Architecture

The only Cambridge degree that combines the intellectual challenges of both arts and sciences with the opportunity for creative design.

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Overview

Exceptional learning environment

The Department of Architecture at Cambridge is an exciting place to study, regularly lauded as one of the leading architecture schools in the world.

Creativity, curiosity and strong intellectual grounding are central to the course. Our innovative design programme is balanced with outstanding teaching in the history and philosophy of architecture, contemporary culture and urbanism, as well as construction, structural design and environmental design.

Our small, friendly Department has a good staff to student ratio, and the supportive community atmosphere gives students the opportunity to push the boundaries of the field and to extend their own abilities in exciting new directions. Facilities include a superb library, reprographics areas, workshops, studios and spaces for larger installations.

Professional qualification

Successful completion of our full three-year undergraduate course carries exemption from the Architects Registration Board (ARB)/Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) Part 1 – the first stage in qualifying as an architect.

The Department offers two routes to professional accreditation (ARB/RIBA Parts 2 and 3):

A full-time, two-year Master of Architecture (MArch) course, which carries exemption from ARB/RIBA Part 2, followed by a one year, part-time Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice which carries ARB/RIBA Part 3 exemption.
A part-time, four year MSt Apprenticeship, during which you work throughout.

When you have completed all three parts of the ARB/RIBA requirements, you will be able to register as an architect with the ARB.

What we’re looking for

You must have an enthusiasm for both the arts and the sciences. The ability to draw and an interest in the history of art and architecture are essential, as is a knowledge of mathematics to at least a good GCSE standard.

It’s not possible to study Architecture as an affiliated course (ie in one year less than usual). However, if you’ve already completed an undergraduate degree at another university and now wish to study Architecture at Cambridge as a second undergraduate degree, you can apply to study the full three-year course. (In this case, you normally wouldn’t pay the separate College fee.) Please seek advice about your application as early as possible from one of the mature Colleges.

Changing course

Students can opt to move to other courses within the University after Year 1 (Part IA). However, this is very rare and most architecture students stay for all three years (see above regarding professional qualification).

To be able to change course, you need the agreement of your College that any change is in your educational interests, and you must have the necessary background in the subject to which you wish to change – in some cases you may be required to undertake some catch-up work or take up the new course from the start/an earlier year. If you think you may wish to change course, we encourage you to contact a College admissions office for advice. You should also consider if/how changing course may affect any financial support arrangements.

Course costs

Tuition fees

Information on tuition fee rates for Architecture is available on the tuition fees page.

Additional course costs

The University fees (see our Finance pages for more information) cover the costs of software, paper, model-making materials and printing for presentations.

Portfolios are submitted electronically. Students are expected to supply normal stationery such as pens, pencils, glue, rulers, writing paper and erasers.

The additional course costs are:

Site boots (all other site safety equipment will be loaned if/when required) – estimated cost - £30
Compulsory study trip in the first year (travel and accommodation costs are funded by the Department, but students are required to cover their own subsistence costs) – estimated cost of subsistence - £100-£150
Optional study trips are offered in the second and third years; costs vary, from free to £300-£500 per trip. Additional funding may be available from Colleges. These trips do not form any part of the examined course. The costs of site visits and other trips that are part of the examined course are included within the tuition fees.

Careers and research

Many graduates continue into professional training, but some enter other creative fields or research. We have a long-standing tradition of research excellence, in areas such as history and philosophy of architecture, environmentally responsible design, architecture and the moving image, urban design and transport planning, and disaster relief.

Course Outline

Usually, you are taught in our studio – where you have your own dedicated design space – two days a week, during which you’re set projects that require you to produce models and drawings to communicate your ideas. You’re supervised on studio work in individual tutorials and group critical reviews, which encourage you to explore different approaches and develop essential design skills. The resulting portfolio accounts for 60 per cent of your overall marks each year.

Lectures, classes and visits to completed buildings or buildings under construction/restoration cover the rest of the curriculum. In addition to the two studio days, in the first year you typically attend six or seven lectures each week; and three classes and three small-group supervisions each fortnight, for which you’re required to complete essays and undertake preparation.

Year 1 (Part IA)

The studio work introduces the possibilities of architecture, with an emphasis on understanding and developing proficiency in traditional modes of architectural representation – models, collage, perspectives, elevations, plans and sections. You also master basic CAD skills, used in studio presentations. A compulsory study trip abroad usually takes place during the Easter vacation.

You take five lecture-based papers:

Introduction to Architectural History/Theory (pre-1800)
Introduction to Architectural History/Theory (post-1800)
Fundamental Principles of Construction
Fundamental Principles of Structural Design
Fundamental Principles of Environmental Design

Assessment is through coursework.

