The Student Room Group

The New Architecture FAQ

Q: What universities in the UK offer architecture?

Part 1 courses accredited by RIBA as of 2010:

University of Bath
Course Requirements: A*AA
Course Length: 4 year sandwich, professional placement in Semester 2 of second and third years

Birmingham City University
Course Requirements: 320 points (ABB)
Course Length: 3 year

University of Brighton
Course Requirements: ABB
Course Length: 3 year

University of Cambridge
Course Requirements: A*AA [Individual colleges have specialist requirements]
Course Length: 3 year

University of Cardiff
Course Requirements: AAA
Course Length: 6 year with year 4 as professional experience
Course is also Part 2 accredited.

University for the Creative Arts
Course Requirements: 260 points (BCC)
Course Length: 3 year

University of the Arts London, Central Saint Martins
Course Requirements: 80 points (EE)
Course Length: 3 year

De Montfort University
Course Requirements: 280 points (BBC)
Course Length: 3 year

University of Dundee
Course Requirements: BBB
Course Length: 5 or 6 year sandwich, with either summer year 3 or the traditional year 4 as professional experience
Course is also Part 2 accredited.

University of East London
Course Requirements: 200 points (CDD)
Course Length: 3 year

The Glasgow School of Art
Course Requirements: ABB
Course Length: 5 year, with year 4 as professional experience
Part 2 post-grad reduced to 1 year if continued at this Uni.

University of Greenwich
Course Requirements: 240 points (CCC)
Course Length: 3 year

The University of Huddersfield
Course Requirements: 300 points (BBB)
Course Length: 3 year

University of Kent
Course Requirements: 320 points (ABB)
Course Length: 3 year

Kingston University
Course Requirements: 320 points (ABB)
Course Length: 3 year

Leeds Metropolitan University
Course Requirements: 300 points (BBB)
Course Length: 3 year

University of Lincoln
Course Requirements: 320 points (ABB)
Course Length: 3 year

University of Liverpool
Course Requirements: AAA
Course Length: 3 year

Liverpool John Moores University
Course Requirements: 300 points (BBB)
Course Length: 3 year

London Metropolitan University
Course Requirements: 280 points (BBC)
Course Length: 3 year

London South Bank University
Course Requirements: 160 points (CC)
Course Length: 3 year

The Manchester School of Architecture (University of Manchester and
Manchester Metropolitan University)

Course Requirements: AAA
Course Length: 3 year

University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Course Requirements: AAA
Course Length: 3 year

Northumbria University
Course Requirements: BBB
Course Length: 3 year

University of Nottingham [Architecture/Architecture and Environmental Design]
Course Requirements: AAA
Course Length: 6 year, with year 4 as professional experience. [Architecture and Environmental Design is 7 year with year 5 as professional experience]
Course is also Part 2 accredited [Architecture and Environmental Design also accredited by CIBSE].

Nottingham Trent University
Course Requirements: 300 points (BBB)
Course Length: 3 year

Oxford Brookes University
Course Requirements: ABB
Course Length: 3 year

University of Plymouth
Course Requirements: 320 points (ABB)
Course Length: 3 year

University of Portsmouth
Course Requirements: 260 points (BCC)
Course Length: 3 year

Queen's University Belfast
Course Requirements: ABB
Course Length: 3 year

The Robert Gordon University
Course Requirements: BCC
Course Length: 6 year, with year 4 as professional experience
Course is also Part 2 accredited.

The University of Sheffield [Architecture/Architecture and Landscape/Structural Engineering and Architecture]
Course Requirements: AAA
Course Length: 3 year [Structural Engineering and Architecture is 4 year]
[Architecture and Landscape also accredited by the Landscape Institute, Structural Engineering and Architecture also accredited by the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Institution of Civil Engineers].

Sheffield Hallam University [Architecture and Environmental Design]
Course Requirements: 300 points (BBB)
Course Length: 3 year

University of Strathclyde
Course Requirements: ABB
Course Length: 5 year, 4th year as professional experience
Part 2 post-grad reduced to 1 year if continued at this Uni.

University of Ulster
Course Requirements: 300 points (BBB)
Course Length: 3 year

University College London
Course Requirements: ABBe
Course Length: 3 year

University of the West of England [Architecture and Planning]
Course Requirements: 320 points (ABB)
Course Length: 4 year

University of Westminster
Course Requirements: ABB
Course Length: 3 year


Architectural Association [A private School of Architecture, apply outside of the UCAS system.]
Course Requirements: CC
Course Length: 6 year
Course is also Part 2 accredited.


