Knowing ahead of time what architecture interview questions await you will help you prepare memorable answers. Are you looking forward to becoming an architecture student at a top uni? Let’s hear a resounding “Yes!”
What if you’re unsure whether you’re a good fit for architecture or not? Then we highly encourage you to check out our Architecture summer course. It’s THE best taster you can have for university-level Architecture. You’ll have a solid answer on whether architecture is something you’d want to pursue after completing this 2-week programme.
Here’s an interesting fact to motivate you further to study architecture at the university. Do you know that Architects receive good pay? The average base salary for Architects in 2023 is £41,873 per year. Architectures in London earn up to £46,364.
But here’s the catch, architecture applications at a prestigious university are extremely competitive. You’re pretty much out of the game without sufficient practice. That’s why we’ve gathered 40 common questions architecture applicants often face. Increase your chances of success by practising with these.
Common Architecture Interview Questions
You can easily group application questions into two broad categories: General questions and Specific Architecture-related questions.
General questions focus on who you are as an individual. The interviewer wants to tackle your motivations and aspirations. Here are some of the common questions you need to watch out for.
If you want to apply to Cambridge or Oxford, check out our Cambridge University Interview Questions and Oxford University Interview Questions.
General Interview Questions For Architecture Students
- Why are you interested in this university?
- How would you describe yourself?
- How do you define success?
- How will you cope with the heavy workload?
- Do you believe you’re smart?
- Who influenced you most in life?
- Tell me what you know about the course structure.
- What’s your favourite extracurricular activity?
- What is the one superpower you wish you had?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses, and how do you overcome them?
- What did you read today?
- If you were me, would you let yourself in?
- If you could travel in a time machine, where would you be?
- What life achievement are you most proud of?
- What is your favourite colour? Why?
- What can you contribute to the college experience?
- What are your long-term plans?
- If you were me, what would you ask yourself?
- How important do you think architecture is for mankind?
- What has been the greatest challenge you had in life? How did you deal with it?
The second category of common interview questions is specific architecture-related questions. These questions aim to test your knowledge and passion for the subject matter. Check out some questions that may pop up in your interview.
Specific Architecture-related Questions
- What is architecture?
- Why do you want to take architecture?
- Do you think you’ll make a good architect?
- Should architects continue to build?
- Is there a difference between building and architecture?
- Who is your favourite architect?
- What do you want to do after you graduate?
- How would you describe this drawing to a friend over the phone?
- What is the greatest challenge architects face today?
- How can you create sustainable architecture?
- Can you reduce crime using architecture?
- What do you expect out of studying architecture?
- Is there something more to architecture than designing buildings?
- Why is light important in architecture?
- What building inspires you?
- What makes a building beautiful?
- Why are architects and museums important in human civilisation?
- What trends are essential for architecture?
- What’s your favourite book about architecture?
- Define modern architecture.
Tips On How To Answer Architecture Interview Questions For University
You’ve had a glimpse of possible questions. But how do you prepare for a university architecture interview? This section will cover practical tips on preparing to answer architecture interview questions in a breeze.
Read, Read, And Read!
There are two reasons why reading is a must: knowledge and expression.
Reading literature on architecture expands your knowledge. The more you know about architecture, the richer resource you have to draw answers from.
These subject matters are integral to architecture:
- Art
- History
- Philosophy
- Design
- and Engineering
You’ll have greater chances of success in your interview if you do your best to read up on these topics.
Reading not only adds to your arsenal of architectural knowledge but also improves how you express yourself. The more words and sentences you read, the wider your vocabulary. Making it easier to find the right words to say at the right moment. So read, read, and read!
Rehearse Answering Questions
You have a wealth of sample architecture interview questions to practice with. Make good use of them by rehearsing in front of the mirror. How would you answer the question? Don’t be afraid to record your answers to check if your answers are coherent.
One thing you should note with uni interviews is it’s less about getting the right answer and more about nailing how you express yourself. The interviewer wants to know how you
- think
- present your ideas
- and navigate challenging situations.
Give Your Honest Opinion
It’s tempting to memorise and voice out quick answers from textbooks. Doing so defeats the purpose of the interview. Remember, the interviewer wants to know how your mind works. Not the mind of the author!
