University of Cambridge, BA (Hons), Architecture

This course is oriented around design, from the large scale of a city or a region to the smallest detail, and is supported by lectures that draw upon the humanities (history and theory) and sciences (construction, environmental design and structures); the course provides a wide-ranging education in the principles of architectural design and its historical and theoretical background; students have a choice of specialised lectures in the 2nd and 3rd years and the opportunity to write a dissertation in the 3rd year; students also study and are examined in: construction and materials; building structures; environmental response and control; in addition, the Department teaches: computer-aided design; representation; life drawing; students cover every aspect of architecture from the technical to the cultural, but the emphasis of the course is on architecture as a practical art; design projects are set throughout the year and range from designing small artefacts to major projects exploring a theme and in a specific location which students are expected to visit; at the end of each year students have to submit a portfolio of course work and studio work in addition to taking examinations; exemption from Part 1 of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Examinations is obtained by the successful completion of the undergraduate course.