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What to Study before Architecture

High school students who are planning to study architecture at university are advised to develop a well-rounded academic foundation by taking courses in three areas: art/music, mathematics/science, and history/literature. Grade 12 math is a prerequisite for subsequent university courses in mathematics or science. Travel to other countries also broadens one's outlook.

For university students, many different subjects provide an effective stepping stone to architecture, so the School simply recommends that you work toward a degree in a discipline in which you are liable to do well. Although only two years of university are required for admission, most HÂþ»­ architecture students enter with an undergraduate degree. To prepare for studio work, all applicants are advised to take a course in freehand drawing and a course in a material-based subject (e.g., wood, metal, or ceramics).

BEDS Admission Requirements

The School seeks applicants with a good academic record and creative ability. The minimum requirements for admission are:

• a digital portfolio of design work (a single PDF, max. 20 MB) that demonstrates creativity and/or artistic skill; it may include freehand drawings, paintings, furniture, sculpture, craft objects, creative photography, construction projects, etc.
  
  
• two years in a university degree program (twenty courses), with a minimum 2.5 grade point average (B- average), including the following courses:
  
  
• two courses, at 1000-level or higher, in a mathematics or science subject: biology, chemistry, computer science (but not software instruction), engineering, geology, mathematics, physics, or statistics (but not economics, environment, geography, astronomy, management, planning, or psychology; and not history of mathematics)
  
  
• two courses, at 1000-level or higher, in a humanities or social science subject: e.g., anthropology, art history, classics, literature, history, music history, philosophy, political science, psychology, or sociology (but not geography, planning, language instruction, or music instruction)
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• one course that emphasizes English writing skills (often designated by a university as "writing requirement" or "writing intensive")
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• for students whose first language is not English: an English-language test score: IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 92 iBT, or A– in HÂþ»­'s EAP Level 2. Duolingo, a language school certificate, or a letter from a teacher is not acceptable.

College Students

One year of university equivalence may be granted to an applicant who has attended a post-secondary institution that is not considered a university. Two or more years at a college or an institute of technology plus one year at a university normally is acceptable. Courses in a degree program at a college are recognized as college courses, not university courses.

Architectural Technology Students

Students who have studied architectural technology for two or more years at an institution that is not considered a university (even if it awards degrees) must also complete one full year of non-architectural courses at a university. Please refer to .

Architecture-only Students

Professional architectural accreditation in Canada requires four years of architectural subjects, plus two years of non-architectural subjects (general studies) to broaden one's education. Students who went straight from high school into a university architecture program, without studying other university subjects, must complete at least one full year of non-architecture courses at a university to be eligible for BEDS admission. Some courses in a student's previous architecture program may count toward this two-year general studies requirement or may be accepted for transfer credit in the BEDS program. The Architecture office cannot provide a detailed assessment of previous architectural courses and how they compare to the BEDS program. This can be done only by the BEDS Admission Committee after a complete application has been submitted.

Mature Students

Applications will be considered from mature students who will be at least 25 years old at the time of registration in the BEDS program and do not meet all of the academic admission requirements (two years of university, 2.5 GPA, math or science course, humanities or social science course, course emphasizing written composition). Eligibility would depend on alternate qualifications, not just age. All mature students must have completed at least one full year (ten courses) at a university; two years at a college is not sufficient.