Architecture at Murray Edwards College

The Course

The Cambridge Architecture BA course is a studio-centred course oriented around design - from the scale of the city to that of furniture - that is supported by lecture courses which draw upon the humanities (history and theory) as well as upon the sciences (construction, environmental design and structures). The course is validated by the relevant professional bodies and its successful completion leads to exemption from the first part of UK professional architectural training, ARB/RIBA Part 1.

Unusually in Cambridge Architecture is a course whose teaching is predominantly department based. All lectures, design tuition and most supervisions are given in the department.

Mary Ann Steane is Director of Studies for Murray Edwards College. Her research interests centre on environmental design issues, with a particular emphasis being given to the study and evaluation of natural lighting strategies.

Murray Edwards College usually has 4 or 5 architecture students across the three year undergraduate course. A BDP Bursary is available for one architecture student each year.

Further information can be found on the Departmental website.

What are we looking for?

Candidates to read Architecture at Murray Edwards College are interviewed to assess their many qualities and potential development as responsible and talented architects. Although such qualities are hard to quantify, there are a few identifiable characteristics which can be communicated. The following are some of the criteria used for accepting undergraduate candidates into Architecture:

• No essential school subjects but a well-rounded background in A-Level subjects; e.g. in Arts and Humanities and in Maths or Science. Some experience of the study of Fine Art is expected. We seek a high level of achievement in the subjects chosen. We are also ready to consider outstanding applicants from other qualifications systems such as the IB;
• Artistic ability to translate ideas and perceptions into form through a variety of both two- and three-dimensional media;
• A general sense of moral responsibility that stems from an interest in social, political, and philosophical issues insofar as they affect architecture in the public domain;
• A creative and enquiring mind that reaches beyond the given;
• Some sense of architectural history as well as an ability to articulate positive and negative responses to contemporary and historical architecture and architects;
• Stamina and commitment to sustain the strenuous working schedule of the study and profession of architecture, which is more demanding than the majority of other subjects and/or professions;
• An interest in designing qualitative environments which suit the pragmatics and principles of future inhabitants.

It is not necessary to have a background in technical drawing prior to beginning the Architecture course. The Department of Architecture offers a list of requirements and expectations, as well as guidance on compiling a portfolio.

Architecture candidates are given two interviews, a subject interview of 25 minutes at which candidates should expect to discuss the portfolio of work they have brought with them, and a shorter general interview. Each candidate will be expected to write and submit an illustrated essay prior to interview.

What students do next

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Checked by ER, August 2011