Admissions - Subjects

ARCHITECTURE

ESSENTIAL SUBJECTS None   DESIRABLE SUBJECTS None

These notes describe the admissions procedure and the teaching of Architecture at Queens', and should be read in conjunction with the relevant sections of the Cambridge University Undergraduate Prospectus. Like all courses in Architecture, reading the subject at Cambridge brings together knowledge from both arts and sciences; it also starts a professional training.  Queens’ is situated conveniently close to the Faculty.  Our Director of Studies is Dr James Campbell, who is a Fellow of the College, an architect and an architectural historian.  The Undergraduate Course The Architecture Tripos gives an unrivalled design-based general degree to some of our graduates, but for most it is the first step to the profession.  It cumulatively provides exemption from part 1 of the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Examination, and it must therefore be taken as a whole.  The Tripos consists of three parts: Part IA, Part IB and Part II taken at the end of the first, second and third years respectively.  Part IA is a foundation year in which studio work introduces architectural design and representation.  Papers are taken in Approaches to Design, Theory, History, Structures, Building Construction and Environmental Design.  Design work in second and third years is undertaken in vertical (i.e. joint) studios; students choose from a current range of four areas of design, all led by architect members of staff.  In Part IB, papers are taken in the same subjects (excluding Approaches), and in Part II a dissertation is written in the area of History or Theory.  Additionally, papers are taken in either History or Theory as well as in technical subjects, based on case studies of outstanding projects under construction. CAD is taught within project work. Throughout, the balance between the studio (design) portfolio to taught (examined) courses is approximately 60:40%. Graduate Courses Cambridge no longer offers a diploma course.  Students typically go on to finish their training at leading architectural schools elsewhere.  A full range of Masters and Doctoral courses are offered for those who wish to continue academic study in Cambridge. Admission Due to the relatively small size of the Department there are usually only a few students studying Architecture at each college.  Queens', however, actively encourages Architecture applicants and aims to admit two or more each year.  Conditional offers are normally made at the level of 3 A's in A-level subjects (which may include Art). Mathematics to at least A/S level is preferred (although not essential), but otherwise we welcome applications from candidates with arts and/or science backgrounds. Interviews All Architecture candidates should bring with them a portfolio showing a wide variety of work in two-dimensional and photographs of three-dimensional material.  Evidence of drawing from life (either still-life or life drawing) is essential.  The portfolio should reflect your latest interest and need not have any specific Architectural reference. Candidates are also expected to show an interest in architecture and evidence of some background reading. For further information about the course visit the Faculty website on  www.arct.cam.ac.uk January 2004