Design

Integrating the arts and sciences, the Design course will challenge you to think about global problems such as climate change and give you the skills to help create solutions to them.

The Department of Architecture offers two courses: Architecture and Design. Design combines architecture, engineering and materials science in one degree, giving you the opportunity to design solutions to environmental and societal challenges. You will learn how small and large-scale designs such as physical objects, apps, artificial intelligence, electronics or architecture and planning systems can influence people, cultures, economies and the natural world.

The course is structured around a series of core studio projects which will require you to create solutions to real-world problems: from planning stage through to pitching a final product and evaluating user impact. For most projects, you will be working with stakeholders such as clients, end-users and suppliers. Outside of the studio, you will learn about related subjects including design history, philosophy, mathematics, engineering and natural sciences, which will then be applied to your design projects.

Based in the Department of Architecture, you will have access to a variety of facilities such as workshops, studios, reprographics, flexible co-working spaces and a new digital fabrication lab.

Most teaching will take place in the design studio. You are assessed on studio work at the end of each term through a combination of a portfolio, presentations and coursework. These will account for 50 per cent of your overall marks each year. Your design projects will be exhibited at the end of each year.

The rest of the curriculum will include lectures, seminars, workshops, and supervisions to build on the practical and professional skills which can be used in your design projects. These account for 50 per cent of your overall marks each year, and will be assessed through coursework. Please check the Department of Architecture Undergraduate overview for updates on the course outline for 2025 entry.

Year 1 (Part IA)

You begin studio work with three design projects which introduce you to the core skills of design.

As well as studio work, you take five compulsory papers:

• Professional Skills I
• Materials and Fabrication I
• History and Theory of Design I
• Form and Forces I
• Mathematics and Programming I

Year 2 (Part IB)

You work on a further three projects in the studio. Briefs will be more open, require interdisciplinary engagement, and solutions will be analysed in diverse contexts of people and cultures.

As well as studio work, you take four compulsory papers:

• Professional Skills II
• Materials and Fabrication II
• History and Theory of Design II
• Form and Forces II

You also choose three further papers from a range of topics. Examples of options may include:

• Natural Materials and Structures
• Robotics, Automation and Advanced Fabrication Techniques
• Advanced Building Physics
• Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence
• Design and Policy
• Advanced Studies in History and Theory of Architecture
• Bioinspired Design and Biomimicry
• Introduction to Data Science

Year 3 (Part IIA)

Studio projects take on greater complexity as the designs projects grow in scale. In these projects you begin to learn how to test, communicate and evaluate solutions integrating knowledge and skills from previous years.

As well as studio work, you take one compulsory paper:

• Professional Skills III

You also choose five further papers from a range of topics including those listed in Year 2.

Year 4 (Part IIB)

You work in the studio on a full-year design project with industrial partners. You also complete a dissertation project of your choice. This major independent undertaking is an opportunity to demonstrate creativity and mastery in design and at least one of the fundamental disciplines, using theoretical, experimental and/or computational methods. Both studio and dissertation projects make use of the knowledge and skills developed in Parts I and IIA.

You also take one compulsory paper:

• Professional Skills IV

At Magdalene there is an intake of 1-2 Design students each year.

Students should refer to the Undergraduate Study Design website for the most up-to-date information both before making an application and again before they accept an offer, should their application be successful.

Submitted work

All Colleges will ask Design applicants to submit a PDF (6 A4 pages, and less than 15MB in size) of their own artwork prior to interview. The selection of images should, in part, reflect material you might bring to interview as part of your portfolio.

Portfolio

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).

Admissions Tutors want to see something that illustrates your interests, experience and ability in the visual and material arts. This may include drawings, paintings, sculpture and/or photography may also be included. 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.

For A-level candidates the minimum offer level is A*AA on three subjects. An A* in A-level Mathematics is essential. Candidates will be expected to achieve or have achieved good AS-level and GCSE grades.

Minimum offer level grades in the IB are 41- 42 points overall, with 7,7,6 at Higher Level to include a 7 in IB Higher Level Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches).

See Entrance requirements and Choosing your post-16 subjects for additional guidance and conditions of entry.

Interviews, written work and assessment

Submitted work

Candidates are required to submit a PDF (up to 6 A4 pages, and less than 15MB in size) of their own artwork prior to the interview. The selection of images should, in part, reflect material you might bring to interview as part of your portfolio. We want to see a range of subject matter that illustrates your personal interests, experience, imagination, and ability in the visual and material arts.

Candidates 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 want to see something that illustrates your interests, experience and ability in the visual and material arts. This may include drawings, paintings, sculpture and/or photography may also be included. It's usually sufficient for three-dimensional work to be exhibited in photographs.

A sketchbook with ongoing drawings is extremely helpful and candidates 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.

Admissions assessment

Applicants invited for interview will also take an assessment. The assessment for Design 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 the Architecture Tripos.

The assessment consists of a sketching assignment lasting 30 minutes. The assessment does not require any preparation for a specific topic. Please note that your performance in the assessment will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.

We are looking for creative, highly motivated, and committed individuals with outstanding artistic ability, a strong three-dimensional sense, excellent writing skills, and a solid grounding in mathematics or physics.

Admissions interviews

Further information regarding interview dates and arrangements can be found on the Undergraduate Study Interviews page and the Magdalene Interviews page.