Clearing was today im f***ked

guys i really messed up for 2 years straight now here's a timeline:

- 2021 in year 13 and applied for UCL Architecture
- Messed up interview so got rejected
- No offers for architecture until clearing
- Apply for westminster architecture and got accepted
- Rejected westminster and went to City to study civil engineering
- because people talked me out of going to wesminster
- (I got A*AB)
- Hated civil engineering so dropped out in october
- Decided to reapply for architecture by revamping my portfolio
- Applied to UCL and messed up drawing task so rejected
- Rejected from westminster post interview
- Realised that the revamp of my portfolio made it 10x worse
- Spend whole gap year planning to do things but never do them
- Find out about degree apprenticeships in architecture
- No luck as they are extremely scarce
- Reapply for westminster for architecture through clearing
- Issues meant I was rejected although I was the first one to have called
-(this was not due to my actually better portfolio now)
- Offer holder for QMUL for Maths, stats and Econ (I like economics too)

I'm really confused at what to do now as I really wanted to become an architect. Should I take another year out and go for UCL one last time while I stay at QMUL just in case? If i get into UCL this time round I'll just have to make sure I'm absolutely on it this year so it doesnt go to waste.

BUT my main issue is the fact im starting university 2 years late. It makes me really sad and most people in my class would be much younger than me. Does anyone have any experience in how many people are older than 18/19 in a first year class? It just makes me feel really uncomfortable graduating at 23.

Reply 1

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post by hustlr

guys i really messed up for 2 years straight now here's a timeline:

- 2021 in year 13 and applied for UCL Architecture
- Messed up interview so got rejected
- No offers for architecture until clearing
- Apply for westminster architecture and got accepted
- Rejected westminster and went to City to study civil engineering
- because people talked me out of going to wesminster
- (I got A*AB)
- Hated civil engineering so dropped out in october
- Decided to reapply for architecture by revamping my portfolio
- Applied to UCL and messed up drawing task so rejected
- Rejected from westminster post interview
- Realised that the revamp of my portfolio made it 10x worse
- Spend whole gap year planning to do things but never do them
- Find out about degree apprenticeships in architecture
- No luck as they are extremely scarce
- Reapply for westminster for architecture through clearing
- Issues meant I was rejected although I was the first one to have called
-(this was not due to my actually better portfolio now)
- Offer holder for QMUL for Maths, stats and Econ (I like economics too)

I'm really confused at what to do now as I really wanted to become an architect. Should I take another year out and go for UCL one last time while I stay at QMUL just in case? If i get into UCL this time round I'll just have to make sure I'm absolutely on it this year so it doesnt go to waste.

BUT my main issue is the fact im starting university 2 years late. It makes me really sad and most people in my class would be much younger than me. Does anyone have any experience in how many people are older than 18/19 in a first year class? It just makes me feel really uncomfortable graduating at 23.

In the scheme of a 40-45 year career 2-3 years isn’t as crazy as you think.

But I think you need to be realistic and ask yourself if you can’t get onto architecture then where are you going!

Architecture is also a very long degree.

You could probably go into construction consulting or something but it would mean doing the civil engineering degree you didn’t like.

Their is product design, which involves technical design work & is only 3/4 years. But obviously different application.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

claireestelle

22

Original post by hustlr

guys i really messed up for 2 years straight now here's a timeline:

- 2021 in year 13 and applied for UCL Architecture
- Messed up interview so got rejected
- No offers for architecture until clearing
- Apply for westminster architecture and got accepted
- Rejected westminster and went to City to study civil engineering
- because people talked me out of going to wesminster
- (I got A*AB)
- Hated civil engineering so dropped out in october
- Decided to reapply for architecture by revamping my portfolio
- Applied to UCL and messed up drawing task so rejected
- Rejected from westminster post interview
- Realised that the revamp of my portfolio made it 10x worse
- Spend whole gap year planning to do things but never do them
- Find out about degree apprenticeships in architecture
- No luck as they are extremely scarce
- Reapply for westminster for architecture through clearing
- Issues meant I was rejected although I was the first one to have called
-(this was not due to my actually better portfolio now)
- Offer holder for QMUL for Maths, stats and Econ (I like economics too)

I'm really confused at what to do now as I really wanted to become an architect. Should I take another year out and go for UCL one last time while I stay at QMUL just in case? If i get into UCL this time round I'll just have to make sure I'm absolutely on it this year so it doesnt go to waste.

BUT my main issue is the fact im starting university 2 years late. It makes me really sad and most people in my class would be much younger than me. Does anyone have any experience in how many people are older than 18/19 in a first year class? It just makes me feel really uncomfortable graduating at 23.

