skip to content

Undergraduate Study

 

Architecture at Cambridge combines the intellectual challenges of both arts and sciences with the opportunity for creative design.

Study history and philosophy of architecture, participatory practice, inclusivity, contemporary culture and urbanism. Alongside this you’ll learn about construction, structural design and environmental design.
 

Container

Overview
Number 4 in the UK for Architecture (The Complete University Guide 2025)

Architecture at Cambridge

The Department of Architecture at Cambridge is an exciting place to study. It is considered to be one of the leading architecture schools in the world. The Department also offers a Design degree, which combines architecture, engineering and materials science.

On the Architecture course, you’ll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of the field and to extend your own abilities in exciting new directions.

This course involves:

  • design teaching through studio work taught by practising architects and designers
  • lecture courses in history and theory of architecture and urbanism
  • lecture courses in the technical aspects of construction, environment and structures

Teaching and facilities

Teaching

Our small, friendly Department has a good staff to student ratio and a supportive community atmosphere.

The core of your teaching will take place in our studio and you’ll have your own desk space.

You’ll be supervised on your design projects individually by tutors who draw from their extensive experience as practising professional architects and designers.

You’ll also be taught through lecture courses, seminars and supervisions (tutorials) in your College.

Facilities

The Department of Architecture facilities include:

  • one of the best architectural libraries in the country, with a collection of rare architectural books
  • reprographics facilities with tracing paper plotters, scanners, and more
  • a workshop, fully equipped with woodworking tools and CNC routers
  • digital fabrication studio, with state of the art 3D printing machinery
  • spaces for larger installations
  • materials and printing which is paid for by the Department

You'll also have access to the impressive Cambridge University Library, one of the world’s oldest university libraries.

Course costs

When you go to university, you’ll need to consider two main costs – your tuition fees and your living costs (sometimes referred to as maintenance costs).

Your living costs will include costs related to your studies that are not covered by your tuition fees. There are some general study costs that will apply for all students.

Find out more about general study costs.

Other additional course costs for Architecture are detailed below. If you have any queries about resources/materials, please contact the Department.

Equipment

  • Safety boots. Estimated cost £30.
  • The Department covers all the costs of materials for model making and drawing. It does not cover basic stationery and consumables such as pens, pencils and glue.

Field trips

  • Compulsory trip in Year 1. The Department covers the costs of travel, entrance fees and accommodation. Students are only required to bring money for subsistence (food and drink).

Becoming an architect

The Architecture course at Cambridge is currently accredited by the ARB and RIBA. You can register as an architect once you have completed all the stages of the ARB/RIBA requirements. 

Over the next few years, accreditation is changing in the UK for all institutions. More information can be found on the ARB website.

If you have any questions about accreditation on the course, contact the Department at arct-office@aha.cam.ac.uk.

Your future career

Many graduates continue into professional training, but some go into creative fields or research.

Some areas of research include:

  • history and philosophy of architecture
  • environmentally responsible design
  • architecture and the moving image
  • urban design and transport planning
  • disaster relief
Course outline

Teaching

You’ll usually spend 2 days a week in our studio. This is where you will:

  • have your own dedicated design space
  • be set projects that require you to produce models and drawings to communicate your ideas

You’ll be supervised on studio work in individual tutorials and group critical reviews. You’ll also be encouraged to explore different approaches and develop essential design skills.

You’ll also attend lectures and classes, and go on visits to completed buildings or buildings under construction or restoration.

As well as the 2 studio days, during the first year you will typically have:

  • 6 or 7 lectures each week
  • 3 classes and 3 small-group supervisions every two weeks

Assessment

You’ll be assessed each year through coursework, which contributes to your portfolio. The portfolio you produce will account for 50% of your overall marks each year.

In your final year you will also be assessed on a written dissertation.

You'll be examined through assessment, which usually means that you won't be able to re-submit your work.

Year 1 (Part IA)

The first year is an introductory course establishing the groundwork and is mostly taught jointly with Design. In your studio work you will be introduced to the possibilities of architecture. You’ll learn the communication skills that are needed to develop designs for buildings and objects.

At the start you will focus on drawing by hand. Drawing boards are provided. But you’ll present designs using models and digitally.

You’ll also develop your software skills so that you can progress to using CAD for drawings in later years.

There is a compulsory study trip at the end of Lent term. There is usually also a compulsory study trip abroad during the Easter vacation.

