This is a new course for 2024 entry and this information is subject to change.
Students should refer to this website for the most up-to-date information both before making an application and before accepting an offer.
Design at Cambridge
The Architecture Department offers two courses: Architecture and Design. Design combines architecture, engineering and materials science in one degree, giving you the opportunity to design solutions to environmental and societal challenges. You will learn how small and large-scale designs such as physical objects, apps, artificial intelligence, electronics or architecture and planning systems can influence people, cultures, economies and the natural world.
The course is structured around a series of core studio projects which will require you to create solutions to real-world problems: from planning stage through to pitching a final product and evaluating user impact. For most projects, you will be working with stakeholders such as clients, end-users and suppliers. Outside of the studio, you will learn about related subjects including design history, philosophy, mathematics, engineering and natural sciences, which will then be applied to your design projects.
Based in the Department of Architecture, you will have access to a variety of facilities such as workshops, studios, reprographics, flexible co-working spaces and a new digital fabrication lab.
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 engineering, materials, design and architecture are essential, as is a knowledge of mathematics to at least a A Level standard.
It’s not possible to study Design 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 Design 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.
Qualifications and accreditation
Students can graduate with a BA (Honours) degree after three years, but most will continue to the fourth year (Part IIB) to graduate with a BA and a Master of Design (MDes). The course is awaiting confirmation of accreditation from professional associations including the Architects Registration Board and the Engineering Council. Accreditation would lead to exemption from RIBA Part 1 for architecture, and a route to Chartered Engineer status (CEng) for engineering. Please note that accreditation has not yet been confirmed for 2024 entry.
Changing course
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 which are part of the examined course are included within the tuition fees.
Careers and research
The interdisciplinary focus of Design means that you will gain the knowledge and skills to be a leader in a range of technical and creative sectors. Depending on the route you take throughout the course, you could pursue a wide variety of careers, from working in manufacturing, to joining the design sector, to starting an entrepreneurial journey. You could also choose to continue to a PhD in a particular area of the course that interests you, such as emerging materials. If you would like to develop your professional skills during your degree, optional paid industrial or research summer programmes will be available each year in a variety of different fields.