Did you pay any tuition for that time at the city because if you did then that's a year of funding gone so you can likely only do 3 years of studying fully funded now, in which case definitely don't stay with QMUL just incase. my husband graduated ar 23 and no one really ever thought anything of it, he wasn't the oldest for sure.

Reply 3

franklyfruity

16

i’m confused - is UCL the only uni you applied to first time around? there are loads of other universities that have good architecture courses too from what i’ve heard. otherwise, it’s probably worth getting in touch with some current architecture students to see if they could advise you on what you’re missing from your application, or where you should be looking for work experience etc. and don’t worry, many people take gap years, you’ll be far from the only person!

Reply 4

username5099800

OP

17

Original post by franklyfruity

i’m confused - is UCL the only uni you applied to first time around? there are loads of other universities that have good architecture courses too from what i’ve heard. otherwise, it’s probably worth getting in touch with some current architecture students to see if they could advise you on what you’re missing from your application, or where you should be looking for work experience etc. and don’t worry, many people take gap years, you’ll be far from the only person!

I applied to 5 unis in total but got accepted by 1, I decided it was too far so I wasn't able to go there. Thanks for your advice though

Reply 5

Solent Rep 2

Hi

Solent University is offering architectural design and technology if that something you would be interested in. Check out our website Solent.ac.uk for more information. We have places in clearing that only require 96 UCAS. We are based in Southampton which is only 1.5hrs from London.

our clearing number is 023 80 011722

Reply 6

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by hustlr

I applied to 5 unis in total but got accepted by 1, I decided it was too far so I wasn't able to go there. Thanks for your advice though

Are you looking into architecture degrees outside London? There’s loads of good architecture schools in clearing.

Reply 7

becausethenight

19

Original post by hustlr

guys i really messed up for 2 years straight now here's a timeline:

- 2021 in year 13 and applied for UCL Architecture
- Messed up interview so got rejected
- No offers for architecture until clearing
- Apply for westminster architecture and got accepted
- Rejected westminster and went to City to study civil engineering
- because people talked me out of going to wesminster
- (I got A*AB)
- Hated civil engineering so dropped out in october
- Decided to reapply for architecture by revamping my portfolio
- Applied to UCL and messed up drawing task so rejected
- Rejected from westminster post interview
- Realised that the revamp of my portfolio made it 10x worse
- Spend whole gap year planning to do things but never do them
- Find out about degree apprenticeships in architecture
- No luck as they are extremely scarce
- Reapply for westminster for architecture through clearing
- Issues meant I was rejected although I was the first one to have called
-(this was not due to my actually better portfolio now)
- Offer holder for QMUL for Maths, stats and Econ (I like economics too)

I'm really confused at what to do now as I really wanted to become an architect. Should I take another year out and go for UCL one last time while I stay at QMUL just in case? If i get into UCL this time round I'll just have to make sure I'm absolutely on it this year so it doesnt go to waste.

BUT my main issue is the fact im starting university 2 years late. It makes me really sad and most people in my class would be much younger than me. Does anyone have any experience in how many people are older than 18/19 in a first year class? It just makes me feel really uncomfortable graduating at 23.

At the end of the day, if you want to be an architect you should study architecture, so I'd take a gap year to apply. Don't use up your student finance doing a course you're not interested in.

There are LOADS of 20+ year olds at uni, in all year groups - I wouldn't worry about it. No one will even realise, tbh.

Reply 8

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Fwiw architecture is a degree that will have quite a lot of very mature students (30+) who are changing career later in life. 22 isn’t going to be the oldest by a long way

Reply 9

normaw

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

19

Original post by hustlr

guys i really messed up for 2 years straight now here's a timeline:

- 2021 in year 13 and applied for UCL Architecture
- Messed up interview so got rejected
- No offers for architecture until clearing
- Apply for westminster architecture and got accepted
- Rejected westminster and went to City to study civil engineering
- because people talked me out of going to wesminster
- (I got A*AB)
- Hated civil engineering so dropped out in october
- Decided to reapply for architecture by revamping my portfolio
- Applied to UCL and messed up drawing task so rejected
- Rejected from westminster post interview
- Realised that the revamp of my portfolio made it 10x worse
- Spend whole gap year planning to do things but never do them
- Find out about degree apprenticeships in architecture
- No luck as they are extremely scarce
- Reapply for westminster for architecture through clearing
- Issues meant I was rejected although I was the first one to have called
-(this was not due to my actually better portfolio now)
- Offer holder for QMUL for Maths, stats and Econ (I like economics too)

I'm really confused at what to do now as I really wanted to become an architect. Should I take another year out and go for UCL one last time while I stay at QMUL just in case? If i get into UCL this time round I'll just have to make sure I'm absolutely on it this year so it doesnt go to waste.

