Architectural Engineering

Learn about integrated approaches in the design, management and operation of efficient buildings in an urban context. Develop the skills and knowledge to deliver engineering solutions to current and future problems facing the built environment.

Through our Architectural Engineering courses, you will combine the creativity of architectural and building design with a strong technical overview of energy systems and environmental engineering. This will enable you to develop the wide range of skills necessary to thrive in a sector which increasingly demands that you work across disciplines.

Our close relationships with industry and professional institutions will give you the opportunity to build a valuable network of contacts during your studies. You can also gain insight into industry by carrying out a paid industrial placement year, or a summer placement, before your final year of study.

The full-time nature of our courses, together with campus-based teaching and our supportive community of staff, students and alumni, creates a sociable, collegiate environment.

Teaching and facilities

We teach the very best of current practice, drawing on a multidisciplinary team of experts with renowned research excellence and extensive experience working with industry.

You will have access to an array of digital technology and software, including building information modelling (BIM), building energy and urban microclimate simulations, and 3D laser scanning. We also offer an immersive virtual reality “CAVE” that enables you to interact with 3D digitised environments.

Our rankings

The University of Reading is one of the UK’s top-ranking institutions for building.

• 1st for Architecture, Building and Planning in the Daily Mail University Guide, 2025
• 3rd for Building in the Complete University Guide, 2025
• 5th for Building in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025
• joint 6th highest ranking UK university for Architecture and Built Environment in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
• the School of the Built Environment is highly regarded for its research and education. 100% of our research is of international standing¹ and 100% of our research impact has been classed outstanding or very considerable².

The University of Reading is also widely recongnised for its commitment to sustainability and the environment.

• The University of Reading has been named Sustainable University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
• We are ranked 1st in the UK for environmental and ethical performance (People and Planet University League 2023/24).
• In 2023, the University of Reading was the first ever winner of the Times Higher Education (THE) award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership.

Develop a global outlook

Join a global, connected community of talented individuals within the built environment sector, enabling you to develop connections during your studies that can last throughout your career. You will gain global insights into the sector from our staff who draw on their wide range of expertise and international experience to feed directly into our degree courses and research activities; many are engaged in overseas projects or working to influence policy around the globe.

1 REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Architecture, Built Environment and Planning. 
2 REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Architecture, Built Environment and Planning. 

Scholarships

As part of the cohort joining our architectural engineering courses in 2025, you may have the opportunity to secure an annual £1,000 scholarship for each year of the undergraduate degree (subject to conditions).