A level choices for architecture

Hello!

I’m currently in year 11 and about to pick my A-level choices. I am keen on studying architecture at university preferably at Oxbridge and or a Russell group uni.
I’m not worried about getting the grades for these unis, but it’s more if my options make me a less competitive candidate and I would like myself to have the best chance at getting in.
I am planning on picking Maths, Art and Design And Music.
Music because I am also planning to apply to conservatives also separately.
As conservatives don’t have music A-level as a requirement do you think I should change music for physics to give me the best chance at architecture or will I be just fine among other candidates with it - will it hold me back if I don’t do physics/ stem.

If somone could give me some advice on how competitive architectural courses are that would be much appreciated!

Many thanks!

Original post by Totesisbest

Hello!
I’m currently in year 11 and about to pick my A-level choices. I am keen on studying architecture at university preferably at Oxbridge and or a Russell group uni.
I’m not worried about getting the grades for these unis, but it’s more if my options make me a less competitive candidate and I would like myself to have the best chance at getting in.
I am planning on picking Maths, Art and Design And Music.
Music because I am also planning to apply to conservatives also separately.
As conservatives don’t have music A-level as a requirement do you think I should change music for physics to give me the best chance at architecture or will I be just fine among other candidates with it - will it hold me back if I don’t do physics/ stem.
If somone could give me some advice on how competitive architectural courses are that would be much appreciated!
Many thanks!

Although I can't advise you on architectural courses however I would recommend you look at universities you are interested and their architectural courses and see if there are any desired/needed subjects to choose. In order to do the degree. Otherwise pick the ones you fancy like you have already listed. If your school offers it; you can go talk to a careers advisor to seek more guidance from them xx
Here is informed choices by the Russel group since you have mentioned them - which shows the a levels you either need/desired to do a degree at their institutions
https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/degrees/architecture
Hope this helps and good luck xx

Reply 2

At-17

1

Speak to the universities you are targeting - particularly if you are going to try for Cambridge
or Bath, which are more technical than many and may prefer physics - esp Bath where my son is studying. I know someone who got in to Cambridge on Art, Maths and computer Science. However, there are other good RG universities - Sheffield, Cardiff, nottingham, that may not require physics. Don’t forget Loughborough, which really is fabulous too for architecture.

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by At-17

Speak to the universities you are targeting - particularly if you are going to try for Cambridge
or Bath, which are more technical than many and may prefer physics - esp Bath where my son is studying. I know someone who got in to Cambridge on Art, Maths and computer Science. However, there are other good RG universities - Sheffield, Cardiff, nottingham, that may not require physics. Don’t forget Loughborough, which really is fabulous too for architecture.

Bath does require physics or maths as I recall. I think Strathclyde similarly do.

Cambridge is actually a very art-y/conceptual course as I understand, similar to the Bartlett, and I'm not aware of a requirement or preference for it (perhaps except for specific colleges).

Original post by Totesisbest

Hello!

I’m currently in year 11 and about to pick my A-level choices. I am keen on studying architecture at university preferably at Oxbridge and or a Russell group uni.
I’m not worried about getting the grades for these unis, but it’s more if my options make me a less competitive candidate and I would like myself to have the best chance at getting in.
I am planning on picking Maths, Art and Design And Music.
Music because I am also planning to apply to conservatives also separately.
As conservatives don’t have music A-level as a requirement do you think I should change music for physics to give me the best chance at architecture or will I be just fine among other candidates with it - will it hold me back if I don’t do physics/ stem.

If somone could give me some advice on how competitive architectural courses are that would be much appreciated!

Many thanks!

Your subjects are fine for any architecture course, at most Strathclyde and Bath require either maths or physics - as you do maths, you're fine. Maths is a STEM subject - that's what the M in STEM stands for.

Architecture is also fundamentally not an engineering degree, it's a design degree. Hence most courses don't require any background in the area (except the couple of unusually technically focused universities), whereas A-level Art is useful if not required and a portfolio is commonly required at most others which art is helpful to build.

Any third subject should be fine. If you want to continue with music and apply to conservatoires then by all means stick with it :smile:

Reply 4

Totesisbest

OP

3

Hiya!

Thanks very much for your reply it was extremely helpful!

Cambridge does not have any specific requirements but they do prefer subjects like Maths Art Physics.

Do you know if they will discriminate/ choose someone over me if they have a facilitating subject over my third choice of music?

Many thanks 😊

Reply 5

normaw

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

19

Original post by Totesisbest

Hiya!

Thanks very much for your reply it was extremely helpful!

Cambridge does not have any specific requirements but they do prefer subjects like Maths Art Physics.

Do you know if they will discriminate/ choose someone over me if they have a facilitating subject over my third choice of music?

Many thanks 😊

Read the following page for Cambridge (it is a very competitive course - even for Cambridge):

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/architecture-ba-hons

"What Architecture students have studied

Most Architecture students (who had studied A levels and started at Cambridge in 2018, 2019 and 2023) achieved at least A*A*A. The majority of students who studied IB achieved at least 43 points overall.

Almost all had studied at least one of the subjects recommended above. Around 90% took Art & Design, plus either Mathematics, Physics or both.

This information shows some of the common subjects our applicants have studied. Although these are common subject combinations, this doesn't mean they're favoured."

Unless you plan to apply to Bath, stick to your guns and keep music as your third option.

Then have a look at the A Levels for Architecture thread for a list of all RIBA-validated courses and their entry requirements.

(edited 1 month ago)

A level choices for architecture

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