International Students

International advisory sessions and course applicant days

These sessions are specially structured for students from outside the UK who have the ability to attend a session prior to the portfolio interview.

They will give you information about the courses, the admissions process, a portfolio guide and specific course information from various tutors. You will have the possibility of meeting students and attending teaching sessions.

Booking is important as places are limited to 20-30 students and you will only be able to attend with a booking.

For special group bookings please contact us in advance.

Advisory sessions are designed for international students studying A Levels or International Baccalaureate and who want to have more information prior to the UCAS process.

International Applicant Days tbc 2011/12 

Entry requirements

Extended Degree

* Students must be 18 or over at the start of the course. Any students under 18 at the start of the course will be requested to provide details of a designated Guardian in the UK to the Admissions Office.

* GCSE grade C in English Language or key skills qualification level 3 or equivalent

* Some courses may additionally require GCSE grade C in Mathematics or equivalent

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have 120 points at A level or equivalent. Your application is assessed on your skills and ability demonstrated in your portfolio along with your enthusiasm and commitment to the subject area. Applicants invited to interview must bring a portfolio of art, design or other work demonstrating their creative potential.

Architecture

* Students must be 18 or over at the start of the course. Any students under 18 at the start of the course will be requested to provide details of a designated Guardian in the UK to the Admissions Office.

 * GCSE grade C in English Language or key skills qualification level 3 or equivalent

 * GCSE grade C in Mathematics or equivalent

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements , applicants should have 300 points at A level or equivalent but we also consider mature students with relevant academic/ professional experience. We look for potential in spatial design, creative imagination and visual or constructive aptitude, together with motivation and ability to complete the course. We normally ask candidates to attend an interview and present a portfolio of work.

Interior Architecture and Design

* Students must be 18 or over at the start of the course. Any students under 18 at the start of the course will be requested to provide details of a designated Guardian in the UK to the Admissions Office.

* GCSE grade C in English Language or key skills qualification level 3 or equivalent

* GCSE grade C in Mathematics or equivalent

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, applicants should have 300 points at A level or equivalent. We also consider mature students with relevant academic/ professional experience. We look for potential in spatial design, creative imagination and visual or constructive aptitude, together with motivation and ability to complete the course. We normally ask candidates to attend an interview and present a portfolio of work.

BA Architectural Studies

* Students must be 18 or over at the start of the course. Any students under 18 at the start of the course will be requested to provide details of a designated Guardian in the UK to the Admissions Office.

* GCSE grade C in English Language or key skills qualification level 3 or equivalent

* GCSE grade C in Mathematics or equivalent

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, applicants should have 300 points at A level or equivalent. We also consider mature students with relevant academic/ professional experience. We look for potential in spatial design, creative imagination and visual or constructive aptitude, together with motivation and ability to complete the course. We normally ask candidates to attend an interview and present a portfolio of work.

FAQ

How do I apply?

All full-time applications must be made via the UCAS website (visit: www.ucas.ac.uk). Part-time and International students have the possibility to apply directly. Please find the direct application form on our website or go to the main London Metropolitan website and search direct application form

What is the UCAS code for London Metropolitan University?

The UCAS code for the Institution is LMU U68.

K100 BA Architecture

K101 BA Architectural Studies

W250 BA Interior Architecture

KW12 Extended Degree Interior Architecture and Architecture

Can I make a 'deferred entry' application through UCAS?

It is possible to make a deferred entry application through UCAS by selecting the year of entry as the following academic year. However, we do not advise applicants to do this. If you wish to take a gap year, you should apply as normal and then defer your offer or apply in the year that you wish to study.

How many applications do you receive? How many places are there?

We receive around 1500 application for all UG courses. We have around 140 places for all UG courses each year

Can I start in January?

No, we only have September entries

What does Extended degree mean?

The extended degree route provides an intensive preparatory or 'Foundation' year prior to progression onto the BA Architecture (RIBA Part 1), BA Interior Architecture and Design, or BA Architectural Studies courses at London Metropolitan University. This initial year introduces a broad range of design skills and techniques and outlines ways of thinking about design and the ideas that inform Architecture and Interior Design. You will undertake diverse and challenging projects that develop your skills and knowledge through drawing, photography, film, model-making and installations. This helps you to establish your design focus and to learn relevant technical skills as well as an exciting and imaginative approach to design and culture today. We aim to enable you to develop your own potential and a portfolio of work to enable direct progression onto one of the degree routes.

This course is recognised by the DIUS. If eligible, funding for the preparatory year will follow the standard undergraduate funding regulations.

What is a portfolio?

The portfolio should be a demonstration of visual ability acting as a visual diary

It should show development of your work and ideas and a record of things you have done so far

The portfolio is used to evaluate your potential. We will assess your technical skills and how you structure ideas. It should reflect your personality

What do I put in a portfolio?

Entry to Extended Degree level 0 course – Portfolio

Potential

Sketchbooks

Visual diaries

Tech skills

Range of work

Selection of most successful pieces

It is hoped that all applicants will include in their portfolios a good selection of work that reveals their individual interests and skills. Essays, photographs, video, photos of 3D objects or self-generated projects can all be included. Offers of admission are based on evidence of motivation as well as intellectual and practical creative ability.

