How to apply to study architecture

Supporting materials

When applying, you need to submit the following documents using our online application form. You don't need to send any hard copies to the school.

• Design portfolio, including a custom assignment
• 200 to 300-word personal statement. This should outline any relevant experience or expertise relating to the course and demonstrate your enthusiasm for this particular subject and the University of Sheffield
• A CV
• Two references, with at least one academic (excluding MA Urban Design, MA Architectural Design and MSc Sustainable Architectural Studies)
• Transcript of previous university qualifications, with certified translation into English where appropriate

There is 50MB file size limit for all supporting documents.

Course-specific information

Depending on which course you are applying for, you should think about showing your skills in the subject area.

Architectural Design MA

• Short introductory paragraph telling us what inspires you, what challenges you aim to face through the work included in the portfolio and what is your cultural position
• An understanding of your skills, but also the way you critically look at the complexity of factors determining your individual creative process
• A variety of techniques such as sketches, diagrams, hand drawings, 3D models, photographs and graphic-design work
• Excerpts of your written work for example academic dissertation, design or research reports

Urban Design MA

• Graphic skills and use or different methods such as hand drawing, technical drawing, diagrams, photomontages, photography and scale models rather than just digital 3D visualisation
• Self-driven explorations such as non-standard design experiences in workshops or summer schools, particular design themes, interesting design methods and forms of visualisation
• Work at a variety of scales including building, public space, neighbourhood and landscape
• The use of diagrams to explore the process of design, rather than focusing exclusively on design outputs
• Some consideration of the 'human scale' in design and planning proposals, for example through analysis of the future users of an area or the inclusion

Sustainable Architecture Studies MSc

• An interest in contextual design issues, whether at the urban or building scale
• An analytical drawing of site or building vicinity and contextual issues, either existing or proposed
• A project at a small scale (a room, a dwelling) and one at larger scale (larger non-domestic building, urban scale, infrastructure etc)
• One portfolio sheet showing precedents of buildings that you studied and that have inspired you in your design approach

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Next steps

Your application is reviewed by a panel of academic selectors within the School of Architecture and Landscape.

As we receive a large volume of applications (we receive the most between November and March) we will review and make decisions in stages at the following times:

Stage one

For complete applications we receive by 30 November 2024, we aim to return decisions by 7 January 2025.

Stage two

For complete applications we receive by 31 January 2025, we aim to return decisions by 27 February 2025.

Stage three

For complete applications we receive by 31 March 2025, we aim to return decisions by 29 April 2025.

All complete applications received from 31 March 2025 will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

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MArch programmes

Everything you need to know about applying for one of our MArch programmes in the School of Architecture and Landscape.