Magdalene College, Cambridge

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Architecture

Director of Studies

Dr Emily So is a civil engineer and lecturer in architectural engineering. Her research interests are in disaster and risk mitigation in the built environment and on casualty estimation in earthquakes.

Other Fellows

Professor Robin Spence

Numbers of Students

Undergraduates: 15

Numbers of Applicants

We expect to receive about 25-30 applications for 4-5 places. The number of intakes in each year depends greatly on the quality of the candidates.

Architecture at Cambridge and Magadalene

Architecture, by its nature is a demanding subject but one where students are encouraged at Cambridge to push their creative boundaries by a solid foundation in the humanities (history and theory) and the sciences (construction, environmental design and structures). Design is at the core of architectural education at Cambridge and the Studio forms the major activity throughout the course. The design studio is closely integrated with lecture courses in the technical and humanity subjects with an emphasis on sustainability. In the third year, students have an opportunity to pursue their own individual interest through a dissertation, encouraging them to link work in the studios with the ideas and issues raised in lectures, seminars and supervisions, bringing the entire Tripos course into context.

The three-year Architecture Tripos course provides a basic grounding in Architecture and exemption from the Part I exam of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). All of the teaching arranged by the Department takes place there and is supplemented by weekly small-group or one-to-one supervisions provided by the College. A more detailed account of the course and an indication of the nature of the studio design projects can be found on the Department's website at www.arct.cam.ac.uk

At Magdalene, we pride ourselves in being one of the largest and most successful Colleges in Architecture. Over the years, we have fostered our students to become socially responsible architects and/or built environment specialists who are proficient in both the sciences and the arts of architecture. We understand the needs of our Architecture students. Due to the nature of their study, Architecture students require more space than those in other subjects and to this end, there is a minimum size of room we offer to them. We are the only College offering large-scale drawing plotting service, which is indispensible for studio projects. Our constantly expanding library is well-stocked with architectural textbooks, providing a good coverage for the Tripos education and beyond. At Magdalene, our students' academic development and performance are our priorities. We are committed to providing Architecture students a strong supporting environment for their studies.

Magdalene Alumni

A high proportion of Magdalenešs Architecture graduates proceed, through post-graduate study in Cambridge or elsewhere, into architecture practice. Of those who replied to a recent request for information, about 70% were either in architecture practice or completing post-graduate degrees in architecture. Many of those who graduated from Magdalene a decade or more ago are Partners or Principals in leading Architecture practices, for example Bernard Hunt (1963) is Chairman of HTA, Robin Nicholson (1963) is a Partner in Edward Cullinan Architects and John Bushell (1984) is a Director at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates.

A significant number of Magdalene graduates in Architecture have also become writers and teachers, among whom Nicholas Temple (1980) is Professor of Architecture at the University of Lincoln, Matthew Barac (1985) is Senior Lecturer at South Bank University, and Chair of the Charity Architecture sans Frontieres (UK), and Emily Smyth (nee Hadden, 1991) is Lecturer in Architecture at the University of Ulster.

Also among distinguished Magdalene alumni are HRH the Duke of Gloucester, (1963), Honorary Fellow of Magdalene, Professor Lionel March (1955) former Head of Architecture at UCLA, and Sherban Cantacuzino (CBE) (1947), architectural historian and conservationist.

ADMISSIONS

Subject Requirements and Admissions Procedure

Architectural students need to be able convey their ideas convincingly through drawing, calculations and by oral and written arguements. At Magdalene, we seek students who are inquistive, fully committed to the subject and willing to work hard. There is no prescribed route of studies leading to Architecture though students with a background in both the arts and the sciences have done well. The three main requirements are an excellent result at A-Level or equivalent, a good portfolio and commitment to the discipline. A-Level Mathematics and/or Physics can be of advantage.

Candidates will be asked to attend two interviews, a general and a subject interview. The subject interview will normally be with the Director of Studies. Candidates will be expected to bring to the subject interview a portfolio of design; they will be encouraged to discuss their work with the interviewers. They will also be asked to complete a writing/drawing assignment prior to their interviews; for this they are expected to bring basic drawing equipment, such as pencils and erasers. The candidates' answers to the exercise may be used as a starting point of discussion in one of the interviews.

To prepare a portfolio, A Level Art can be helpful, although, depending on each individual's background and ability, formal art education may not be necessary. The aim of a portfolio is to showcase the candidate's abilities on aspects relevant to Architecture. It should demonstrate the candidate's creativity, artistic skills, and ability to explore, interpret and communicate ideas. Work should be recent, although a sketchbook kept over a period of time is useful to demonstrate the candidate's thoughts and progress over time. The candidate should be prepared to describe and explain the motivation behind each piece of work. Photographs may be submitted as part of the portfolio if they represent work other than photography; for example, photographs of large-scale or fragile sculptures or paintings, or scans of graphics work may be submitted instead of the originals. Guidance on work suitable for inclusion in the portfolio may be found in the University Department of Architecture Admissions Prospectus (BA Tripos), available on its website or directly from the Department: 01223 33 29 50.

Typical Offer

For A-Level candidates the normal offer is A*AA on three subjects. Occasionally, the subjects on which A*s are required are specified. Candidates will be expected to achieve or have achieved good A/S level and GCSE grades.

OTHER INFORMATION

Deferred Entry

Deferred entry is welcome. Candidates are especially encouraged to travel in their gap year to learn about architecture and culture elsewhere in the world. They will be asked at the interview about their plans

Re-applications

Candidates not admitted on first application are welcome to re-apply in the subsequent year or later.

Mature Students

At Magdalene, we have no prejudice against mature students. They are quite often admitted, and are usually successful in the course. If you wish to be considered as a mature applicant for Architecture you should be engaged in or have recently completed an A-Level or equivalent course. If you are in any doubt about your preparation for a University course, or your choice of College, you are advised to contact the Admissions Office to discuss your individual circumstances before making your application. Recent academic achievements carry more weight than long-past school records.

Graduate Studies

The education programme for architects takes seven years to complete. The first three lead to the BA degree in Architecture and this is followed by one year's employment in an architect's office to obtain practical experience. Students then return to university for a further two years of study known as the Diploma in Architecture or RIBA Part 2. At Cambridge, a new Part 2 course, based around the MPhil in Environment and a year in practice, has been introduced in 2008-9 and has recieved ARB/RIBA validation this year. In the seventh year, Part 3 is further instruction, primarily in Professional Practice. This course is offered by Cambridge. Further details of the courses of study in Architecture at Cambridge may be found on the Department's website: University of Cambridge Department of Architecture. www.arct.cam.ac.uk

Special Access

We encourage applicants from all types of school and background, and although the information about offers given above indicates a typical requirement, each candidate is looked at in the light of his or her individual circumstances.

Funding, Bursaries and Scholarships

A number of bursaries exist in both Magdalene and the University. Details are sent to successful candidates. There are also scholarships, prizes and other awards on the basis of University exams as well as substantial travel grants.

Overseas Candidates Not Available for Interview.

We very strongly recommend that overseas candidates travel to Cambridge for interview, which may take place, if needed, before the normal interviewing period. If this is impossible, a portfolio of the candidate's work may be sent for consideration (note that a portfolio posted to us will not be returned). This should be accompanied by a statement from the candidate's school or other institution confirming that it is the candidate's own work. Occasionally, we ask for a sample of written/drawn work.

Undergraduate Application