How to Study Architecture Effectively (Advice From a Former Architecture Lecturer)
/Insights from a Female Architect and Former University Lecturer
Studying architecture can feel overwhelming. Long studio hours, constant deadlines, pressure to be creative, and the quiet fear that everyone else understands something you don’t yet. It’s a lot to carry.
As someone who has spent over 15 years immersed in architecture, both as a practising architect and a former university lecturer, I’ve guided thousands of students through their interior and architectural education. I genuinely believe becoming an architect is one of the most rewarding journeys you can undertake, but it also demands time, hard work, resilience, and a more effective way of studying.
This guide explains how to study architecture effectively, not by working longer hours, but by learning how to prioritise, think, and practise strategically. You’ll learn how to navigate studio culture, manage workload, build a strong portfolio, and develop resilience, without burning out or constantly feeling behind.
If you’re applying to architecture school, your portfolio plays a crucial role. I’ve written a full Portfolio Preparation Guide to help you understand what universities look for and how to prepare confidently.
What Studying Architecture Effectively Really Means
Studying architecture effectively isn’t just about completing assignments or producing beautiful drawings. It’s about learning how to think spatially, solve problems, and communicate ideas clearly.
Every project is an opportunity to explore how people experience space, how buildings function, and how design decisions affect the world around us. That’s what makes architecture such a compelling subject, but it’s also what makes it demanding.
The path to becoming an architect requires commitment, curiosity, and stamina. Studying effectively means understanding how the course works, not just what you’re asked to produce.
Why Studying Architecture Feels Different to Other Degrees
Architecture is often described as a blend of art and science, and that duality is present from the very beginning.
You’re expected to sketch ideas, build models, and develop creative concepts, while also engaging with technical topics like structure, materials, environmental performance, and regulations. On top of that, you’re learning a completely new visual and professional language.
This combination of creativity, analysis, and technical skill is what makes architecture unique and why it can feel so different from other university degrees.
Do You Need Maths to Study Architecture?
This is one of the most common questions I’m asked: do I need to be good at maths to study architecture?
The short answer is that a basic understanding of maths is helpful, but you don’t need to be a mathematician. In practice, much of the calculation work is supported by tools, software, and now AI.
If you’re comfortable calculating areas, proportions, and basic measurements, you’ll be absolutely fine. Architecture is far more about problem-solving, spatial thinking, and communication than complex maths.
Studio Culture, How Architecture Is Really Studied
The design studio is the heart of an architectural education. It quickly becomes your second home.
Unlike many university courses, architecture students spend a significant amount of time in the studio, working through projects, discussing ideas, receiving feedback, and learning alongside their peers.
While studying my postgraduate degree in Japan, the studio was the culture. It was where everyone gathered, worked, shared meals, and supported one another. Late nights and all-nighters were common, not because we were inefficient, but because learning happened collectively.
Studio culture teaches collaboration, resilience, and problem-solving skills that are just as important as technical ability when studying architecture effectively.
Your Portfolio, The Most Important Part of Studying Architecture
Your portfolio is one of the most important parts of studying architecture. It’s how your thinking, creativity, and development are assessed.
A strong portfolio doesn’t just show finished projects. It shows process, curiosity, experimentation, and growth. Including work from different media, such as photography, sculpture, writing, or research, can strengthen your application and help your work stand out.
What universities and employers are really looking for is your perspective, your ideas, and how you approach design problems.
If you’re unsure how to structure your work or what to include, I offer portfolio reviews and portfolio preparation support for architecture students at different stages.
Resilience, The Skill That Matters as Much as Design
Architecture is not for the faint-hearted. (Read that again)
The workload is intense, deadlines are tight, and critique is part of the learning process. But these challenges are also what prepare students for professional practice.
Over the years, I’ve seen students grow not only in their design skills but in resilience and adaptability. These qualities often matter just as much as talent when it comes to long-term success in architecture.
“Sonia’s optimism and enthusiasm inspire others to reach their full potential. She has helped and guided me on a wide range of Interior Design and Architecture projects, and enriched my work through her innovative design thinking and creativity.” - Katie, Design Director @ktmdesignltd
“Sonia is a great teacher who has given me the opportunity to develop not just as a Designer but as a person…She is truly inspirational.” - Trisha, Former BA Student
The Reality of the Architecture Study Path
The path to becoming an architect varies internationally, but it is typically long and structured.
Most students complete a 3-4 year undergraduate degree, followed by a year in practice, before returning to university for a 1-2 year postgraduate degree. After this, further professional experience and exams are required before registration. Only once you complete this process can you legally call yourself an architect.
Still interested? Good. That commitment matters.
Why Studying Smarter Beats Chasing Perfect Grades
Many students believe that achieving the highest possible grade is the ultimate goal. I disagree.
Having graduated with a 2:1 myself, I believe it represents strong academic achievement without sacrificing wider learning.
Architecture education is about more than grades. It’s about developing judgement, confidence, collaboration, and professional awareness. Students who engage deeply with studio culture, peers, and real-world experiences often leave better prepared for practice, regardless of whether they achieved a First or a 2:1.
Student A is good in their studies, tests well and presents well-designed and thought-out projects. They’ve spent their entire time at the library, in every lecture with endless notes and done nothing but study.
Student B attended lectures, asked questions, questioned answers, researched opinions, studied precedents (precedent studies), discussed these with their peers (seminars and tutorials), visited sites, networked, collaborated, made memories, made mistakes, socialised and pulled all-nighters with mates.
Spot the difference?!
How to Learn Architecture Beyond the Classroom
Some of the most valuable learning in architecture happens outside the classroom. Visiting buildings, travelling, engaging with professional communities, attending talks, and gaining work experience all help develop your understanding of architecture in a real-world context.
During my own studies, and later while teaching in India, I saw how exposure to practice, practitioners, and different cultures transformed students’ confidence and creativity. The broader your experiences, the richer your design thinking becomes.
If you found this guide helpful, you can follow me on Instagram @sonianicolson, where I share more insights, resources, and support for architecture students and creative returners.
I also offer free resources, courses, and portfolio support to help you study architecture with confidence and clarity.
