Cambridge – Architecture

This course combines historical, cultural, and creative studies, and prepares students well for a career as an architect. The department is tight-knit and incredibly supportive. You will be taught through a combination of studio days and lectures, and Cambridge offers several facilities for these including libraries, studio, and reprographics spaces. Thus, this degree offers you a solid academic and practical grounding in architectural theories and methods.

In first year, you will cover basic architectural drawing methods in your studio classes, alongside five taught papers. Most of your teaching takes place in the studio, rather than in the lecture hall, though you will also be expected to write supervision essays. Your papers cover the history of architecture, both pre-and post-1800, and groundwork in construction, structural and environmental design. You will usually have a trip abroad during the Easter holidays.

In the second year, you have more options for specialising in the type of studio work you are interested in, alongside another five papers (all of which are extensions of topics studied in Year 1). A voluntary study trip will also be available to all students.

In your final year, you will choose a studio pathway, alongside four papers and a written dissertation. These papers represent higher-level studies in history/theory, management, technology, and engineering.

This is a competitive course (and also a predominantly female course, with only 20% of 2020 offers going out to male students), and applicants have only had a 10% success rate over the last three years. It is, therefore, important that you demonstrate proficiency in both arts and science subjects, as well as a strong passion for drawing at A-Level (or equivalent). Some colleges also require an A-Level in Maths or Physics and an essay-based subject.

This degree qualifies as your ARB/RIBA Part 1, which you can carry on to Parts 2 and 3, either via a 2-year Masters followed by a 1-year Postgraduate course, or a part-time internship (lasting four years). Most students do this, though some have embarked upon a diverse range of research pathways, including design, ecology, and philosophy.