University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge, often referred to as "Cantab," is a world-leading public research university, following a collegiate system, and located in Cambridge, England. It is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of universities and, together with the University of Oxford, is part of the "Oxbridge" tradition. Cambridge is also one of the "G5 Super Elite Universities" alongside the University of Oxford, University College London, Imperial College London, and the London School of Economics.
Founded in 1209, Cambridge is the second oldest university in the English-speaking world.
In the 2019-20 academic year, Cambridge ranked 3rd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 7th in the QS World University Rankings, 9th in the US News World University Rankings, and 3rd in the Academic Ranking of World Universities. It was also ranked 4th in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings.
Alumni and Faculty Insights
The University of Cambridge is a research university in the UK that operates under the collegiate system. This model, a traditional method of university organization in medieval Britain, features independent operations for colleges and academic departments. Upon admission, students are assigned to a college, which is responsible for their living arrangements and social activities, while academic departments (faculty/department) handle professional teaching. Students in the same program may come from different colleges, and friends in the same college may be studying different subjects. The collegiate system offers a romantic sense of belonging and a strong academic atmosphere.
Most of the master's degrees at Cambridge are MPhil (Master in Philosophy), which are research-based degrees with a lifestyle and learning approach similar to a PhD. The Department of Architecture is part of the Faculty of Architecture and History of Art. It offers two postgraduate programs: the one-year MAUS (MPhil in Architecture and Urban Studies), which focuses on theoretical research, and the two-year MAUD (MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design), which is also recognized as RIBA Part 2, combining both theory and design. Each program admits 20-25 students globally, maintaining a small but elite scale.
For the MAUD program, applicants are required to submit a proposal, which will be the research topic for the next two years. The research proposal plays a significant role in the application review and interview process, akin to the importance of a PhD proposal. Once enrolled, students work on independent research topics, with great variability between subjects. Each student’s research methods, methodology, writing style, and expression techniques are unique, and all results are independently completed. There is no teamwork, no required or elective courses, and students are free to attend lectures and seminars.
Each student is assigned four one-on-one mentors:
Course Director: Oversees the design and theoretical research
Supervisor: Provides guidance for theoretical topics and dissertation supervision
Design Tutor: Supports design project development
Director of Study: Monitors overall academic progress
All mentoring is done one-on-one, with students arranging meetings with their mentors, either in the office or in a coffee shop. As a result, the English language requirements for admission are quite high. The MPhil is a solitary and self-disciplined academic journey.
Admission Requirements
The University of Cambridge offers various architecture-related programs, including Architectural Design, Urban Design, and others. Below is a frequently applied program for domestic architecture students:
BA Architecture (Bachelor of Arts in Architecture)
Duration: 3 years
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Annual Tuition Fees: £27,696
Application Deadline: October 15
TOEFL: 110 (with at least 25 in each section)
IELTS: 7.5 (with at least 7.0 in each section)
Programme introduction
The core of the teaching is carried out in studios. Projects are set throughout the year and you are required to produce models and drawings to communicate your design ideas. The department provides studio desk space together with workshop and computer facilities. You will be supervised on your projects individually, typically twice a week, by Design Tutors, who are themselves professional architects. Studio work accounts for 60% of the overall marks in each year.
The remaining 40% is made up with coursework, essays and examinations based on a series of academic lecture courses. You will attend small group supervisions on these courses and will be required to complete essays and coursework. You will typically be examined through a combination of written papers at the beginning of the summer term and coursework submitted during the year.
Entry Requirement
The National Higher Education Entrance Examination is considered a suitable preparation for Cambridge. The scores of successful applicants will vary depending on the province and the year. As a general guideline, successful applicants typically have scores in the top 0.1% of test takers in their province. In addition to the total score, Cambridge Colleges will closely examine individual subject scores and the results from the Senior High School Examinations. The Senior High School Examinations alone are not considered sufficient preparation for Cambridge.