Year 2 (Part IB)

You choose from various options for studio work, with projects ranging in scale from mapping studies and interior interventions, to reasonable-sized buildings. Emphasis is on integrating the technical skills learnt in Part IA and in the ongoing Part IB lectures with your studio output. A voluntary study trip is usually offered.

In addition, you take five papers that build on your Part IA knowledge:

Studies in History and Theories of Architecture, Urbanism and Design (two papers, one studied in Michaelmas Term and one in Lent Term)
Principles of Construction
Principles of Structural Design
Principles of Environmental Design

Assessment is through coursework.

Year 3 (Part II)

You choose from three studio options which vary in approach but all require you to produce a building design at the end of the year, the technical realisation of which is allied to a coherently framed conceptual approach. Again, a voluntary study trip is usually offered.

Four lecture-based papers, all examined entirely through coursework, carry 20 per cent of your overall marks:

Advanced Studies in Historical and Theoretical Aspects of Architecture and Urbanism
Management, Practice and Law
Advanced Studies in Construction Technology, Structural Analysis and Environmental Design Related to Case Studies
Architectural Engineering

A written dissertation of 7,000-9,000 words on a topic of your choice accounts for the remaining 20 per cent of your marks.

For further information about studying Architecture at the University of Cambridge see the Department of Architecture website.

Entry Requirements

This page details the standard entry requirements for this course. Check the document below for any variations between Colleges:

PDF icon Architecture entry requirements by College for 2023 entry

Typical offers require

A Level: A*AA
IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Other qualifications: See Entrance requirements.

Subject requirements

All Colleges require: No specific subjects required by all Colleges
Some Colleges require: AS or A Level/IB Higher Level Mathematics or Physics; A Level/IB Higher Level in an essay-based subject

See Entrance requirements and Choosing your post-16 subjects for additional guidance and conditions of entry.

Admission assessment

All applicants for Architecture are required to take written and practical assessments if shortlisted for interview. You will not need to register in advance for this assessment and the Colleges will provide details directly to you.

Assessment format

Writing skills (30 minutes)
Graphic and spatial ability (30 minutes)

PDF icon Architecture Admissions Assessment Specification
Architecture Admissions Assessment Past Paper

Please note that your performance in the assessments will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.

See Admission assessment for further details.

Submitted work

All Colleges will ask Architecture applicants to submit a PDF (6 A4 pages, and less than 15MB in size) of their own artwork prior to interview. The selection of images should, in part, reflect material you might bring to interview as part of your portfolio.

Portfolio

All applicants invited to interview are expected to show a portfolio of recent work at the interview but this isn't expected to be work of an architectural nature (eg plans, sections etc).

Admissions Tutors want to see something that illustrates your interests, experience and ability in the visual and material arts. This may include drawings, paintings, sculpture and/or photography may also be included. It's usually sufficient for three-dimensional work to be exhibited in photographs.

A sketchbook with ongoing drawings is extremely helpful and applicants are encouraged to take one to the interview. It may be in any media (pencil, charcoal, crayon etc) and should include a variety of subject matter. The work can be material prepared for school-leaving examinations but creative work executed outside formal courses is also welcome.

Portfolio requirements vary between Colleges. Please see the Department website and individual College websites for further guidance.

All undergraduate admissions decisions are the responsibility of the Cambridge Colleges. Please contact the relevant College admissions office if you have any queries.

Typical Architecture entrants (A Level and IB)

For 2017, 2018, and 2019 entry, the majority of entrants from an A Level background achieved at least grades A*A*A (75% of entrants). Of these successful applicants, 90% took Maths, 90% took Art & Design and 53% took Physics (84% took Art & Design, plus either Mathematics, Physics or both). For the same period, the majority of IB entrants achieved at least 42 points overall and/or grades 776 at Higher Level.

This information is intended to give you a sense of the academic standard of our typical A Level entrants. We welcome applicants from a range of qualification backgrounds.

Resources

Find out more about Architecture at Cambridge

Course website - Explore Architecture in more detail on the course website.

The Course - An overview of the Architecture degree at Cambridge.

Teaching and Assessment - Read about how Architecture students are taught and assessed.

Facilities - Information about the studio, workshop, digital, and library facilities in the Department.

Student Life - What life is like as an Architecture student at Cambridge.

Careers - Destinations available to Cambridge Architecture graduates.

ArcSoc Student Architecture Society - Find out more about the University Architecture Society.

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Contextual information

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