There’s a high chance that the person interviewing you is more familiar with the textbook than you, anyway. So don’t be afraid to express your unique answer and let your personality shine through!
Be Genuine
The interview is not meant to roast you alive until you die of embarrassment. Rather, it’s meant to get a glimpse into how your mind works. Even if you may have a less correct answer, you’ll still make a good impression if you justify it coherently.
That’s why you need to be genuine. When you honestly say, “I don’t know what the correct answer might be, but here’s what I think,” you’re revealing self-awareness. You know you don’t know everything, so why pretend otherwise?
Aren’t you enrolling in the uni to learn?
Know Yourself
Did you notice that the first type of question set is centred on you? Self-knowledge is a vital trait for any student to have. If you know your strengths and limitations, you’re better able to gauge situations and make better decisions.
If you don’t know your strengths, how do you know you’ll make a good architect? Without knowing your limitations, how can you cope with the heavy workload? Spend time getting to know yourself better, and you’ll be more confident.
Practice Drawing/Designing Just By Reading Descriptions
Drawing or designing structures based on verbal or written descriptions is commonplace. Translating abstract ideas into concrete visuals is a basic skill architects need to master. It’s what architects do every time they meet clients!
As an aspiring architect student, you need to demonstrate that you possess this essential skill. Start practising now while you still have time. Do these things as often as possible until you feel they’re second nature to you:
- Check out designs
- Read descriptions
- and draw visuals
You’ll need to practice because these are necessary skills in your future career as an architect.
One of the many traits of landing a good career in Architecture is having an amazing portfolio – it’s best to practice as soon as possible!
Review Your Personal Statement
The interview is the perfect time to talk about your personal statement. They may probe you and ask you questions about specific details to check your personal statement’s authenticity.
Take note of the
- book titles
- quotes
- and names you wrote.
You may forget the details if you don’t review them due to the time gap between submitting your personal statement and getting into the interview. So it’s best to go over your personal statement beforehand to prepare yourself better.
Check Out The University’s Course Description
You need to visit the university’s website and absorb as much information as possible. Especially the course description! The interviewer will want to know if you’re aware of what you’re getting yourself into.
You will never be able to justify why you’re sitting on the interviewee’s chair in the first place if you have zero knowledge of the university’s course description. Each uni has unique aspects of its course descriptions.
Take note of these differences because they make the school stand out. And if you’re looking for the best universities for architecture in the UK, then our guide delivers everything you need to know.
Relax, Enjoy, And Smile!
When all’s said and done, and you’re finally sitting across from your interviewer, don’t forget to smile! Don’t forget that this is a conversation between two civilised human beings who love education. It’s not an interrogation, and you didn’t commit a crime.
You’re simply expressing your passion for architecture and why you think you deserve the school’s training and career support. Not everyone has had the opportunity to sit where you are sitting. So be grateful and treasure the time you have.
How Do You Answer – “Why Do You Want To Be An Architect?”
The best way to answer is complete honesty and sincerity. Don’t try to impress anyone. Simply express your enthusiasm for architecture. But how can you find the right words? Here are some internal questions you can ask yourself to tease out a well-formed answer:
- What experience piqued your interest in the subject?
- Who is your role model?
- Is there a specific building or structure that inspires you?
- What skills or strengths do you have that you believe will help you succeed in this field?
- Is there an architecture firm you aspire to join?
- How do you think Architecture can create a positive impact on the world?
Answering any of these questions can help you understand why you want to be an architect.
What Questions Should You Ask At The End Of An Architecture University Interview?
Ask these questions at the end of the interview to help you determine whether the institution you’re applying for can give you the opportunities and resources you need to achieve your career goals:
- How does the architecture program at this university prepare students for professional practice?
- What facilities are available for architecture students?
- Are there career services accessible to help architecture students find the right jobs and business opportunities?
- Does the program offer internships and study abroad?
- What scholarship options are there?
You may ask these questions to give you a better picture of the opportunities that lie ahead. Want more questions? Check this article called “13 Great Questions To Ask At A University Interview.”
Practice These Architecture Questions So You Ace Your Interview
You now have a decent idea of architecture interview questions for university.
What’s more, you also know how to prepare to answer the questions to the best of your ability. Act on the information you just read and you will surely increase your chances of success.
Do you need more assistance in preparation for a university interview? Check out how to prepare for a university interview.