Click here to view Level 0 Portfolio ideas

Entry to First Year level 1 – Portfolio

Working with concepts and ideas

Range of materiality/process/techniques

Exploration of concepts

Students applying for First Year are not necessarily expected to submit an ‘architectural’ portfolio. We like to see evidence of current interests and activities in the form of freehand sketches, drawings, collages, photographs, films etc

Click here to view Level 1 Portfolio[1].pdf ideas

Entry to Second or Third Year level 2/3 - Portfolio

Clear ideas and development

Architectural approach

Conceptual thinking

Design abilities

Students with previous architectural or design experience may apply for entry into level 2&3. They will be expected to submit a portfolio of their work to date; but also unfinished work, drawings, sketches, photographs and independent interests. Evidence of full-time architectural study is essential. Students entering the Third Year must be registered for 120 credits and must attend a full time study to be eligible for RIBA/ARB part 1. It is worthwhile including examples of work carried out in an architectural practice as the interviewer may wish to look at them. Transcripts must be provided with portfolio or at Interview.

Do I need to come to London for an interview?

Students who live in the UK are invited to a portfolio interview. Once we have received your application and it has passed the initial assessment stage, we will contact you with a time and date for your portfolio interview. Students applying from overseas should send their portfolio to be reviewed once we request it. You can also be interviewed in London or in some cases we can set up interviews on skype.

Please include a selection of highlights of your work to impress us. Please show a range of different work and demonstrate the process behind it e.g. sketches or development drawings/models, rather than just including final images.

Portfolios sent by post will only be returned if requested, and a £50 postage fee is paid in advance, or the portfolio can picked up in person from the admissions office. Please by advised that this is not the preferred method.

There is no single way of preparing a portfolio. Many applicants will have artwork from school, but we would prefer to see more developed work. Own ideas and concepts developed which show individuality. Portfolios should include some recent work; models or sculptures can be photographed .It is important that any drawings should be from life, or drawn on site and not from images.

Below are some guidelines to follow when putting this together an electric portfolio;

• Your name, ID number from London Metropolitan University and UCAS number (where applicable) should be entered into the subject box.

• When submitting an electronic portfolio, make sure that the images of your
   work are combined in a single document and are not e-mailed as
   multiple files.

• Portfolio should be in the PowerPoint or in PDF format. Flickr, Picasa,Tumblr and BING are also an effective way of uploading work – send a link directly to your pages and please be aware that Facebook is not an accepted format.

• If you are submitting a PowerPoint File, it should be no larger than 10MB - which means that the resolution of your images may be quite low (from 72dpi to 150dpi at 150mm x 150mm).

• The text explaining your images, this must be clearly attached to your image.

• It is not necessary to e-mail hundreds of images of your work. A maximum of 25 images that clearly show your design is sufficient

All electronic portfolios should be sent to portfolios@londonmet.ac.uk       

IMPORTANT: Students need to quote their personal ID numbers so the Academic Leader can relate a decision with your specific number. If there is no ID number it will affect the rate at which your portfolio is viewed.

NOTE: International Students applying for Level 2 and 3 should send their transcripts from previous study along with their portfolio.

What subjects should I study at school?

It is essential that you have a creative subject in you’re A levels or in another qualification

How much are the fees for international students?

Fees for 2011/12 are

IFP                                                                               Home/EU £3,290      OS £5,400

Extended degree                                                            Home/EU £3,290      OS £9,600

BA Interior Architecture                                      Home/EU £3,290      OS £9,600

BA Architecture                                                 Home/EU £3,290      OS £9,600

Part-time Home / EU (2010/11 fees): £325 (per 15 credit module).

Part –time International  N/A

What are the English Requirements?

IFP - A pass in Academic IELTS with an overall band score of at least 4.5 and 4.0 in all components.

Extended degree Level 0- A pass in Academic IELTS with an overall band score of at least 5.5 and 5.0 in all components or TOEFL with 550 overall with 4 in TWE, or 72 in the Internet Based Test (15 in each component).

UG level 1 - A pass in Academic IELTS with an overall band score of at least 5.5 and 5.0 in all components or TOEFL with 550 overall with 4 in TWE, or 72 in the Internet Based Test (15 in each component).

UG level 2 - a pass in Academic IELTS with an overall band score of at least 6 and 5.5 in all components.

UG Level 3 - a pass in Academic IELTS with an overall band score of at least 6.5

www.ielts.org/default.aspx - IELTS Website

www.ets.org/toefl/ - TOEFL Website

IELTS= International English Language Testing System

TOEFL = The Test of English as a Foreign Language

If you have other qualifications in English (e.g. International Baccalaureate) you may not need to take an English test. Please contact admissions.

Do I need a reference?

Yes you need an academic reference. Either from a teacher or tutor

Can I transfer credits?

Yes you can transfer credits, but we will need to see evidence. So please send in a transcript with all achieved marks with the portfolio or bring it into the interview.

What are the requirements for second year entry?

Either you will need to show that you passed first year studies at another university, with all pass marks above 60. Or you will have studied and finished another course, in which case we would need see your achieved degree with the appropriate certificates.

When are the deadlines?

For UCAS applications the deadline to apply is 15th January although we will accept applications after this date, but they will be deemed ‘late’. However, please look on the UCAS website for deadlines as there may be changes.

When do the courses start?

All courses begin in the first week of October

Do I need a visa to study in the UK?

If you do not hold a UK/EU passport then you will need a student visa.

The immigration rules are complex and change frequently. For more information please visit our Immigration Advice page or http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/

Important Contacts

The British Council

The British Council Information Centre in the UK can be contacted at:

Tel. 44 (0)161 957 7755

Fax 44 (0)161 957 7188

Email general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org

Website: http://www.britishcouncil.org/

UCAS

Rosehill New Barn Lane

Cheltenham

Gloucestershire

GL52 3LZ

Tel. 44 (0)1242 227788

Website: http://www.ucas.com/

Accommodation

The Universities accommodation pages for International students can be found by clicking here