The Architecture FAQ

Q: What universities in the UK offer architecture?

Anglia Ruskin University
Course Requirements: Competence in Art or Art & Design; 260 Points (BCC)
Course Length: 3 year Full-Time Degree
Course Type: BSc

University of Bath
Course Requirements: AAA; Students should demonstrate a balance of accomplishments between the Arts and Sciences
Course Length: 4 year sandwich Degree
Course Type: BSc
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Brighton
Course Requirements: BBB; Requires Portfolio
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Cambridge
Course Requirements: AAA; You may be at some disadvantage in many colleges if you do not have the preferred subjects at A level. We advise you to check with individual colleges. Applicants must meet matriculation requirements. Interview is required.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Cardiff
Course Requirements: AAA; All candidates are required to submit a small portfolio of art work that they have executed themselves. This should consist of 4 sheets of A4 size reproductions of art or design work. For candidates with exceptional portfolios, a lower grade offer may be made.
Course Length: 5 year sandwich Degree
Course Type: BSc
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Central England (Birmingham)
Course Requirements: CCD
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone, Rochester
Course Requirements: BCC; In addition to academic qualifications a portfolio of visual work is also required at interview, to provide evidence of practical and visual ability appropriate to the course
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

De Montfort University
Course Requirements: CCC; An interview and portfolio is required.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Dundee
Course Requirements: A proportion of candidates is interviewed. Portfolio of freehand drawing work is presented at interview.
Course Length: 5 year sandwich Degree
Course Type: MArch
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of East London
Course Requirements: DDD, Portfolio will be required.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BSc
This course is accredited by the RIBA

The University of Edinburgh
Course Requirements: Evidence of artistic ability required. The University of Edinburgh does not intend to use A-level unit grade information either in selection or in offer making. It may however choose to do so in the assessment of borderline applications in certain high demand subject areas and where applicants have narrowly missed the conditions of an offer.
Course Length: 4 year full-time Degree
Course Type: MA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Greenwich
Course Requirements: CCC
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

The University of Huddersfield
Course Requirements: CCC; Interview will be required. The University will not be using Unit Grade Information as part of its Admission policy for September 2007 entry
Course Length: 6 year sandwich Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Kent
Course Requirements: BCC; Interview required. A portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate practical and visual skills is also required.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA

Kingston University
Course Requirements: ABB; Portfolio required.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

Leeds Metropolitan University
Course Requirements: DDD-CCC; Interview & Portfolio required.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Lincoln
Course Requirements: CCC; Interview & Portfolio required. HND, Foundation Studies (Art & Design) are also considered.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Liverpool
Course Requirements: AAB; No specific subjects required. Applicants are interviewed on the basis of art-based portfolio. GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C or equivalent, required.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

Liverpool John Moores University
Course Requirements: CCC; Portfolio may be required
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

London Metropolitan University
Course Requirements: DDD-CCC; Interview & Portfolio required. Portfolio should also contain written work.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

London South Bank University
Course Requirements: CC
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Manchester
Course Requirements: ABB; A portfolio and interview will be required. A mixture of science/maths and humanities/arts subjects is preferred.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

The Manchester Metropolitan University
Course Requirements: BBB
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

Newcastle University
Course Requirements: AAA
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education
Course Requirements: DD
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BSc

University of Nottingham
Course Requirements: AAA; A portfolio is required if a student is not offering an Art or Design based A level.
Course Length: 6 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BArch
This course is accredited by the RIBA

Nottingham Trent University
Course Requirements: BBC
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BArch
This course is being considered for accreditation by the RIBA

Oxford Brookes University
Course Requirements: ABB
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Plymouth
Course Requirements: ABB
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Portsmouth
Course Requirements: BBB
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

Queen's University Belfast
Course Requirements: All students will be expected to satisfy the University General Entrance Requirement (see prospectus). BBC-BCCb; Students without an appropriate background in Art may be required to attend for a portfolio interview.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BSc
This course is accredited by the RIBA

The Robert Gordon University
Course Requirements: CCC; Applicants who do not hold an Art/Design qualification will be asked to provide a portfolio of artwork and may be required to attend for interview.
Course Length: 5 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BSc/MArch
This course is accredited by the RIBA

The University of Sheffield
Course Requirements: AAB
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Strathclyde
Course Requirements: BBC
Course Length: 4 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BSc
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Ulster
Course Requirements: BCC; Admissions Test Required.
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is being considered for accreditation by the RIBA