Part 1 courses with Candidate Status for accreditation from RIBA as of 2010 (no guarantee can be given about the courses obtaining accreditation by the time you graduate, although in the case of ESALA it is almost certain as it is only candidate status due to a recent merge):

The Arts University College at Bournemouth
Course Requirements: BBC
Course Length: 3 year

Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (Edinburgh College of Art and the University of Edinburgh)
Course Requirements: AAA
Course Length: 4 years, 3 years optional

University of the West of England [Architecture and Environmental Engineering]
Course Requirements: 300 points (BBB)
Course Length: 4 year


Architecture departments have highly specific subject preferences, and often request portfolios to be submitted when they are processing your application, all schools also consider alternative qualifications, see the individual University websites for this information.

Correct only as of summer 2010!
(edited 9 years ago)

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(These Q and As were initially written by another TSR user, but a mod has since requested an update. The more in-depth answers continue to come from the threads in the sub-forum itself but I'll also keep this sticky up to date with the most useful information. If you would like anything in particular to be put in this collaborative post then please submit it below.)


Q: Is Maths A level necessary for architecture?
A few courses will require or favour Maths, but Universities like to see a range of subjects - a technical subject (usually Maths or Physics), and humanity/essay subject (Geography/History/English Literature), but most important is fine art (Art or possibly Graphic Design).

Q: Is work experience in architecture firms necessary?
No, but work experience demonstrates commitment to the field and is an advantage for the UCAS personal statement.

Q: Is it all essays in Architecture, or is it all arty and models?
The most common emphasis is visual expression, through drawings and models. There are modules on architectural theory which will require essays, in final year this usually expands to a dissertation or research report.

Q: Are architects well paid?
Architecture is not well paid in comparison to courses of a similar length and professionally accredited status. Experience and specialisms pay off later in your career. A starting BA/BSc graduate salary is typically £20,000.
www.ribaappointments.com/Salary-Guide

Q: University X is higher than University Y in the league tables? Where should I go?
University league tables are only a very general indicator of your future success, especially in the architecture industry. Go to the open days and see the universities for yourself - get a feel for the city, and the building you'll be working it. Think about things like facilities, course content and studio spaces. Go to end of year exhibitions and consider the type of work the school produces.

Q: I'm thinking about a computer - what should I get?
The Architecture industry is pretty evenly split between PCs and Macs. Try to wait until you get to university before you buy. It's your preference which you choose, although remember Macs are more expensive than equivalent PCs, and specialist software for Macs is sometimes harder to acquire.
Similarly, a desktop computer is much more powerful for the cost, but a laptop is highly recommended due to the way most people students work at university.

Q: What software will I need to know during the course?
You will learn software as it is required. Most universities use AutoCAD and Vectorworks for 2D, possibly ArchiCAD. You will also be required to learn Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. 3D modelling and rendering software may include Rhino, SketchUp, 3DS Max, Cinema 4D, Artlantis R, V-Ray.
BIM software such as Revit is becoming highly sought after in the industry.

Q: What should I buy for my course?
Your university will give you a long list of things to buy, but don't buy any items until you are sure you require them for a task set. There are a few essentials you could get beforehand, such as pens (possibly Rotring), mechanical pencils, tracing paper, masking tape, metal ruler, scapel, cutting mat.

Q: What should I read before starting university?
It's likely your university will send you a booklist, I recommend not buying books until the need arises. You will usually end up with a drawing techniques book, detailing and data books, and books about design approach. History and theory books for essays and specific research are best found in your university library rather than bought.

There are quite a lot of architecture journals which are like magazines that cover the latest news in the architecture world. Your university's architecture library should subscribe to these, and they usually have extensive material online. The Architect's Journal, BD, Blueprint, Detail and Architectural Review are all good reading material.

Q: That's all well and dandy, but I want real books! Recommendations?
Hehe.. okay! I have a list of books I recommend on Amazon - they're vibrant rather than full of dreary text, and are bursting with inspiration and ideas:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/R2TQZV5PVNJZ6W/ref=cm_lm_dtpa_fvlm_cfa_2/202-8726488-4823039
They're all fantastic books, and I have little doubt that over the course of your studies, you'll come across most, if not all of them.

