Admission Requirements for Architecture
ARCHITECT’S PROSPECT
An architect is someone who is trained to design buildings. This requires imagination, inventiveness, and aesthetic sensitivity informed by historical precedent. It also demands an understanding of social needs, economic factors, production and procurement systems, natural and environmental sciences, technology, and information handling techniques – an almost unlimited range of factors act upon the architect, requiring an appropriate broad repertoire of skills and techniques. But central to this activity is the design process itself, a blend of logical thinking, creativity judgment, acquired through practice and experience.
EVALUATION CRITERIA OF CANDIDATE STUDENTS
The careful selection of students is central to the educational mission of the Faculty of Architecture – Design and Built Environment and to the continued quality of program in architecture. Students are selected based on the highest grades scored for their good design and drawing skills; strong imagination and the ability to think and create in three dimensions; sound analytical skills, accuracy, and attention to detail; and a keen interest in buildings and the built environment.
REQUIRED ADMISSION EXAMS
A. English Exam
Undergraduate applicants should show a level of proficiency in the English language by obtaining a minimum score on one of the approved English language exams.
B. Multiple Choice Questions (Grade Proportion 40%)
The aim of the multiple choice questions is to assess students for their:
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General, Art and Architectural knowledge (i.e. historic civilizations, socio-cultural concerns, art, environmental issues, Building types and Architectural styles, Methods and materials of Construction, architecture and art movements, etc.).
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Ability of Spatial Reasoning and Projection skills.
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Ability of inductive reasoning through observation, perception, and critical thinking.
The written and drafting exam is dived in 3 different parts graded as shown below:
Part (I) General Knowledge: 10
Multiple Choice Questions: 40
- Part (II) Spatial Reasoning: 15
- Part (III) Inductive Reasoning: 15
Accordingly, the list of tools required for the Multiple Choice Questions exam is as follows:
- Pen
- Pencils (HB/F/B)
- Eraser
- Pencil Sharpener
C. Portfolio (Grade Proportion 40%)
The aim of the multiple choice questions is to assess students for their:
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Freehand drawing skills to draw sketches of natural or man-made object / element using pencil.
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Creativity skills and ability to translate innovative ideas into drawings.
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Interests related to the field.
Applicants should submit electronically a portfolio in pdf format of approximately 10 pages which includes the following:
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Written Expression of interest.
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Drawings previously set by the Faculty : 2 pages.
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Examples of Visual Creative Work: 3 pages.
Note: The portfolio should be submitted as one document in pdf format of approximately 10 pages which and sent prior to the interview.
D. Oral Exam (Grade Proportion 20%)
The aim of the oral exam or interview is to testify student’s communication skills, and the ability to liaise and negotiate effectively with a range of professionals. Students are expected to answer questions in general knowledge and related topics to architectural or art studies.
Portfolio Guidelines
The Portfolio for both Architecture and Design Programs should include the following:
1- Written Expression of Interest:
Applicants are required to submit an essay of 200 words which describes interest, knowledge and reasons for applying to Architecture or Design Program (Interior Design, Graphic Design, or Fashion Design).
2- Drawing:
Color still life study demonstrating your use of color and composition: We suggest grouping everyday objects (such as books, fruit, small appliances, pottery, etc.), made of different materials (for example, plastic, wood, stone, glass, drapery, etc.) and arrange them together into an interesting composition.
Submitted Materials
- Three photos of your Composition taken from three different points of view. i.e., front, side and above
- Sketch of your composition using a 2B pencil
- Sketch of your composition using color such as color pencils or chalk pastel
Both drawings should be on white paper.
It is essential that these drawings be created from looking at actual objects, not from your imagination and preferably not from a photograph. They must be hand drawn, not computer generated. Submissions are reviewed specifically to assess your ability to draw employing realistic and accurate depth, perspective and proportions. We also assess your representation of texture and shade and shadow.
3- Examples of Visual Creative Work:
Examples of works that reflect skills and abilities such as photography, painting, drawing, and graphic design, among others.
Admission Requirements for Fashion Design-Interior Design-Graphic Design
PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS
All applicants are required to attend an Interview / Oral Exam and submit a portfolio along with the required university application materials to the admission office/ Interview Committee.
The portfolio must consist of three parts including:
PART 1: WRITTEN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:
You are required to submit an essay of 200 words, which describes your interest, knowledge and reasons for applying to a graduate program (Fashion, Interior, Landscape, Graphic Design).
We strongly recommend you research and refer to current issues in the design profession and include any particular projects, periods or styles, .etc. Influences, designers or artists whom you feel have influenced either your artistic endeavors or your decision to pursue a career in the design discipline.
PART 2: DRAWING
Color still life study demonstrating your use of color and composition
We suggest grouping everyday objects (such as books, fruit, small appliances, pottery …etc.), made of different materials (for example, plastic, wood, stone, glass, drapery, etc.) and arrange them together into an interesting composition.
Submitted Materials:
- Three photos of your Composition taken from three different points of view. i.e., front, side and above
- Sketch of your composition using a 2B pencil
- Sketch of your composition using color such as color pencils or chalk pastel
Both drawings should be on white paper measuring A3 size (29.7 cm x 42.0 cm).
It is essential that these drawings be created from looking at actual objects, not from your imagination and preferably not from a photograph. They must be hand drawn, not computer generated. Submissions are reviewed specifically to assess your ability to draw employing realistic and accurate depth, perspective and proportions. We also assess your representation of texture and shade and shadow.
PART 3: EXAMPLES OF YOUR VISUAL CREATIVE WORK
The Third part is a work of your choice that represents your current skills (Formatted in an A3 size). You might include a photograph of a three-dimensional object you have designed or created drawings, Fashion illustration, painting, a story, an article, poetry, projects of any kind, or a combination of all of these. Which reflects an awareness of formal visual organizational principles and experience with a variety of tools, media, styles and approaches.
ABOUT YOUR PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION
Candidates suspected of including work done by others will be barred from admittance into BAU programs.
All submitted materials should clearly bear the applicant's name and the name of the program to which he or she is applying.
All materials submitted for Admission become the property of BAU.
EXAMPLES OF VISUAL CREATIVE WORK
Be sure to organize your work into a cohesive presentation, labelling each item. This may be
achieved by mounting all work on either landscape or portrait format stiff cardboard (black, white or grey) and by organizing it by category (3d models, ink drawings, pencil drawings, etc.) You should also label your work and include a very brief description if you think appropriate.
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