Applicants preparing for the National Higher Education Entrance Examination are encouraged to engage in additional study beyond their school qualifications. This might include, for example, participation in relevant science Olympiads, College Board SAT I or II, or Advanced Placement Tests.
National Higher Education Entrance Examination offers are made on an individual basis, and we recommend contacting the College to which you wish to apply for further advice and guidance.
Portfolio Requirements
All applicants invited to an interview are required to present a portfolio of recent work. However, this portfolio is not expected to contain architectural work, such as plans or sections. The admissions tutors are looking for evidence of your interests, experience, and abilities in visual and material arts. This could include drawings, paintings, sculpture, and/or photography. For three-dimensional work, photographs are usually sufficient.
A sketchbook with ongoing drawings is extremely helpful, and applicants are encouraged to bring it to the interview. The sketchbook may contain any media (e.g., pencil, charcoal, crayon) and should feature a variety of subjects. The work may include material prepared for school-leaving exams, but creative work done outside formal courses is also welcomed.
Portfolio requirements may vary between colleges, so it's essential to check the Department website and the individual College websites for further guidance.
Admissions Assessment
All applicants for Architecture must take written and practical assessments during the interview.
Assessment Format:
Writing skills (30 minutes)
Graphic and spatial ability (30 minutes)
Interview, portfolio, and assessment
Interviews are held during the first two weeks of December. During the interview, you will be asked to show a portfolio of your most recent work. Architectural drawings are not required; instead, the admissions tutors want to see portfolios that demonstrate your interest, experience, and ability in visual and material arts. A sketchbook with your hand drawings is especially helpful.
Typically, the portfolio is based on drawing and painting, but other media such as sculpture and photography are also acceptable. You may bring work prepared for school exams, but creative work done outside formal courses is also welcome. Some colleges may ask you to bring or submit written work as well.
During the interview week, you will also take a short, one-hour assessment, consisting of a 30-minute essay exam and a 30-minute drawing test. The essay exam will ask you to respond to a topical question in Architecture. In the drawing test, you will be asked to draw a specific space (such as the room you are in) to demonstrate your ability to represent space through hand drawing.
For more details about the assessment, you can find the full information and an example exam paper here:
Architecture Admissions Assessment Specification.
MPhil Architecture
Degree: MPhil in Architecture (Research Master's)
Duration: 10 months
Annual Tuition Fees: £24,960
Application Deadline: May 15, 2020
TOEFL: 110 (minimum 25 in each section)
IELTS: 7.5 (minimum 7.0 in each section)
GPA Requirement: 3.5/4.0
Portfolio Requirement: YES
Reference Letters Requirement: 2
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose/Essay Requirement: Personal Statement (PS)
Other Materials:
Sample of work (maximum 1)
Research proposal
Programme Introduction:
The MPhil in Architecture is a ten-month full-time research degree offering the opportunity for independent research under the supervision of a departmental member of staff. Unless the candidate is part of a research group, the research is undertaken entirely by the candidate on their own, with regular supervisions on progress with their supervisor.
In addition to the research and skills training programme offered by the Faculty of Architecture and History of Art, candidates have the opportunity to attend numerous courses, such as those related to the use of bibliographic resources, other databases, and specific computer skills.
Entry Requirements
Applicants need to have obtained a UK first-class or upper second-class honours bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, physics, applied science, or a related field (above 67%) (equivalent to a GPA of 3.6/4.0).
MPhil Architecture and Urban Design (ARB/RIBA Part 2)
Degree: MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design (Research Master's)
Duration: 2 years (22 months)
Annual Tuition Fees: £29,181
Application Deadline: May 15, 2020 (recommended by January 7)
TOEFL: 110 (minimum 25 in each section)
IELTS: 7.5 (minimum 7.0 in each section)
GPA Requirement: 3.6/4.0
Portfolio Requirement: YES
Reference Letters Requirement: 2
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose/Essay Requirement: Personal Statement (PS)
Programme Introduction
The MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design (MAUD) is a combination of a master’s thesis and RIBA Part II. The course is structured around a shared range of topics within which each student develops their own research project and design portfolio. This project will last 22 months, including a 6-month fieldwork period after the second term. In the final stage of the project, students will propose a design solution supported by drawings and models, as well as a 15,000-word research paper on the topic to support the direction and content of their design work.
