Architecture

Typical offer: A*AA in A Levels (or equivalent). 

Required subjects: none

Typical number of Architecture undergraduates admitted per year: 2

Submitted written work requirements: see our Written Work webpage

Admissions assessment: College-registered assessment

The Department of Architecture at Cambridge is an exciting place to study. Regularly lauded as one of the leading architecture schools in the world, students study under the guidance of world-renowned researchers and ground-breaking practitioners. Creativity, curiosity and strong intellectual grounding are central to the course. Our innovative design programme – delivered by tutors working at the cutting edge of contemporary architecture – 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. The small, friendly Department has a very 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, studios and spaces for larger installations, and reprographics areas and workshops. 

For more information about the Architecture course at Cambridge, visit the University website.

The small size of Corpus means our Architecture students receive excellent support. The Director of Studies works to ensure that our Architecture students receive outstanding teaching from subject specialists, and the fact that we're a smaller College means it's easy to get to know Architecture students in other year groups, which is very beneficial for peer support in a small subject such as Architecture. 

Corpus is also one of the closest Colleges to the Architecture Department, making it an ideal location for getting to and from lectures and practical classes.  

Architecture requires a broad background and students reading Architecture benefit from studying a wide range of subjects at A-levels including both arts and sciences. There are no mandatory subject requirements at A-level (or equivalent), however Art (Fine Art) is desirable, and is generally preferred to Design Technology or similar subjects. Maths and Physics are also useful subjects for Architecture students, although this is not a requirement.

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). We would like to see something that illustrates your interests, experience and ability in the visual and material arts. This may include drawings, paintings and/or sculpture. 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.

Prospective Architecture applicants are encouraged to observe the world around them and get into the habit of using a sketch book for drawings of interesting observations. In addition, prospective applicants might find the following resources helpful for exploring what it's like to study Architecture at university:

• Tinkercad
• Architects Journal
• 100 Years of Drawings
• The Department of Architecture's Research Seminars
• The Department of Architecture's recommended reading list