BUT my main issue is the fact im starting university 2 years late. It makes me really sad and most people in my class would be much younger than me. Does anyone have any experience in how many people are older than 18/19 in a first year class? It just makes me feel really uncomfortable graduating at 23.

The age you start doesn't matter so don't get hung up on that. Also, forget about UCL at this stage - it is one of the most competitive courses to get in and you risk missing out again. You could always apply to UCL for your MArch (part 2).

Architecture courses still in clearing this morning in London (according to their websites):

Greenwich https://www.gre.ac.uk/undergraduate-courses/ach/architecture-ba-hons
London Met https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture---ba-hons/
LSBU https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture---ba-hons/
Ravensbourne https://www.ravensbourne.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/ba-hons-architecture

Courses not far from London:

Uni of Creative Arts (Canterbury) https://www.uca.ac.uk/study/courses/ba-architecture/
Oxford Brookes https://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture
Uni of Hertfordshire https://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 10

username5099800

OP

17

Original post by normaw

The age you start doesn't matter so don't get hung up on that. Also, forget about UCL at this stage - it is one of the most competitive courses to get in and you risk missing out again. You could always apply to UCL for your MArch (part 2).

Architecture courses still in clearing this morning in London (according to their websites):

Greenwich https://www.gre.ac.uk/undergraduate-courses/ach/architecture-ba-hons
London Met https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture---ba-hons/
LSBU https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture---ba-hons/
Ravensbourne https://www.ravensbourne.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/ba-hons-architecture

Courses not far from London:

Uni of Creative Arts (Canterbury) https://www.uca.ac.uk/study/courses/ba-architecture/
Oxford Brookes https://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture
Uni of Hertfordshire https://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture

Hey thanks for the response. I was given an offer from Westminster for a course called Architecture and Environmental Design which gives the same Part 1 as a normal course would. It is also fairly similar, just with a focus on environmental issues. Do you think I should go for it?

I feel like employers might favor the normal Architecture course.

Reply 11

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post by hustlr

Hey thanks for the response. I was given an offer from Westminster for a course called Architecture and Environmental Design which gives the same Part 1 as a normal course would. It is also fairly similar, just with a focus on environmental issues. Do you think I should go for it?

I feel like employers might favor the normal Architecture course.

Look at what the graduates of this course are moving onto, maybe look on LinkedIn.

could you apply or transfer onto the architecture course in years 2 or 3 if someone dropped out or you have very strong academics at university… (just some questions to ask/consider).

Reply 12

normaw

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

19

Original post by hustlr

Hey thanks for the response. I was given an offer from Westminster for a course called Architecture and Environmental Design which gives the same Part 1 as a normal course would. It is also fairly similar, just with a focus on environmental issues. Do you think I should go for it?

I feel like employers might favor the normal Architecture course.

Congratulations on the offer!

I think with the current focus on environmental issues, it would be more appealing to some employers (eg environmental consultants, consulting engineering companies, etc than a standard k100 course). It is also equivalent of a RIBA part 1 so will not be detrimental if you want to pursue a 'normal' architecture pathway. If it is a university that you are happy with in the location you wanted, then go for it.

Original post by normaw

The age you start doesn't matter so don't get hung up on that. Also, forget about UCL at this stage - it is one of the most competitive courses to get in and you risk missing out again. You could always apply to UCL for your MArch (part 2).

Architecture courses still in clearing this morning in London (according to their websites):

Greenwich https://www.gre.ac.uk/undergraduate-courses/ach/architecture-ba-hons
London Met https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture---ba-hons/
LSBU https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture---ba-hons/
Ravensbourne https://www.ravensbourne.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/ba-hons-architecture

Courses not far from London:

Uni of Creative Arts (Canterbury) https://www.uca.ac.uk/study/courses/ba-architecture/
Oxford Brookes https://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture
Uni of Hertfordshire https://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architecture

Just to pitch in here, ARU (Chelmsford) has BA and BSc Architecture degrees available for September start :smile:

Let us know if you have any questions. A few highlights from ARU's Architecture course if you are interested in us:

•

Chelmsford is only 30-40 minutes on the train from London

•

You can watch our showreel here to see what our students make and our virtual end of year show for 2021.

•

Our BA (Hons) Architecture degree is prescribed (Part 1) by the Architects Registration Board. When you complete our course you'll fulfil the first part of the three-part process to become a registered architect in the UK.