You take 6 lecture courses:

  • Professional Skills I
  • Form and Forces I
  • Environmental Design I
  • Materials and Fabrication I
  • Introduction to Architectural History/Theory (pre-1800)
  • Introduction to Architectural History/Theory (post-1800)

Year 2 (Part IB)

You choose from various options for studio work, with projects ranging in scale from mapping studies and interior interventions, to small or medium-sized buildings.

Emphasis is on integrating the technical skills learnt in your first year, with the ongoing lectures and studio output in your second year.

You take 4 compulsory papers that build on your knowledge gained in the first year:

  • Professional Skills II
  • Materials and Fabrication II
  • Structural Design
  • Environmental Design II

You also choose 4 short lecture courses in history and theory. There are a range of options that vary from year-to-year. This year’s options were:

  • Studies in Urban Planning and Design
  • Architecture and Gender
  • Housing and Communities
  • Theories in Twentieth Century Architecture
  • Gardens and Landscape
  • Sound and Architecture

Year 3 (Part II)

You choose from a selection of studio options.

Each option varies in approach, but all will require you to produce a building design at the end of the year. The technical realisation of this needs to be allied to a coherently framed conceptual approach.

Studio work carries 50% of the overall mark for the year.

You will also take 5 lecture-based papers. They are all examined entirely through coursework. Together these papers account for 30% of your overall mark for the year.

There is one compulsory paper:

  • Professional Skills III

You then choose 4 courses from a list of options. You must take:

  • 2 History and Theory courses
  • 2 technical courses

Courses might include:

  • Current Topics in Urbanism
  • Environmentalities: Landscape and Spatial Experience in the Postcolonial World
  • Sustainable Housing and Climate Change
  • Ways of Seeing Landscape
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Natural Materials and Structures
  • Robotics, Automation and Advanced Fabrication Techniques
  • Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence
  • Design and Policy Artificial Intelligence

You will also need to complete a written dissertation of 7,000 to 9,000 words. You can choose the topic. It accounts for the remaining 20% of your marks for the year.

For further information about this course see the Department of Architecture website.

Changing course

Most Architecture students stay on the course for all 3 years to achieve RIBA Part 1.

Students can change to the Design course after Year 1 if they can show proficiency in Mathematics. Students who transfer take Mathematics and Programming I in their second year, in place of 2 of their optional courses.

In rare cases, it may be possible to change to another course once you’ve joined the University. You will usually have to get agreement from your College and the relevant departments. It’s not guaranteed that your course change will be approved.

You might also have to:

  • take part in an interview
  • complete an admissions test
  • produce some written work
  • achieve a particular grade in your current studies
  • do some catch-up work
  • start your new course from the beginning 

For more information visit the Department website.

You can also apply to change to:

You can't apply to this course until you're at Cambridge. You would usually apply when you have completed 1 year or more of your original Cambridge course.

You should contact your College’s Admissions Office if you’re thinking of changing your course. They will be able to give you advice and explain how changing courses works.

Entry requirements
The listed entry requirements relate to entry in 2026 or deferred entry in 2027. 

Minimum offer level

A level: A*AA
IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Other qualifications: Check which other qualifications we accept.

Some Colleges ask for specific subjects to apply to Architecture, whereas others don't. We recommend certain subjects for a strong application:    

  • Mathematics   
  • Art and Design   
  • Physics     

College entry requirements

The following Colleges usually set offers at the minimum offer level and don’t require any specific subjects. They may sometimes ask for higher grades or an A* in a particular subject:

  • Clare
  • Downing
  • Emmanuel
  • Fitzwilliam
  • Girton
  • Homerton
  • Hughes Hall
  • Jesus
  • King’s
  • Magdalene
  • Murray Edwards
  • Newnham
  • Pembroke
  • Peterhouse
  • Queens'
  • Robinson
  • St Edmund's
  • St John's
  • Trinity
  • Trinity Hall
  • Wolfson

The following Colleges require specific subjects and/or set extra conditions for most or all offers. For example, they may make a higher offer or specify an A* in a particular subject. However, some may occasionally set offers at the minimum level. For more information check the College websites:

Colleges set additional offer requirements for a range of reasons. If you'd like to find out more about why we do this, check the information about offers above the minimum requirement on the entry requirements page.

IB offers

Some Colleges usually make offers above the minimum offer level. Find out more on our qualifications page.

Admission assessment

There is an admission assessment at all Colleges for this course. You do not need to register in advance.

Check the College admissions assessments page for more information.

