Cambridge Architecture Application FAQs - Comparing Our Experiences And Answering Your Questions

[@stellaforde8378]

Phew! I am relieved to know that you did your portfolio during a gap year! Cause damn, I was like how the heck am I supposed to create a portfolio of THAT HIGH standard and I thought you did it WHILST doing 4 A Levels none of which were design based! 😂😂😂

[@raybp7512]

Great resource. Wish these types of discussions online for free were available years ago!

[@antonalvarez2496]

This is extremely helpful, thank you :) I’m hoping to apply for Cambridge next year once I have finished a levels and got my grades for architecture

[@CallumHenderson]

Best of luck!

[@brandonjames938]

This was great! Put me much more at ease hearing how different your experiences were (I’m applying this year and the portfolio is due Thursday! 😬) Its nice to hear that everyone is free to express their own personality... really helpful thanks!

[@_ola2304]

My portfolio deadline for Cambridge was last week Thursday

[@CallumHenderson]

Really glad to hear! Hope your portfolio prep went ok, best of luck!:)

[@tt4942]

Thank you for making all these videos- they've really helped to comfort me about my upcoming Cambridge interview!! You mention not needing to have a lot of specialised architectural knowledge; is it still possible to answer questions well without examples to back your opinions? Also, did the interviewers question you a lot about the sources you mentioned in your personal statement (books, theories etc.)? I'm just worried they'll ask something I am supposed to know, but end up forgetting...

[@CallumHenderson]

Yeah I think so - I certainly don't remember being quizzed on specific buildings unless I specifically brought them up myself and even when I did it wasn't the end of the world if I didn't know every last detail. I don't think they asked for sources at all either, no. Giving examples and being able to talk about interesting facts is only useful as a way of demonstrating your engagement in the subject - you're not being scored on your knowledge, rather they want to explore your interest (this is my understanding of it).

[@tt4942]

​@@CallumHenderson Thanks, that's really good to know! I'll just give it my best shot :D

[@jesse6205]

Hey Callum thanks for the video

[@tarek7451]

Thanks for this video! May I ask why physics is not especially relevant? It’s a bit of a surprise to hear that b/c I assumed physics would be very relevant seeing the course outline, like structural design, construction technology, and architectural engineering. Are these courses more about maths than physics? If yes, I might consider doing maths and further maths instead of maths and physics. I see a small number of colleges requiring both math and physics though.

[@caravaggiooo]

hello i was just wondering how many of the students didn’t take maths at alevel? i got a grade 9 in gcse but didnt take it for alevel since i preferred biology, but now im thinking of switching if it were to disadvantage me.. but i do prefer biology so i would rather continue it than to take maths now - if its rly not that necessary…

[@yuyinggu2450]

Thanks for making this video!!! That's really helpful. I am applying to Cambridge as well and I was wondering whether the at-interview assessment is as important as the portfolio and interview? I am not that good at essay writing and am afraid of having some topic that I don't know at all, but I am good at drawing.

[@CallumHenderson]

I think the essay topic tends to be pretty broad so I wouldn’t worry toooooo much. I’m not sure exactly how they weight each component but it’s designed to be a very holistic application as far as I’m aware. Keeping your eyes open and noticing buildings you like and why, reading architecture books or magazines will all help you have things to talk about in the assessment. You’re not expected to have a serious academic level of understanding of architecture at the time of applying as it’s not a subject you can study at school! Hope this helps:)

[@yuyinggu2450]

@@CallumHenderson Thanks so much for your reply. I will do everything I can do to prepare. Your videos are really helpful. Loads of thanks.

[@quennieblack6375]

I would like to study at university of Cambridge. I have no chance to take A-level in my high school because the educational system is different. How can I take A-level on my own, is that possible? And what must I do to improve my English skills? If you reply me, you make me happy ☺️. I have 2.5 years to prepare for the university.

[@patlok7673]

Hey Callum thanks for this video! So you mentioned that you left aeronautical engineering and then went on to apply for architecture - did you only start prepping for your portfolio after Imperial?

[@CallumHenderson]

Hey, yesss that’s correct. I officially withdrew from Imperial in late August so was then working on my portfolio 7 days a week up until my interview in early December! I then had a full year out before starting at Cambridge.

