What GCSEs and A levels for Architecture?

[OneHandFlapping]

Any architects about?

DD is interested in architecture. Does she need to study art at GCSE and/or A level? Would Graphic Design be enough? She enjoys art, and is good at it, but the coursework is supposed to be a bastard.

What about other A levels?

We were told (a bit late) that Art rather than Graphics would be better, but DS is doing both.

And yep, prepare to have your lives taken over by the coursework!

Oh, and you need maths A level, somewhat to DS's horror.

OK, this says no specific A levels required but a decent chance of A*AA needed in a mix of arts and science.

DS is going to have his work cut out then.

Art or design and maths (applied prob more useful than pure) would be the core subjects needed. But there are others that would be useful, although perhaps not all would be available in your standard secondary school.

Materials science - architects need a good knowledge of building materials and techniques.
Sociology or geography - to understand the infrastructure of society and its building requirements
'Trades' courses - plumbing, electrician, bricklaying etc., all help with learning about the way buildings are constructed, and will make for a better architect.

Sounds like there is no way out of Art GCSE then - which is the most pressing decision.

I will have to see what her maths is like post GCSE - I don't get very informative feedback from the school.

It also sounds like job opportunities are currently very depressed. But hey, she's only in year 9, so it's at least 7 or 8 years until she graduates.

I'd also advise her to start a scrapbook now with pictures, photos, sketches etc of any interesting pieces of architecture she sees, in magazines or real life. Anything from a large imposing building to an unusual piece of cornice in someone's front room. It will give her plenty of references and inspiration when she starts her architectural studies, and will impress the lecturers who interview her for course admission.

Thx Janice.

I'm not an architect but dh is. I think when choosing your uni of choice you'll need to consider the type they specialise in. Eg there are some more arty than others. Some v sciencey. Some focus on ability to come up with fantastic concepts. Do look around!

Think polymath with three As at least for A levels. Maths,Engineering,Art,Geography.More than one type of maths better even if to AS.
Dedication and pure hard slog!!

Art, Maths, Physics plus one other is what our typical architects take. The 'one other' choice taken by students this year has been French, Drama, Eng Lang and Further Maths

Thank you for the replies. At the moment I'm most concerned about her choosing the right GCSEs not to rule it out. We are still not sure where her true talents lie, but they seem to include both arts and sciences.

I second the comment above on getting a feel for which universities are more science inclined and which more arty.

See e.g. these FAQs for answers to your specific questions about entry requirements (but note these will differ at a more science oriented university, which I would expect would require maths A level): www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture/about-us/admissions/undergraduate-faqs.

Your DD might want to read the recent article about women in architecture: www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/shock-survey-results-as-the-aj-launches-campaign-to-raise-women-architects-status/8624748.article.