Submitted work

You will need to submit your own artwork prior to interview. The images you choose should, at least in some way, reflect material you might bring to interview as part of your portfolio. 

Your submitted artwork needs to be in PDF format, up to 6 A4 pages, and less than 15MB in size. 

Portfolio for interview

If you’re invited to an interview, you will need to bring and show a portfolio of your recent work: 

  • You don’t have to include work of an architectural nature, such as plans or sections
  • We want to see something that illustrates your interests, experience and ability in the visual and material arts  
  • You may want to include drawings, paintings, sculpture and/or photography 
  • If you want to show us your three-dimensional work, it’s usually sufficient for you to show it through photographs 

It is useful to bring to your interview: 

  • any drawings you’ve been working on, in any media such as pencil, charcoal or crayon

This should include a variety of subject matter. It can be material prepared for school-leaving examinations, but creative work you’ve done outside formal courses is also welcome. 

Portfolio requirements can vary between Colleges. Your College will let you know what they would like you to include.

Find out more about submitting a portfolio

What Architecture students have studied

Most Architecture students (who had studied A levels and started at Cambridge in 2018, 2019 and 2023) achieved at least A*A*A. The majority of students who studied IB achieved at least 43 points overall.

Almost all had studied at least one of the subjects recommended above. Around 90% took Art & Design, plus either Mathematics, Physics or both.

This information shows some of the common subjects our applicants have studied. Although these are common subject combinations, this doesn't mean they're favoured. 

When you're choosing your post-16 subjects, it's most important to check whether any subjects are required for your course. You can also check our guidance on choosing your high school subjects for more information.

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

Next steps

Discover your department or faculty

Explore our Colleges

Visit us on open day

Find out how to apply

Discover Uni

Discover Uni data

Contextual information

Discover Uni allows you to compare information about individual courses at different higher education institutions.  This can be a useful method of considering your options and what course may suit you best.

However, please note that superficially similar courses often have very different structures and objectives, and that the teaching, support and learning environment that best suits you can only be determined by identifying your own interests, needs, expectations and goals, and comparing them with detailed institution- and course-specific information.

We recommend that you look thoroughly at the course and University information contained on these webpages and consider coming to visit us on an Open Day, rather than relying solely on statistical comparison.

You may find the following notes helpful when considering information presented by Discover Uni.

  1. Discover Uni relies on superficially similar courses being coded in the same way. Whilst this works on one level, it may lead to some anomalies. For example, Music courses and Music Technology courses can have exactly the same code despite being very different programmes with quite distinct educational and career outcomes.

    Any course which combines several disciplines (as many courses at Cambridge do) tends to be compared nationally with courses in just one of those disciplines, and in such cases the Discover Uni comparison may not be an accurate or fair reflection of the reality of either. For example, you may find that when considering a degree which embraces a range of disciplines such as biology, physics, chemistry and geology (for instance, Natural Sciences at Cambridge), the comparison provided is with courses at other institutions that primarily focus on just one (or a smaller combination) of those subjects.You may therefore find that not all elements of the Cambridge degree are represented in the Discover Uni data.

  2. Some contextual data linked from other surveys, such as the National Student Survey (NSS) or the Destination of Leavers in Higher Education (DLHE), may not be available or may be aggregated across several courses or several years due to small sample sizes.  When using the data to inform your course choice, it is important to ensure you understand how it has been processed prior to its presentation. Discover Uni offers some explanatory information about how the contextual data is collated, and how it may be used, which you can view here: https://discoveruni.gov.uk/about-our-data/.

  3. Discover Uni draws on national data to provide average salaries and employment/continuation data.  Whilst starting salaries can be a useful measure, they do not give any sense of career trajectory or take account of the voluntary/low paid work that many graduates undertake initially in order to gain valuable experience necessary/advantageous for later career progression. Discover Uni is currently piloting use of the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data to demonstrate possible career progression; it is important to note that this is experimental and its use may be modified as it embeds.

The above list is not exhaustive and there may be other important factors that are relevant to the choices that you are making, but we hope that this will be a useful starting point to help you delve deeper than the face value of the Discover Uni data.

Key information

Minimum offer level 
A level: A*AA
IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
UCAS code 
K100
Course length 
BA (Hons), 3 years, full-time
Start date 
October 2026
Study at 

All Colleges except St Catharine’s

Applicant numbers 
2024 cycle:
Applications per place: 8
Accepted: 64
Contact email 
arct-info@lists.cam.ac.uk
Contact telephone 
01223 332950