Selection for Architecture

Our Architecture course is very popular and places are limited – admissions for this course is selective.

We cannot guarantee you an offer of a place even if you meet our typical requirements.

Selection criteria for A level students

The following are considered for students studying A levels. If you study other qualifications, the same factors will be considered (where relevant) but we will tailor our approach to your specific qualifications.

Your background and any mitigating circumstances will always be considered alongside our standard selection priorities. For example, we will give additional consideration to you if you meet our contextual admissions criteria even if you do not meet all of the standard factors.

The information presented here is a guide to our typical selection factors – we reserve the right to consider other factors where necessary to distinguish between equally qualified applicants. All our entry requirements and selection criteria are informed by academic practice.

The typical factors we consider, with guide weighting, are:

GCSE profile - 20%

Your overall GCSE profile is very important for this course, as achievement across a broad range of subjects and skills will best prepare you for degree study.

When assessing your application we consider your best eight grades including Mathematics and at least one English Language or Literature subject.

If you have fewer than eight GCSE grades (or did not study GCSEs) your overall academic profile will be considered instead based on any current and previous study.

In previous years the strongest applicants in this area have had GCSEs of mostly 8/9 or A* grades.

Predicted or achieved grades - 20%

The strongest applicants will have predicted grades above our typical offer.

Your predicted or achieved grade in Mathematics or Physics is particularly important.

We are less likely to be able to make an offer if you have predicted or achieved grades that do not meet our offers.

We understand predicted grades vary between schools and teachers and are not an exact measure of final achievement. We will consider students predicted close to our typical requirements in a similar manner to those predicted to meet.

Subjects studied - 30%

A level Mathematics or Physics is essential, and Art & Design or Design & Technology is strongly preferred.

The strongest applicants will study Maths, Physics and an Art or Design subject.

If you have not studied this combination of subjects, we prefer applicants to have studied a further science or humanities subject as their third A level subject alongside Maths or Physics and Art or Design.

In exceptional circumstances we are able to consider applicants who have not studied an Art or Design subject, where there is substantial evidence of exposure to Art, Design or Architecture demonstrated through the personal statement, and their application is strong in all other areas.

Personal statement - 30%

We are looking for a personal statement that demonstrates your enthusiasm for Architecture and strong engagement and understanding of what studying this degree will involve.

Stronger personal statements will demonstrate logical and analytical thinking regarding innovations, debates or challenges in Architecture and the built environment. They will reflect on relevant experiences and research beyond the school curriculum.

Examples could include:

• Additional personal study in and/or experience of Architecture, the build environment or art.
• Relevant work experience, volunteering or internships (although relevant work experience is not required or expected)
• Preparation for HE activities such as summer schools or preparatory courses
• A discipline specific project qualification such as the EPQ or Welsh Baccalaureate.

We will not usually consider alternative or supplementary personal statements for this course – your application will be assessed based on the personal statement you submit through UCAS only.

If you are applying to multiple subject areas across your UCAS choices your personal statement will need be relevant for Architecture. Find further guidance on UCAS personal statements here