Entry Requirements
Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK High II.i Honours Degree.
If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.
Applicants accepted for this course will usually have a Part 1 qualification or bachelor’s degree prescribed by the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at a first-class or high II.i level (at least 67 percent/3.6/4.0 GPA). Candidates are encouraged to take a year out, but this is not mandatory.
Applicants without Part 1 status will be expected to submit a portfolio of an equivalent standard to a candidate holding a high II.i for a Part 1 bachelor’s degree.
Applicants may be invited to attend an interview in Cambridge with their full portfolio.
Portfolio
An extract from a design portfolio (maximum of 2GB) is required. If invited to interview, an applicant will be required to submit a full Portfolio.
Research Proposal
The Research Proposal should be between 1000 - 1500 words and should consist of a topic and a hypothesis, a literature review, a statement on method, and key references.
Sample of work (max. 1):
The Sample of Work could be a journal publication or a chapter from an undergraduate dissertation. It is required to be well-written and include references and clear argumentation.
MPhil Architecture and Urban Studies
Duration: 9 months
Degree: Master
Annual Tuition Fee: £30,570
Final Application Deadline: May 15, 2020
TOEFL: 110 (25)
IELTS: 7.5 (7.0)
GPA Requirement: 3.6/4.0
Portfolio Requirement: No
Reference Letters: 2
Personal Statement/Essay Requirement: Personal Statement
Programme Introduction
The MPhil in Architecture and Urban Studies (MAUS) is a programme of advanced study on modern and contemporary architecture and the continued development of cities around the world. Students from a variety of academic backgrounds work in an interdisciplinary environment with urbanists, environmental specialists, architectural theorists, historians, and design practitioners.
The course offers a flexible structure that is tailored to the needs of individual student’s research interests. Seminars and lectures are organized along two basic streams:
- One focuses on the socio-political and cultural context of architecture and cities with an approach rooted in the humanities and social sciences.
- The other offers a more technical approach to architecture and urban planning (including transport, health and well-being, sustainability, and environmental design).
Students may participate in both streams, but focus on one only. In the second term, there is a choice of more specialist seminars within both streams.
Course Structure
The Master in Architecture and Urban Studies (MAUS) is an advanced research program focused on modern and contemporary architecture and the ongoing development of cities worldwide. Students from diverse academic backgrounds collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment with urbanists, environmental specialists, architectural theorists, historians, and design professionals.
The course offers a flexible structure that is tailored to the research interests of individual students. Seminars and lectures are divided into two main areas:
- One stream explores the socio-political and cultural aspects of architecture and cities, with a methodology rooted in the humanities and social sciences.
- The second stream adopts a more technical approach to architecture and urban planning, addressing areas such as transportation, health, well-being, sustainability, and environmental design.
Students may choose to engage in both streams but are expected to focus on one stream. In the second term, students can choose more specialized seminars within either stream.
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK High II.i Honours Degree.
If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.
A first-class or high II.i honours (at least 67 percent/3.6/4.0 GPA) bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, physics, applied science, or an appropriate cognate discipline.
Research proposal
The Research Proposal should be between 1000 - 1500 words and consist of a topic and a hypothesis, a literature review, a statement on method, and key references.
Sample of work (max. 1)
This could be a journal publication or a chapter from your undergraduate dissertation.
Application Materials
- Online application form
- Portfolio
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- TOEFL/IELTS scores
- Degree certificate and graduation certificate/Proof of current enrollment
- Transcript
- Research Proposal