Q: Help! The university I'm applying wants to see a portfolio! What do I put in there?
The university you applied to will generally specify what they're looking for in the portfolio, and it's usually best to stick to that. Put a lot of thought into the work though - remember that this is to show your creative and representational skills. They'll want to see that you can draw in a skills sense, but also that you have the ability to communicate ideas visually, originality and sense of developed ideas are key. Also, remember to try and present your work professionally.

These are examples of digital portfolios posted here I consider of good standard for an Architecture application:
the Jack pot's: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackbroad/
[post your portfolio links in this thread!]
(edited 9 years ago)
Thanks for the info! :smile:
Reply 3
How about updating it to today or this year 2010 ...and also if you can please include the 40 or 30 top unis in england with architecture courses..PLEASE:biggrin:
zoohands
How about updating it to today or this year 2010 ...and also if you can please include the 40 or 30 top unis in england with architecture courses..PLEASE:biggrin:

Above are all the courses in the UK, alphabetical order. If you want rankings then there are numerous sources to go by, search league tables online.

I updated it a month ago so not much will have changed since then to be honest.
Reply 5
GormlessWonder
Above are all the courses in the UK, alphabetical order. If you want rankings then there are numerous sources to go by, search league tables online.

I updated it a month ago so not much will have changed since then to be honest.


alright thanks u have been quite helpful rilli but ill try and find a soucre that will help me out thanks ...do keep posting cool stuff and info about architecture ...i at least need it thanks !!!!:biggrin: :jive: :
Reply 6
Grades AABccc in English, biology, chemistry, AS maths, general studies, critical thinking. Applying for 2011 after an art foundation at kingston ( so I must have a decent portfolio)
What is the chance of me being accepted by an AAA architecture school? E.g cardiff, sheffield who say they lower the entry requirements to those with exceptional portfolios. (could an art foundation equal an ‘A’ at art A level??)
GormlessWonder


Jrhartley's portfolio is an excellent example that you can use for ideas: http://64.23.6.122/UCASbook.pdf


I agree the professional presentation of Jrhartley's portfolio is excellent but what do you think of the work itself?
King-Panther
I agree the professional presentation of Jrhartley's portfolio is excellent but what do you think of the work itself?
I think the important thing to take away about that portfolio is it shows a range of work and explains the pieces, showing off experiences that make you individual and passions for the subject. This is the whole point of a portfolio.
As for the pieces themselves, I've seen stronger stuff from people on my art foundation course. The pencil on A3 for example has issues.

This is my portfolio if you're interested, I'll post it above in the FAQ:
http://harishvp.blogspot.com/2010/06/portfolio-10.html

If you've got yours online I'll put it in there as well.
Yours seems to be good. I'm currently working on my portfolio. His portfolio is o.k, the presentation is what I admire.
Is bath A*AA now?
the Jack pot
Is bath A*AA now?

That's the current typical offer according to their website yeah, I've changed it above.
Also, do we start our portfolios now, or should I wait until the Universities ask for them?
the Jack pot
Also, do we start our portfolios now, or should I wait until the Universities ask for them?

They'll ask for digital portfolios or give you interviews. The work you'll put in should be ongoing now. All you need to do now is collect all your best work together and photograph it properly.
Thanks
Reply 15
GormlessWonder
They'll ask for digital portfolios or give you interviews. The work you'll put in should be ongoing now. All you need to do now is collect all your best work together and photograph it properly.


When we do our portfolio's should we annotate around our drawings in our sketch books, or just fill them with purely drawing and paintings no words?
thatgirl07
When we do our portfolio's should we annotate around our drawings in our sketch books, or just fill them with purely drawing and paintings no words?


Yes of course!
thatgirl07
When we do our portfolio's should we annotate around our drawings in our sketch books, or just fill them with purely drawing and paintings no words?

Annotate yeah, not a massive amount, but just have something to say about each piece.
Reply 18
GormlessWonder
That's the current typical offer according to their website yeah, I've changed it above.


oh damn, since its now a*aa, does that mean i have no chance of gettin in, being predicted aaa? :frown:
Original post by seyi_ajewole
oh damn, since its now a*aa, does that mean i have no chance of gettin in, being predicted aaa? :frown:

Not necessarily. Worth giving it a go, but make sure you've got insurance places as well.

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