GCSE requirements for Architecture in Uni

3

Hi everyone,
I am currently predicted with gcse grades of 99999988877 with art, physics, maths and FM all being at a grade 9. However, I am wondering whether these grades are good enough to go to the good unis for architecture (ie Cambridge, Bartlett, Bath and Sheffield)

This is as I need to decide on my a-level choices now, but I’m not sure whether or not I should go into architecture - the A-levels needed are very specific.

Ps I know that I may be planning very much ahead🫣

If anyone has similar GCSEs and got into these unis, it would be very helpful to know. (gives me some motivation🤓)

Thank you very much

Reply 1

PeteMcCrea

3

This page gives a link to the Bartlett School prospectus for Architecture BSc. AAB at A Level, and only asks for C/4 or above for English and Maths at GCSE.

Most courses focus on A Level subjects rather than GCSE’s. Your best bet is to look at UCAS/University guides as to what they want.

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/degrees/architecture-bsc

Reply 2

Bozziro

4

Hello! Bartlett and Sheffield offer holder here :smile:

Your GCSEs have an impact on your acceptance in Cambridge- the other three unis won't look too much at them (apart from getting 4 or more in maths and english). I should also mention that it would be ideal to take art as an A-Level as all 4 unis need a portfolio.
Cambridge is a bit tricky- you need to stand out. doing extracurriculars would definitely help.
UCL looks at your portfolio more than anything, so make sure you have a strong one.
Bath does need maths and art for alevels.
Sheffield is... well, sheffield. there isn't a lot i can say about it apart from the fact that you also do need a portfolio.
Needing physics, maths and art is a myth (apart from Bath- they need maths and art), but it can give you an advantage. (I did business, art, and comp sci lol)
You very much can do architecture with your predicted GCSE grades. and you very much can do architecture with any alevels (as long as you have a good portfolio and the unis dont require a certain subject)

Reply 3

normaw

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

20

Original post

by Cindyquack

Hi everyone,
I am currently predicted with gcse grades of 99999988877 with art, physics, maths and FM all being at a grade 9. However, I am wondering whether these grades are good enough to go to the good unis for architecture (ie Cambridge, Bartlett, Bath and Sheffield)

This is as I need to decide on my a-level choices now, but I’m not sure whether or not I should go into architecture - the A-levels needed are very specific.

Ps I know that I may be planning very much ahead🫣

If anyone has similar GCSEs and got into these unis, it would be very helpful to know. (gives me some motivation🤓)

Thank you very much

Your GCSEs are fine but do check the specific GCSE requirements on each uni website as they are mandatory. :smile:

Contrary to your statement, the majority of architecture courses do not have any A level subject requirements. Have a look at the following thread (caveat - some of the entry requirements may have changed since the thread was made):

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7536742

Also look at unis such as Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool and Loughborough. Bath and UCL are very different options - Bath being viewed as probably the most technical course and UCL the most creative. You will need to decide in due course what type of approach will suit you best.

Reply 4

Cindyquack

OP

3

Ok, thank you very much for your replies :smile:

Reply 5

Cindyquack

OP

3

I am mainly wanting to go to Bath, which needs A*AA and prefers maths / physics and art which is why I was thinking that it is quite specific.

Reply 6

University of Sheffield Students

Official Rep

16

Hi there,

It's great you are thinking ahead. I will link the Sheffield architecture page here so you can scroll down and take a look at the entry requirements. As someone else has mentioned, most universities tend to look at your A-level choices (and results!) instead of worrying about your GCSEs.

For Sheffield, you only need a GCSE of 4/C in Maths - whilst you may find the A-Level useful at university, it is not a specific requirement. However, having a portfolio is mandatory, and art A-Level would provide this, so it is definitely something to consider.
I studied art A-Level and whilst it was intense, it was very rewarding, and a number of my classmates went on to study architecture. If you already have a good idea of which universities you want to go to, it is worth checking their entry requirements now so you can cover your bases and pick the right A-Levels, making your life easier later on.

Best of luck with your decision and your GCSEs!

