Architecture
 UCAS code K100 BA/Arch |
| Duration Three years |
| Entry requirements Typical A Level offer A*AA Typical IB offer 40–42 points, with 776 or 777 at Higher Level All applicants are expected to show a portfolio of recent work at interview (see below). Desirable: AS Level/IB Standard Level Mathematics or Physics. See also course requirements. |
| Colleges Available at all Colleges except Corpus Christi, Homerton, Hughes Hall and St Catharine’s. |
| Applications per place 2010 entry 13 |
| Open days 2011 Attend a College open day or one of the Cambridge Open Days on 7 or 8 July. |
| Further information Telephone: 01223 332950 Email: arct-info@lists.cam.ac.uk |
| Website www.arct.cam.ac.uk |
Architecture on the Applicant Toolkit: |
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If you are interested in studying Architecture, consider applying for a Sutton Trust Summer School. |
The only course at Cambridge that combines the intellectual challenge of a Cambridge degree with the opportunity for creative design.
A unique environment for studying architecture
Cambridge is an amazing place to study architecture. The beautiful buildings, courts, interiors and gardens of Cambridge include the work of great architects from Sir Christopher Wren to Sir James Stirling, Ralph Erskine, Edward Cullinan, Erik Sorensen and Sir Michael Hopkins. The teaching is ranked the highest in the country, and there's an outstanding record of graduate achievement.
| "The study of Architecture at Cambridge doesn’t only deal with buildings. From building a tent in the Fens, to studying the Greek Agora in lectures, we’re encouraged to think of people, places, materials, philosophy and history, and only then consider the actual building! The course here has been a life–changing experience, meeting amazing people, creating incredible things and overall enjoying myself!" – Kathryn |
The Department is organised within the Faculty of Architecture and History of Art. Our Architecture BA emphasises the teaching of architecture as a cultural as well as technological subject. We have close links with our neighbours in the Department of Engineering.
Our course is oriented around design – from the large scale of a city or a region to the smallest detail – and is supported by lectures which draw upon the humanities (history and theory) and sciences (construction, environmental design and structures).
Teaching, travel and technology
Our Department is small and friendly, with a very good staff/student ratio. We have a superb Faculty Library, dedicated computer facilities and photographic areas.
Architecture at Cambridge is unashamedly academic in its approach. Like other architecture schools elsewhere, the core of the teaching programme is in practical design, carried out in studios. Projects are set throughout the year and you're required to produce models and drawings to communicate your design ideas. The Department provides studio desk space together with workshop and computer facilities.
Throughout the three years of the undergraduate course, you have two 'studio' days each week. You're supervised on your projects at least once a week during individual studio tutorials and regular critical reviews in which you're encouraged to explore different approaches, and to develop your skills, and, ultimately, your own design philosophy. Studio work is time–consuming and architecture probably requires more hours per week than any other course at the University.
You also have lectures, which are scheduled for the three non–studio days, usually, but not always, in the mornings. In addition, the course involves classes, visits to buildings under construction or restoration, and a highly enjoyable trip to Rome in the first year.
Professional qualification
Successful completion of the three year undergraduate course in Architecture at Cambridge carries exemption from Part 1 of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) examinations – the first stage in qualifying as an architect. This means that the course differs from most others at Cambridge in that it must be studied as three continuous years. It’s not possible to study another course first and then switch to Architecture without starting again at the beginning.
The Department offers an option in its MPhil course in Environmental Design in Architecture as well, which has been validated for RIBA Part 2.
Qualification for registration as an architect by the Architect's Registration Board of the UK is dependent on two years' supervised office experience (at least one of which is following a RIBA Part 2 qualification) and satisfactory performance in the RIBA Part 3 Professional Practice Examination. The Department has introduced a very successful Part 3 course under the auspices of the University's Institute of Continuing Education (www.ice.cam.ac.uk).
What are we looking for
We welcome students with a wide variety of A Level/IB Higher Level subjects – in fact, an enthusiasm for both the arts and the sciences is desirable. The ability to draw and an interest in the history of art and architecture are important, as is a knowledge of mathematics to at least a good GCSE standard. Please note that Art tends to provide a better preparation for our course than subjects such as DT.
Changing course
Students can opt to move to other courses within the University after Part IA. However, this is very rare and most architecture students stay for all three years (see above regarding professional qualification).
Careers and research
Most of our graduates continue into professional training, but a number enter 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, the mitigation of earthquake and flooding risk, and disaster relief.
| Course outline | |
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Architecture is divided into Part IA, Part IB and Part II, each lasting a year. Teaching is provided through studio work, lectures and supervisions. For the studio work, projects are set throughout the year and you’re required to produce models and drawings to communicate your design ideas. The resulting portfolio accounts for 60 per cent of the overall marks each year. Lectures cover the rest of the academic curriculum and are assessed through coursework and written examinations. You’ll attend a lecture a week on each paper as well as small group supervisions, for which you’re required to complete essays and undertake preparation and reading. Year 1 You take five lecture–based papers in Part IA:
There’s a trip to Rome during the Easter vacation which includes visits to and lectures on the famous buildings of the city and its surroundings. |
Year 2 In addition, you take four lecture–based papers that build on knowledge acquired in the first year:
For the first, you submit three essays as well as sit an end–of–year examination. The remaining three papers are assessed by a written exam in each. Year 3 There are four lecture–based papers that together carry 20 per cent of your overall marks: Advanced Studies in Historical and Theoretical Aspects of Architecture and Urbanism; Introduction to the Principles of Professional Practice; Advanced Studies in Construction Technology, Structural Analysis and Environmental Design Related to Case Studies; and 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. |