Hellooo
I was thinking about doing architecture at uni but there are some things i'm worried about.
I do Art, Maths and Physics but since i started a new school at the start of 6th form, i dont think im going to achieve as good grades as i know i could have done in physics because i didn't really have the best teacher. Im hoping to do lots of revision and retake my As level physics exams this year. However, I'm just worried that the unis will look at my physics result and be put off. Hopefully ill get an A in Art and Maths though.
I also wondered how much hard work an architecture course would be and is it fun??
Obviously it'll be lots but i'd like to know what peoples views on it are.
And normaly in films architects are always seen as snobby men :P is that really true, is it harder for a girl to succeed?
And which places are good apart from the obviously Cardiff.
I'm sure someone who's already studying will be able to answer most of your questions. But just to answer your last one, the top places to study architecture are (in no real order):
University College, London
Sheffield
Cambridge
Cardiff
Nottingham
Bath
Edinburgh
and perhaps Manchester.
oxford brookes is also coming up aswell
these are like, the top universities but there are others you may want to consider. You'll have to do some research into the ones you like the look of.
My understanding (/personal opinion) of the general forum consensus is that an Architecture degree is “full on” and takes up a lot of your time compared to a lot of degree courses, with a lot of time spent on projects, both in and out of the department – yet at the same time “a lot of fun” – but it really dose depend on what type of person you are and what you would like to get out of your time at university. Most issues have already been covered in previous posts (try the search this thread option) and my only bit of advice would be: look at what you enjoy and what you would like to do, be true to your self and you cant go wrong.
It's very hard work. And it doesn't end with the course - I was moaning to one of the tutors once about how I couldn't wait to graduate so I can get a normal job and some sleep, and he said there were many nights in the practice where they don't get to go home because they're too busy. So get ready for the long haul. Architecture really is a passion and you need to be completely committed to get through it.
But it's probably one of the most interesting courses too. It's very varied - as well as going to lectures, reading books and writing essays like most courses, you'll also be making models, working on sketchbooks, drafting plans, using autocad... What I like about it is that it's very creative, but still has a very practical application in the real world.
So yea, hard work but it's worth it if you're devoted enough
there were many nights in the practice where they don't get to go home because they're too busy.
unlikely to be an issue for the next 3-5 years in US / Western European architecture offices.... thank goodness. I'd not want to be working in a place like that anyway - if there were 'many nights' where they were pulling all nighters then you have to assume that they are just understaffed and the partners / directors need to hire more staff.
we aren't paid enough to get gung-ho about the macho work ethos. people need to learn to be more realistic about how long things take - too many architects would rather look amazing by saying "yeah, that took me 30 minutes", than actually say - 'yeah, that took me three days, so I need to be paid accordingly for my time"
we would appear to be our own worst enemies. I'd look for a practise with a good live / work balance if I were you.
unlikely to be an issue for the next 3-5 years in US / Western European architecture offices.... thank goodness. I'd not want to be working in a place like that anyway - if there were 'many nights' where they were pulling all nighters then you have to assume that they are just understaffed and the partners / directors need to hire more staff.
we aren't paid enough to get gung-ho about the macho work ethos. people need to learn to be more realistic about how long things take - too many architects would rather look amazing by saying "yeah, that took me 30 minutes", than actually say - 'yeah, that took me three days, so I need to be paid accordingly for my time"
we would appear to be our own worst enemies. I'd look for a practise with a good live / work balance if I were you.
I'm really glad to hear that actually, since my tutor told me I've been seriously worrying about continuing with architecture as a career. I think I can just about survive the next few years to complete the course but the thought of having to live with that kind of stress for the rest of my life terrifies me, which is why I was trying to warn this person haha.
How full on is the course exactly? cos i really want to join a lot of societies and stuff at uni - thats one of the things im really looking forward to (as well as the course obv). im musical, i love drama, and i want to join the uni newspaper... am i not going to have enough time to do these things? (im not bothered about going out clubbing a lot and stuff)
i plan on doing societies and stuff, and i'm gonna make time to do what i want... but as far as 'full on' goes, its probably the most full on course anyone can study at university.
so i've been told by the majority of students anyway.