University College London (University of London)
Course Requirements: ABBe; Applicants living in the UK whose application is being actively considered will normally be invited for an interview at UCL. Aportfolio will be required.
Course Length:
Course Type: BSc
This course is accredited by the RIBA

University of Westminster
Course Requirements: BBB
Course Length: 3 year full-time Degree
Course Type: BA
This course is accredited by the RIBA

Although not a university another School of Architecture to consider:

Architectural Association
Course Requirements: All applicants are expected to submit a bound portfolio of art/design work (no larger than A3) accompanied by a CD/DVD of additional material if so desired. The minimum academic requirements for students entering the First Year of the RIBA/ARB-recognised course are two passes (grade C or above) at A level with at least five passes (grade C or above) in other subjects at GCSE. If one A level is in an art/design subject, it must be accompanied by at least one non art/design subject. Maths and a Science subject, together with English Language, are compulsory at least at GCSE level.
Course Length: 6 year full-time Degree
Course Type: AA Diploma
This course is accredited by the RIBA

Reply 1

Praddles

Q. Is Maths A level necessary for architecture?

A. Some places (particularly those who do the BSc Architecture course) will require maths, but a lot of universities like to see a range of subjects - a technical subject (usually maths or physics), and humanity (geography or history) and a art (art or graphical design).

Q. Is work experience in architecture firms necessary?

A. No, although a keen interest in architecture is very necessary! Obviously work experience demonstrates interest in the field, but if you also demonstrate passion for the subject, this will suffice just as much.

Q. Is it all essays in Architecture, or is it all arty and models?

A. It depends where you are. Some universities have modules on architectural theory which will require essays, and it's likely there will be a final year dissertation or research report. However, many universities encourage your creativity and expression of ideas through art and model making. An important aspect of architecture is being able to express yourself visually.

Q. Are architects well paid?

A. Depends how good you are! :tongue:

Realistically, for a course which requires at least 6 years of studying and experience, Architecture isn't well paid in comparison to courses of a similar ilk such as medicine or law. However, if you do turn out to be a good designer, it's not uncommon to get good salaries with experience. A starting graduate salary is typically £22,000 outside London.

Q University X is higher than University Y in the league tables? Where should I go?

A. University league tables are nigh on useless for architecture, and very biased. The best way is to 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. A lot of universities invest in purpose built architecture buildings so you may find you like the way the building you study in has been built. Think about things like facilities, course content and studio spaces.

Q. I'm thinking about a laptop - what should I get?

A. The Architecture industry is pretty split 50/50 between PCs and Macs, so you'll probably find your university provides both Macs and PCs, and architecture software for both. Try to wait until you get to university before you buy, as you may find your university does special deals. It's your preference which you choose, although remember Macs are a lot more restricted than PCs and *finding software* for Macs is generally much harder. However, Macs are generally more powerful than PCs when it comes to CAD design and 3D modelling. Just don't get a Dell.. :wink:

Specification wise, I would recommend:

1.6GHz Dual Core/X2 Processor
1024Mb DDR2 RAM
100GB Hard Disk Drive
256MB Graphics Card
CD/DVD RW Combo
1280 x 1024 Display Resolution

And that should last you the course!

Q. What software will I need to know during the course?

A. Most universities use AutoCAD and Vectorworks for CAD design, and may also teach ArchiCAD. You'll also be required to learn Adobe Photoshop (alternatively Corel Paint Shop Pro), Illustrator and InDesign. 3D Modelling & Rendering software will include SketchUp, 3DS Max, Cinema 4D and Artlantis R.

Q. What should I buy for my course?

A. Your uni will probably give you a list of things to buy, but there are a few essentials you could get beforehand, such as Good Pens (eg Rotring pens), Good Mechanical Pencils, Adjustable Set Square, A3 Tracing Paper (pad or roll), Masking Tape (you need lots of this), Metal Ruler, Scapel, A3 Cutting Mat.

Q. What should I read before starting university?

A. It's likely your university will send you a booklist. More often than not, they recommend books which are a thousand pages long and don't have many pictures - you can buy them, but not many students ever manage to read the whole thing!

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, although you can take out your own student subscription (which costs much less than it does normally!). The Architect's Journal, Blueprint, Detail and Architectural Review are all good reading material.

Q. That's all well and dandy, but I want real books! Recommendations?

A. 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 wans to see a portfolio! What do I put in there?

A. 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 drawing skills. They'll want to see that you can draw, and that you have the ability to communicate visually. Also remember to try and present your work professionally.

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