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Original poster

GCSE/ALevel choice for Architecture: Art or Graphic design?

34 replies

Bidibidiba · 11/01/2022 11:30

Hi!
My daughter is in Y9 and will soon need to narrow down her choice of subjects for GCSE. While not set in stone, she's thinking of Architecture for higher education. So I thought Math, Physics and Art are necessary, but DD argues that Graphic Design would be more relevant and workload more manageable in A level.
I don't think she will be able to keep both ART + Graphic Design for GCSE so will need to drop one of the 2. Do you think some universities prefers one over the other ? is there a portfolio in Graphic Design?
Nb. DH and I did not experience education in the UK ourselves, so feeling a bit lost with the choices to make... Hmm Any insight welcome.
Thank you!

OP posts:
123tigger · 11/01/2022 12:51

Daughter just qualified as architect. Her ALevels were Art,German and Physics. Take the subject your daughter most interested.
To qualify as architect has taken 7 years long Lot of hard work, Just look at courses at uni. Try get some work experience.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 11/01/2022 12:43

I taught A level Graphics (Dt) and Art A level for hundreds of years. Either are acceptable for architecture.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 11/01/2022 12:42

Is Graphics DT?

Or are both art and graphics art and design options?

CornishGem1975 · 11/01/2022 12:37

Also meant to say - check with the school, they may allow both Art and Graphic Design at GCSE as they are quite different subjects.

The only combination you weren't allowed at ours was a GCSE in Business and then a BTEC in Business. My DS is doing two computer-based subjects.

CornishGem1975 · 11/01/2022 12:36

Here is one from the Uni of Reading - interesting they don't expect digital skills so reading that, I'd sway towards the Art because that would be much more helpful at building a portfolio.

"Your portfolio should demonstrate creative thinking as well as technical ability. There is no expectation of any prior digital drawing skills.

Freehand skills are valued in architecture, therefore sketchbooks showing creative thinking and ideas are particularly relevant. If you have drawings or other graphic representations which have been developed using any type of software, these should be included.

The portfolio may comprise materials from an art or design-related A level, or other relevant work. Please include photographs of any large-scale work which cannot otherwise be readily included in the portfolio."

Original poster
Bidibidiba · 11/01/2022 12:17

Thank you @seeline, I'll have a look at the UCAS website. And try to find out whether Graphic Design involves a portfolio.

OP posts:
Seeline · 11/01/2022 12:08

I think a lot of places do require a portfolio for architecture, so if she is not doing an artsy subject at A level she will need to find extra time to put something together.

I suggest going to the UCAS website (which is where you actually apply for uni) and searching up some architecture degrees to see exactly what sort of requirements they have - both in terms of subject and portfolio.

Original poster
Bidibidiba · 11/01/2022 12:04

Thank you @CornishGem1975 . Very true .. And that's why the English system narrowing subjects so early worries me. (At my time - ie Jurassic period.. - in France, we kept practically all the subjects up to Alevel.).

And yes, good point re. mini work experience! thanks

OP posts:
CornishGem1975 · 11/01/2022 11:42

I don't think it will massively matter as there are no specific subject requirements so I would go with what she prefers and is good at. A huge element of Architecture these days is data and 3D modelling so I would bear that in mind. When she gets to Year 10/Year 11, it might be more prudent to arrange work experience for her within an Architecture practice. That would probably be more attractive to a University.

Also bear in mind, she's only Year 9 and by the time she gets to Year 13 she may have changed her mind, anyhow. My DD is Year 11 and changes her mind every 6 months. We've tried to keep GCSE and A Level choices as broad as possible.