Bircham International University

What you'll study

The programme combines a general education component, a core architecture/engineering module set and optional additional subjects. BIU defines 1 earned credit as equivalent to 1 US semester credit (15 hours of learning) or 2 ECTS (30 hours). Individual listed subjects typically count 3 academic credits each.

• General education: minimum 40 credits (may be transferred from prior study or validated experience).
• Core Architecture & Architectural Design academic credits: 60 credits delivered as distance courses.
• Sample core and elective subjects (each listed subject = 3 credits): 301ARD Architectural Environmental Integration; 302ARD Construction Materials & Assemblies; 303ARD Architectural Structures; 304ARD Concrete Design & Construction; 305ARD Steel Design & Construction; 306ARD Wood Design & Construction; 307ARD Building Design; 308ARD Ground Retaining Structures; 411ARD Residential Design; 412ARD Commercial Spaces; 413ARD Foundation Engineering; 414ARD Architecture Design; 415ARD Building Technology; 416ARD Landscape Design; 417ARD Wear of Materials & Corrosion; 418ARD Materials Design & Failure; 521ARD Civil Engineering; 522ARD Landscape Architecture; 523ARD Geotechnical Engineering; 524ARD Structural Engineering.
• Additional optional topics (subject to approval by the Distance Learning University Education Board) include Building Acoustics & Illumination, HVAC System Design, Construction Law & Safety, Urban Planning, Real Estate, Surveying, Landscape Planning and others.

Entry requirements

Admission is open to adults over 23 years of age. A Bachelor's degree at BIU requires that at least 30% of the programme’s total credits be transferred from previous education and/or validated from professional experience to gain admission. Separately the university indicates a general education minimum of 40 credits that may be transferred from prior study; a maximum of 20% of total degree credits may be credited from professional and life experience.

Career prospects

The curriculum emphasizes descriptive methods, design problem-solving and practical application through case studies and reports. Graduates should expect knowledge applicable to building design, materials and structural topics, landscape and civil engineering interfaces, and related technical roles in construction, design drafting, project documentation and real estate development contexts. Specific professional registration or licensure requirements are not indicated and would depend on local regulations.

Scholarships & funding angle

Fees cover program study, textbooks, study guide, evaluation, diploma and transcript. BIU lists cost per earned undergraduate credit at 70 Euros (90 US$) and 20 Euros (25 US$) per transferred credit. The stated total tuition range for the programme is a minimum of 3,510 Euros and a maximum of 6,800 Euros; payment plans up to 36 monthly installments are available. The university may award partial scholarships or financial assistance on a case-by-case basis.