Cambridge Architecture students advice
Hi, I just want some advice from current or past Cambridge University architecture students/graduates on how to make my personal statement more interesting and what extra stuff should I start doing to build upon my knowledge or skills. I’ll be starting my personal statement soon for it to be ready to be sent out in September/October 2025. And also how did your interview go with the university, and how long did it take you to hear back from the university after you sent out your application, TIA 😁☺️
Reply 1
Hey, I just received an offer from cambridge for architecture to begin studying this October! In your PS it’s all about showing your passion and enthusiasm for architecture. For example, I talked about an architectural philosophy book I had read, architecture competitions I got awards for, awards from essay competitions. I also did a two month work experience that really helped my application so try and get one if you can!
The interviews are just another opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion - there’s no tricks or top secret advice to ace them!
Once you apply, you’ll need to submit the 6 page artwork PDF and then once that is submitted at the end of October, you’ll hear back mid November regarding whether you have been invited for interview
The interviews are just another opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion - there’s no tricks or top secret advice to ace them!
Once you apply, you’ll need to submit the 6 page artwork PDF and then once that is submitted at the end of October, you’ll hear back mid November regarding whether you have been invited for interview
Reply 2
niki_18
OP
2
Original post
by AnonymousHey, I just received an offer from cambridge for architecture to begin studying this October! In your PS it’s all about showing your passion and enthusiasm for architecture. For example, I talked about an architectural philosophy book I had read, architecture competitions I got awards for, awards from essay competitions. I also did a two month work experience that really helped my application so try and get one if you can!
The interviews are just another opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion - there’s no tricks or top secret advice to ace them!
Once you apply, you’ll need to submit the 6 page artwork PDF and then once that is submitted at the end of October, you’ll hear back mid November regarding whether you have been invited for interview
The interviews are just another opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion - there’s no tricks or top secret advice to ace them!
Once you apply, you’ll need to submit the 6 page artwork PDF and then once that is submitted at the end of October, you’ll hear back mid November regarding whether you have been invited for interview
Hi, thank you so much that is great that you got the offer, I’m just really nervous, I am a passionate student and I do good in college and on my previous course I got triple distinction* for fashion and interior level 3, but also what is making me nervous is my GCSE results, I got a 7 in art and maths, 6 in design technology even though on my project I got a 9, 4 in English language, 5 in English literature and 5-5 in combined science, level 2 distinction in btec sport, and a 5 in Spanish, it was a hard time studying with having not much input or help from secondary and also lockdown happening, but I do well in college now at A levels and the gcse grades are what’s making me stressed out, plus I don’t live in the most opportunities filled area either so I am working on finding places too, but thank you for the guidance 😄
Reply 3
I totally get that, in my GCSES i got 999999887, but from what I've seen on here, there are people with lower grades still getting offers so please dont let it put you off. What are your current a-level grades and for what subjects?
All of the competitions I did I found online from various websites. I did the MindsUnderground architecture essay competition, and the University of Cambridge Fitzwilliam College architectural design competition, both of which I got highly commended with no help from my college, so again please don't be put off - its all about being independent.
For finding work experience, I emailed many many architecture firms around me yet nowhere was willing to give any. So, I had to expand the area in which I was looking and the work experience I did eventually get was a two hour train away. So i had to get a two hour train at 7 am every day 😵 . Was not the most pleasant thing but just ask yourself how dedicated you want to be!
All of the competitions I did I found online from various websites. I did the MindsUnderground architecture essay competition, and the University of Cambridge Fitzwilliam College architectural design competition, both of which I got highly commended with no help from my college, so again please don't be put off - its all about being independent.
For finding work experience, I emailed many many architecture firms around me yet nowhere was willing to give any. So, I had to expand the area in which I was looking and the work experience I did eventually get was a two hour train away. So i had to get a two hour train at 7 am every day 😵 . Was not the most pleasant thing but just ask yourself how dedicated you want to be!
Reply 4
niki_18
OP
2
Original post
by AnonymousI totally get that, in my GCSES i got 999999887, but from what I've seen on here, there are people with lower grades still getting offers so please dont let it put you off. What are your current a-level grades and for what subjects?
All of the competitions I did I found online from various websites. I did the MindsUnderground architecture essay competition, and the University of Cambridge Fitzwilliam College architectural design competition, both of which I got highly commended with no help from my college, so again please don't be put off - its all about being independent.
For finding work experience, I emailed many many architecture firms around me yet nowhere was willing to give any. So, I had to expand the area in which I was looking and the work experience I did eventually get was a two hour train away. So i had to get a two hour train at 7 am every day 😵 . Was not the most pleasant thing but just ask yourself how dedicated you want to be!
All of the competitions I did I found online from various websites. I did the MindsUnderground architecture essay competition, and the University of Cambridge Fitzwilliam College architectural design competition, both of which I got highly commended with no help from my college, so again please don't be put off - its all about being independent.
For finding work experience, I emailed many many architecture firms around me yet nowhere was willing to give any. So, I had to expand the area in which I was looking and the work experience I did eventually get was a two hour train away. So i had to get a two hour train at 7 am every day 😵 . Was not the most pleasant thing but just ask yourself how dedicated you want to be!
Those are really good GCSE results, I used to do so well in school but I guess the exam pressure really put me off. However I’m doing A-level business economics and maths, my minimum target grades are B for all my subjects so far because they haven’t sorted the predicted grades yet however on my latest formal assessment in business I got A* (but they don’t do A* in first year so they out it down as an A), in maths I got a B and in economics I got a C (my knowledge is good it’s all the 15/25 markers I’m working on to improve and all the graphs that need to be memorised haha) but my tutors and teachers believe in me and think I can get the best grades if I carry on putting the effort in.
In addition to all of that, omg a 2 hour journey every day, I would do that haha but train times and journeys from where I live aren’t that easy however I’m doing driving lessons so could get myself places much easier at some point before summer hopefully, but also currently my tutor is getting me a work placement with a local interior design place as because many architecture places I’ve contacted say they don’t have the insurance or they are self employed, but trust me I’m researching many things to the max, I have applied for the Sutton trust summer school at Cambridge for architecture however I am 18 and it’s unlikely they will accept an 18 year old but I gave it a go. But thank you so much for the advice, and also are there any books or anything that you could recommend for me to look at and read, would be much appreciated thank you 😊😊
Reply 5
I applied for the sutton trust at Cambridge too but I didn't get it, so don't worry if you don't get it as it won't make a difference to your chances of getting an offer.
The books I read were The Eyes Of The Skin by Pallasmaa, Experiencing Architecture by Rasmussen, and Why We Build by Moore. Cambridge have a reading list i'm pretty sure so you could ttry some books off there too
I would try and get all A* predicted from your college to make up for your GCSE grades but still apply even if you don't manage that
The books I read were The Eyes Of The Skin by Pallasmaa, Experiencing Architecture by Rasmussen, and Why We Build by Moore. Cambridge have a reading list i'm pretty sure so you could ttry some books off there too
I would try and get all A* predicted from your college to make up for your GCSE grades but still apply even if you don't manage that
Reply 6
niki_18
OP
2
Thank you i really appreciate the help and advice, it's such a nerve-racking journey, and yes l've got college tomorrow so I'll talk to my tutors where they think I'm currently standing at and get the most out of their advice and keep working harder and harder. Again thank you so much, and I really hope you get in too after you get your grades 😊😊
Reply 7
Original post
by AnonymousHey, I just received an offer from cambridge for architecture to begin studying this October! In your PS it’s all about showing your passion and enthusiasm for architecture. For example, I talked about an architectural philosophy book I had read, architecture competitions I got awards for, awards from essay competitions. I also did a two month work experience that really helped my application so try and get one if you can!
The interviews are just another opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion - there’s no tricks or top secret advice to ace them!
Once you apply, you’ll need to submit the 6 page artwork PDF and then once that is submitted at the end of October, you’ll hear back mid November regarding whether you have been invited for interview
The interviews are just another opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion - there’s no tricks or top secret advice to ace them!
Once you apply, you’ll need to submit the 6 page artwork PDF and then once that is submitted at the end of October, you’ll hear back mid November regarding whether you have been invited for interview
Congrats!!!!!! Can we take a peek into what the portfolio was like??? What did you put in there hahaha
Reply 8
Original post
by AnonymousCongrats!!!!!! Can we take a peek into what the portfolio was like??? What did you put in there hahaha
I’m not sure if I’m allowed to show you however they aren’t looking for just architecture work within the portfolio - showcase a range of media and display your creative processes. I attended life drawing classes for a couple of months to which I included a page on that do doing observational drawings like that are very useful
Reply 9
Original post
by AnonymousHey, I just received an offer from cambridge for architecture to begin studying this October! In your PS it’s all about showing your passion and enthusiasm for architecture. For example, I talked about an architectural philosophy book I had read, architecture competitions I got awards for, awards from essay competitions. I also did a two month work experience that really helped my application so try and get one if you can!
The interviews are just another opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion - there’s no tricks or top secret advice to ace them!
Once you apply, you’ll need to submit the 6 page artwork PDF and then once that is submitted at the end of October, you’ll hear back mid November regarding whether you have been invited for interview
The interviews are just another opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion - there’s no tricks or top secret advice to ace them!
Once you apply, you’ll need to submit the 6 page artwork PDF and then once that is submitted at the end of October, you’ll hear back mid November regarding whether you have been invited for interview
Congrats!!! May I ask which program you applied for?
Reply 10
Original post
by AnonymousI applied for the sutton trust at Cambridge too but I didn't get it, so don't worry if you don't get it as it won't make a difference to your chances of getting an offer.
The books I read were The Eyes Of The Skin by Pallasmaa, Experiencing Architecture by Rasmussen, and Why We Build by Moore. Cambridge have a reading list i'm pretty sure so you could ttry some books off there too
I would try and get all A* predicted from your college to make up for your GCSE grades but still apply even if you don't manage that
The books I read were The Eyes Of The Skin by Pallasmaa, Experiencing Architecture by Rasmussen, and Why We Build by Moore. Cambridge have a reading list i'm pretty sure so you could ttry some books off there too
I would try and get all A* predicted from your college to make up for your GCSE grades but still apply even if you don't manage that
Hi, May I know whether you need to stick on Fitzwilliam after your competition award? Or you may apply for other college and you got the offer too?
Reply 11
Original post
by AnonymousHey, I just received an offer from cambridge for architecture to begin studying this October! In your PS it’s all about showing your passion and enthusiasm for architecture. For example, I talked about an architectural philosophy book I had read, architecture competitions I got awards for, awards from essay competitions. I also did a two month work experience that really helped my application so try and get one if you can!
The interviews are just another opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion - there’s no tricks or top secret advice to ace them!
Once you apply, you’ll need to submit the 6 page artwork PDF and then once that is submitted at the end of October, you’ll hear back mid November regarding whether you have been invited for interview
The interviews are just another opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion - there’s no tricks or top secret advice to ace them!
Once you apply, you’ll need to submit the 6 page artwork PDF and then once that is submitted at the end of October, you’ll hear back mid November regarding whether you have been invited for interview
which competitions did you take part in
Reply 12
Which book would you recommend the most to read and are there any other competitions that I could apply to now for applying to uni in october. Also for the 6 page portfolio what did you include
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