Is art A level compulsory for architecture

Hi, I currently study maths, geography and economics for a level in year 12. I’m looking at courses for uni and was looking at architecture. Is art a level compulsory for architecture at uni and are skills in art important or is it more about maths?
Also, does anyone know about interior design and what to study in uni to go into that?
Thanks

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by xoxogosssipgirl

Art is not compolsory to do an architecture degree, but yout skills in art is (you need it for your portfolio).
Out of the 59 or so bachelor's degrees in architecture, only 3 or so will require you to have done maths, partly because they are more focused on engineering than design. The other 55 or so will ask for A Levels in any random subjects. If you prefer the more mathematical courses, look for the BEng degrees that are also accredited by the ARB/RIBA (any degree that's not accredited by the ARB/RIBA would not help you break into architecture in industry).
See the following for suitable courses (you need the equivalent of RIBA Part 1):
https://www.architecture.com/education-cpd-and-careers/riba-validation/riba-validated-schools-uk
https://arb.org.uk/student-information/schools-institutions-architecture/
Do note, some universities might express a preference for A Level Art and Design though.

See the following for job profiles as an architect:
https://careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/design/job-profile/architect
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/architect

As far as I know, you need at least nothing to go into interior design. It's more about your design skills more than anything. See:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/interior-designer
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/design/job-profile/interior-designer
In other words, you can strictly speaking do a degree in architecture and then still be able to go into interior design.

Like the architecture degrees, you can generally go into interior design degrees with any random A Levels. However, some of the pickier universities will ask you to have done A Level Art and Design.

Out of the 2 careers, only architects are regulated and will strictly require you to have an approved degree i.e. it's worth going to university for). Having said that, you can also get into architecture via degree apprenticeships (these are rare though).

Prior to going forward with your A Levels, you should really look at the entry requirements of the specific degrees that you want to study first. Don't get me wrong, I am all up for maths, geography, and economics (they happen to be among the subjects that I like), but if they are not serving you you should reconsider your options.

Reply 2

normaw

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Original post by xoxogosssipgirl

You need to be creative to do an architecture degree as over 50% of the modules are design. It's not a problem if you don't do art A level, as long as you have the skills and time to put together a portfolio of creative work which will be requested during the application process. The maths involved in architecture is usually at GCSE level.

If you decide that you would like to pursue a degree in architecture but don't think you currently have the skills to prepare a portfolio, you could take a year out after A levels to complete an Art and Design Foundation Diploma at a local further education college. More info here:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7326306#post98194451

You can study interior design at uni. I'd recommend you start with the following link and then look at entry requirements for the courses:

https://www.whatuni.com/degree-courses/search?subject=interior-design

Also, try plugging your A levels into the following tool to get degree suggestions for your A levels:

https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer

Reply 3

normaw

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Just to let you know I've altered the title of this thread to help others see what the thread is about a little more clearly. :smile:

Reply 4

aperolspritz

thanks for all the help! still unsure about what to do but just trying to see what my options are!

Reply 5

normaw

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Original post by xoxogosssipgirl

thanks for all the help! still unsure about what to do but just trying to see what my options are!

The following website is also a useful resource as it lists 100s of job profiles:

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/

Reply 6

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

As above its not usually a required su jecy but usually you need to submit a creative portfolio as part of the application process, and that's a lot of extra work on top of 3 A-levels if you aren't doing art where you can use pieces from that in it. Also as noted architecture of fundamentally a creative design degree (and field of work) and there is not much maths involved usually beyond doing some basics.

Interior design is even more creative design oriented.