Phillippa - University of Sheffield Politics and Languages Student

Reply 7

H-nC0

8

Original post

by Cindyquack

Hi everyone,
I am currently predicted with gcse grades of 99999988877 with art, physics, maths and FM all being at a grade 9. However, I am wondering whether these grades are good enough to go to the good unis for architecture (ie Cambridge, Bartlett, Bath and Sheffield)
This is as I need to decide on my a-level choices now, but I’m not sure whether or not I should go into architecture - the A-levels needed are very specific.
Ps I know that I may be planning very much ahead🫣
If anyone has similar GCSEs and got into these unis, it would be very helpful to know. (gives me some motivation🤓)
Thank you very much

Hi I'm year 13 and just starting to hear back from unis etc. I applied for architecture at Cambridge, Bath, Sheffield, Nottingham and Lancaster. So far I've received offers from Sheffield, Nottingham and Lancaster. Cambridge i find out next week, I did attend an interview with them. Bath I am also still waiting on. I take Physics, History and Art, defo weird combo but even Cambridge was willing to give me an interview so don't stress too much about a combo of subjects, as long as you've got smth creative and either maths or physics your good. I've been predicted AA*A* in the subjects and then at GCSE I got 99998888877. I got 9s in Art, History, Media and Chemistry. I got 8s in Maths and Physics. Your stats are waaaaay better so I think you're sorted. They mainly want to see a great portfolio, apart from Bath who you just need to impress with a good personal statement.

If you have anymore questions happy to help 🙂 also sorry if those sentences made no sentence 😂

Reply 8

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post

by Cindyquack

Hi everyone,
I am currently predicted with gcse grades of 99999988877 with art, physics, maths and FM all being at a grade 9. However, I am wondering whether these grades are good enough to go to the good unis for architecture (ie Cambridge, Bartlett, Bath and Sheffield)

This is as I need to decide on my a-level choices now, but I’m not sure whether or not I should go into architecture - the A-levels needed are very specific.

Ps I know that I may be planning very much ahead🫣

If anyone has similar GCSEs and got into these unis, it would be very helpful to know. (gives me some motivation🤓)

Thank you very much

Your GCSEs are fine - you have all A*s "except" two As, which are an excellent set of results.

The A-level requirements for architecture actually aren't that specific for most unis. Most indicate art or a similar art/design subject would be useful, and a few require this. A couple require maths or physics although it's really just a couple (I think 3 off the top of my head I can remember - Strathclyde, Bath, and I think Manchester?). There is no hidden "preference" for a subject not required, other than potentially a correlation for those requiring a portfolio of perhaps portfolios from those doing an art/design subject may be stronger leading to more taking those subjects being successful.

An essay based subject might be useful once you are on the course for some courses where there is more writing involved (e.g. Cambridge as I understand) but I don't think that would lead to a difference in outcomes for admissions purposes. I suspect having some art/design background would have a stronger correlation with success on the course than an essay based subject (or maths or physics for that matter).

So really for the vast majority if you're taking art or another art/design based subject, you should be relatively free to choose your other subjects. Of course you could pick art/physics/maths if that's where your strengths and interests lie, but I don't think it would be necessarily better than other combinations for any of those options except Bath (which would require one of maths or physics as I recall), as far as admissions go.

Note it's probably worth looking at the actual style and content of the courses in terms of the outputs of the students to gauge which is the best fit for you. You have some quite different courses listed there for example; Bath is quite technical (in line with their maths/physics requirement), while Cambridge and UCL are very "arty"/conceptual (especially UCL).

Reply 9

Cindyquack

OP

3

Thank you very much :smile:

Reply 10

Uni of Notts

Official Rep

12

Original post

by Cindyquack

Hi everyone,
I am currently predicted with gcse grades of 99999988877 with art, physics, maths and FM all being at a grade 9. However, I am wondering whether these grades are good enough to go to the good unis for architecture (ie Cambridge, Bartlett, Bath and Sheffield)
This is as I need to decide on my a-level choices now, but I’m not sure whether or not I should go into architecture - the A-levels needed are very specific.
Ps I know that I may be planning very much ahead🫣
If anyone has similar GCSEs and got into these unis, it would be very helpful to know. (gives me some motivation🤓)
Thank you very much

Hi there, and wow well done you those predicted GCSE's are superb! You should be really proud of how you are doing so far 😁

As a few people have said in this thread, your A-Levels are what matter most for many Universities outside of very specific courses of which Architecture is usually one not set on lots of GCSE requirements.

Here at Nottingham for example, the GCSE's we look for are:

•

5 in English (Either Language or Literature)

•

5 in Maths

•

5 in one from the list of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Double Science, or Single Science

•

Grade 4 in any of the above may be considered if alongside an exceptional portfolio

The main thing we are looking for (besides a portfolio of course!) is A-Levels AAA in no specific subjects. We do like to see Art, but that's mostly because it helps facilitate a really good portfolio and is not a firm requirement.

Whatever you pick to do, I am sure you will do amazing! Best of luck with your GCSE's, A-Levels, and Uni studies in the future ^-^

#UoN Staff Rep
Dan

GCSE requirements for Architecture in Uni

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