[@patlok7673]

@@CallumHenderson that’s very helpful, thank you!

[@miachan8605]

Great and insightful FAQ vid thank you! May I ask whether work experience is required or preferred when applying ?

[@CallumHenderson]

Neither - as far as I am aware there are no prerequisites of that sort. You need a portfolio and, depending on which college, you may need certain A-levels but otherwise applicants typically have a range of experience and qualifications.

[@amazingshowstoppingincredi4403]

hi callum! does the architecture department recognise Knowledge and Inquiry as a relevant H2 subject at A levels? :)

[@tfttgyhv8098]

Applying this year

[@mariamjamus6469]

Can you talk about the design and art subjects that you take at the university(the books-practices,so on) Waiting impatiently..

[@thediversity6203]

Should I apply to Cambridge for UG or PG? Which is easier to get in?

[@arefeensalim407]

Hi, i dont do Art Alevels im a bit concerned if it will disadvantage me

[@pim.s-t]

Physics is one of my 4 A levels, however I did do art at GCSE. I don't do art at A level but can I use bits of my older work (from GCSE) with new work in my portfolio?

[@CallumHenderson]

There’s no prescripted way that you have to do it so, yes, if you feel that the work is strong enough to be included in your portfolio then you should absolutely include it! I advise you keep producing work in whatever free time you might have anyway and then get together absolutely everything you’ve ever done before comparing it all at the same time to work out what’s worth including in the portfolio or not.

[@gooseboof]

Hi, I have a pressing question about the application process! I completed my 'at-interview' assessment today and whilst I thought the written piece went well, my drawing was pretty average. What was your at-interview experience like? Did this have much weight on your application?

[@gooseboof]

@@louis1604 I wrote about 400 words, I’m more worried about the drawing. I didn’t get time to check no but I checked after submitting and I was lucky there were no mistakes.

[@CallumHenderson]

Hi both, yeah it’s impossible to say how much weight the assessment has on your application - I imagine it’s not a fixed weighting and varies vastly from applicant to applicant. I wouldn’t waste too much time worrying about it!:) I thinkkkk the drawing assessment is more about testing your ability to interpret space rather than technical skills alone (but I’m not an admissions officer so who really knows) so, again, I wouldn’t be too concerned, not least bc it’s done now. Ofc your portfolio will demonstrate your technical skill too. I know it’s a stressful time, treat every stage of the application process as a clean slate and just put your most into everything you can! I thought my assessments went well but interviews went horribly. I’ve come across many more people here who said their interview experience as a whole felt like they did really badly than people who thought otherwise!

[@gooseboof]

@@CallumHenderson I had my interview this week and I honestly think it couldn’t have gone better. I think I have a strong portfolio and my grades are A*A*A*- do you think I’m likely to get in? I’d be gutted if I didn’t. We have to wait a long while before we find out

[@angelicaoxford-campbell3573]

Jaffaroo heyy! since offers have been given out, was your application successful? i got an offer to study at st. john’s so i’m looking for those is a similar boat.

[@angelicaoxford-campbell3573]

Louis hii, did u end up getting an offer?

[@yashikagarg8486]

hey, does 10th grade igcse marks matter?? or good ibdp 12th grades are enough??

[@CallumHenderson]

It’s unlikely that one individual grade on one paper at one point in your life will become the sole decision point of your application but it’s also impossible to know exactly how each grade affects the admissions team. The thing that is certain is that Cambridge is hard work and they will only admit people who have proven they will be able to work hard and achieve well there. Your attitude should be that you work hard for everything regardless (because that’s what matters to you, not because of Cambridge specifically). Equally I wouldn’t waste your time stressing about one exam that didn’t go as well as planned. Big picture, cost benefit analysis on resit decisions, get the general attitude right. That’s what counts. Above all, know why you are doing it and be sure you really want it.

[@yashikagarg8486]

@@CallumHenderson Thank you so much, this is extremely insightful. btw CONGRATS.............good luck for the future :D

[@ko-iz3yp]

I got rejected from ucl too 😭

[@kadirakkus9522]

Callum you so cute

[@AntiJameela]

st johnnsss