year Integrated Master's degree at Southampton
MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering and Architecture with Foundation Year at Southampton. Rather than treating engineering and design as separate disciplines, the course threads them together so you build an understanding of both the calculations behind a structure and the creative decisions that give it form.
MEng (Hons)
Award
5
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Develop your passion for structural engineering design through a mix of civil engineering and architectural design. Study the construction of sustainable environments. From the provider’s course page.
MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering and Architecture with Foundation Year is an Integrated Master's degree (MEng (Hons)) at Southampton. It runs 5 years, studied full-time.
For Civil engineering graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 90% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,500. (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.
9.3
/ 10
Exceptional
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional92
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)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90
Limited evidence Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional98
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 98% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
A typical UK Architecture degree builds from foundations to specialist options and a final project. An indicative structure:
| Stage | Module |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Design Studio I Learning to design through drawing, making and critique. |
| Year 1 | Architectural History & Theory Buildings and ideas from antiquity to the contemporary city. |
| Year 1 | Construction & Materials How buildings stand up and go together. |
| Year 2 | Design Studio II More complex briefs: context, users and regulation. |
| Year 2 | Environmental Design & Structures Energy, comfort and structural principles in design. |
| Year 2 | Digital Representation CAD, BIM and visualisation workflows. |
| Year 3 | Design Studio III (major project) A comprehensive building design, the RIBA Part 1 centrepiece. |
| Year 3 | Professional Practice How architects work: contracts, ethics and the profession. |
| Year 3 | Dissertation Written research on an architectural question. |
Typical structure for this subject (indicative). Modules vary by university. Check the provider's course page for the exact curriculum.
Specialisations & pathways
Tip: click a specialisation → current jobs in that area.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course structure moves through core theory before layering in research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project and professional skills. Core theory establishes the fundamentals of structural mechanics, materials, mathematics and design principles that both civil engineers and architects rely on. Research and methods introduces you to how problems in the built environment are investigated and solved systematically, while applied practice gets you working on real design and engineering scenarios rather than purely abstract exercises. As you progress, you'll be able to explore specialist options such as areas within structural design, sustainable construction and architectural technology, tailoring later years toward where your interests lie. The independent project gives you the chance to take ownership of a substantial piece of work, drawing on everything you've studied to that point, while professional skills development prepares you for the practicalities of working life in engineering and architectural practice, communication, teamwork and project management among them. Because this is an integrated Master's, the additional year beyond a standard Bachelor's allows for greater depth in specialist study and a more substantial independent project than a three-year degree would typically allow.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who finds themselves drawn equally to the logic of engineering and the creativity of design, perhaps you enjoy solving structural problems but also care about how a building looks and feels to the people who use it. If you've always been curious about how bridges stand up, how buildings are put together, or why some spaces feel right and others don't, you'll find plenty here to sink your teeth into. The foundation year makes this route particularly suitable if your background hasn't given you the full set of maths or science qualifications typically expected for direct entry, but you're confident you can catch up with structured support. Most students accepted onto Southampton's engineering and architecture courses arrive with A-levels or equivalent, typically within the 144–159 UCAS tariff range, though the foundation year is there precisely to widen that door. Expect the five years to demand sustained effort, this is not a quick route through, and you'll need patience for detailed technical work alongside creative design thinking. Independent motivation matters, particularly in the later independent project, where you'll need to manage your own time and direction. If you're the sort of person who likes seeing ideas move from a rough sketch through calculation to a workable, buildable design, this kind of course rewards that mindset.
Careers & job market
Graduates from architecture courses nationally have gone on into work or further study at a rate of 89% within 15 months of graduating, and 75% of those in work are in roles classed as highly skilled, figures drawn from national Graduate Outcomes data rather than specific to this course alone. National earnings data for this field show starting salaries (15 months after graduating) ranging from £23,500 to £28,000, moving to between £20,825 and £29,400 after three years, and £24,650 to £34,800 after five years. These are national averages across the field, not guarantees tied to any individual or this particular course. The MEng (Hons) award itself is generally viewed favourably by professional engineering bodies as a step toward chartered status, since it includes a Master's-level component within the same programme rather than requiring a separate postgraduate qualification afterwards. Career paths open to civil engineering and architecture graduates typically include structural design, construction management and architectural technology roles, among others in the built environment sector.
University & format
The University of Southampton is a public, research-intensive Russell Group university founded in 1862, with around 21,335 students in total. This course is delivered full-time over five years, taught in English, and leads to the UCAS code K21K. Bursaries and scholarships may also be available, it's worth checking the university's own funding pages for current details, as these can vary by year and eligibility. Around 89% of students continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed their studies, which gives some indication of how manageable the transition into the course tends to be once underway.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
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.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 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.
Published entryA*AA typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Contextual offersPublished by this provider
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
AccreditationICE
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
PlacementPublished placement option
Year in industry. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysOpen days and visits
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of A*AA. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent90% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 144 - 159 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Southampton's official course page for the current offer.
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 | 90% |
| a foundation course | 10% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
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.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
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.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*AAA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeK21Kquote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code K21K). 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.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Southampton whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£31,000 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Southampton →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 5 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All Southampton funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
electrical engineering students
Check eligibility →Global Talent in Adult Nursing Scholarship£5,000 off tuition fees
international students studying eligible undergraduate or postgraduate master's in adult n
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
StudyKit · free
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.
Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
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 | £32,500 | £29,500 – £35,000 | 15 |
| 3 years after | £29,000 | £26,500 – £33,500 | 40 |
| 5 years after | £38,000 | £32,500 – £42,500 | 40 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
90%
in work or further study 15 months on
90%
in highly skilled work or study
98%
continue past their first year
80%
find their work meaningful
80%
say work fits their future plans
- 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
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£32,500
£23,500 – £28,000After 3 years LEO
£29,000
£20,825 – £29,400After 5 years LEO
£38,000
£24,650 – £34,800national rangethis course’s medianaxis £19,500 – £39,500
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.
90 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
85% working5% working and studying0% in further study90% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. 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.
This course £38,000Peer median £29,000Middle 50% £27,000–£34,500
83rd percentile
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 · 70% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction ProfessionalsSOC 2020 245 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £45,972
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: 35; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Architecture graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
89%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Architecture courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled89%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow 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 ConsultingLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £32,500. 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 9.3 out of 10: NSS 91.9% · in work or study 90% · continued 98%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Southampton
All students25,785
International35.1%
Aged 25+17%
Architecture, building and planning across the UK
Students67,475
Aged 25+33.9%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Southampton
941 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 308Anti Social Behaviour 121Shoplifting 106Public Order 79Criminal Damage Arson 75
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 Southampton from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £31,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). 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
Southampton offers the Global Talent in Adult Nursing Scholarship (£5,000 off tuition fees) for international students, see Scholarships above.
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 Southampton and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Southampton
SMEng (Hons) Civil Engineering and Architecture with Industrial Placement YearMEng (Hons) · SouthamptonSMEng (Hons) Civil Engineering and ArchitectureMEng (Hons) · SouthamptonSBA (Hons) Ancient History and History with Year AbroadBA (Hons) · SouthamptonSBA (Hons) Ancient History and HistoryBA (Hons) · Southampton
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 144 - 159 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Southampton. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Civil engineering graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 90% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
No obligation
Request information about MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering and Architecture with Foundation Year
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.