Undergraduate students in the School of Architecture can pursue the following degree programs:

• Bachelor of Architectural History
• Bachelor of Science in Architecture
• Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning 

Students interested in becoming a licensed architect are encouraged to read becoming an architect to learn more about education and internship requirements.

More information on our students and student work can be found in the Profiles and Projects sections. See also Frequently Asked Questions About Undergraduate Admissions.

Admissions Process

First-Year Admissions

The undergraduate admissions process is administered by the University of Virginia Office of Undergraduate Admission. For specific details, please visit their website.

Transferring to the School of Architecture 

Transfer applicants are classified into two groups, internal and external. 

Internal applicants are students who are currently enrolled in another department within the School of Architecture or students who are currently enrolled in another school or college within the University of Virginia-Charlottesville. 

External applicants are students who are currently enrolled in another university or college outside of the University of Virginia-Charlottesville. 

Internal Transfers

Current UVa students applying to the School of Architecture will need to submit the following application materials to the School of Architecture Office of Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid (Campbell Hall Room 225): 

1. Transfer Application
2. Letter of intent describing your reasons for wishing to transfer. 
3. Current Academic Advising Transcript sheet which can be printed from SIS online or a certified copy of your transcript, which can be obtained from the University Registrar’s Office.
4. One letter of recommendation from a School of Architecture faculty member, preferably a faculty member in the program into which the student is seeking to transfer.
5. A portfolio is required for applicants to the architecture program only.  The portfolio may be a maximum of five 8-1/2” x 11” pages.
6. It is highly recommended that at least one course be completed in the desired program before filing an application to transfer to that program.

Application Deadlines

Applications are due to the Office of Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid (Campbell Hall Room 225) by the date listed below:

• April 4, 2012: Application for Fall admission to Architectural History, and Urban & Environmental Planning due.
• April 9, 2012: Application for Fall admission to Architecture due.
• November 30, 2013: Application for Spring admission to Architectural History and Urban & Environmental Planning due.

Applicants applying for spring admission will be notified of our admission decision by mid-December.  Applicants applying for fall admission will be notified by mid-May.

School of Architecture Contacts

Students interested in transferring may contact the appropriate department contact for advice or questions.

Department Contacts [for non procedural questions only]

• Richard Wilson, Chair, Department of Architectural History 
• Betsy Roettger, Director of Undergraduate Architecture Studies
• Daphne Spain, Director of Undergraduate Urban and Environmental Planning Studies

School Contact [for procedural questions only]

Erica Spangler
Admissions Director
434.924.6442
arch-admissions@virginia.edu

Recommended Courses

To prepare for transfer, we recommend students take UVa courses that are in alignment with our curricula.  Our curricula can be found in the Undergraduate Record. Below is a listing of available courses by department.

Architectural History 

It is strongly recommended that students considering transferring into the Architectural History program enroll in the following courses:  

Fall Semester

• ARCH 1010 Lessons of the Lawn
• ARH 1010 History of Architecture: Ancient to Medieval 

Spring Semester

• ARCH 1020 Lessons in Making
• ARH 1020 History of Architecture: Renaissance to Modern 

In addition to these foundational courses, potential transfer students are encouraged to complete other undergraduate degree requirements for the first year, including: 

1. An architectural history elective 
2. Two semesters of consecutive foreign language 
3. Two English courses, including ENWR 1510 
4. A math course—MATH 1210 is recommended for those considering graduate architecture studies 
5. A social science elective 

Architecture 

It is strongly recommended that students considering transferring into the Department of Architecture program enroll in the following courses: 

• ARCH 1010 Lessons on the Lawn 
• ARH 1010 History of Architecture: Ancient to Medieval 
• ARCH 1020 Lessons in Making
• ARH 1020 History of Architecture: Renaissance to Modern

Note: ARCH 1010, 120210 and ARH 1010, 1020 are part of the required curriculum for a degree in architecture.  If not accepted into the Architecture program, these courses will count toward an architecture minor or other non–architecture degree elective requirements.

Given the competition for the few available positions, the Department expects that transfer students have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, in addition to notable work in the 4 courses designated above. Typically more space is available for transfer students at the end of the second year of study.

Urban and Environmental Planning 

It is strongly recommended that students considering transferring into the Planning program review the required courses for the Planning major at the minimum and enroll in PLAN 1030: Introduction to Community and Environmental Planning. Ideally prospective transfer students would have taken two or more courses in the program.

External Transfers

Application Process

The University of Virginia Office of Undergraduate Admission administers the undergraduate admissions process.  For specific information on the transfer admissions process please visit here.  

The number of applicants to be offered acceptances from each pool fluctuates each year depending on the academic strength of the applicant pool, available space within the school, and University guidelines on growth. Once accepted by the University Office of Admission, you will receive from the Architecture School an advising form completed by the departmental Director of Undergraduate Studies. This form will show the UVa equivalent of all the courses we have accepted for transfer based on the transcripts supplied with the application. 

Transfer Credit

Credit for courses fulfilling general requirements taken outside of this University is routinely given if they are determined to be equivalent to courses offered at U.Va. There are core or specific courses geared directly for our curriculum for which there are no equivalents and therefore these courses must be taken at U.Va. In some circumstances, courses from other schools of architecture may be determined to satisfy our curricular requirements. Department of Architecture degree students will not receive credit for drafting or computer drafting courses previously taken.  

You can view our curriculum in the University of Virginia Undergraduate Record.

Contact information for External Transfer Applicants

U.Va. Office of Undergraduate Admission 

Department Contacts [for non procedural questions only]

• Richard Wilson, Chair, Department of Architectural History 
• Betsy Roettger, Director of Undergraduate Architecture Studies
• Daphne Spain, Director of Undergraduate Urban and Environmental Planning Studies

Financial Aid, Tuition and Fees

All undergraduate students can participate in AccessUVa, U.Va.’s financial aid program.  For more information about financial aid and cost of attendance, please visit the Student Financial Services website.  Most scholarships available to School of Architecture students are awarded through AccessUVa.

Student Financial Services provides a Cost of Attendance estimate online, which includes an estimate of the cost for one-year at U.Va. including tuition, fees, room, board, personal expenses, and travel.  You can also view the tuition and fees schedule online. 

All students in the School of Architecture are required to provide their own personal laptop computer. See Computer Requreiments for Students.