What should my subjects selection be?
I'm joining A-levels, I want to be a architect but my school doesn't provide art and design or fine arts in A-level. What should I do?
Reply 1
Hi @Asryfh
You don’t necessarily need to take Art and Design or Fine Art at A-level to become an architect, but this will depend on the universities you're looking at. LJMU doesn't require specific creative A-levels for Architecture. What’s more important is achieving the required grades (e.g. ABB–AAB at LJMU), so it’s best to choose the subjects you’re strongest in and enjoy: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduates/2025/30132-architecture-ba-hons#EntryRequirements
This is going based off our Architecture degree that is fully accredited by the RIBA (Royal Institute of Architects).
Most Architecture courses will also ask for a portfolio. If your school doesn’t offer creative subjects, you can still build a portfolio in your own time (although this will require extra work): https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/applicant-login/portfolios
Does your school offer any subjects like Photography/Media/Film etc where you can borrow equipment? That might be helpful when building your portfolio.
It’s also a good idea to check the specific entry and portfolio requirements for each university you’re interested in.
Hope that helps 🙂
Megan (LJMU Rep)
You don’t necessarily need to take Art and Design or Fine Art at A-level to become an architect, but this will depend on the universities you're looking at. LJMU doesn't require specific creative A-levels for Architecture. What’s more important is achieving the required grades (e.g. ABB–AAB at LJMU), so it’s best to choose the subjects you’re strongest in and enjoy: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduates/2025/30132-architecture-ba-hons#EntryRequirements
This is going based off our Architecture degree that is fully accredited by the RIBA (Royal Institute of Architects).
Most Architecture courses will also ask for a portfolio. If your school doesn’t offer creative subjects, you can still build a portfolio in your own time (although this will require extra work): https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/applicant-login/portfolios
Does your school offer any subjects like Photography/Media/Film etc where you can borrow equipment? That might be helpful when building your portfolio.
It’s also a good idea to check the specific entry and portfolio requirements for each university you’re interested in.
Hope that helps 🙂
Megan (LJMU Rep)
(edited 10 months ago)
Reply 2
Original post
by AsryfhI'm joining A-levels, I want to be a architect but my school doesn't provide art and design or fine arts in A-level. What should I do?
Hi @Asryfh,
I would consider looking at other courses that are important within architecture such as maths and physics. Does the school not have any creative subjects at all? From looking online the most frequent a-levels include maths, a science subject and a creative one. There is also some universities that don't require specific a-levels for their architecture courses unless they state it, so research into various universities and check out their entry requirements.
Doing a foundation course is also a great option to get into architecture or any other subjects if needed. This will prepare you for year 1 of university if you don't meet the requirements to go straight into first year of uni.
Best wishes, ^Zac
Reply 3
Original post
by AsryfhI'm joining A-levels, I want to be a architect but my school doesn't provide art and design or fine arts in A-level. What should I do?
If you are at a State School you could apply to Art History Link-Up, who provide Art History EPQ and A-Level for students. Art-History A-Level is a bit like studying English Literature or the written aspects of A-Level Fine Art. You learn to analyse both artworks and architectural design. https://www.arthistorylinkup.org/programmes/art-history-a-level.
Reply 4
20
Original post
by AsryfhI'm joining A-levels, I want to be a architect but my school doesn't provide art and design or fine arts in A-level. What should I do?
Does your school offer DT or product design options? While the majority of unis don't have any specific subject requirements for architecture, nearly all require a portfolio of creative work as part of the application process so taking something creative will help you with this. Another option is to consider taking an Art & Design Foundation Diploma (FAD) at a local college the year after A levels.
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5017684
Reply 5
20
Original post
by AsryfhI'm joining A-levels, I want to be a architect but my school doesn't provide art and design or fine arts in A-level. What should I do?
Look at taking a one-year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at a local College or Uni - example
Foundation Diploma in UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Oxford Brookes University
This is a common route for people heading for Architecture and is an excellent way to get the skills/techniques in a range of art-forms, and you would have the best facilities and staff expertise to devise your portfolio.
Reply 6
20
Original post
by Havermelkelite_If you are at a State School you could apply to Art History Link-Up, who provide Art History EPQ and A-Level for students. Art-History A-Level is a bit like studying English Literature or the written aspects of A-Level Fine Art. You learn to analyse both artworks and architectural design. https://www.arthistorylinkup.org/programmes/art-history-a-level.
Art History isnt considered as an 'Art and Design qualification' by Unis for Architecture.
Reply 7
20
Original post
by LJMUStudentRepsHi @Asryfh
You don’t need to take Art and Design or Fine Art at A-level to become an architect — many universities, including LJMU, don’t require specific creative A-levels for Architecture. What’s more important is achieving the required grades (e.g. ABB–AAB at LJMU), so it’s best to choose the subjects you’re strongest in and enjoy: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduates/2025/30132-architecture-ba-hons#EntryRequirements
Most Architecture courses will also ask for a portfolio. If your school doesn’t offer creative subjects, you can still build a portfolio in your own time (although this will require extra work): https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/applicant-login/portfolios
Does your school offer any subjects like Photography/Media/Film etc where you can borrow equipment? That might be helpful when building your portfolio.
It’s also a good idea to check the specific entry and portfolio requirements for each university you’re interested in.
Hope that helps 🙂
Megan (LJMU Rep)
You don’t need to take Art and Design or Fine Art at A-level to become an architect — many universities, including LJMU, don’t require specific creative A-levels for Architecture. What’s more important is achieving the required grades (e.g. ABB–AAB at LJMU), so it’s best to choose the subjects you’re strongest in and enjoy: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduates/2025/30132-architecture-ba-hons#EntryRequirements
Most Architecture courses will also ask for a portfolio. If your school doesn’t offer creative subjects, you can still build a portfolio in your own time (although this will require extra work): https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/applicant-login/portfolios
Does your school offer any subjects like Photography/Media/Film etc where you can borrow equipment? That might be helpful when building your portfolio.
It’s also a good idea to check the specific entry and portfolio requirements for each university you’re interested in.
Hope that helps 🙂
Megan (LJMU Rep)
You DO need a formal Art/Design qualification for the majority of RIBA accredited courses.
Reply 8
Original post
by AsryfhI'm joining A-levels, I want to be a architect but my school doesn't provide art and design or fine arts in A-level. What should I do?
Hi there!
I am assuming you would want to do a degree in Architecture? If so, Kingston doesn't have any specific A-Level subject requirements but ABB in grades. You will also need a portfolio, and an EPQ can help with this (equivalent of half an A-Level I think!).
Maths and Physics can be suitable for A-Levels, and your art aspect can come from the EPQ. I would speak to your teachers regarding your options for an architecture degree.
Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)
Reply 9
20
Just to note, maths and physics are not required subjects for the vast majority of architecture courses.
Reply 10
20
Useful reading -
Architect job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
Architect job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
Reply 11
Original post
by McGingerArt History isnt considered as an 'Art and Design qualification' by Unis for Architecture.
Yes, it is a different skill. But still a relevant subject nonetheless
Original post
by AsryfhI'm joining A-levels, I want to be a architect but my school doesn't provide art and design or fine arts in A-level. What should I do?
What subjects are you considering?
Are there any specific subjects you particularly enjoy?
Are there any design or creative subjects available at all?
Reply 13
Original post
by AsryfhI'm joining A-levels, I want to be a architect but my school doesn't provide art and design or fine arts in A-level. What should I do?
Hiya!
Here at Cardiff Uni, we don't require any specific subjects, but the main requirement is to submit a portfolio! My housemate does architecture, and she had a similar issue, she did a couple art classes, and built a portfolio outside of school hours, I've heard some people hiring tutors to help build these portfolios together as well, if that's an option. As well there is so much online about tips and support for building a portfolio. So it is definitely still doable don't worry!
And with that in mind, I would suggest choosing subjects you like the most, and that you can thrive the best in!
Cardiff Architecture is top 5 in the UK, and ranked high globally as well. It truly is a great school, the teachers are so lovely, and great facilities! Not to mention is a great city to live and be a student in!
I hope this helps, and let me know if you have any other questions!
Grace - Cardiff Uni Student Rep
Reply 14
11
Original post
by AsryfhI'm joining A-levels, I want to be a architect but my school doesn't provide art and design or fine arts in A-level. What should I do?
Hi, I'm in year 12 and plan to apply for architecture this year, and I take A-Level Maths, Physics & a modern foreign language. My sixth form didn't let me take art because my secondary only allowed me to do BTEC Art & Design, so I was in a similar position to you last year.
Most universities in the UK don't require you to take any specific subjects for A-Level, how almost all universities require a portfolio to be submitted as part of your application. Due to this, many universities consider art-related formal education, like an A-Level in Art & Design or Fine Art, to be helpful as the coursework you do in these subjects can be used in your portfolio. Taking an art subject at GCSE (and achieving a 6 or above) is still be helpful and can demonstrate formal education in an art subject. A minority of universities which offer a more technical & maths/ physics based degree, like the University of Bath, don't standardly require a portfolio when applying but strongly advise taking Maths and/or Physics.
After finding all of this out and realising I wouldn't be able to take an A-Level art subject, I chose my A-Levels based on my interests, what kind of architecture course I wanted to do at university, and what would make my application stronger and more appealing to universities.
I would recommend first considering if you're more interested in the creative side of architecture, or the technical side, or both. UCL is renowned for having a very creative course which focuses on expressing your ideas creatively through hand-drawn sketches and hand-made models, and not focusing on architecture software like AutoCAD until second/ third year. University of Bath prioritises the software side of things from the start, with Digital Representation being a compulsory Year 1 unit. It would be great to research different universities to see how architecture courses can vary! As long as the degree is ARB and RIBA approved you'll still be learning the same necessary information needed to become a registered architect in the UK, just with different focuses
Next it's important to consider what kind of subjects you'd be interested in taking at A-Level. If you're not interested in Maths or Physics, don't take them just because a few universities recommend them, it's not a requirement nor even a recommendation for most. If you're not interested in a subject, you're unlikely to put as much effort in and therefore won't achieve a high grade. It's best to choose subjects you find interesting and that you could do well in. Most A-Levels can relate to architecture in some way. Generally I'd say only two of your A-Levels have to be closely related to the degree you wish to study regardless of subject. Here's a nice explanation to how 17 A-Level subjects link to architecture: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lica/architecture/a-levels/
Personally, I chose to do Maths & Physics because I'm interested them, wanted to get better at them, because I'm interested in both the creative and technical side of architecture and as I knew I wanted to apply to Bath. I chose to do a language A-Level because I aspire to become bilingual and because the specification includes learning a bit about the architecture of the country.
There are plenty of activities you can do to help with producing your portfolio and getting some creative architecture-related things to write in your personal statement, here's what I recommend:
•
artefact EPQ which relates to architecture (where you make a model, piece of art etc. & then write how you created it, rather than just a dissertation) - worth half an A-Level so you get UCAS points & could get a reduced offer from some universities
•
having a small A5 sketchbook and (frequently) drawing from life - many universities recommend this, as drawing from life is a requirement for most portfolios (each university has different requirements for portfolios & you submit them separately to each university rather than through your UCAS application)
•
free summer schools if you're eligible! I'm going to the Sutton Trust UCL Architecture & Built Environment Summer School this year, where UCL will teach us how to make an excellent portfolio & everything we make can be used in our portfolio. University of Bath has the Discover Bath Architecture & Civil Engineering summer school (which I'm also going to) and there are a few other architecture ones like University of Sheffield's
•
attending architecture taster lectures & workshops (loads in London!)
•
work experience (you might do some sort of design project)
•
virtual work experience, courses & online webinars (Springpod has a nice one: https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/architectural-insight-virtual-work-experience-in-design/WEXP-00010)
•
volunteering at an art gallery or museum
•
visiting and/ or doing research projects on buildings
•
competitions, Cambridge colleges often have some, e.g: https://www.cai.cam.ac.uk/access-outreach/schemes-and-events/caius-explore
I hope this helped a little, and don't worry about not taking A-Level art because there are plenty of other helpful subjects
Reply 15
Original post
by AsryfhI'm joining A-levels, I want to be a architect but my school doesn't provide art and design or fine arts in A-level. What should I do?
Hi @Asryfh
Lancaster Uni offers an architecture course that requires AAA entry requirements but no subject specific requirements! It is 7th in The Complete University Guide (2025) ranks and you get your own studio space you can access 24/7.You can find out more information here https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/architecture-ba-hons-k100/2026/#a-levels-504076-0
Hope that helps,
Rachel -Lancaster Uni Student Ambassador
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