•

Apart from our ARB prescription, our course has been awarded RIBA Part 1 Full Status, unconditionally. This gives further credibility to our degrees and offers greater career prospects to our students.

•

Our facilities are great and include model-making studios, industry-standard software for computer-aided design work
construction and surveying equipment, a fully equipped workshop with cutting-edge digital fabrication machinery and skilled staff.

Hopefully that helps. As others have said if Architecture is your passion and that's what you want to do, you shouldn't compromise unless it's something you're equally passionate about. With it being a long degree in regards to how long it can take to become fully qualified, and the fact so many universities are offering places this September still, you don't need to delay starting your journey unless your heart was set on a specific university.

Whatever happens - you'll end up in the right place for you. Be strong - talk to people, discuss your options, and remember everyone at TSR is only offering their ideas and ultimately it is down to you - hopefully this hasn't been overwhelming. You are certainly not what the title of this forum says. Don't worry. You've gone through a lot and you are a stronger person for it.

Good luck

Megan

(edited 1 year ago)

Original post by hustlr

guys i really messed up for 2 years straight now here's a timeline:

- 2021 in year 13 and applied for UCL Architecture
- Messed up interview so got rejected
- No offers for architecture until clearing
- Apply for westminster architecture and got accepted
- Rejected westminster and went to City to study civil engineering
- because people talked me out of going to wesminster
- (I got A*AB)
- Hated civil engineering so dropped out in october
- Decided to reapply for architecture by revamping my portfolio
- Applied to UCL and messed up drawing task so rejected
- Rejected from westminster post interview
- Realised that the revamp of my portfolio made it 10x worse
- Spend whole gap year planning to do things but never do them
- Find out about degree apprenticeships in architecture
- No luck as they are extremely scarce
- Reapply for westminster for architecture through clearing
- Issues meant I was rejected although I was the first one to have called
-(this was not due to my actually better portfolio now)
- Offer holder for QMUL for Maths, stats and Econ (I like economics too)

I'm really confused at what to do now as I really wanted to become an architect. Should I take another year out and go for UCL one last time while I stay at QMUL just in case? If i get into UCL this time round I'll just have to make sure I'm absolutely on it this year so it doesnt go to waste.

BUT my main issue is the fact im starting university 2 years late. It makes me really sad and most people in my class would be much younger than me. Does anyone have any experience in how many people are older than 18/19 in a first year class? It just makes me feel really uncomfortable graduating at 23.

Hi hustlr,

Well done for making through all of this. First off, don't worry about graduating at 23 - I graduated at 25. Started my foundation degree a year later than my btec cohort and ended up having to take two years out for illness reasons. Came back to completed my 3 year degree a year before covid. On a niche course (Biology, we only had 25 students), there were 3 of us who were mature. Honestly, I'm not a party person so it didn't bother me that they were. I had a lot of fun, made friends that I will stay in contact with forever and graduated with a 1st (to be honest, sometimes being mature is actually better - you are old enough to realise you are paying for this degree and it makes your more motivated to work hard etc.).

In terms of courses, our Architecture course at UCLan is validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) with notable commendations for our facilities, support and employability. We ask for 128-136 UCAS points (A*AB is 144) but do have a foundation route available too - take a look at the info here: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/architecture-bsc?term=maths. If you're interested, please give our dedicated clearing team a call on 01772 830777. They are available until 6pm today. I am also happy to answer any questions you may have about the course, campus and city :smile:

I realise Preston is quite far up North, but UCLan is a great university and I've really enjoyed my time here (I believe you will too).

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Chelsea :smile:

Reply 15

username5099800

OP

17

Original post by normaw

Congratulations on the offer!

I think with the current focus on environmental issues, it would be more appealing to some employers (eg environmental consultants, consulting engineering companies, etc than a standard k100 course). It is also equivalent of a RIBA part 1 so will not be detrimental if you want to pursue a 'normal' architecture pathway. If it is a university that you are happy with in the location you wanted, then go for it.

Thanks so much for your kind words. I think I might go for it. Even better they said a transfer would likely be possible to the normal BA course since many student drop out first year. Anyways thanks for your constant advice through this whole process (including my previous threads)!!

