Studying Architecture

The university or architecture school you attend will have a huge impact on the type of architecture you will pursue during your architectural education and beyond. Your approach to architectural design, the type of drawings you produce, the style of models you make, the amount of technology and computer work you will do will all be influenced by your architecture school.

Whether you're fresh out of college and have just finished your A-levels, have just finished your art foundation or have come to architecture via another academic route, it's difficult to know what university or architecture school to apply to which best suits your personality, strengths and interests. Many prospective students simply apply to the universities which do well in the popular university league tables but architecture departments often have a life of their own in their universities, so it is worthwhile doing that extra bit of research to find out which architecture department is best for you.

It is difficult to interpret the ranking of architecture schools in university tables. To get a better understanding of architecture departments it is recommended that you visit the school and go to the end of year shows which showcase the work the students have produced that year.

Another recommendation is to have a look at recent presidents medals nominations and winners. Architecture schools are allowed to nominate just two students from their undergraduate course, and two from their postgraduate course into this competition. High profile architects and educators make up the panel who decide on who should win the presidents medal for that year. Looking over the nominations of the schools will give you a good indication of the work that is produced at the architecture schools.