Hi, i just have a question if anyone can help, i am currently startin second year at de mont fort uni in architecture in liecester but i dont know ruffly how many hours a week i will have to do. The reason i want to know is becasue i have a part-time job in birmingham and i was wondering would i have time to keep it. The admin told me is about 9 to 5 five days a week but that sounds abit much to me
Hi, i just have a question if anyone can help, i am currently startin second year at de mont fort uni in architecture in liecester but i dont know ruffly how many hours a week i will have to do. The reason i want to know is becasue i have a part-time job in birmingham and i was wondering would i have time to keep it. The admin told me is about 9 to 5 five days a week but that sounds abit much to me
i would have been delighted with 9-5 monday to friday during my second year. I prob worked 10-6, 8-11 most days in my second year, maybe one day off a week, 2 or 3 hours running a week, an hour to go to the supermarket once a week and maybe 2 hours once a week when it was my turn to cook for the house.
if you think 9-5 monday to friday sounds a bit much for architecture, it may not be worth you continuing, as its obviously only going to get more intense in third year, and then in 5th year....
I'm in the same position, I'm about to start 2nd year and I'm worried about keeping my job. Although the company have created an 8 hour position for me, so I'll be there as little as possible, I still don't know if I'll have time for it. Especially considering I'm determined to get a first this year.
I dont mind workin long hours at night at uni on projects its just I would prefer to commute to liecester and keep my house in birmingham and my weekend job but if i have to be there at 9 every morning its to expensive about £13.00 each day by 5 is over £65 a week but if i had one day off and a few days starting after 10.00 i could get the bus which is only £7.90 day return which is afordable could propably spend about £30 to £40 pound a week on travel which is ok.
Im living with my girl friend at the moment and people i get a long with i dont fancy moving to liecester and moving into a house with students that dont clean and throw house parties all the time and even though im living closer to the uni i could find it harder to study.
So Ava you said that class started at 8 some days might be to early even forthe train, but if i had 2 days startin at 10 and one day off that would be great i could commute with that be about 40 pound a week.
There is some sense of satisfaction though when you get your degree for completion, even if its merely personal - none of your class mates on other courses with comprehend the effort involved. I think I posted 'Architecture Stress Thread' at point when I was on the edge of breakdown.
I think working life is easier, but often you still (in my case) have to commit weekends and the occasional evening. It is very demoralising like JR said about time, especially when bosses or team leaders are saying 'have you managed to do that section' or 'how are you getting on' - its does occasionally make you close to lashing out. I think this is due to the profound comitment we give to jobs, and the low salaries we get as a result. In may case, graduating from Uni then getting a part 1 job, that barely pays my cost of living, it's really hard to keep your head above the water.
It's no so bad killing yourself doing crazy hours, but when you look at your bank balance shimmer suddenly you start to question it all. Especially on a friday night when all the rich bankers are in the pub and we're all clicking away poor, nakered and stressed.
It seemes the education and the training is a living hell, and then owning your own practice is the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. If that is all I'm working for then perhaps its a false, thing and utterly meaningless ideal. There's too much pride in architects, and students that 'they will finish' 'they will make a sucess of it' ' i will complete this section for tommorow' etc. I'd like to say I agree with JR''s 'We are our own worst enemy' true in every sense, this is ture from week 1 in freshers week, to the last day you'll ever work. It seems such a long exhaustive road though.
Some times I think I just shouldn’t read half the stuff on some of these threads … This is no real dig, its just that ‘ignorance is bliss’ and I feel I should find it out for my self! lol I am indeed my own worst enemy
I do feel however that if I were to carry on in an uninspiring yet well paid career then I would slowly drive myself insane with boredom –either way I am screwed just think of what you may be doing if you wernt following your passion!
I dont mind workin long hours at night at uni on projects its just I would prefer to commute to liecester and keep my house in birmingham and my weekend job but if i have to be there at 9 every morning its to expensive about £13.00 each day by 5 is over £65 a week but if i had one day off and a few days starting after 10.00 i could get the bus which is only £7.90 day return which is afordable could propably spend about £30 to £40 pound a week on travel which is ok.
Im living with my girl friend at the moment and people i get a long with i dont fancy moving to liecester and moving into a house with students that dont clean and throw house parties all the time and even though im living closer to the uni i could find it harder to study.
So Ava you said that class started at 8 some days might be to early even forthe train, but if i had 2 days startin at 10 and one day off that would be great i could commute with that be about 40 pound a week.
Noo, I said I'll be doing 8 hours a week at my job.
Last year I had design studio 2 days a week, 10:00 -1:00, and one day of lectures 10:00 - 5:00 (with breaks). Obviously I don't know whether your timetable will be similar to this as it's a different uni, but that's how my first year worked out.
University course discussion for architecture, surveying, town planning, landscaping, etc.
Useful Resources:
Architecture!
Re: Architecture!