Reply 16

University of Kent Reps

Official Rep

16

Original post by hustlr

guys i really messed up for 2 years straight now here's a timeline:

- 2021 in year 13 and applied for UCL Architecture
- Messed up interview so got rejected
- No offers for architecture until clearing
- Apply for westminster architecture and got accepted
- Rejected westminster and went to City to study civil engineering
- because people talked me out of going to wesminster
- (I got A*AB)
- Hated civil engineering so dropped out in october
- Decided to reapply for architecture by revamping my portfolio
- Applied to UCL and messed up drawing task so rejected
- Rejected from westminster post interview
- Realised that the revamp of my portfolio made it 10x worse
- Spend whole gap year planning to do things but never do them
- Find out about degree apprenticeships in architecture
- No luck as they are extremely scarce
- Reapply for westminster for architecture through clearing
- Issues meant I was rejected although I was the first one to have called
-(this was not due to my actually better portfolio now)
- Offer holder for QMUL for Maths, stats and Econ (I like economics too)

I'm really confused at what to do now as I really wanted to become an architect. Should I take another year out and go for UCL one last time while I stay at QMUL just in case? If i get into UCL this time round I'll just have to make sure I'm absolutely on it this year so it doesnt go to waste.

BUT my main issue is the fact im starting university 2 years late. It makes me really sad and most people in my class would be much younger than me. Does anyone have any experience in how many people are older than 18/19 in a first year class? It just makes me feel really uncomfortable graduating at 23.

Hi there!

Really sorry to hear your journey and sometimes the path to achieving our goals can be bumpy but that doesn’t mean the time is completely wasted!

Firstly, don’t worry too much about being the “oldest” in your classroom: the good thing about university is that age is literally just a number with people graduating at 17, 21, 25 and honestly no one makes a fuss about it! I started university one or two years later and I have plenty of friends my age or older in my year and across campus, so try not to worry too much.

I’m an architecture student at Kent so I understand how challenging it can be to get your portfolio together and impress lectures at the interview. Architecture is a long degree but the interesting things about it that you can branch into many other avenues and consider a course that will still land you in an architectural practice.

So, you could look at your experience in the last two years, look at what has gone wrong and try other options like applying to different universities and for another course too so you can study what you are passionate about and good at. Regardless, keep on researching and taking your time to make your decisions without feeling like you need to catch up!

I really hope this helps and if you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

Tracy 😊
UKC Rep

Original post by hustlr

guys i really messed up for 2 years straight now here's a timeline:

- 2021 in year 13 and applied for UCL Architecture
- Messed up interview so got rejected
- No offers for architecture until clearing
- Apply for westminster architecture and got accepted
- Rejected westminster and went to City to study civil engineering
- because people talked me out of going to wesminster
- (I got A*AB)
- Hated civil engineering so dropped out in october
- Decided to reapply for architecture by revamping my portfolio
- Applied to UCL and messed up drawing task so rejected
- Rejected from westminster post interview
- Realised that the revamp of my portfolio made it 10x worse
- Spend whole gap year planning to do things but never do them
- Find out about degree apprenticeships in architecture
- No luck as they are extremely scarce
- Reapply for westminster for architecture through clearing
- Issues meant I was rejected although I was the first one to have called
-(this was not due to my actually better portfolio now)
- Offer holder for QMUL for Maths, stats and Econ (I like economics too)

I'm really confused at what to do now as I really wanted to become an architect. Should I take another year out and go for UCL one last time while I stay at QMUL just in case? If i get into UCL this time round I'll just have to make sure I'm absolutely on it this year so it doesnt go to waste.

BUT my main issue is the fact im starting university 2 years late. It makes me really sad and most people in my class would be much younger than me. Does anyone have any experience in how many people are older than 18/19 in a first year class? It just makes me feel really uncomfortable graduating at 23.

Hi Hustlr,

The road to education is neither straight or narrow. At LSBU we have a diverse range of students who study our courses.

We offer Architectural Technology 2022/23
Architecture - BA (Hons)

You are welcome to contact our clearing team to discuss your application further to apply over the phone 08009238888 or apply online

Kind Regards,

LSBU Team

Reply 18

pungo

5

hi !

i’m about to start my first year at bartlett ucl and i just wanted to drop by and suggest that getting in touch with anyone who studies / studied at the bartlett is super super useful ! i reached out to a bunch of y1 y2 and y3 and even graduates for feedback on my portfolio and tips ✨ hope this helps and i wish you the best :smile:

Reply 19

arch17

Universities Forum Helper

14

Original post by pungo

hi !

i’m about to start my first year at bartlett ucl and i just wanted to drop by and suggest that getting in touch with anyone who studies / studied at the bartlett is super super useful ! i reached out to a bunch of y1 y2 and y3 and even graduates for feedback on my portfolio and tips ✨ hope this helps and i wish you the best :smile:

hi! ive applied for msci arch at the bartlett for 2023 i was wondering if i could have some feedback and interview advice please? ive not received an interview but i wanna be prepared in advance haha

Clearing was today im f***ked

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you