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Information and frequently asked questions about applying for our undergraduate programmes.
Application process
This section describes the process of applying for an undergraduate programme at The Bartlett School of Architecture.
- 1. Decide which programme you would like to study
Take your time browsing through our four undergraduate programme pages, to make sure you might the right choice. Make sure to join us for one of our Open Days if you can.
- 2. Make sure you understand the entry requirements
These can be found on the UCL Prospectus page for your programme.
- 3. Complete your UCAS application before the January deadline
Places on our programmes are in high demand, so make sure you get your UCAS application in on time. Check our prospectus pages for the deadline for your course.
You can apply for more than one programme at The Bartlett at the same time, but if you receive more than one offer, you will only be able to accept one. If you apply for both Architecture MSci (ARB/RIBA Part 1 & 2) and Architecture BSc (ARB/RIBA Part 1) and are successful, you will only receive one offer.
- 4. Get ready to share your work with us
As soon as we have received your application from UCAS you will be requested to upload a small digital portfolio of up to 10 pages of your creative work to the UCL Applicant Portal page. You will be given a deadline of two weeks to submit your Portfolio. Please note your academic qualifications will be fully assessed following the receipt of your Portfolio and your application will not be considered further if your qualifications do not meet the advertised entry requirements for the programme you have applied for. If you're successful you will be invited for an interview. If you have applied for both Architecture BSc (ARB/RIBA Part 1) and Architecture MSci (ARB/RIBA Part 1 & 2), you will only be asked to submit one portfolio. If you are successful, you will interview with your portfolio once.
- 5. Your interview
Interviews at The Bartlett are our opportunity to get to know you, your work and why you want to study with us, but they are also your chance to get to know the school. You will have a chance to discuss the programme with tutors.
Interviews for undergraduates usually take place from mid-November to late April. All interviews are currently taking place on Zoom.
- 6. Await a decision
Decisions will be made once all applicants have been interviewed, throughout April and May. However, at certain points in the year, the decision may take longer due to the high volume of applications we receive.
If you have applied for more than one programme and you receive more than one offer, you will only be able to accept one. If you have applied for both Architecture BSc (ARB/RIBA Part 1) and Architecture MSci (ARB/RIBA Part 1 & 2) and are successful, you will only receive one offer.
General FAQs
This section answers frequently asked questions about applying to programmes.
- Is there a deadline for applying for any of the undergraduate programmes?
You apply to all our programmes through UCAS. Applications open in autumn each year and close in January.
- Can I apply for more than one programme at The Bartlett?
Yes, you can apply for as many programmes as you wish, if you are likely to meet the entry requirements. If you have applied for more than one programme and you receive more than one offer, you will only be able to accept one.
- Which subjects do I need to have studied?
The majority of our undergraduate programmes do not require specific subjects. Engineering & Architectural Design MEng (ARB/RIBA Part 1 CIBSE JBM) will require Maths and Physics qualifications - find out more here. We will, however, require a comprehensive portfolio of creative work at interview stage.
- Can I visit in person to talk to staff about my application and/or tour the facilities?
No, unfortunately this will not be possible, as The Bartlett is not open to the public. You may be invited to attend an Open Day which provides opportunities to ask general questions of tutors, admissions staff and current students; however speculative visits are not possible.
Additionally, The Bartlett hosts a series of open lectures and exhibitions throughout term time. Many of these are all open to the public and may provide a chance to speak to current students. Please check The Bartlett’s website for further details and updates.
Alternatively, if you’d like to visit the main UCL campus (The Bartlett’s buildings are not included), you can book a guided tour given by current UCL students or take your own self-guided tour. Visit the UCL Campus Tours website for more details.
- Can I ask for feedback on an unsuccessful application?
No, we regret that we cannot offer feedback on unsuccessful applications.
- Tell me about funding and additional costs.
To find out the estimated costs for your chosen degree programme, visit the programme page via the UCL Prospectus. More information about costs specific to the school, and funding opportunities, is available on our ‘Funding your studies’ page.
- Can I transfer my studies to UCL?
For Architecture BSc (ARB/RIBA Part 1), Architecture MSci (ARB/RIBA Part 1 & 2) and Engineering and Architectural Design MEng, transferring is not possible. You will need to make a normal application via UCAS and start from Year 1.
In certain circumstances, students already enrolled upon an architecture or design degree, and having successfully completed their Year 1 studies to a sufficient standard as determined by UCL, may be eligible to apply for direct entry into Year 2 of our Architectural & Interdisciplinary Studies BSc programmes via UCAS.
- Can I study part-time?
All of our undergraduate programmes are full-time.
- Information for international students.
Visit the programme pages on the UCL Prospectus for information on entry requirements for international students, including English language requirements.
Portfolio FAQs
This section answers frequently asked questions about creating and sharing your portfolio during the application process.
- What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of work that best showcases your skills, personality and creative potential. It should illustrate your passions and obsessions, as well as your ability to research and develop your ideas using different materials, themes and techniques.
- What makes a good portfolio?
Whether you are preparing ten items to upload or a physical portfolio to present to us, we are interested in seeing your ability to think creatively, intellectually and three-dimensionally, and to draw and utilise range of different media.
Your work should also allow us to see your ability to start with an idea and develop it.
The video above this section will give you some tips and pointers on preparing your portfolio.
- What should I include?
You might want to include sketchbooks, drawings, collages, photography, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, physical models, 3D digital work, soundscapes, graphic design, product design, fashion design or even creative writing. We particularly like to see work completed outside of A-level, IB or GCSE courses. This could include work from summer schools, internships and even hobbies.
For digital portfolios it’s important to scan or photograph your work at a high resolution, so the qualities of the original pieces are not lost.
- How many pieces should my portfolio include?
Unlike other schools, we don’t prescribe how many items to include in your portfolio, nor the medium of the work.
Portfolios can contain as many pieces as wanted, but must be in PDF format, 10 pages maximum (cover page is not required but if included it is not counted as one of the 10 pages). Portfolios must not be larger than 5MB. We cannot accept embedded links to websites, videos, etc. within the portfolio.
- Can I present process work?
Yes. You do not need to limit it to finished pieces. Show us how you work through ideas and include the process, from your initial inspiration and sketches, failed attempts and where your ideas have most recently progressed to.
- Should my work be all about buildings?
No. Although you are welcome to include representations of buildings, that’s not all we want to see. If you do include a piece of work featuring a landmark building, you should try to approach it in a unique or innovative way.
You might find it helpful to think about how you experience a building, its history, context and imagined future, or how its materials work and interact.
- How do I share my portfolio?
Please do not send or upload a portfolio at the initial application stage. The school will contact you regarding your design work once we have received your UCAS application:
- If you are invited to interview, you will be asked to show your portfolio. A small panel will ask you to talk through the work you’ve included and will ask you questions about the subject matter, composition, or techniques demonstrated.
Contact
If you have any questions or concerns, please click here to contact us through the Admissions Team page.