Architecture

Architecture at Cambridge combines the intellectual challenges of both arts and sciences with the opportunity for creative design.Architecture, by its nature, is a demanding subject. At Cambridge, however, students are encouraged to push their creative boundaries by acquiring a solid foundation of knowledge in history and theory, as well as construction, environmental design and structures.

Design is at the core of architectural education at Cambridge. The design studio is closely integrated with lecture courses in the technical and humanities subjects, with an emphasis on sustainability. 

At Magdalene, we pride ourselves on being one of the most successful colleges for Architecture. Over the years, we have trained 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. Rooms offered to our first year students will have larger desks to accommodate the subject’s space requirements. Our expanding library is well-stocked with architectural textbooks, providing good coverage for the course and beyond. We are committed to providing Architecture students a strong supportive environment for their studies. A high proportion of Magdalene's Architecture graduates proceed into architecture practice. 

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

More details of the course and the optional papers available can be found on the University’s Undergraduate Study pages, and the Department of Architecture website. 

We are looking for creative, highly motivated, and committed individuals who are able to convey their ideas convincingly through drawing, calculations, and by oral and written arguments. At Magdalene, we seek students who are inquisitive, fully committed to the subject and willing to work hard. There is no prescribed route of studies leading to Architecture, though applicants with a background in both the arts and the sciences tend to be more competitive. The three main requirements are strong performance at A-level or equivalent, an excellent portfolio, and commitment to the discipline.

There are no mandatory subject requirements at A-level (or equivalent). Art (Fine Art) is desirable, and is generally preferred to Design Technology or similar subjects where available. One subject in the humanities is helpful. Mathematics and/or Physics is also helpful.

Minimum Offer 

A-level: A*AA 

IB: 41-42 points overall, with 7,7,6 at Higher Level.

Sometimes we may ask for an A* (or 7 at IB Higher Level) in a specific subject.

Other qualifications: Check which other qualifications we accept 

Candidates will normally have one interview of around 40-45 minutes.

The interview process aims to assess your intellectual ability, potential, and commitment to the subject.

We also ask for a portfolio of artwork to be submitted as part of your application. Your submitted artwork needs to be in PDF format, up to 6 A4 pages, and less than 15MB in size. 

Guidance on work suitable for inclusion in the portfolio may be found on the Department of Architecture website and the University course page for Architecture. We want to see a range of subject matter that illustrates your personal interests, experience, imagination, and ability in the visual and material arts. We are keen to see your informal and preparatory work, as well as more formal work, so we can better understand how you observe the world around you, and test and develop ideas.  We strongly encourage including drawings from life.  We do not want to see professional architectural work (such as plans and sections) nor an edited  ‘architectural’ portfolio.  Original drawings and paintings usually form the basis of portfolios, but work can be in any media; large physical models and sculptures can be shown in a series of photographs.

You will be asked to share a portfolio of drawings, paintings, photographs of three dimensional work, etc. in your interview. The work should be fairly recent (e.g. not just what you did for your GCSEs). You will be asked to speak to this for up to 10 minutes. You can have as many images as you like but it will probably not be practical to look at more than 20-25 pages in the time available. We like to see one or more working sketch books kept over a period of time in support of the development of your work, together with between 10 and 15 other examples of work. Where possible, please include a variety of media (e.g. work in pencil, ink, and colour, and evidence of three-dimensional work such as sculpture, montages or textiles). The work can be material prepared for school but creative work executed outside formal courses is also welcome. Choose work which you can talk about with enthusiasm.

Candidates invited for interview will need to take a written assessment. The assessment for Architecture is a Cambridge College-registered assessment. This means you will not need to register for this assessment in advance and the College will provide details directly to you. The assessment will be the same as for the Design course.

More information is available on the Interviews, Written Work and Assessments page.