prospective transfer students FAQ
How do I apply as a transfer student?
To be considered for admission into the School of Architecture, applicants must submit transfer credit from an Architecture or Interior Design program. The UT Austin Office of Admissions administers transfer student admission to the School of Architecture.
What courses should I take before I transfer to The School of Architecture at UT Austin?
Coursework that is equivalent to the following UT Austin courses:
M 408C (or M 408K and M 408L)
PHY 302K, 102M
PHY 302L and 102N
E 316K
RHE 306
HIS 315K and HIS 315L (or 2 other History courses that fulfill the legislative requirement)
GOV 310L and GOV 312L
You could potentially use the remainder of your transfer credit as electives in the degree program. Refer to the degree plan that you are interested in for the various elective requirements. The transferability of architecture or design courses will be determined after you are admitted to the program.
How do you determine the equivalency of my transfer coursework?
If you attended a Texas school, a great tool to use is the Automated Transfer Equivalency (ATE) system. In addition to the online system, or if you attended a school outside of Texas, you may contact university transfer counselors in the Office of Admissions. Once you have applied to UT Austin, the transfer counselors may help you with questions about the transferability of courses, but please note that until you are admitted you will only be given general guidelines about how courses taken outside UT Austin will transfer. The transferability of architecture coursework taken at another college is determined after a student is admitted to the program.
How competitive is it to get in to the School of Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin?
Admission is very competitive. We receive around 150 transfer applications per year and can only accept a few. If not admitted directly into the program but admitted to UT Austin, students may be eligible to apply as a change of major into the School of Architecture. Please visit soa.utexas.edu/admissions/change for information regarding changing majors into the School of Architecture.
How long will it take for me to earn my degree?
It depends on when you were admitted to the School of Architecture, the chosen degree plan, and the number of architecture/architectural interior design courses that transfer into the program. Typically, admitted transfer students are admitted as first or second year design students.
What is required in a portfolio?
The portfolio may include design studio work that represents your best work, including drawings and photographs of models. Work may have been completed as part of formal coursework or independently. It is recommended that applicants identify the media and date of the work being shown. If the work was part of a course previously taken, please also indicate the instructor's name and affiliation. Work must be reproduced to fit in a bound portfolio measuring no larger than 8 1/2" by 11" and the applicant's name and degree program must be clearly marked on the cover of the portfolio. Applicants must supply a self-addressed, stamped envelope of sufficient size if the return of the portfolio is desired.
To be considered for admission into the School of Architecture, applicants must submit transfer credit from an Architecture or Interior Design program. The UT Austin Office of Admissions administers transfer student admission to the School of Architecture.
If I have an Associate's Degree, do I apply as a transfer student or a freshman?
Since you already have college credit, you should apply as a transfer student.
I already have an undergraduate degree, but would like to pursue a degree in Architecture. How do I apply?
Students who already hold an undergraduate degree, or who are very close to attaining an undergraduate degree, are referred to our graduate program. The first-professional Master of Architecture program is designed for those who have a degree in something other than architecture. Please visit www.utexas.edu/student/admissions/grad/ for more information.
I already have an undergraduate degree, but would like to pursue a degree in Interior Design. How do I apply?
Students that already hold an undergraduate degree are typically referred to our graduate program, which is designed for those who have a degree in something other than architecture or interior design; however, the graduate program in Interior Design is currently in the planning stages.
I was accepted into a different College/School at UT Austin. Should I come to UT or attend a community college and apply as a transfer student into the The School of Architecture next year?
We admit more change of major students than transfer students, so it would probably be best for you to consider coming to UT Austin in the fall if you're admitted. Then during your first spring semester, you may apply for a major change into our school (you must complete 24 hours at UT Austin to be considered) for the following fall semester. You must also attend one of the change of major information sessions offered in the fall. More information on this process is available here.