How can I make a strong application for architecture without a level art?

hi i’m in year 12 and im doing a levels maths, physics and english literature. i want to apply to architecture (i’ve been considering cambridge, ucl, bath, sheffield, loughborough and liverpool but my main requirement is that the degree is RIBA accredited) but i don’t do a level art since i didn’t do gcse art. i know a portfolio is required for all of these universities (except liverpool and bath but they still prefer art a level) but i really don’t know where to begin and how to make a good portfolio that will strengthen my chances. on average im okay at art, but i’ve seen incredible standards of art from accepted portfolios at these universities and really don’t know how ill be able to compete. if it’s relevant, i don’t have a level predicted grades yet and my gcses were 9999888776. any advice would help thanks

Consider doing a 1-year Art and Design Foundation Diploma course after Year 13 - you'd get a good grounding in all art/design areas, and the best possible resources/advice about compiling a portfolio : Art & Design Foundation Diplomas (Art foundation)

Unfortunately that article has a number of inaccuracies and repeatedly conflates a foundation year with a FAD course
"Many universities prefer you to complete an Art Foundation Diploma before applying for a degree. " - the number of universities that prefer a FAD is very small.
"If you study in England or Wales, you can take it as a stand-alone course or as part of an undergraduate art degree." a FAD cannot be taken as part of an undergraduate degree
" If you study art and design in Scotland, the Arts Foundation Diploma is usually built into a four-year degree. " this isn't true - a number of scottish FE colleges offer a FAD
"FE college cons"..."There isn’t the option to apply for a combined course – if you want to study for a full undergraduate degree afterwards, you must go through the UCAS application process while studying for the diploma" again this isn't true. A FAD is always freestanding and universities contracts with UCAS require all entrants to BA courses to be through UCAS
"University pros You get the university experience of living away from home" - there's no maintenance loan for FAD courses and so few students live away from home
"You can apply for a course with an integrated foundation year, meaning you only need to go through the UCAS application process once –this almost guarantees progression to a full undergraduate course after successfully completing the foundation year" - a FAD isn't an integrated foundation year. The 2 are completely different
"Most universities offer a fee-waiver for the diploma year if you're under 19 years of age" - this isn't accurate. a FAD is an FE course and is eligible for ESFA funding for under 19 year olds which means there is no fee. This isn't the same as a fee waiver
"If you’re over 19, you’ll probably have to pay the full tuition fee" - again as a regulated ESFA funded course 19+ students pay a fee but are eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover this (and it's ~£5k not the same as a degree tuition fee)
"Where ever you choose to study, you’ll usually need an A Level or AS in art design or a BTEC National Diploma in fine art, plus a portfolio of your work." a lot of colleges and universities are happy to consider applicants without a creative L3 qualification. And those that do require one are more likely to be interested in a UALAB or RSL or VTCT course than a BTEC national
"If you’ve opted for the university route, the deadline for application is mid-January. The process of applying differs depending on whether you’re studying in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland. " Universities set their own deadlines for FAD courses.
"Ulster University is the only university in Northern Ireland that offers an Art Foundation Diploma. You apply for the course through UCAS." UU doesn't offer a FAD.
"There's no standard method of applying for an Art foundation course in Wales. Some institutions use UCAS, and others accept direct applications. Check the application section on course details pages on university websites for more information." all FADs are direct applications. A FAD is not a foundation year

Thanks PQ - please can you email them and tell them?

I have a few times and they don’t seem interested in improving the article. That was one of the main reasons for putting together the FAD FAQ thread on TSR to try to balance the misinformation

Can you post the link for this?

hi i’m in year 12 and im doing a levels maths, physics and english literature. i want to apply to architecture (i’ve been considering cambridge, ucl, bath, sheffield, loughborough and liverpool but my main requirement is that the degree is RIBA accredited) but i don’t do a level art since i didn’t do gcse art. i know a portfolio is required for all of these universities (except liverpool and bath but they still prefer art a level) but i really don’t know where to begin and how to make a good portfolio that will strengthen my chances. on average im okay at art, but i’ve seen incredible standards of art from accepted portfolios at these universities and really don’t know how ill be able to compete. if it’s relevant, i don’t have a level predicted grades yet and my gcses were 9999888776. any advice would help thanks

hi i’m in year 12 and im doing a levels maths, physics and english literature. i want to apply to architecture (i’ve been considering cambridge, ucl, bath, sheffield, loughborough and liverpool but my main requirement is that the degree is RIBA accredited) but i don’t do a level art since i didn’t do gcse art. i know a portfolio is required for all of these universities (except liverpool and bath but they still prefer art a level) but i really don’t know where to begin and how to make a good portfolio that will strengthen my chances. on average im okay at art, but i’ve seen incredible standards of art from accepted portfolios at these universities and really don’t know how ill be able to compete. if it’s relevant, i don’t have a level predicted grades yet and my gcses were 9999888776. any advice would help thanks

hi i’m in year 12 and im doing a levels maths, physics and english literature. i want to apply to architecture (i’ve been considering cambridge, ucl, bath, sheffield, loughborough and liverpool but my main requirement is that the degree is RIBA accredited) but i don’t do a level art since i didn’t do gcse art. i know a portfolio is required for all of these universities (except liverpool and bath but they still prefer art a level) but i really don’t know where to begin and how to make a good portfolio that will strengthen my chances. on average im okay at art, but i’ve seen incredible standards of art from accepted portfolios at these universities and really don’t know how ill be able to compete. if it’s relevant, i don’t have a level predicted grades yet and my gcses were 9999888776. any advice would help thanks

hi i’m in year 12 and im doing a levels maths, physics and english literature. i want to apply to architecture (i’ve been considering cambridge, ucl, bath, sheffield, loughborough and liverpool but my main requirement is that the degree is RIBA accredited) but i don’t do a level art since i didn’t do gcse art. i know a portfolio is required for all of these universities (except liverpool and bath but they still prefer art a level) but i really don’t know where to begin and how to make a good portfolio that will strengthen my chances. on average im okay at art, but i’ve seen incredible standards of art from accepted portfolios at these universities and really don’t know how ill be able to compete. if it’s relevant, i don’t have a level predicted grades yet and my gcses were 9999888776. any advice would help thanks