undergraduate admissions
The School of Architecture is one of the smallest academic units at The University of Texas at Austin. Our undergraduate student body exemplifies the diverse constitution of the communities we strive to serve. In support of unique perspectives and experiences, all applications are reviewed with an understanding that excellence may manifest itself in many areas and may be expressed in different forms, such as compelling essays, strong academic preparation, extracurricular activities, excellent test scores, life experiences as well as other accomplishments.
More information about the application process and associated educational costs is available from the Office of Admissions.
Freshman Admission
Applications for freshman admission are available online at www.applytexas.org. The School of Architecture is unable to accommodate all qualified applicants and preference is given to candidates considered to have best demonstrated the interest, aptitude, and dedication to pursue a design education. All applications are evaluated with emphasis on the following areas: SAT or ACT scores, class rank, essays, academic preparation, extracurricular activities, and other achievements. Portfolios are not accepted from freshman applicants.
For more information on freshman admission, please read the Prospective Freshman FAQ.
External Transfer Admission
Applications for external transfer admission are available online at www.applytexas.org. Transfer applicants from architecture and interior design programs in other universities will be evaluated with emphasis given to excellence in design (portfolio required), academic preparation, essays, and other achievements. Course credit and placement in studio sequence is determined upon acceptance. External transfer admission is offered to a few qualified applicants each year.
For more information on external transfer admission, please read the External Transfer Student FAQ.
Internal Transfer Admission
To request a major change, enrolled University of Texas at Austin students applying for internal transfer must have a minimum of 24 in-resident UT Austin credit hours (completed by the end of a spring semester) and a minimum UT grade point average of 3.25. Emphasis is given to strong performance in university courses, especially courses relevant to the degree program to which the applicant is applying. Meeting these requirements is no guarantee for admission.
For more information on internal transfer admission, please read the Internal Transfer Student FAQ.
International Students
International undergraduate applicants should contact the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) for application information.
The Architecture and Interior Design Major Code
Please be sure to use the correct major code on applications. Students wishing to pursue an undergraduate architecture or interior design degree program must be formally admitted to the School of Architecture with one of the following major codes:
- Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, 908000
- Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, 908400
- Bachelor of Architecture, 909200
- Bachelor of Architecture/Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering, 909201
- Bachelor of Architecture/Bachelor of Arts in Plan II, 909300
Students who intend to pursue the dual degree in Architecture and Plan II Honors must apply to both programs. Please contact the Plan II Honors Program Office in the College of Liberal Arts for further information regarding the separate and early application to the Plan II Honors Program: 512-471-1442.
Credit by Examination
Although credit by examination is not offered for architecture courses, it is possible to receive credit by examination for other courses required for architecture and interior design degrees, such as english literature, calculus, physics, american history, government, and certain electives. Detailed information about the UT-Austin testing program is available from the Center for Teaching and Learning.
The SAT Math Level I or II exam is no longer used to establish appropriate mathematics placement. Students who have not earned credit for calculus through AP or dual credit will be required to take the ALEKS assessment exam. In addition, please note that M 305G - Pre-Calculus is no longer the prerequisite for M 408C - Differential and Integral Calculus or M 408K - Differential Calculus. More information on the ALEKS test is available at cns.utexas.edu/academics/placement/math-assessment.
Texas Success Initiative (formerly TASP)
The TSI examination is a state-mandated program designed to improve student success in college. Please contact the TSI office at the University for more information about exemption or waivers at 512-471-8277.
Alternatives
Applicants who miss the deadline or whose academic record makes them ineligible for admission to the School of Architecture have at least three alternatives for pursuing an architecture degree:
- Enroll at UT-Austin in another college or school, complete the courses open to non-majors that will count toward the architecture or interior design degrees, and later apply for internal transfer admission to the School of Architecture. All freshman and transfer applicants are encouraged to indicate a second degree program choice on their UT-Austin application for admission. Students not admitted into the School of Architecture will be considered by the Office of Admissions for the second choice of major (for example, School of Undergraduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts). Students admitted to their second major choice will then be eligible to apply for internal transfer admission to the School of Architecture during the spring for the following fall semester (see Internal Transfer Admission).
- Apply to another school of architecture or interior design. Accredited degrees in architecture are offered at more than 90 universities in the United States including six other schools in Texas: Rice University, the University of Houston, Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University, Prairie View A&M, The University of Texas at San Antonio and The University of Texas at Arlington. Accredited degrees in Interior Design programs in Texas are The University of Texas at Arlington, University of North Texas, Texas State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas Christian University, and Texas Tech University.
- Complete your current undergraduate degree program and apply to a first professional graduate architecture or interior design degree program. The University of Texas at Austin, for example, offers a first-professional Master of Architecture degree for students with degrees in unrelated disciplines—a program of approximately three and one-half years in duration.
