A major declared after arrival
Columbia says students apply to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. The pages read describe no separate admission to Architecture.
Undergraduate · Columbia College
Columbia College Architecture: a liberal-arts major run through Barnard
Columbia admits students to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, and Columbia College students can major in Architecture through a department administered by Barnard College. The Bulletin describes a liberal arts degree, a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Architecture, which differs from a professional architecture education. This guide makes no claim of a separate admission to the major.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Columbia says about Columbia Architecture
Taken from the Columbia Bulletin entry for Architecture in Columbia College and Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages, read on 1 November 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Columbia's pages for the 2028-entry details.
A liberal-arts B.A.
The Bulletin says the degree is a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Architecture.
Administered at Barnard
Barnard is the administrative location for all undergraduate architecture studies at Columbia and its partners.
Open to Columbia College students
Columbia College and General Studies students can major or minor through the department.
The SAT or ACT is required from August 2027
Columbia says it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results; it accepts A levels and the IB.
Official sources
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Academicsundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
- Columbia Bulletin: Architecturebulletin.columbia.edu
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Testingundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Columbia Bulletin entry for Architecture in Columbia College and Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Columbia's department website, the full course lists and descriptions, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the Bulletin says the major is
The Bulletin says studying architecture at Barnard, Columbia College and General Studies leads to a liberal arts degree, a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Architecture, and that Barnard is the administrative home for all undergraduate architecture studies at Columbia and its partner institutions. The curriculum introduces design at many scales, balancing handcrafted representation with digital tools, and aims to help students interpret major buildings and themes of architectural history and theory. This guide does not describe the graduate professional programme or list individual courses.
Is it the right major?
The Columbia College major beside professional routes
Columbia describes these separately, so the major is chosen after arrival. Avandy's comparison is general.
The liberal-arts major fits if
you want design and architectural history within a broad undergraduate education.
A professional route fits if
you want an accredited professional qualification, which is a separate path from this B.A.
Another Columbia major fits if
your interest lies elsewhere. Avandy's other Columbia guides cover economics, science and sustainability majors.
Admission and testing
Columbia College, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
Columbia says students apply to either Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. It accepts all secondary school curricula, including the IB and Cambridge A Levels, and reviews applications within the context of the curriculum. It says that starting in August 2027 it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results. The major is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Columbia's.
Do you want a liberal arts education with architecture, or professional training?
The Bulletin describes the first.
Does a Barnard-administered department suit you?
The department runs the major for Barnard, Columbia College and General Studies students.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Columbia says it will require one of them from August 2027.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Columbia's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Columbia's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 1 November 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Columbia has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Columbia for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Architecture entry in the Columbia Bulletin and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Columbia College or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Columbia College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Columbia Architecture?
The pages read describe applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Majors are declared after arrival.
Is this a professional degree?
The Bulletin describes a liberal arts degree, a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Architecture.
Who runs the department?
Barnard College is the administrative location for all undergraduate architecture studies at Columbia and its partner institutions.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Columbia says that starting in August 2027 it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results.
Does Columbia accept A levels and the IB?
Columbia says it accepts all secondary school curricula, including the IB and Cambridge A Levels, and reviews applications within the context of the curriculum.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Columbia's wording with no entry-year label. Check Columbia's pages again when Columbia publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Columbia Architecture
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their design portfolio and humanities subjects, how they weigh a liberal-arts major against professional training and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.