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Secondary education

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Original poster

Choices for A level - any architects out there?

25 replies

figroll · 10/01/2008 12:06

My dd would like to be an architect and is in the process of choosing her A levels. She is certain that she would like to do:

Art (very good at it and keen to continue)
Maths (again good at it and feels it would be useful)
Geography (she really enjoys Geography)

She can't decide whether to do Physics or Chemistry for her 4th AS level. Anyone know which would be best for her with her choice of career? She likes both equally and is equally as good at them, so it is a difficult one.

(I also think I know how long the training is for Architecture - is it 7 years?!)

OP posts:
brimfull · 10/01/2008 12:09

look up architecture on some university websites

most will give entry requirements

we have been doing similar for dd as she is choosing A levels aswell.

claricebeansmum · 10/01/2008 12:10

I would have thought physics as it would be more akin the the engineering side - forces, how buildings stay up etc

Perhaps she could check with the Uni she wants to apply to?

Architecture is 7 years and it is worth remembering that it is a notoriously badly paid profession...

brimfull · 10/01/2008 12:14

cambridge university's entrance requirements

brimfull · 10/01/2008 12:16

no specific a levels stated here

TheGoatofBitterness · 10/01/2008 12:20

i did physics, english and maths at a level and which was acceptable. definitely physics is more useful than chemistry from the structural point of view but then that stuff was covered by my maths a-level at the time too.

course is normally 3 years at uni, year out for practical experience , 2 years at uni and then working while completeling part 3 exams.
but htis may have changed as there was alot of talk about changing it while is was doing it. make sure she researches the architectural courses offered as they vary and it will really affect how she does.

Original poster
figroll · 10/01/2008 12:20

Mmm, but if you don't want to do anything medical or law it is difficult to know what to aim for that is well paid. She thought of doing a Geography degree, but looked at the subject content and it is very social sciency which was a bit of a turn off.

I think she likes Architecture because it combines art, maths and geography to some degree.

OP posts:
Original poster
figroll · 10/01/2008 12:22

Thanks for that - I think she is coming down on the physics side, so that is useful.

OP posts:
TheGoatofBitterness · 10/01/2008 12:22

there are soo many careers nowadays. i now wish i had studied english or maths and then decided what to do but at school it seemed really important to study a profession and it was a kind of 'oh i like art and maths so lets do architecture' decision i had no clue as to what was actually involved.

TellusMater · 10/01/2008 12:25

This is what Cambridge wants, so it sounds as if either would do and she has a good combination .

Anna8888 · 10/01/2008 12:25

figroll - FWIW, the female architects I know in my generation (and above) seem to have three career paths:

  • not partners in architectural practices (so doing other people's work for them)
  • in-house architects eg designing shops for LVMH
  • teaching architecture at university level or art at school level

Do any of these careers appeal to your daughter?

Original poster
figroll · 10/01/2008 12:26

But do you enjoy doing it?

I know that is a silly question really because although I don't love my job, I think I made a fairly wise choice since it has kept me employed for the whole of my adult life and I am relatively well paid - if you know what I mean!

OP posts:
TheGoatofBitterness · 10/01/2008 12:26

sadly i have to agree with anna, but that has to change. actually very few of my friends stuck with it at all, myself included.

TheGoatofBitterness · 10/01/2008 12:28

i really hated the course but i think i made a bad decision. when i meet up with old friends from the course it is abit like vietnam vets meeting up, we discuss how we still have nightmares about staying up all night and then getting torn apart during crits.

Original poster
figroll · 10/01/2008 12:28

Oh that is interesting - I don't know any architects myself, so it is good to talk to people with experience.

OP posts:
Anna8888 · 10/01/2008 12:30

TheGoat - glad you confirmed, you are obviously much more qualified to know than I am.

The in-house architects I know seem to like their jobs - quite high-profile and glamorous sometimes, they are fully involved in designing new retail concepts and get to travel all over the world if they work in large groups.

Not partner is pretty grim when you are approaching 50.

Teaching... well, it's teaching, isn't it? Not as creative as they'd like.

ajandjjmum · 10/01/2008 12:32

Very interesting thread. DS is choosing A level subjects, and after thinking of architecture for a couple of years, has decided to look elsewhere career-wise, because so many of his contemporaries want to be architects.

So...what do you do with Maths, Physics etc?!!

Talking to one of the lecturers at UCE in Birmingham recently, you can do you final spell at Uni on a part-time basis, which means that you can hold down a job at the same time. Might be worth looking at?

TheGoatofBitterness · 10/01/2008 12:36

the world is your oyster with maths and physics! all that hi tech industry, it, engineering. or anything at all. an undergraduate degree is just a starting step. nowadays it seems you need a msc or higher to start a career.

Original poster
figroll · 10/01/2008 12:36

That is funny - my dds friends all want to be doctors, dentists, vets and lawyers - they think it odd that she wants to be an architect.

I don't know what you do with Maths and Physics - I know it can be useful to do a degree that is on the National Curriculum, just in case you end up teaching!

OP posts:
Anna8888 · 10/01/2008 12:41

figroll - I don't think that architecture is the easiest profession for women, by quite a long way. Better to be a doctor, IMO.

Original poster
figroll · 10/01/2008 13:00

Yes I have said that to her - about women in a male dominated profession but a 15 year old at an all girls' school finds it hard to imagine I think.

As for medicine - it is a bit of a no no for her. We can't even mention blood without her going dizzy!

It is all very difficult, but at least she is choosing some good A level subjects and she won't be applying for some time yet.

Thanks for all your comments - they have been a big help.

OP posts:
Anna8888 · 10/01/2008 13:02

I was like that about blood and bodies when I was 15.

Wish I hadn't been such a wimp as I'd love to be medically qualified now.

Original poster
figroll · 10/01/2008 13:08

Yes I have a friend who is a gp and she has offered to have her on work placement at the surgery, but she steadfastly refuses. My dd2 is dead keen on being a doctor and has already discussed her work placement with my friend - and she is only 12. I have another dentist friend who has also offered to have her, but she said she would be sick looking at dirty mouths!

It is lovely when your child has a clear cut idea of where they want to go in life, but my eldest is so undecided.

Thanks again.

OP posts:
newgirl · 10/01/2008 13:18

no advice on the subjects

but the architects i know tend to work with builders on domestic projects (extensions etc) - it is lucrative but possible not as creative as they would like

i dont think it is always as glamorous as people think - although very useful especially in our crowded environment

ScienceTeacher · 10/01/2008 18:16

Physics is not a requirement for architecture courses, but it would be highly desirable. There is a lot of work in Physics on statics, which is highly important when you want your building to remain stationary!

I teach Physics A-level and I think it is easier than Chemistry.

RosaLuxOnTheBrightSideOfLife · 11/01/2008 11:18

A friend's daughter has just started architecture this year. She did Art, English, Maths and Psychology and got offers from two good universities. What swung it for her apparently was her art portfolio which was truly outstanding.

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