ARCHITECTURE, BA (HONS)

ARCHITECTURE, BA (HONS)

Next Date: October

Why choose this program ?

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.

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 4-year integrated master's 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
Becoming an architect

Following a review by the Architect's Registration Board (ARB), the route to becoming an accredited architect is changing.

Until now, the journey to becoming an architect has been a 3-stage process, taking a minimum of 7 years:

- 3-year BA (Hons) in Architecture
- 2-year Master of Architecture (MArch), applied for separately
- At least one year of professional practice before taking final professional examinations

The ARB have decided to simplify this process and are introducing a 2-stage system. Our 4-year integrated master's (MArch) is designed to meet the ARB's updated requirements for becoming a registered architect. The new system shortens this journey to 6 years:

- 4-year integrated master's degree (MArch) to meet the ARB's academic outcomes
- 2 or more years in professional practice to meet the ARB's practice outcomes

After 3 years on the MArch course, you will have the option to leave with a BA (Hons) or progress to the 4th year and complete your integrated master's. You won't need to apply for a separate postgraduate course. Undergraduate student finance will cover the full 4 years of the course.
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

Modality

£

Price Remarks

Open registration Limited spots

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.

Apply for partial scholarships


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

SYLLABUS

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 IIA)

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.

Year 4 (Part IIB)

Progression to fourth year depends on how well you do in your third year assessments.

You will work in the studio on a full-year design project.

You will also complete a dissertation. This is a major independent project and an opportunity for you to show creativity and mastery in research.

Your studio and dissertation projects will allow you to make use of the knowledge and skills developed in Parts IA, IB and IIA.

You also take one compulsory paper:

- Professional Skills IV

MASTERS RELATED

Take a look at the following related Master’s programs