Applied to MIT, not to a course
MIT says you apply to the entire university, not to a specific major, and all first-year students begin undeclared.
Undergraduate · MIT Course 4
MIT Course 4 Architecture: two studios, technology subjects and an undergraduate thesis
MIT does not admit applicants to a course. Applicants apply to the university as a whole and all first-year students begin undeclared. The degree chart for Architecture (Course 4) is built round design studios, with building technology, structures, computation and modern architectural history alongside, and it ends in a thesis. The degree is an SB under MIT General Institute Requirements, so it carries a science and mathematics grounding alongside the design work.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What MIT says about MIT Course 4
Taken from the MIT Course Catalog's degree chart for Course 4 and MIT Admissions' Majors & Minors, Tests & Scores and International pages, read on 31 October 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 MIT's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Design studios at the core
Two architecture design studios of 24 units each sit in the required subjects.
Technology and history alongside
Building technologies, structures, computation and modern architecture are required.
A thesis
A thesis research design seminar leads to an undergraduate thesis.
The SAT or ACT is required
MIT requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year students and asks that predicted grades be sent if available.
Official sources
- MIT Admissions: Majors & Minorsmitadmissions.org
- MIT Course Catalog: Architecture (Course 4)catalog.mit.edu
- MIT Admissions: Tests & Scoresmitadmissions.org
Read on 2 November 2026 on the MIT Course Catalog's degree chart for Course 4 and MIT Admissions' Majors & Minors, Tests & Scores and International pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. The department's own website, the subject descriptions, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The degree
What the degree chart says Course 4 is
The degree chart lists design studio subjects, an introduction to architectural design techniques, foundations in art, design and spatial practices, environmental technologies in buildings, structural design, design through computation and making, and understanding modern architecture as required, then at least 24 units of restricted electives in areas such as architecture design and studies and art, culture and technology, and a thesis seminar with an undergraduate thesis. The major totals 177 to 186 units.
Is it the right course?
Course 4 beside Course 11-6 and Civil Engineering
The catalogue lists these as separate degrees, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general and relies on the degree titles and charts.
Course 4 fits if
you want design studio practice with technical and historical subjects.
Course 11-6 fits if
you want cities and computing. Avandy's guide to Course 11-6 covers it.
Engineering routes fit if
you want structural or building engineering as the main subject; this guide did not read those charts.
Admission and testing
An MIT application, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
MIT requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year students. It asks that transcripts include the results of external examinations such as the IB or A Levels required for university entrance in your home country, and that predicted grades be sent if available; only admitted students are required to send final grades. Course 4 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 MIT's.
Do you want studio-based learning?
Two 24-unit design studios are required.
Which technical subjects interest you?
Building technologies, structures and computation are required.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB?
MIT requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year students.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
MIT'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 MIT's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. MIT 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 MIT for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Course 4 degree chart 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 the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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 the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to MIT Course 4?
No. MIT says you apply to the entire university, not to a specific major or school, and all first-year students begin undeclared.
Can I apply directly to Architecture at MIT?
No. MIT says you apply to the entire university, not to a specific major, and all first-year students begin undeclared.
Is there a thesis?
Yes. The degree chart lists a thesis research design seminar and an undergraduate thesis.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
MIT says it requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year students.
Do A levels and the IB count?
MIT asks that transcripts include external examination results such as the IB or A Levels and that predicted grades be sent if available.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are MIT's wording with no entry-year label. Check MIT's pages again when MIT publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about MIT Course 4
Tell us about the student's curriculum, how they weigh design studio against technology and history subjects, whether a thesis appeals 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.