Architecture degree September 2024

Hey, so I’m starting uni in September and I’m doing an architecture degree in London met (hopefully) I just wanted to ask other architect students what they’re bringing or should bring with them for the first day and any other equipment we should be getting. (Also is anyone else going to London met?)!

Reply 1

Pedr0

very likely the uni will contact you pretty soon to let you know what you'll need to bring, and what will be provided for you - you'll probably be given a day to come in and collect stuff before the course starts

few things I can think of to make sure you get hold of early on (not necessarily day 1 - and some of this the uni will likely give you):

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basic drawing supplies like sketchbook(s) and pencil(s) are a safe bet

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scale ruler

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tape measure (for site visits)

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a set of drawing pens w/ different tip widths (eg sakura microns) - if ur going to be doing architectural drawings by hand at all you'll need different line weights (i didn't go to London Met but my uni encouraged us to draw by hand for the whole of first year)

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you'll be printing and drawing on big pieces of paper (up to A0 size) so a portfolio case or tube is a good investment (if the uni doesn't give you one for free)

for modelling you might be provided with cutting boards, craft knives, etc., or you may have to bring your own, I would ask the uni directly what will be provided to be sure

(i've heard London Met's architecture department is really good so congrats on getting in :smile:

quite a few high achievers from my undergrad uni applied there for Part 2 and ik a lot of the tutors work at award-winning practices in London so rly good networking opportunities I'm sure)

Reply 2

ancestral-equity

Original post by Pedr0

very likely the uni will contact you pretty soon to let you know what you'll need to bring, and what will be provided for you - you'll probably be given a day to come in and collect stuff before the course starts
few things I can think of to make sure you get hold of early on (not necessarily day 1 - and some of this the uni will likely give you):

•

basic drawing supplies like sketchbook(s) and pencil(s) are a safe bet

•

scale ruler

•

tape measure (for site visits)

•

you'll be printing and drawing on big pieces of paper (up to A0 size) so a portfolio case or tube is a good investment (if the uni doesn't give you one for free)

for modelling you might be provided with cutting boards, craft knives, etc., or you may have to bring your own, I would ask the uni directly what will be provided to be sure
(i've heard London Met's architecture department is really good so congrats on getting in :smile:

quite a few high achievers from my undergrad uni applied there for Part 2 and ik a lot of the tutors work at award-winning practices in London so rly good networking opportunities I'm sure)

Thank you so much! Do you have any tips for first year students? I’m so nervous 😭

Reply 3

Pedr0

Original post by ancestral-equity

Thank you so much! Do you have any tips for first year students? I’m so nervous 😭

in rly general terms

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read a lot

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work smart not hard - learn ur software and tools

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keep yourself accountable and on track with your projects, managing your own time is super important

anything in particular you want more info on?

Reply 4

ancestral-equity

Original post by Pedr0

in rly general terms

•

read a lot

•

work smart not hard - learn ur software and tools

•

keep yourself accountable and on track with your projects, managing your own time is super important

anything in particular you want more info on?

Do you recommend any particular laptop or iPad ? I know that MacBooks aren’t good for architecture.

Reply 5

Pedr0

Original post by ancestral-equity

Do you recommend any particular laptop or iPad ? I know that MacBooks aren’t good for architecture.

I never used an iPad in uni and I personally don't think it's a must have, if u want to do digital drawing for your coursework a standard wacom tablet (no screen) is just fine and much cheaper. Maybe more convenient too since youll do most of your work in the desktop version of Photoshop anyway so you dont need to transfer drawings from ipad to laptop etc.
iPad would definitely be great for note taking if you want tho but yea not a must by any means

Laptop - you're correct that macbooks aren't great for archiecture mainly because they can't run revit (industry standard software)

Specs wise what you're looking for in a laptop is a high powered processor, at least 16gb ram, and a dedicated graphics card. Easiest way to get all of that is just buy a gaming laptop, even a relatively low spec one is fine but expect to spend around £700 minimum. (Eg - dell g15, I got one on sale for degree work, was £699)

hope this helps :smile: