The Student Room Group

Graphic design or Architecture

I sent my UCAS application to study graphic design around 6 weeks ago and so far have received two unconditional offers. Since then I have felt very unsure about my decision as I was always in between graphic design and architecture I am now 80% sure I want to study architecture. I don’t want to take a gap year and reapply but I am not fully against it however I have heard of being able to transfer course within universities, is this common? And how quickly could I transfer with the correct grades?
Please let me know your thoughts as to what I should do or if there is anything I can do to change the course I will be entering in September.
Original post by Alexandra283
I sent my UCAS application to study graphic design around 6 weeks ago and so far have received two unconditional offers. Since then I have felt very unsure about my decision as I was always in between graphic design and architecture I am now 80% sure I want to study architecture. I don’t want to take a gap year and reapply but I am not fully against it however I have heard of being able to transfer course within universities, is this common? And how quickly could I transfer with the correct grades?
Please let me know your thoughts as to what I should do or if there is anything I can do to change the course I will be entering in September.

I have heard of being able to transfer course within universities, is this common?
Yes you can transfer. No, it's not common. If it was, it would be an administrative nightmare for the unis.

And how quickly could I transfer with the correct grades?
It depends on the individual uni. There is usually a myriad of factors that they will assess you on e.g. are there extra spaces, will you change course again, do you have the ability to do the course, is your portfolio good enough, etc.

Personally, I don't think you're likely to switch courses that easily if it's something in demand like architecture. You normally need an interview and a portfolio to get into the course, so getting something like that whilst you're already enrolled on another course is unlikely. Shoot your shot anyway, it's better than doing nothing.

I would concur with you though: do architecture over graphic design. Architecture is a regulated profession and you would need degrees (undergrad and postgrad) in it in order to qualify for the job. You don't need anything to go into graphic design.
As architecture is the limiting factor in the choice of the 2, it would make more sense for you to go for the subject that would limit your career options the most.

The sort of degrees you need for architecture needs to be RIBA accredited, otherwise they won't help you. See the full list here (and do check if your current choice of unis do offer the specific degrees):
https://www.architecture.com/education-cpd-and-careers/riba-validation/riba-validated-schools-uk
https://arb.org.uk/student-information/schools-institutions-architecture/
You would be looking for Part 1 and it needs to be a bachelor's degree. You will do Part 2 and 3 after you have graduated with your Part 1 and have gotten some relevant work experience.
Original post by Alexandra283
I sent my UCAS application to study graphic design around 6 weeks ago and so far have received two unconditional offers. Since then I have felt very unsure about my decision as I was always in between graphic design and architecture I am now 80% sure I want to study architecture. I don’t want to take a gap year and reapply but I am not fully against it however I have heard of being able to transfer course within universities, is this common? And how quickly could I transfer with the correct grades?
Please let me know your thoughts as to what I should do or if there is anything I can do to change the course I will be entering in September.

Do the unis you have offers from/applied to offer architecture? If so, ask now if you can change courses. Never start a degree you don't intend to finish in the hope of a transfer. The following thread lists the current RIBA-accredited courses and their entry requirements:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7536742
As above. Don’t wait. Try to switch now at your current 5 choices. If that isn’t possible then look at the options in UCAS Extra when it opens in February and prepare for clearing. There’s some fantastic architecture degrees available in Extra and Clearing each year.
Original post by normaw
Do the unis you have offers from/applied to offer architecture? If so, ask now if you can change courses. Never start a degree you don't intend to finish in the hope of a transfer. The following thread lists the current RIBA-accredited courses and their entry requirements:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7536742


Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have two offers which both offer architecture which I will defiantly email but for the ones I haven’t received offers from yet do you think I should email the universities before submitting my portfolio or will this put me at a disadvantage?
Original post by Alexandra283
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have two offers which both offer architecture which I will defiantly email but for the ones I haven’t received offers from yet do you think I should email the universities before submitting my portfolio or will this put me at a disadvantage?


The sooner you ask the more likely they'll be able to help you switch
It depends if there is space on the course but as others have said it's better to transfer sooner rather than later. I originally joined a advertising course but switched to Graphic Design and haven't looked back.
I did graphic design in college and I promise you I learnt everything in one year. DO ARCHITECTURE. I got into BCU architecture and future wise, it’s so much smarter.
Original post by Alexandra283
I sent my UCAS application to study graphic design around 6 weeks ago and so far have received two unconditional offers. Since then I have felt very unsure about my decision as I was always in between graphic design and architecture I am now 80% sure I want to study architecture. I don’t want to take a gap year and reapply but I am not fully against it however I have heard of being able to transfer course within universities, is this common? And how quickly could I transfer with the correct grades?
Please let me know your thoughts as to what I should do or if there is anything I can do to change the course I will be entering in September.

It is completely normal to feel uncertain about your choice, as big decisions like this often come with second thoughts. The good news is that switching courses within a university is possible, but how common and easy it is depends on the institution and the availability of spaces in the architecture program. Some universities allow transfers early in the first year, while others may require you to reapply for the next intake. Your best move right now is to contact the admissions offices of your chosen universities as soon as possible to discuss your options. In the meantime, since architecture has a different skill set from graphic design, consider taking short online courses in architectural design, drafting, or even basic 3D modeling, as platforms like Coursera, LiveX, or Udemy offer great introductions. This will not only help you confirm your decision but also strengthen your case if you need to justify your switch. If an internal transfer is not an option, you might need to decide between sticking with graphic design or reapplying next year. Whatever you choose, make sure it is a path you are excited about, as your future self will thank you. Have you spoken to any architecture students or professionals for insight?

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