The Design Tripos combines architecture, engineering and materials science in one degree, giving you the opportunity to design solutions to environmental and societal challenges. You will learn how small and large-scale designs such as physical objects, apps, artificial intelligence, electronics or architecture and planning systems can influence people, cultures, economies and the natural world.

The course is structured around a series of core studio projects which will require you to create solutions to real-world problems: from planning stage through to pitching a final product and evaluating user impact. For most projects, you will be working with stakeholders such as clients, end-users and suppliers. Outside of the studio, you will learn about related subjects including design history, philosophy, mathematics, engineering and natural sciences, which will then be applied to your design projects.

Based in the Department of Architecture, you will have access to a variety of facilities such as workshops, studios, reprographics, flexible co-working spaces and a new digital fabrication lab.

Subject Requirements

Essential: A Level / IB Higher Level Mathematics   
Desirable: A Level / IB Higher Level Physics; A Level / IB Higher Level in any essay-based subject    
Most of our Design applicants will have taken A Level / IB Higher Level (or equivalent) Art and will include their work as the basis of their portfolio they will submit prior to interview.     

Required Work to be Submitted

As part of the application, you are required to submit a portfolio of your own artwork prior to the interview stage but this isn’t expected to be work of an architectural nature (eg plans, sections etc).    
Admissions Tutors want to see something that illustrates your interests, experience and ability in the visual and material arts. This may include drawings, paintings, sculpture and/or photography may also be included.

Admissions Assessments

All applicants for Architecture are required to take a written and a practical assessment if interviewed. The assessment will consist of writing skills (30 minutes) and graphic and spatial ability (30 minutes). For further information on the assessment format, please view the entry requirements tab on: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/design

Director of Studies: 

Professor Ying Jin

Teaching Fellows in Design: