Architecture BArch

IB score: 34 points overall or 666 in 3 HL certificates IELTS:

6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

English language requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.

For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country.

A level

AAA/A*AB

GCSE

Grade 5 (B) in GCSE English, and Maths and one of GCSE Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Double Science, Single Science. Grade 4 (C) in GCSE subjects may be considered where your portfolio is exceptional.

General studies, critical studies, citizenship studies, global perspectives and research, thinking skills.

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.

Portfolio

After you have applied, we will contact you with information on how to submit a portfolio of your artwork.

Your portfolio should contain 16 images of your work from the following four categories:

• Hand and free drawing, sketching skills or painting, not on a computer (4 images)
• Photography (4 images)
• A 3-dimensional piece such as sculpture, furniture, ceramic, fashion or a model (4 images)
  
• Something creative of your choice using other media or these may expand on one of the above categories, 1-3 (4 images)
  

Your portfolio should show your individual creativity and how you look at, see and visually record the world around you. For sketching, hand and free drawing you are encouraged to draw, sketch or paint something that you are familiar with, for instance where you live, places and subject matter that you know. This is often more informative as to your interests than a drawing or a photograph of a famous building.

Your portfolio must not include virtual 3D computer aided designs. These do not give us an understanding of your design skills or how you communicate through hand and free drawing.

Please refer to our portfolio guidance to hear advice from a member of staff and a student about putting your portfolio together and to see examples of student portfolios.

You will receive an email from us confirming the portfolio requirements in more detail, the format and the submission date. You will also get a notification via your MyNottingham portal.

If you do not eceived an email from us within five working days of the notification via your MyNottingham portal, please contact us.

Once we have received your portfolio we will let you know the status of your application via UCAS Hub as soon as possible. Due to the high volumes of applications we receive we are unable to provide a definite timescale on when decisions will be made. We aim to make decisions as soon as we can and will ensure that you receive an update before the relevant UCAS deadline.

Alternative qualifications

Applications are assessed on an individual basis. Where an offer is made, our standard requirements are:

• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma D*DD
• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma D*D plus 1 A Level grade A
• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus 2 A Levels grades AA
• Access to HE Diploma 36 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 9 Level 3 credits at Merit

This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

If you have already achieved your EPQ at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ. If you qualify for a contextual offer, your EPQ will be taken into consideration and the appropriate adjustment will be made to your offer. Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer, your EPQ will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Mature students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details. For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.
If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.